What Amazon says
The Daughter-in-law Syndrome investigates the complicated relationship causing much friction between Grandmother Edna Deane and her daughter-in-law Arla. In addition it focuses on the sometimes tumultuous partnership between Arla and her husband Ric.
Arla Deane sometimes likens her marriage to undergoing daily psychological warfare. Husband Ric will never voice an opinion, and puts his mother Edna up high on a pedestal. Arla is sick of always feeling that she comes in at only second best to her mother-in-law, who much to Arla’s fury is never told anything by Ric or his sisters that she would not want to hear.
This novel explores the husband/wife, mother/son, and mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relationships. After twenty eight years of marriage, Arla, the daughter-in-law, is at the end of her tether and persuades a reluctant Ric to accompany her for marriage guidance. As they look back over their lives with Counsellor Toni Beecher, Arla slowly comes to realise her own failings, and eventually discovers the long-hidden reason why Ric will never utter a cross word to his mother.
Also, adding to Arla’s stress is the fact that her son Stuart will soon be marrying Ria, a girl whom Arla feels is just looking for a free ride. Arla is convinced that Ria will be no asset to Stuart at all; her new daughter-in-law just wants to be a mother and has no intention of ever working again once the babies start to arrive. After visiting Stuart and Ria for Sunday lunch, Arla is convinced that her son is making the biggest mistake of his life…..
My review
Everyone who has a spouse and children should read this book which exposes and examines many of the emotions and attitudes that impact on relationships with our in-laws, from mother and father-in-laws to son and daughter-in-laws.
I was amazed, as I listened to the audio book version of this book, how it pulled me up and caused me to start examining my own relationships with in-laws and my two sons as well as with my parents and my husband. I was really grateful to be given this warning about how I could feel in the future when the time comes for me to meet and accept future daughter-in-laws into our family. It has given me an opportunity to examine how I feel about my children and prepare for any future feelings of jealousy and dissatisfaction. This book teaches the reader about acceptance of other peoples choices.
Richard and Arla have been married for thirty years and the relationship between Arla and her mother and two sister-in-laws has been fraught with problems right from the beginning when Richard, who calls himself Ric, first introduces her to his mother. The story starts with Arla, at the end of her patience with Ric’s seeming indifference about his family’s rudeness towards her and his inability to ever defend his wife against their digs and unkindness, attending marriage counselling to try and work through her frustration. Ric, says he is happy with the status quo, and cannot see the need for the counselling. While he is not very supportive of the idea, he does agree to attend the counselling sessions. Arla is so fed up with the situation that she wants to leave, but feels trapped into staying due to her own lack of a career and income, which she gave up when her daughter was born.
Initially, as Arla tells her side of the story, I felt horrified by how rude Mrs Deane has always been towards Arla and her complete lack of acceptance of her son’s choice of life partner. She has influenced her daughters, Jan and Val, and turned them against Arla too, making family gatherings uncomfortable minefields.
As the book progresses, Arla discovers things about her husband’s past and his relationship with his domineering mother that she didn’t know and she begins to have a bit more understanding of the entire situation. Arla also gets introduced by her son to his intended wife and she starts to discover things about herself and her own nature that led her towards being more understanding towards her mother-in-law and why she has behaved as she did.
I enjoyed the positive outlook of this book and the fact that Ric and Arla are able to rekindle a bit of romance in their relationship and get to a point of trust where their secrets can finally be revealed. It is a lovely journey of self discovery by an ordinary couple with common marital problems and provides some insightful and useful advice in an interesting and entertaining way.
Sounds fascinating!
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It was, Ritu. I would really recommend it.
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This sounds very good, Robbie. As my children get older, I think a lot about what kind of mother-in-law I will be!
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Exactly, Barbara. I was thinking the same thing and I hope this book has opened my eyes a bit as to the kind of MIL I should try to be.
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I’ve learned that as a mother-in-law I have to have no opinions on anything, especially on childcare!
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Yes, I think that does sound right.
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I follow the rule of liking every perspective DIL who comes to the house. You never know and it’s never too early to build a good foundation. 🙂
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Thanks Robbie for such a great review!
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My pleasure, Stevie. I really enjoyed this book a great deal.
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Reblogged this on Stevie Turner and commented:
Thanks to Robbie Cheadle for this brilliant review of ‘The Daughter-in-law Syndrome’.
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Thank you for sharing, Stevie.
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Thank you for the review!
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Stevie does such a great job of describing family dynamics. This was an excellent review.
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Thank you, Darlene. I really enjoyed how this book made me take a look at my own life and relationships. That is real talent.
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Thanks Darlene.
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Great great. Sounds like a insightful read!
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It is, Denise, I would really recommend this book.
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I’ve always felt like the odd one out in DH’s boisterous family. This sounds as though it would resonate with many readers.
