Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    The Twelve Sacred Traditions Of Magnificent Mothers-in-Law
    The Twelve Sacred Traditions Of Magnificent Mothers-in-Law
    The Twelve Sacred Traditions Of Magnificent Mothers-in-Law
    Ebook77 pages45 minutes

    The Twelve Sacred Traditions Of Magnificent Mothers-in-Law

    By Haywood Smith

    2.5/5

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook


    A very Southern mother-in-law's humorous advice to mothers-in-law everywhere. From the multiple New York Times bestselling author of The Red Hat Club. Bestselling author Haywood Smith and her pals have lots of personal experience in the joys, sorrows, pitfalls and flat-out hysteria of Mother-in-Lawness. Now Smith offers a handy and fun booklet of pithy advice to mothers-in-law everywhere. Smiths sassy observations and gentle wisdom are delivered with her trademark southern charm, packing the sweet, heady punch of bourbon ice cubes melting in a mint julep. The Twelve Sacred Traditions of Magnificent Mothers-in-Law is the perfect gift book for showers, engagement parties, family celebrations or just to share with that special DIL (Daughter-in-Law) or SIL (Son-in-Law). It can even safely be given to a Mother-in-Law
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBelleBooks
    Release dateApr 15, 2009
    ISBN9781935661382
    The Twelve Sacred Traditions Of Magnificent Mothers-in-Law
    Author

    Haywood Smith

    Haywood Smith is the author of Queen Bee of Mimosa Branch, The Red Hat Club, and Red Hat Club Rides Again. She lives in Buford, Georgia.

    Read more from Haywood Smith

    Related to The Twelve Sacred Traditions Of Magnificent Mothers-in-Law

    Related ebooks

    Relationships For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      Inside The Life Of A Killer

      Jan 22, 2021

      Inside The Life Of A Killer
      4 min read

    • Article

      New Paternity Case Exposed

      Jan 27, 2020

      New Paternity Case Exposed
      3 min read

    • Article

      Deadly Affair

      Oct 3, 2019

      Deadly Affair
      4 min read

    • Article

      By Appointment

      Jun 11, 2020

      By Appointment
      4 min read

    • Article

      Summer Thrills

      Aug 5, 2019

      Summer Thrills
      3 min read

    • Article

      Commentary: Grieving Over Mom: No, She's Not In A 'Better Place'

      May 10, 2019

      Two days before my mother died, she was incontinent, incoherent and, with the exception of some humming, incommunicado. Dementia had swept away her ability to swallow food or water, and danger of asphyxiation was real. Nurses swabbed her dry lips wit

      3 min read

    • Article

      Life After Betrayal

      Sep 7, 2023

      Life After Betrayal
      4 min read

    • Article

      ‘Til Murder Do Us Part

      Aug 10, 2020

      ‘Til Murder Do Us Part
      3 min read

    • Article

      True Stories

      Dec 17, 2020

      True Stories
      3 min read

    • Article

      Teenage Dream

      Sep 2, 2023

      Teenage Dream
      4 min read

    • Article

      Letters to Mum

      Mar 24, 2021

      Dear Mum, There are still times when I go to call you. It seems inexplicable to me that you actually died. I used to wonder how it would feel, and after 16 years, I’m still not sure. The main thing I want to tell you is that I get it now. I understan

      5 min read

    • Article

      Meghan Under Fire

      Jul 28, 2022

      Meghan Under Fire
      3 min read

    • Article

      SHE SIMPLY vanished

      Jun 19, 2019

      SHE SIMPLY vanished
      11 min read

    • Article

      Dirty John: Newlyweds

      Oct 3, 2017

      Dirty John: Newlyweds
      10 min read

    • Article

      Taken…TWICE

      Jul 22, 2021

      If you’re planning to watch Abducted in Plain Sight on Netflix, save this read for later. The Berchtolds and the Brobergs met at church in Pocatello, Idaho, USA, in 1972. Bob and Mary Ann Broberg and their three girls, and Robert and Gail Berchtold w

      3 min read

    • Article

      The Unforgiven

      Dec 30, 2021

      The Unforgiven
      3 min read

    • Article

      Nicole Kidman

      Dec 29, 2021

      Nicole Kidman
      11 min read

    • Article

      Murder In Beverly Hills

      Jun 6, 2021

      Murder In Beverly Hills
      3 min read

    • Article

      The Murder Of James Bulger 30 Years On

      Feb 7, 2023

      This week marks 30 years since two-year-old James Bulger was abducted and murdered by two 10-year-old boys, Jon Venables and Robert Thompson. James would be in his 30s now. Would he be married? A father? With a career? All that was snatched away from

      4 min read

    • Article

      Living Nightmare

      Aug 10, 2023

      Living Nightmare
      5 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for The Twelve Sacred Traditions Of Magnificent Mothers-in-Law

