Today’s Topic: Learning How to Apply The 'Stop, Drop, and Roll, Baby! Technique When Dealing With In-law Discord

In-laws can be joyful additions to the family and a source of marital tension.

That’s because in-laws come with expectations and ‘understandings’ that can trigger you and create tension in your marriage.

When things heat up, and you know they will . . .  pull out the 'Stop, Drop, and Roll, Baby!' Technique.

If this is your first time reading our Stop, Drop, and Roll, Baby! mini-series, you’ll want to get up to speed on this unique technique by reading about it here — it saved my marriage!

How to use the 'Stop, Drop, and Roll, Baby!' with Your In-Laws

1. Stop fueling the flames.
   
   It doesn’t matter who or what started escalating the argument. What matters is that you stop fueling the flames.
   
   Stop contributing to the fighting. Stop trying to ‘make’ your in-laws understand your point of view. Stop saying, “yes, but!”
   
   Stop feeding the fire by saying with warmth in your voice and love in your heart:
   
   “I see we’re butting heads, and I don’t want to do that with you. Let’s take a break and come back in a little while to talk things over.”
   
   Then, walk away from the conversation. 
   

2. Drop in-law expectations.
   
   To avoid further hurt, drop any need for having your in-law agree with what you’re saying, apologize for what they’ve done, or fix your hurt feelings.
   
   Use your time away to reflect on what triggered you (not who). And what hurt piece of you needs your attention.
   

3. Roll into self-care and love mode.
   
   Deprive the argument of oxygen by engaging in self-nurturing activities.
   
   Some people like to go for a walk, swim laps, or play with their grandkids. Others like to journal their feelings, paint, sketch, or pull Angel cards for clarity and inner calm.
   
   Click here for my favorite angel card deck by Kyle Gray called The Angel Guide Oracle: A 44-Card Deck and Guidebook.

One of my favorite things to do is draw a warm bath, light scented candles, cue-up my favorite play list, and soak in bubble-bath bliss.

All it takes is one person in the relationship to use the 'Stop, Drop, and Roll, Baby!' technique to smother the flames. Then, when it’s time, you’ll return to the conversation feeling inner-centered, emotionally balanced, and ready to invite conversation. I believe in you! Try it out and let me know how it goes.