40 Things To Never Say To Your In Laws

What are 40 things that you should never say to your in-laws? What things would you suggest?

What Not to Say

I scoured almost as many sources as I could in trying to find the best 40 things not to say to in-laws. There were so many others that I could have included. I researched marriage counselors, pastors, child phycologists and other experts in family relations and somehow managed to narrow down to 40 those thing that we should never say to our in-laws.

Better Not to Say

I won’t let you see your grandkids again!
We don’t really need your opinion.
I wished we had it as easy as you do.
Why didn’t you ever teach your son/daughter to (Fill in the blank).
She/he never liked that when he/she was growing up.
The baby stopped crying as soon as you left.
Please keep your two cents to yourself.
Did you spank your son/daughter when they were young?
We won’t be able to make it for the holidays…we’re spending it with our family.
My parents would never do that.
We don’t take God as seriously as you do.
Don’t plan on seeing your grandkids all the time.
Could you talk to your son/daughter for me?
We never let our children do what you did with yours.
My husband/wife doesn’t like it that way.
Like mother like son/like mother like daughter/like father like son/like father like son.
Does this gift come with a gift receipt?
This tastes just like we had at the restaurant.
Wow, you look tired.
Thanks for fixing dinner but I can’t eat that.
Your son/daughter never liked it when you served (Fill in the blank).
We parent this way, not the way you did.
Why didn’t you teach your son/daughter to do (whatever it is)?
He/she may not be perfect but he/she’s all mine.
I really wasn’t asking for your opinion.
Is that the way you raised your son/daughter?
You’re welcome to come over at any time.
You’ve already raised your own children so don’t tell me how to raise mine.
I don’t need your help.
You’re son/daughter is a grown up now, you don’t have to tell him/her what to do.
These are my children, not yours.
I’m way too busy to see you right now.
Thanks but I don’t need any help or advice.
I’d like you to check with your son/daughter first if you need to tell me something.
You really don’t know anything about raising kids.
Do you need some help cleaning your house?
When I need your advice I’ll ask for it.
You’re not my model for how to be a parent/spouse.
We’d like you to babysit our kids so we can go out.
I don’t need your input about how to raise my children.

Conclusion

Model the golden rule and treat your in-laws the way you want them to treat you with dignity and respect and as Colossians 4:6 says “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”