1.
The way you treat a new family member,
The way you welcome that new member,
The way you comfort that new member,
The way you fold her into the family,
The way you respect and value her
The way you see her true worth,
Is all a reflection of what kind of a person
you are- whether good or evil.
2.
In laws do not have to behave in-laws;
Is there any law that requires in-laws
To be in-laws alone and not parents to
the in-law who enters her in-laws' household?
Is there any law that states
In-laws should scoff, mock and
insult in-laws because the incumbent in-law
Is from another family? If there is such
A law, then is it worth a law?
3.
When you become in-laws, it is not
a status to tease the incoming in-law!
When you become an in-law, it is not
a status to demean the incoming in-law!
When you call yourself in-laws, it is not
a status to judge what the new in-law does!
A bit of parental approach goes
A long way in making the new in-law
feel comfortable in her new home.
Becoming a mother to the new person
Only adds value to your portfolio and
Does not diminish that motherliness!
How many in-laws realise this in these times?
This is twenty-first century and not first century.
4.
As you grow older, your life calls for contentment,
moving away from material greed,
moving away from craving for more,
moving away from valuing money,
Moving away from your arrogance and
moving away from your judgemental behaviour!
You can be a parent, you can be an in-law,
remember, you are firstly a human.
All these traits you exhibit determine
what, who, how you are made of as a person.
The new in-law is watching!
5.
You becoming an in-law has been
a gradual stage in your life;
You would have committed blunders
as a young in-law yourself in the past;
You may have said things absurd
as a young in-law hoping someone understands!
You have learnt through the years and
now as a senior in-law, where did that humanity fly?
Compassion, empathy, parent-like approach
went flying out of the window?
Now that you are a senior in-law, is teasing,
judging and mocking your approach?
Would you do that to your own ward?
If yes you are not fit to be a parent!
Reflect on yourself.
6.
When you become a father-in-law,
Behave like a dad not an in-law;
When you are a mother-in-law,
Behave like a mum not an in-law;
If you are a brother-in-law, then,
Behave like a brother not in-law;
If you are a sister-in-law, then,
Behave like a sister not an in-law;
When you as an in-law want to show attitude,
why should the incoming in-law be subservient
when you exhibit attitude and arrogance?
What you give is what you will also get in return.
Life is not a game of cards and,
not about the hand you are dealt.
You have the ability to make a choice.
Do so wisely.
7.
Think of those times when you
Became a new in-law to a new family;
Think of that time when those new
Bullied and teased you with unfairness;
Think of those days when a warm ear
To listen and a caring hug felt soothing;
now, being in the status of a senior in-law,
why should you reciprocate?
Can't you be a better human?
You could be a good example.