[Nella]

Originally Posted by monalisa

Wow, that is a lot to deal with! If it's possible, try to remember what they are like and when they say something hurtful, consider the source. Easier said than done, but it may help. Try to just roll your eyes, think "oh that's just 'insert approriate family member here' being themselves, they suck but I love them anyway", and let it go. There's a lot that my parents, especially my dad, said and did that hurt and later in life just plain annoyed me. But I bit it all down and tried to help as much as I could when they got old, and now that they are both gone, I'm glad I did. I know it's really hard when you are a sensitive person, I am one too, but sometimes you just have to put on that Teflon coating if it's a situation that you can't, or choose not to, avoid.

Hope that helps in some way! :)

BTW, I'm terribly un-hip, what's a SIL?

Thanks, Monalisa. You're a great person. SIL=sister-in-law.