Dr. Brann, a licensed clinical psychotherapist, begins this book by telling of her own experience with her daughter-in-law, sharing an example of a family thanksgiving get-together that became a disaster  because both she and her daughter-in-law interpreted events from their own perspectives.

To make the situation totally clear, she tells us both sides of the story. This provides her with a good  relatable lead-in to the challenges of the mother-in-law (MIL) daughter-in-law (DIL) relationship, including:

•  the artificiality of the relationship
• the different stages of life (generally different generations)
• the personal history and emotional baggage we all carry

 At the heart of this book are Dr. Brann’s  analysis of the characters involved in our relationships.  She  begins with the important clarification that there are actually not two but four people who are always involved in the dynamics of any MIL-DIL relationship.

Yes, four: In addition to the MIL and DIL, the husband/son and the DIL’s mother are also involved. In fact, she says, the DIL’s relationship with her own mother has a huge impact on the MIL-DIL relationship – even if the DIL’s mother is no longer living.

I found this totally relatable, as I once heard someone like Dr. Phil opine that whenever a couple is in bed together, there are actually not two people there, but four. (I don’t recall exactly who the other two are, but it was the same concept. They “phantom” bed partners are people from our pasts.)  

I enjoyed how Dr. Brann names the personality types for each group:

She first identifies four different personality types of MIL:

• Comfortable Carla
• Mothering Margaret
• Off-the-Wall Wanda, and
• Uncertain Sara

To be fair, she also sees four different personality types of DIL:

• Confident Connie
• Doubting Donna
• Weird Wendy, and
• Transitioned Tracy  

And, not to leave the men out of the equation, she also recognizes and three different personality types for the husband/son:

• Self-Assured Andy
• In-the-Middle Michael, and
•  Struggling Steven

Since I’m a big believer in the Myers-Briggs personality style analysis, and have used in in my business, I found this very natural. And an easy way to focus on the particular needs of each character.  And just as how the Myers-Briggs assessments help differing personality styles get along together in a business setting, these profiles exemplify  how a MIL or a DIL can begin to understand where the DIL or the MIL is coming from.

And knowing this is crucial to making in-law relationships work effectively. It’s sort of a “walk a mile in my shoes” kind of thing, if you will. Briggs points out that learning to manage our expectations is important, just as is recognizing boundaries and holding mutual respect.  She also shows how humor can be an effective way to defuse or uncomfortable hot situations.  

Brann includes questionnaires so readers can readily identify personality types, patterns of behavior and know how to deal with them.

Beyond being a MIL herself, Deanna Brann, Ph.D., clearly has the credentials to write this book. She is a leading expert in the field of mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relationships with over 25 years’  experience as a clinical psychotherapist, in addition to running her own private practice for more than 18 years.  You’ll want to check out her website to sign up for her free newsletter, too.

I can’t close this review without mentioning that the book features wonderful illustrations by Donald Hoenig. I found them helpful in lightening up what might otherwise be a really heavy subject. 

Finally, I’ve been blessed with wonderful mother-in-law, but I know many people, including my own mother, who suffer greatly as a result of these relationships.  Which is why, IMHO, this wonderful little book ought to be a required shower gift for every new bride – and her mother-in-law!

Anne Holmes NABBW’s “Boomer in Chief”

As "Boomer in Chief" of the National Association of Baby Boomer Women, Anne is passionate about educating, empowering and enriching the lives of Baby Boomer Women, as we now begin to age beyond our middle years and enthusiastically launch ourselves into life’s next stage – which most people call old age. We Boomers know aging doesn’t have to diminish us. We still have a lot to offer the world, and we continue to be ready and willing to enthusiastically participate.

Actively involved with a number of Boomer-focused organizations and committees, Anne keeps a steady finger on the pulse of this still-spirited generation, with the goal of helping us all to enjoy life, stay healthy and continue to live lives that are rich in every sense of the word. Beyond that, Anne is dedicated to helping facilitate the positive interaction between Baby Boomers and the hard-working younger generations who are readying themselves to “take the world’s reins” and continue our efforts to move society in a positive direction.