The Daughter-in-law Syndrome by Stevie Turner

Arla is convinced that Ria will be no asset to Stuart at all her new daughter-in-law just wants to be a mother and has no intention of ever working again once the babies start to arrive. As they look back over their lives with Counsellor Toni Beecher, Arla slowly comes to realise her own failings, and eventually discovers the long-hidden reason why Ric will never utter a cross word to his mother.Īlso, adding to Arla’s stress is the fact that her son Stuart will soon be marrying Ria, a girl whom Arla feels is just looking for a free ride. After twenty eight years of marriage, Arla, the daughter-in-law, is at the end of her tether and persuades a reluctant Ric to accompany her for marriage guidance. This novel explores the husband/wife, mother/son, and mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relationships. Arla is sick of always feeling that she comes in at only second best to her mother-in-law, who much to Arla’s fury is never told anything by Ric or his sisters that she would not want to hear. Husband Ric will never voice an opinion, and puts his mother Edna up high on a pedestal. In addition it focuses on the sometimes tumultuous partnership between Arla and her husband Ric.Īrla Deane sometimes likens her marriage to undergoing daily psychological warfare.

The Daughter-in-law Syndrome delves into the complicated relationship that is causing much friction between Grandmother Edna Deane and her daughter-in-law Arla.

The Daughter-in-law Syndrome by Stevie Turner