Where are You Going?

Your mother-in-law controlling or trying to control your movements are one of the most common problems that you may face.

Richa Dhillon, 23, secretary, felt tied to her marital home for the first week of her marriage. "I used to go to work, come back home, do a few household chores and go to bed. I had to answer a million questions the few times that I had an office function to attend," she says.

Things came to a head when Richa was stopped from attending an important office dinner and told by her mother-in-law that her life was not hers anymore.

It's My Life: "My life is my life. I may be married to your son but he is a part of my life as you all are, not all of it," said Richa.

Her in-laws and husband were taken aback by that statement. Richa was further admonished that she was a bad daughter-in-law and that she did not know what her responsibilities were.

Richa told them that she too was a contributing member to the household expenses and she did have a life outside the home and office no matter what they said.

"I did face some hostility from my in-laws for a few days after that but once they knew that I meant business they softened up. Infact a couple of days after that I did try and reason with them. I spoke to my husband that very night and sorted things out with him," she says.

Also Read: Your Saas, Monster-in-Law?

But He is My Son

Yes most mothers find it difficult to cut the cord and some may try and mother him after your wedding.

Elaine Gracias, 24, lawyer, thought she married into the perfect family. "Oh how wrong I was. I was always good friends with my mother-in-law before the wedding. I was seeing Pascal for 5 years before we married. But then after the wedding suddenly my ma-in-law began mothering Pascal quite literally," she says.

She would make sure that she buttered his toast every morning (It was something that he always did before the wedding), laid his shoes and socks out and even served him in his plate.

It was almost like she was in competition with Elaine….for her son.