Becoming a Parent-in-law - a life transition
By Dan and Mari Greenwood
Essential Components for Relationships
These are the components needed for relationships to flourish. However, as parents and parents-in-law we have to accept that we can only give these, whether we also receive them will depend on the younger people’s choices.
We will sometimes feel uncomfortable and uncertain if what we give is not responded to with mutual respect, understanding, trust and love. This means that often we may have to find ways of coping with past mistakes, hurts and disappointment.
Components of Understanding
- Communication, verbal and non-verbal
- Getting to know and be known
- Empathy
- Imagination
Components of Respect
- Acceptance
- Recognition
- Affirmation
- Appreciation
- Approval
- Admiration
Components of Trust
- Honesty
- Confidence
- Loyalty
- Reliability
- Consistency
Components of Love
- Listening
- Care
- Interest
- Communication
- Kindness
- Affection
- Friendship
- Compassion
- Forgiveness
- Generosity
The following pages can be used to take a look at ‘how things are’. This may be helpful for understanding our own, sometimes complex, mixture of thoughts and feelings.
