Dealing with an opinionated mother-in-law? Well, Maria Shriver just shared some heartfelt advice, from one mother-in-law to all the rest. On the “Social Dilemmas” segment of Today with Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager, a letter from a woman asked for advice on how to handle an opinionated mother-in-law. The 67-year-old author and journalist shared her secret for how she avoids conflict as an MIL.
The note read: “She’s constantly zinging me over my parenting style. How do I let her know I appreciate her help, but I would appreciate her laying off the comments, too?” And Maria's reply? "I zip my mouth."
Hoda combatted her answer. "But what if the kid is not behaving — or saying rude things and nobody is correcting? Would you say anything?" To which Maria replied, "I really try to zip my mouth."
More from LittleThings: Mom Accuses Mother-In-Law Of Having The Wrong Bond With Her Baby: 'This Feels Excessive'
She went on to offer further advice, suggesting that the mother sit down with the MIL and say, “We wouldn’t be able to do it without you … but it sometimes hurts my feelings when you criticize. I’m still trying to figure it out. I really love your support.”
When Jenna suggested that the son play the middle man, Maria advised against it. “You hear these stories of when the husband does say something … then there’s estrangement."
