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Your new family. You are looking at a family beyond the one you grew up in. Your husband, his parents, his siblings, their spouses and offspring, and any number of relatives are all a part of your family now.

There could be a vast range of them. Elderly aunts who instill awe in you. His sister who reminds you of your friend in college. Disapproving grandparents. Fun loving cousins. From different walks in life.

You like some on sight. Others put you off immediately. And you have to learn to handle them all. And with time, adopt them as your own.

Befriend your in-laws before you tie the knot. If the initial gesture comes from you, it makes a good impression. And first impressions last a long time. So work on it. Reach out to the whole family. Even the uncle who put you off immediately. Choose not to listen to your intuition at this point in your life. Let your head rule. Be cordial and respectful.

Yes, it could be quite an ordeal; you`re justified in feeling nervous. But make things easier for yourself. Believe me, a little effort made now could smooth the path for you in years to come.

Even after wedding, its back to routine. And you can`t help but feel you`re still on test, being evaluated. Well, you`re right. You are.

You need to bolster yourself now. As a wife, a housekeeper, a daughter in-law, as everything. Do your part of the housework. Don`t slip up on it, no matter how privileged a life you have led. Get involved hands on.

Prove your mettle. Enjoy the challenges that come your way. You`re beginning a fresh life, in a new environment. You`re living a different life with new tasks and demands. Don`t let them faze you. It`s time to roll your sleeves up and get down to work.

Don`t ever hesitate to ask for help. You are not expected to know it all. Believe me, your mother in law would probably love to be sought after and consulted. She feels needed, important too. It works wonders in her accepting you even better. And that would probably work with every member of the family.

We did warn you, remember? There is a lot more to marriage than just romance.