Counsellor Lutterodt has urged wives to draw their boundaries and ensure that they do not allow anyone to cross it, not even their mothers-in-law.
According to her, a married woman needs to understand her position and ensure that she does not become too cordial and familiar with her mother-in-law.
Counsellor Lutterodt maintains that since familiarity always does breed contempt, wives need to only maintain a distance from their mothers-in-law. Respect must be reciprocal and maintained at all times so their relationship does not inure to the dysfuncion of the marriage.
“Anyone who compliments the mother-in-law has a problem.” Anyone nice to the mother-in-law will have a problem in the future. You will never be able to befriend your mother-in-law. It’s depravity and disrespect.”
“My wife and I will never be friends.” They do not fight, but they are unable to be friends. Respect must be present. The respect comes from the fact that she is an in-law, and you respect her on that level. You are not required to be nice to your mother-in-law.
“Don’t address her as your mother. She is your wife’s mother-in-law. Don’t be shy about saying it. She is not your mother, but rather your husband’s mother. You will never be her daughter. “Remember that,” Counsellor Lutterodt said on TV3.
