In-Law get togethers can be tough. Here are some tips and tricks from others who have gone before you.

Married? Here's some advice on your visiting with your in-laws from the book "How to Survive Your In-Laws" (Hundreds of Heads Books, www.hundredsofheads.com, $13.95), straight from people who've done it:

  "Accept that your in-laws won't always say `thank you' when you make extra efforts for them. When my in-laws came to visit us, we paid for their trip. But we also paid for them to go to Spain, stay in four-star hotels and rent a convertible. All they did was complain about the weather, the food and the room. But we were happy to do it because it helps to maintain the relationship. We drew the line, though, when they wanted us to give them spending money!"
  M.S., Toronto, Canada
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  "Friday night is a good night to clean house, so if your in-laws show up unannounced on Saturday morning for breakfast, at least your home won't be a pigsty."
  Cecelia Reeves, Chico, Calif.
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  "You should not drink. Who knows what might come out of your mouth once you have a few drinks in you? You might actually tell them what you think of them; instead, play it safe and drink your Coke without the rum."
  _ Patrick Caliendo, Poland, Ohio
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  "Your spouse will generally be more stressed by his or her parents visiting than you will be. I find it's best to plan some activities to get out of the house; everyone has a good time and relaxes. And the more relaxed your spouse is, the happier you'll be."
  _ Anonymous, San Jose
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  "The greatest invention for dealing with family get-togethers is the Game Boy. It's small enough to fit in your pocket, but it's fun enough to keep you occupied for a good part of the day. I take the Game Boy and a handful of games anytime we go to my in-laws, but especially for their dreary daylong parties. The Game Boy even comes with headphones to further help you drown out the festivities. The main thing to remember, though, is to bring your battery charger with you. If you run out of juice, you might have to talk to someone, heaven forbid."
  _ K.O., Newton Falls, Ohio
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  "If your mother-in-law is a drinker, sit back and watch her drink all the Chardonnay she wants so she eventually passes out at 8 p.m. Politely set the table for dinner and do the dishes so it doesn't distract from her continuous boozing. For two hours, you will have to suffer while she says offensive things and talks inarticulately about politics and the war. She will complain about how much stress she has: She has to choose the perfect floors, paint, and hardware for her new condo. Pretend you are paying close attention by nodding your head and smiling, and silently pray that your partner never ends up like her. You will be pissed off, but remember, it is only temporary."
  S.K., San Diego
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  "In my wife's family, get-togethers entail all the men hanging out in front of the television and all the women sitting around the dining-room table, gossiping. Call me crazy, but the gossip is more interesting than the football or basketball game the men are watching. Very few men know this, because they never give it a try. It's like watching a soap opera unfold right before your eyes. Next time you are in that situation, drag yourself away from the television, get some popcorn, and listen to the women talk about their friends."
  _ Fred Matheis, Deerfield, Ohio
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  Hundreds of Heads Books' survival guides offer the wisdom of the masses by assembling the experiences and advice of hundreds of people who have gone through life's biggest challenges and have insight to share. Visit www.hundredsofheads.com to share your advice or get more information.
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  (c) 2008, Hundreds of Heads Books, Inc.
 
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