<p>I would def. recommend doing your supplemental essay on her illness. This will show your true interest in this particular MIL-U, which can really make the difference.</p>
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<p>These stories are just amazing!</p>
<p>My very-sheltered-Catholic-born-and-bred mother married 2 Jewish men (she is the living embodiment of the song “Only the Good Die Young,” and she’s a Virginia, to boot). Her grandfather was Irish Catholic and both anti-Protestant and anti-Semitic, but when she announced to him she was marrying a Jewish boy (this is in the early '60’s), he said, “Well, I can handle that he’s Jewish; at least he’s not Italian.”</p>
<p>Thank you everybody for some much needed levity during this deadline hell! I have long since graduated from MIL-U because she has transferred all my credits to the youngest grandson on whom the sun rises and sets (mine are the oldest). Since my graduation (which coincided with youngest grandson’s birthday, what a coinky-dink!), I can do pretty much whatever I want as long as I show up for reunions every once in a while. All us graduates enjoy ourselves at the expense of youngest S, the father of the favorite grandson, who now hosts MIL at all holidays. All we have to do is to take turns listening to MIL talk about how wonderful favorite GS is. (This is actually more onerous than it sounds— she is one of those people who can never praise anyone without subtlely putting someone else down, usually me.)</p>
<p>My very jewish grandmother married a catholic and we still have brisket on easter!</p>
<p>^^^I agree, these stories are amazing, but I love this hilarious thread. How else can you cope?</p>
<p>My mother is a terrible MIL, but my H somehow managed to bring his son-in-law GPA to A+ (although he started out with a D-), so there is hope for us all!</p>
<p>(Helenback, I’m speechless. I would have exploded after hearing that.)</p>
<p>Good thing the OP applied Early Decision. With all the helpful comments from the CC community, she’ll surely get the top merit award as well.</p>
<p>Y’all have some wicked tales to tell!!</p>
<p>Required summer reading for accepted students at MIL-U: “I Married My Mother-in-Law…and other tales of Inlaws We can’t live with and can’t live without.” Editor: Ilena Silverman (2006)</p>
<p>Includes contributions from excellent writers, e.g. Michael Chabon, Susan Straight, Martha McPhee… bittersweet and loving stories, across many races and cultures.</p>
<p>The book will be discussed on September 4 at orientation. If you haven’t read it by then you will be executed.</p>
<p>Just tell her fair is fair, if the dog has to sit on the floor, so does the other gender …</p>
<p>Sounds like its time to take up marathon training as a new extra-curricular. Or kickboxing.</p>
<p>I still like the puppy idea…It’s working at Chapman</p>
<p>[Chapman</a> University group finds new way to relieve stress during finals week – puppies | L.A. NOW | Los Angeles Times](<a href=“Archive blogs”>Archive blogs)</p>
<p>^^^^ What a great idea! Maybe the OP can take MIL by the animal shelter over the holiday -</p>
<p>^^ or rescue/adopt/finance a Chapman University student!</p>
<p>Sorry, puppies and dogs deserve better.</p>
<p>Wow !!</p>
<p>I am going to make sure my son pick a girl who has aced the required course of "How to be a good DIL " before graduation.</p>
<p>My D will have to promise to take the same course before I agree to pay her college tuition.</p>
<p>^^I think the required course should be “How to be a good MIL”!</p>
<p>On the puppies for finals issue: I had two cats when I was in law school. They were a lifesaver at finals (and bar exam) time. It’s hard to be all stressed with a purring cat on your lap.</p>
<p>^^I had 3 kids, 3 cats and a dog when I was in law school. I had to move out for 2 days to take the bar exam. Purring kitties didn’t do it for me.</p>
<p>I bet without the kids and the dog it would have been fine!</p>
<p>^^ Well, perhaps but I wasn’t in a position to give up any of them!</p>