Creating Peace at Home

53% of all married women describe their relationships with their mothers in law
as obligatory, cordial but nothing more, reporting a mix of both anxiety and
tension. I am the author of “The Daughter-in-Law Rules: 101 Surefire Ways to
Manage (and Make Friends with) Your Mother-in-Law!” and my vision is to
inspire more harmony among 20 million mothers and daughters- in-law around the
world by teaching all brides to learn the art of making friends with their
husband’s mother. Here is a small parable to illustrate the philosophy behind
the Daughter-in-Law Rules:

*** Story of a Daughter-in-law, Li Li
***
A long time ago in China, a girl named Li-Li got married & went to live with
her husband and mother-in-law. Their personalities were very different, and
Li-Li was angered by many of her constant criticisms. Finally, Li-Li could not
stand her mother-in-law’s dictatorship any longer, so she went to see an
herbalist and asked if he would give her some poison. Mr. Huang said, “Li-Li,
every other day prepare some delicious meal and sprinkle some on her plate. And
when she is dying, be careful to obey her every wish, and treat her like a
queen.

In a few months’ time, the mother-in-law’s attitude towards Li-Li changed
drastically, and they were now treating each other like a real mother and
daughter. And Li-Li’s husband was very happy to see the two most important
women in his life finally getting along.

One day, Li-Li went to see the herbalist.