When my son was in middle school, I started noticing a pattern in families: people tended to spend more time with the wife’s family than the husband’s. As a planner at heart, and wanting to stay close to my son and his future family, I began asking questions, reading and learning how to be a thoughtful mother-in-law.

Years later, after leaving a marketing job, I decided to dig deeper. I created the Mother-in-Law Project, interviewing and surveying more than 800 women across the U.S. to understand what makes the MIL/DIL bond thrive — or struggle.

At Peace, Love and In-Laws, I share what I’ve learned — and continue to learn — about nurturing this unique, beautiful, sometimes complicated relationship, with warmth, humor and practical insight.