Taming the Dragon Within: How to Be the Mother-in-Law You’ve Always Wanted

Leanne Braddock, Ileene Huffard & Zannette Uriell
The Good Mother-in-Law Project (2008)
ISBN 9781604582932
Reviewed by Danelle Drake for Reader Views (11/08)

 

Ok, so our oldest daughter is at that stage in life where we are thinking any day now we will be given “the” news.  She is in nursing school, out on her own, and has a way-steadier boyfriend than we (her old dad and mom) think she should.  He’s a very nice guy and all, but, she’s our baby.  When the time comes, how should (not does) one react?

When I saw the cover of “Taming the Dragon Within” I thought that this may just be one of those books that are making a comedy out of the mother-in-law.  It is not, it is one of the most informative books I have ever read.  “Taming the Dragon Within” is an absolute A to Z for mother-in-laws, future mother-in-laws, or even those just interested in family dynamics?

So these ladies got together and asked about 1,000 people what makes a good mother-in-law, the good stuff and the bad stuff and compiled it all and produced something that we can all learn from.  From the beginning where you meet your child’s Mr. or Ms. Right you are not the one in control.  You don’t get to choose to have a relationship with this person your child loves; you will have a relationship with this person.  All that is up to you is what kind of relationship will it be.  Covering the wedding, boundaries, communication, and conflict resolution you are given tools and insight into many other relationships that came before to better build your own.  Divorce, Death, and Grandmothering are covered and you are given information on how to build a better relationship where the daughter-in-law or son-in-law has different cultural views and beliefs that you.  This is really a great all-inclusive book.  I especially liked the “5-Minute Mother-In-Law: A Quick Reverence for Busy Women” and “A Mother-In-Law & Daughter-In-Law Conversation Guide.” 

Leanne Braddock, Ileene Huffard and Zannette Uriell really have thought of everything in “Taming the Dragon Within.”  Anyone who is or who ever plans to be a mother-in-law should take advantage of this excellent information.  As I closed the book I thought, “Damn I sure wish I had been the one to think of that!”

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