text: Often because sons/husbands inadvertently put them in opposing situations by not letting go of "dear old mom" and putting their wives first as they should.  I have a wonderful relationship with my daughter-in-law, but I'm fortunate in that she's a sweet girl who loves my son very much.  Because that's true, I make it a point to keep the boundaries very clear.  \n\nHowever, those boundaries can become much more difficult to maintain, I imagine, if one's child is married to someone who doesn't love or appreciate him/her, or who treats him/her poorly.  Mothers tend to be protective of their children, and that can complicate in-law relations if they become too aware of and too involved in their children's marriages.  If my son and his wife argue, I don't want to know about it--I encourage him to talk to a friend, or his brother, or even better--to his wife.\n\nThe soaps, though, are an entirely different story--they dramatize and emphasize the conflicts that people encounter in their lives, which is what makes watching them entertaining.  No matter how bad you think you've got it, odds are good that your favorite soap character has it worse! ;)