Read advice columns from around the nation on relationships, finance, family and more on nj.com
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am visiting my daughter-in-law, who is the widow of my late son. Her mother took me to her weekly knitting group and introduced me as her “friend,” rather than as her daughter’s mother-in-law.
That describes who we are, but does not adequately describe our relationship. We certainly are friends, but we are much more. We are family united by our children. We can think of no one word to describe that relationship. Can you? GENTLE READER: Whether “mother-in-law” counts as one word or three, Miss Manners would have thought the phrase “my daughter’s mother-in-law” sufficiently succinct.
The real question is, given the warm feelings you share toward each other, is that description more, or less, demonstrative than calling you a friend? Even relatives can disagree on this point.Miss Manners: How to tell the friend of a friend there’s no seat for her at the tableMiss Manners: Visiting friend didn’t like the tea she was served or the sofa where she was seatedIf you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.
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