My in-laws visit us a couple of times in the year and I truly believe that because we don't live in the same house or even the same city it's a very special time for us. I make sure I take a break from work and plan outings with them. After all, it's the only chance we get to look after them. I believe that relationships with a healthy distance are always successful.
luckily, my mother-in-law is not the type of person who interferes in household work. However, all parents want to know what's going on in their children’s lives and she is no different. I make sure I always keep her in the picture and respect her position. In turn, she respects my privacy. Advice from elders is always welcome — Roshni Chopra (Pia in kasam se)
Over the years, my mother-in-law and I’ve managed to understand each other. The best part is that she has changed with time. Being a working entrepreneur, she was okay with me going for late-night parties. Though the initial phase of marriage was difficult and there were some adjustment problems, everything worked out well with her support.
When I was doing Kusum, I shot for a smoking sequence and I was really nervous that my mother-in-law may not like this. But she didn’t say anything. Instead, she praised me for such a bold attempt. Whenever she pays us a visit, she gives me advice but never tries to redo the set-up of my house or complains about it. She has given me freedom to do what I please. On may part, I make sure not to let her do any household work and treat her like my friend — Poonam Narula (played radha in shararat)
It’s a fact that there are adjustment problems with mothers-in-law. But I’m blessed to have her in my life and we are like friends. She is a very open-minded about working women. Thus, she relates to my situation and understands my work pressure. It was not so difficult for me to adjust with her. Whenever she advises me I try to understand her point of view. When I was a teenager, my father used to tell me what I could do or couldn’t. Even though I didn’t agree with him, I couldn’t change his views. I apply the same principle with my mother-in-law. I talk with her and try and make her see things from my point of view— ridhi dogra (plays savitri in savitri)
The relationship we share with our mother is very casual. You can be yourself with her and express your feelings openly. She understands you as she has seen you growing up. But with a mother-in-law, there are certain things we can’t do. like, you can't answer back or fight with her. Daughters-in-law should think twice before even thinking of answering back. Respect should be there. Whenever my mother-in-law visits me, she changes the set-up of the house. This angers me, but I never complain when she does it. In fact, I try to learn new things from her and understand every action of hers. She is quite independent herself and gives me my space — Sai Deodhar (played monica in saara akaash)
— As told to sangeeta yadav
