Dealing With Your In-Laws: How Couples Therapy In Singapore Can Help You Talk to Your Partner About Their Family

Navigating In-Law Problems After “I Do”

You fell in love with your partner, and you chose to build a life together. You probably didn’t anticipate that the family dynamic would become one of your greatest challenges. Suddenly, you’re navigating a complex world of unspoken rules, loyalties, and expectations that can feel like they’re driving a wedge between you and your spouse.

If you’re struggling with in-law problems in Singapore, this is more common than you think. In-law issues can create immense stress, making one partner feel unheard or unprioritized. It’s a painful situation, and it can leave you feeling like you’re competing for your partner’s attention or affection.

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Understanding & Addressing In-Law Problems in Relationships

Navigating a relationship with your in-laws can feel like a no-win situation. You love your partner, but you also feel hurt by their family’s actions or words—whether it’s constant criticism, boundary-stomping, or just an overwhelming presence.

When you bring it up to your spouse, it can feel like you’re putting them in an impossible position: choosing between you and their family. The result? You might feel ignored, and your partner might feel torn, leaving you both feeling isolated and angry. The truth is, these issues won’t just go away on their own. Ignoring them will only lead to greater resentment and distance between you.

These conflicts can manifest in many ways:

  • Over-Involvement: Maybe a parent-in-law is constantly “dropping by” unannounced, making demands on your time, or treating your spouse like a child.
  • Differing Values: You may clash with your in-laws over how to raise children, manage finances, or celebrate holidays.
  • Feeling Unimportant: You might feel like your spouse always sides with their family, or that your in-laws don’t respect your decisions or opinions.
  • Competition and Criticism: From a mother-in-law who seems to compete with you for her child’s affection to a sibling-in-law who seems to constantly belittle you, these dynamics can make you feel small and insecure.

“Our in-law problems counselling in Singapore can help you address these conflicts before they escalate.”

Couples Therapy for In-Law Problems in Singapores

This isn’t just about your in-laws; it’s about your relationship. My job is to help you and your partner become a stronger team so you can handle these challenges together. In a safe, neutral space, we will work on:

  • Becoming a United Front: I’ll help you both understand how to support each other and present a united front to the extended family, so neither of you feels alone.
  • Effective Communication: Learn how to talk to your partner about sensitive family issues without blame or judgment, and how to set healthy boundaries with their family.
  • Understanding Family History: We’ll explore how your family backgrounds and upbringings—both yours and your partner’s—impact your loyalty, attachment styles, and responses to conflict.
  • Reclaiming Your Partnership: Ultimately, the goal is to help you remember that your relationship is the priority. You’ll learn to navigate difficult family dynamics while preserving the trust, intimacy, and respect you share as a couple.

You don’t have to navigate this alone. By treating your in-law situation as a problem you can tackle together, with the support of in-law problems counselling, you can strengthen your bond and build a healthier, more peaceful life for your new family.