What happens with the in-laws after divorce? I don’t think I have to tell anyone how emotionally difficult it is to get divorced. Sources of stress can include: feeling lonely, being scared, experiencing financial stress, worrying about the kids, paying legal bills, finding a new place to live, trying to keep your home, and dating. It’s brutal. But another thing about breaking up with your husband is, you might also be breaking up with his family.
I’m not trying to be funny, but if you never liked your in-laws, then honestly, your divorce suddenly has a huge plus side. Think about it. You never, ever, ever have to go out for brunch or dinner with them. Ever again! Yay! But, what happens if you actually like or truly love your soon-to-be ex’s family and you don’t want to break up with them? Are there rules for in laws after divorce?
When I got divorced, my ex-husband’s entire family stopped communicating with me. They didn’t speak to me for over a decade. At the time, it was so hurtful and I would cry about it because I felt like my family had turned on me. It was a very empty and awful feeling.
I’m not saying they did anything wrong. If you think about it, they were only hearing his side of the story. Also, maybe he told them he didn’t want them to talk to me. Maybe they just didn’t know what to do. Plus, the bottom line is, while you are going through a divorce, things can get ugly, and maybe the in laws get angry by seeing their son/brother/sister upset at some of the things that happen.
At the time, though, I used to fantasize that they would call me and say something like, “We’re really sorry this is happening and we’re going to miss seeing you. We love you.” That call never took place and it was heartbreaking.
So, what happens with the in-laws after divorce?
My first piece of advice is, don’t expect them to take your side. It doesn’t even matter to them what your ex did or what the circumstances are. Even if your spouse cheated and left you for someone else, don’t expect your in-laws to take your side. Blood is very very very much thicker than water in a divorce, as unjust and unfair as that may seem.
I get though, how it can feel so hurtful to go from a family treating you like their own to acting like total strangers. I still get sad thinking about it to this day. And what so many people have such a hard time with is, the in laws are oftentimes still really nice to other members of your family!! My in-laws were as friendly as can be to my parents, my sister, brother, nieces, and of course the kids, but to me they acted as cold as ice. It brought me to tears on two different occasions.
When in-laws turn on you during divorce, it’s easy to feel like the entire time you were married, their behavior towards you was just an act, and was conditional. Please don’t think that. I know, in my case, it was not. The thing is, you can’t take it personally. I know that sounds crazy–how can you not take your in laws treating you like crap after divorce personally? But it’s true. They are thinking about their son/daughter, and the pain that YOU–the devil, the evil person, the person who messed up their life (even though we both know you didn’t!) caused him or her. Plus, you don’t know if your ex is making up lies about you to them.
Also, in some cases, the person getting divorced tells their family that it is forbidden to speak with their ex. And because the family doesn’t want to upset the person, or because they are scared of him or her, they oblige. This drives me nuts, because I think if a person wants to talk to their former daughter or son-in-law, they should stand up for themselves and just do it.
They could say something their son or daughter like, “We love you, but we love your wife/husband too and he/she is like family to us and we care about him/her. You also share our grandchildren/nieces/nephews and we want to remain close to them and not make things weird for them. If you have a problem with that, we are sorry.”
The other thing is, when in laws after divorce are distant to the ex-spouse, the kids feel it. So on top of having their parents not in love anymore, they are seeing the hatred and resentment and bitterness of their grandparents and aunts and uncles!
Here’s my advice on that. If your ex in-laws are being rude to you, or if they say mean things to you in front of the kids, don’t engage. Try to be as calm and collected as possible. Be gracious and polite. Your kids will remember both sides. Also, try to explain to your kids (very sad that you have to do this) but tell them that their grandparents are just hurt right now and that they love and adore you just the same as they always have. Never try to alienate mean in-laws after divorce from your kids. It’s very very bad for the kids.
Here’s the flip side on what can happen with in-laws after divorce, which can be equally as hurtful:
I have a friend whose sister is having drinks with and getting together with her ex-brother-in-law. I think this is unacceptable behavior and shows a lot about the sister’s character. Too chummy isn’t good either. Remember, this is a divorce.
