Setting boundaries with parents and in-laws

Navigating guilt, culture, and closeness

“I know my parents love me but sometimes it feels like their love comes with a job description: always available, never disagree, don’t change too much.”

This is the weight many of us carry in our closest relationships: the unspoken (sometimes, spoken!) belief that love must come at the cost of self.

In the last newsletter, we explored what happens when we avoid conflict to keep the peace; how it chips away at our authenticity and replaces connection with quiet resentment. This time, we’re going one step further. We’re talking about what it means to speak up, to protect your energy, and to set boundaries with the people who raised you or the ones who became family through your partner.

Because when it comes to parents and in-laws, boundary-setting isn’t just about communication. It’s about identity, loyalty, guilt, and the stories we were handed about what it means to be a “good” daughter, son, partner, or in-law.

Subscribe below to keep reading about:

• Registration link for the Monthly In-Sessions Meet Up where we are talking about ‘Practicing Boundaries, Reclaiming Your Voice”.

• Why boundaries feel harder with family (your parents and in-laws)

  • [Exercise]: Boundary mapping with parents

  • [Exercise]: Family scripts deconstruction for in-laws

• Boundary scripts for different situations

• Common myths about boundary setting

• Culturally sensitive boundaries

  • [Exercise]: The “Bridge and Boundary” strategy if you are from a collectivist culture (Asian, Middle-Eastern, Iranian, some Eastern European and Caucasus cultures etc).

• Empowering yourself in disempowering situations - what to do if your boundaries are not being respected.

• The Well Guide Watchlist: a monthly round-up of recommendations