Thanks for the insightful review, Robbie, and congrats to Stevie!
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Thank you, Jacquie, it was a most interesting story. I get along well with my in-laws, but I saw a lot of value in the thought process around interacting with girlfriends and future wives.
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Thanks Jacquie. It’s an age-old problem I think.
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Your review is very good and interesting. There are many cases similar to what the book deals with but also many where the friendship reigns. A difficult issue for many if jealousy becomes the factor.
miriam
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Thank you, Miriam. This is the first book of dealing with this topic that I have read and I found it most interesting.
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I love your excellent review, Robbie. The relationship dynamics are so familiar and common. Congratulations to Stevie of your great book. I do have a copy of the book and look forward to reading it.
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I think you will enjoy it, Miriam. I found it fascinating.
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Great, Robbie. I make sure to read it soon.
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Thanks Miriam. Hope you enjoy it!
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I’m sure I will, Stevie!
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Excellent review, Robbie. Kudos to Stevie! 🙂 Sharing…
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Thank you, Bette. A great book.
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Thank you Bette.
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I’m so grateful I don’t have issues with my mother-in-law or my daughter-in-law. Dave also gets on with his mother-in-law and had a good relationship with his ex’s mom as well. But I know friends who aren’t as lucky and my one friend even cut his family of of his life as they were awful to his wife.
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You are lucky, Tandy, I also have lovely in-laws. The value in this book lies in the way it makes you reflect on your own flaws and personality and how that could impede on future relationships.
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Terrific review Robbie. I have had two mother’s in law.. the first one was a contributory factor to the demise of my marriage.. My second mother in law was a delight and we lost her too soon..A force to be reckoned with…
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I am lucky with mine, Sally, they are lovely. In Africa, MILs have far to much power over the women and they are often destructive and unkind. It is very sad. They also perpetuate the cycle of abuse and resist change.
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I think sometimes it is because they feel powerless in their own relationship and this way they can regain some.. anyway delighted you are lucky with yours.. and they can definitely influence a marriage.. hugsx
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MIL has mellowed as she has aged. However, it took the first 30 years of my marriage before she did…
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I admire your perseverance Stevie… glad that it has settled down…xx
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She’s too old to care now, I think.
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I don’t think I would have lasted 30 years, Stevie. I can be very nice but I do not like interference at all. Fortunately, most people I know are happy to let me get on with things and observe.
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MIL once said to me – “It’s a good thing I don’t live nearer, because then I’d be round to interfere.” She meant it, and I thanked my lucky stars that she lived 100 miles away!
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Sadly, I think the situation you describe occurs all too often and it could be an interesting book from that point of view. I like the way you describe Arla’s growth – an important part of healing. I’m pleased that I love the partners both my children have chosen and we get on really well. But I was determined from the outset to respect my children’s choices and not be ‘that’ mother-in-law. I think it does come down to respect.
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Yes, you are quite right, Norah. It comes down to respecting your children’s choices. My mum said that if they make mistakes it becomes the parents problem, which is true to an extent, but people still have to make their own successes or mistakes.
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Very true, Norah.
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That would be a nightmare. I wouldn’t last, I fear.
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I don’t think I would either, Jacqui
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Great review! Very interesting book!
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Thank you, Stevie is a great writer.
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Another fab review Robbie. I love Stevie’s books. I think I have most of them on my Kindle and it’s time to stick another Stevie book up the list. 🙂
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I also enjoy Stevie’s books, Debby. I like that she has audio books too as I listen to about three a month. I love Wendy Anne Darling’s accent, she is the perfect narrator for Stevie’s books.
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Wow, I didn’t even know Wendy narrated! 🙂
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Cheers, Debby. I hope you like it!
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Very interesting book.
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I really enjoyed it, Jennie. I actually enjoyed this one the most out of the three of Stevie’s I have read. There is something about this one that really struck a chord with me.
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Good to know. Thank you, Robbie.
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Good review, Robbie! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
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Thank you, Kevin.
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Always a pleasure, Robbie. 🙂
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Great review, Robbie. I’ve never been married and don’t have children, so it’s all pretty theoretical to me, but it sounds like a thought-provoking read.
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It really is, Olga. I found it hugely insightful.
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I know what you mean about future DILs, Robbie. My oldest son has been with his GF for almost 6 years, and they plan to marry. We’re thrilled – she’s wonderful, and fits right in with our family. It’s such a joy to see someone love your son as much as you. You’re in for a treat.
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I hope so, Teri. I have not thought about it before this book actually. Greg is only interested in achieving his academic goals currently although Mike is a bit of a teenage hormone.
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That sounds very interesting
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It is a great book, Smitha. Stevie is a talented author who tackles difficult subject matters.
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Will give it a read. Thank you for sharing the review
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