So then, what happens if you are the type who simply cannot address your mother-in-law with what you would generally call your mother?

Remember, it is not necessary that your in-laws are "bad" people, or that ones who would torture you and make your life miserable. They might be genuinely nice people who love you as a daughter-in-law!

Previously, it was unheard of for a daughter-in-law to not address her mother-in-law as ma or mummy, but now things are changing.

Moayangla Longkumer, a homemaker and new mother says, "I address my mother-in-law as auntie. She understands and is okay with it, as I am. I don't feel like calling her mom. But my husband calls my mother mummy. It just depends on what you are comfortable with."

Dipannita James, a newlywed from Kolkata says, "I felt very strange to suddenly call my husband's mother mummy. She is not my mother after all. But, the point is, she is my husband's mother, and she deserves that much respect from me. She raised my husband to be the person that he is, which is why I fell in love with him. Calling her ma is the least I can do."

So, where there are women like Moayangla, there are also women like Dipannita. So, where does one draw the thin line between what you want and what is expected of you?

Also Read: Types of Mother-in-Law

Sneak out the Back Way

Remember, if you feel uncomfortable calling your mother-in-law mummy, you need to figure out the following:

Does she expect it from you? Does she keep on asking you to call her "ma"?

If you answer is no, thank your lucky stars you have an understanding mother-in-law.

However, if your answer is yes, then you need to analyse if you feel guilty for not addressing her the way she wants you to address her.

Remember, if you want to score brownie points with your mother-in-law, this is the first thing you need to do.

Try out the following:

• This might seem cliché, but it is really the best thing you can do. Talk to her and explain why is it important for you to not address her the way she wants to be addressed.
• If you call your own mother "mama", don't address your mother-in-law with the same name. You can address her with some other name for mother.
• If your husband calls his mother some other name of endearment, you can use that as well, rather than calling her mom.
• Talk to her and come with a new name of endearment for her. This way, both of you will be happy.
• Last but not the least; try this tricky tip for as long as you can. Don't address her at all. If you have to tell her something, just go to her and tell her what you have to. Just make sure you don't land up in a situation where you have to call out loudly to her.