Good day. I am Xin Tan, your coach, Fei Yun. I will provide you with a supportive and empathetic ear as you recount your experiences.
I empathize with your sentiments. The predicament you are grappling with is, in essence, an age-old conundrum: if your mother and daughter-in-law were to fall into a body of water simultaneously, who would you prioritize in your rescue efforts? Such quandaries are not uncommon in married families.
There is no need to hasten the process. There are always multiple potential solutions to any given problem. Let us examine the matter further.
Prior to addressing the matter at hand, it is essential to first address one's emotional state.
The two parties involved, the mother and the wife, have different living habits and conflicting opinions. The wife has informed the husband of the situation, and he feels caught in the middle and is reluctant to exacerbate the relationship between the wife and her mother due to his perceived mishandling of the situation.
First and foremost, I commend you for your meticulous consideration. Both women hold significant positions in your life and must be treated with the utmost respect and care.
This illustrates the difficulty of an impartial official in judging family matters and demonstrates that family issues are not trivial. The conflict between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law is a significant one.
Let us first examine the daughter-in-law's emotional state. She has informed us via WeChat that, on the one hand, she desires our support and understanding. However, her mother-in-law has turned off the air conditioner, leaving her and her children in a state of discomfort. It appears that her mother-in-law is attempting to impose her own living habits upon her children, although this is not her intention.
In the case of the daughter-in-law, it can be readily interpreted as "interference" and "crossing boundaries." There is a form of coldness known as "Grandma says I'm cold," which is simply a statement of fact. When interacting with others, it is essential to respect the "sense of boundaries."
Alternatively, it is recommended that you intervene to resolve the issue, which is a more appropriate course of action than for her to communicate directly with her mother-in-law. Given that "mother-in-law and daughter-in-law are natural enemies," it is understandable that they may become hostile towards each other due to their different positions and perspectives, as well as their close relationship with you.
Let us now consider the emotional implications of this situation. Following this incident, you find yourself in a challenging position. On the one hand, you are motivated to safeguard your daughter-in-law's feelings and empathize with your wife and children, who are experiencing the discomfort of the summer heat.
From one perspective, it is imperative to demonstrate respect and consideration for one's mother's feelings.
The reason for the sense of helplessness is the perception of the situation as an insurmountable problem. However, if the situation is regarded as a potential resource or advantage, it can be transformed into a resource or advantage.
2. Adopt a multi-perspective approach to gain a nuanced understanding of the matter at hand.
Your mother-in-law has traveled from Yunnan to Hangzhou to provide care for the infant, affording you the opportunity to demonstrate care and support in return. This is a reciprocal exchange of love and care.
The daughter-in-law and mother-in-law are not directly related by blood; however, they have formed a close bond due to the influence of the daughter-in-law. This incident provides an opportunity for them to strengthen their relationship and gain a deeper understanding of each other.
For example, a comprehensive introduction to the fundamental aspects of Yunnan could be provided to the daughter-in-law. Similarly, an overview of the essential elements of Hangzhou could be offered to the mother.
Adults are aware of this situation and are cognizant of the "air conditioning" incident.
Adopting a perspective that encompasses multiple viewpoints allows for a greater range of potential courses of action to be considered.
It is essential to be mindful of the techniques and competencies utilized during communication.
1. It is recommended that communication be initiated unilaterally. When communicating with one's daughter-in-law, it is advised that one express understanding and compassion for her.
A woman's most fundamental needs in a marital relationship are a sense of security, attention, and compassion. A woman's primary concern is not the event itself, but rather the emotional impact it has on her.
Once she has gained your understanding, she will feel reassured and will be able to comprehend and accept her mother-in-law.
It is not uncommon for men who have experienced difficulties in their relationships to communicate with their daughters-in-law from the perspective of their own mothers. This often manifests as a denial of, criticism of, or blame directed at their daughters-in-law's feelings. Such actions can serve to exacerbate existing conflicts between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law.
When communicating with her mother, the mother will feel more sympathy for her child. It is recommended that emotion and reason be used to convey the following information: young people and the elderly have different living habits, pay more attention to small things, and explanations should be provided more frequently.
2. In familial contexts, the individual in question must assume the role of the "black face," that is, the individual who serves as the conduit for the expression of negative sentiments and behaviors.
The same words spoken by different individuals in disparate circumstances will elicit disparate responses. The domestic sphere is one in which emotional expression, rather than rational argumentation, predominates.
It is recommended that one attempts to comprehend and resolve issues from the vantage point of one's own nuclear family. Only through a genuine psychological detachment from one's parents can one evade the influence of one's parents and one's original family in one's own marriage.
To illustrate, consider the case of the eldest son in "All is Well."
In the book Why Family Hurts, the author discusses the phenomenon of Chinese-style marriage, which is characterized by three types of relationship misalignments: those between husbands and wives, between parents and children, and between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law. It is my hope that this analysis will prove enlightening to the reader.
A misaligned relationship between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law often occurs when two women are engaged in a power struggle for the affections of a man, each seeking to gain his support.
It is my sincere hope that the aforementioned information is beneficial to you and, indeed, to the wider world.
With love,
Should you wish to pursue this discussion further, you are invited to click on the link entitled "Find a Coach," which you will find in the upper right-hand corner or at the bottom of the page. I will engage with you on a one-to-one basis, communicating and developing our relationship in a way that will facilitate your growth.
Comments
I understand both sides are just trying to ensure the kids' comfort. Maybe you could have a calm conversation with your mother, explaining the importance of air conditioning for the children's health during hot days.
Perhaps you can buy a small portable air conditioner specifically for the kids' rooms. This way, it might be easier for your mother to accept since it directly benefits the children without changing her living habits too much.
Why not involve your mother in finding a solution? You could ask her input on how she thinks they could all stay comfortable. Showing her that her opinion matters might help ease any tension.
Considering my mother's discomfort with air conditioners, I might suggest alternative cooling methods like fans or cooling mats. It's about finding a balance between everyone's preferences and the children's comfort.
It sounds like communication is key here. Maybe arrange a time when you, your wife, and your mother can sit down together and discuss the situation openly. Make sure everyone has a chance to express their feelings and concerns.