As I can see, most lady members accept the fact that ladies face problems in taking care of parents after marriage, as they are dependent upon their husbands. Let us analyse this problem in details as it affects each one of us. Great deal of our time is wasted fighting at home on such issues. I will generalise my comments based upon my personal experience. Let us start with some basic assumptions;
1. Marriage brings more changes in girl's life than boys, as she has to leave her parents and move over to another home.
2. Boys have greater social responsibility towards their parents than girls and expect their wives to share this responsibility.
3. Girls expect their brothers/ Bhabhis to be sensitive and caring to their parents.
Above three basics shape our day-to-day behaviour and response. There are extreme demands on girls during first few months/ years of married life, as they have to adjust to varying needs of so many new relations in their lives. What sort of response/ support they get from their in-laws and husband shapes their attitude. Only source of their guidance during this period is their mother and other female members from her side. Mother-in-Law and Sister-in-Law are the most common spoilers during this period. Boy usually plays balancing act and tries to earn good name from all sides. In cases where young wife faces problem with in laws, he tends to be illusive during this balancing act. Many boys fall flat on their face during this balancing act. There is a sort of war between wife and mother in law for the control of boy. Left to playing forces, people tend to make mistakes and end up spoiling relations for lifetime. This is where boy and girl both need support and guidance of parents from both sides and which rarely comes in balanced manner. Guidance by mothers is often coloured by their own experience which they had with their mother in law. Fathers rarely guide their daughters and which in my view is the most needed one. This is what I will advise my daughters;
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Dear Daughters,
Pay all your attention to your married life and not to me. If you can be supportive to your husband, you need not worry about me, as it would be he who will care for me if need arises. Share responsibilities of your husband in discharging his family responsibilities. Even if you have a maid/ cook at home, make sure that you serve the food and not maid. Your actions should speak for the care you extend to him and not just empty words. Probably your mother thought that these were not important issues, but as a man I can tell you better how to treat your husband and make him do what all he has to for you. Man are like engines who run on fuel and you can provide that through your care. Trust me, you need not worry about me or anyone. It would be your husband who will do everything if you take care of him. This is the only tact of married life and nothing else. More later…
With love
Papa