Planning the most important day in your life can be stressful enough without parents and in-laws breathing down your neck and wanting to be involved in every step of the way. If you have parents who are maybe a little too much already, it can seem like the only way to get by is to cut them out entirely, or submit and let them take over, but there are ways to keep a healthy balance.
- Set boundaries
First of all, you need to set boundaries with them if they become overbearing during the planning process. Be clear about what you need help with and what you don’t, and set dates in the diary for them to come over and help.
- Carve out time
If you’re a bride-to-be dealing with an overbearing mother,
set up mother-daughter dates to help her feel involved. There are plenty of opportunities such as trying on the dress, selecting beauty therapists and hairdressers, going over cake and flower options. Make a day of it and schedule in time for lunch. She wants to help, it’s not all bad.
- Select chores
Do they want to help? Let them! If they’re eager to get involved, give them a task you trust them with which can’t go too wrong and let them know the basic rules and boundaries. That’s one thing off your list!
- Appreciate them
After all, they’re just trying to help, and they’re probably just really happy for the both of you. Having too much help is better than not enough, so let them know you’re grateful as well as setting boundaries for them. What would you do without them?