Want the good news? Time truly does make things better. It did for me. A few years ago, my ex in laws and the family started saying hello to me at kid events. They now talk to me and we are actually all good friends. I never expected this and it is delightful. I will always care about them and would be there for them if they needed me. But also, I see how great it makes my kids feel. They love that we all seem like the family we were when we were married. Honestly, it’s beautiful, and again, I never ever ever expected it.
I think it took them a long long time to “forgive” whatever they thought I did, and maybe after that, they didn’t know how to act. So, if you see your ex in laws trying to be friendly, just be friendly back. You don’t have to be best friends with them, but being cordial and genial is so wonderful for everyone, including you! No one ever regretted being mean and unfriendly, so if you are friendly and they aren’t, that’s OK too! Your kids will see it and you will know in your heart that you were kind.
Here’s my last piece of advice. If you are newly separated, expect NOTHING from your in-laws. Don’t expect them to be awful and mean, and don’t expect them to be sugary sweet. Every one of them will process your divorce in a different way, and you have no idea what they are thinking and how they are feeling. One might want to stay friendly with you but fears the other family members will get upset. It’s hard!
Should you reach out to in-laws after divorce?
It’s a personal choice and if it’s going to make you feel better, do it. BUT, don’t expect them to agree with you, and don’t be upset if they are icy. And, don’t regret reaching out if you don’t get the reaction you’d hoped for. It might make you feel like at least you tried.
In the end, remember that you have your own family or friends to lean on, AND if you have faith, if you believe God has your back, and if you believe in yourself, you will have so much love in your life from so many people, which might include your in laws in the future.
Like this article? Check out, “Arguing With Your Ex? Know When to Walk Away”
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Jerry
I was dumped alone in a foreign country with a 4 years old child, by in-laws whom I considered my closest friends and a family. I did not have any of my family members here when I was living with my ex-husband for about 10 years during which I tried my best to make my ex to be closer to his own family( lots of story there) . I also hardly had any contact with my own family who are not here in USA and did not support my relationship to begin with. So naively I considered these less than humans my only family and confined everything and anything in my life
When I was dumped in the middle of nowhere without any financial support with a toddler, I actually keep contacting them to mediate b/n me and Mr. betrayal (ex-husband) . I begged them to get involved for the sake of their own grandchild only to be lied and to be told not contacts them any longer. To me is not the hard life I am leading what has been hurting me so much but the extent of my naivety and the degree of their betrayal. During those bitter years before the separation, I always reached out to them about our problem and my ex used to tell me “Do not tell them about us because they do not care!” he was right all along. I realized now, they only did not care, but also they actually hate me.
I am the youngest of my family with 5 older brothers. My family has been different when it comes to in-laws. My family always took the wives side and took them in as our own family and supported to extent of raising their kids. This was all I saw when I was a kid and thought this was the norm.
Their betrayal is more than words can express but how can grandparents ignore the hurt of their own grand kid? And abandon sweet little girl who still has their last name as if she never existed?!!
Susan
I am just beginning to realize the issue in front of me. My daughter just found out that her husband has been cheating on her. They have a 5 year old son. Her heart is broken. Mine is broken for her. I haven’t spoken to my son-in-law (other than to answer him if he asks me a question) since finding out about 3 weeks ago. My grandson knows they are fighting a lot, but has no clue why. The night my daughter found out, she asked me to come pick up my grandson and keep him overnight. He knew he was there due to the fighting going on.
How do I react RIGHT NOW to my s-I-l? He and my husband become more like friends, rather than in-laws. My husband feels the hurt and betrayal as well. We want to support our daughter. But we don’t want our support for her to negatively impact our grandson. It’s a fine line to balance, and I’m not sure how to do it. Any advice is welcome.
I should mention that my s-I-l has apparently broken things off with the “other woman” although he hasn’t made a commitment yet to try to save the marriage. My daughter would like to, for the sake of their son. She has already started seeing a marriage counselor. He has, so far, refused to go.
Lucy
What happens when the entire family dumps you! My brother got a divorce, and the children, the ex wife, won’t even speak to me. I am their aunt. They never call my elderly mother who is 89 and in poor health. I didn’t do anything and I got pitched to the curb along with my whole family. The only time they contact me is when they want a graduation gift.