Hello!
It's been a few months. The Family Counseling with the In-Laws is really happening and starts next Wednesday, November 4th.

Okay, now my question: How do I prevent myself from feeling or being attacked? Has anyone gone through family counseling with their in-laws and come out for the better? Did you feel heard?

My Husband's family was broken way before I came along. Me and my Husband have been together 12year and married 2. I realized 3 months into the relationship his parents were not warm people. This lack of warmth is only the beginning into decade of he said, she said misunderstandings and hurtful remarks.

My personal goal for the counseling session is, for everyone to be heard. Hoping we can start to understand one another and get to a place where we at least respect once another. Not love, just respect. I say this, because love takes time and at this point, respect would be more than I could hope for.

My MIL or FIL have never had individual counseling or couples counseling before. I've had individual counseling and me and my Husband have had couples counseling. Counseling is a wonderful thing, if you believe in it.

I'm actually shaking as I'm typing this out. The idea of all of us sitting in a room together fills me with such anxiety, I'm almost nauseas.

The reason I'm worried about being attacked, (I'll keep it brief) is because this family has had their dysfunctional routine for decades. My presence in the beginning did nothing to disrupt this, because I was just another girlfriend. When months turned into years and then eventually marriage their tolerance of me turned to dislike. Cutting to the chase my MIL and FIL refuse to get to know me and I feel, do not see me as person or the woman who loves their son.

My Husband is happy about the counseling and hopes this will bring us closer and stop the back and forth. He hates being in middle and loves everyone, but is truly sick of his parents lack of understanding for us and me. He loves and supports me and understands my anxiety. He has battled on behalf and I've even confronted my MIL to no avail.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!