    2.5/5

    32 ratings12 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 3/5
      Brief, humorous booklet. The advice pretty self-evident but nicely worded/presented.
    • 1/5
      I've nothing against niche writing. I thoroughly enjoy the plot driven Stephanie Plum novels by Janet Evanovich and the cheeky/fresh YA series like Princess Diaries and Confessions of Georgia Nicholson. That being said, I am not a fan of this book. I understand that it's a niche book for older women and that it's meant to be cheeky and sentimental and a bit clever, but I don't think it succeeds. There's a good and a bad way to do the niche writing, and Haywood Smith does it very poorly. Instead of sentimental, it's just corny. Instead of humorous, it's just lame. Instead of clever, it's just eye-roll inducing. But, on a positive note, I will say that the advice in the book is good advice. However, I think it is advice that is good not just for mothers-in-law, but for all mothers of older children. While the concept is a good idea -- to be a cheeky gift book at bridal showers and weddings -- the execution fails.
    • 5/5
      Good advice for everyone, not just families!
      I'm gonna start a tradition based on an idea in this one.
    • 4/5
      Short, amusing and anecdotal words of advice to the mother-in-law. These ideas can be applied to every day relationships with people.
    • 2/5
      While I agree with many of the reviewers in their opinions of this being a trite and insulting book, I still wish it had been given to my former MIL. She was so far from "Magnificent" I still cringe at the very thought of her and her meddeling ways. In my next marriage, whenever that may be, I will definately make sure my new MIL has at least a few of these qualities.
    • 1/5
      Although I tried very hard to like this book, I have to agree with several reviewers: journeys, Bridge714, and Mykirulz. Trite, insulting, padded. The MILs and DILs grated on my nerves. If you want to read anything by Smith, keep to her novels. This just seemed a quick way to make a buck. Sorry!
    • 1/5
      I was a little disappointed in this book, as I have enjoyed the author's novels. As the other reviewers have said - common sense, a little condescending, and not nearly as funny as I would have hoped. That said, I'll probably read her future books.
    • 2/5
      I'm not familiar with the author and not quite sure why I received this in the first place. I'm sure I didn't request it. Certainly I'm not the target audience for it.No matter. It's not a very good book. It's intended as a humor piece, I think, and as a gift book for a woman whose first child is getting married, and it's a sort of guide on how to treat your new addition to the family. The advice is fine, if mostly common sense, but the humor is pretty much non-existent. I found it frankly condescending to the sons and daughters of these "Magnificent MILs."Also, I'm not sure how appropriate this would be to give to a potential mother-in-law. Who would do the giving? "Congratulations on your son's marriage! Here, this will tell you how not to be a loony bitch to your new daughter-in-law." I don't know.Final score: Eh.
    • 3/5
      Here is what I see happening with this well intentioned, albeit somewhat trite, book: the majority of the mother-in-laws who read it will already be practicing the "sacred traditions" described. Those that really need to read this book (or have it gifted to them by some brave soul) will miss out on some sound advice on bettering mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relations due to their preexisting bad behavior. For example, I sorely wish I could pass my copy on to my own mother-in-law as she definitely has a few areas where she/we could better define the boundaries of our relationship. (She rearranged my kitchen cupboards right in front of me since they weren't "done right" and sends my father-in-law over to mow our yard if she feels it's grown too long. Mind you my husband and I are both able bodied 30 year olds with three children of our own and have yet to actually ASK her for any assistance. Ah, family.) But, if I did suggest she read this, she would misconstrue the recommendation at improving our relationship as criticism of her behavior and personality. To be succinct: Ms.Smith is preaching to the choir on this topic as most bad mother-in-laws don't see themselves that way and don't feel there's room/a need for improvement. My only other observation is that the rudimentary line drawings detracted from the content and overall tone of the book. The more formal and classy cover definitely does NOT mesh well with the rest of the illustrations inside. This book was a nice effort but falls short of Ms.Smith's other work.
    • 1/5
      I've nothing against niche writing. I thoroughly enjoy the plot driven Stephanie Plum novels by Janet Evanovich and the cheeky/fresh YA series like Princess Diaries and Confessions of Georgia Nicholson. That being said, I am not a fan of this book. I understand that it's a niche book for older women and that it's meant to be cheeky and sentimental and a bit clever, but I don't think it succeeds. There's a good and a bad way to do the niche writing, and Haywood Smith does it very poorly. Instead of sentimental, it's just corny. Instead of humorous, it's just lame. Instead of clever, it's just eye-roll inducing. But, on a positive note, I will say that the advice in the book is good advice. However, I think it is advice that is good not just for mothers-in-law, but for all mothers of older children. While the concept is a good idea -- to be a cheeky gift book at bridal showers and weddings -- the execution fails.
    • 4/5
      My 21 year old son announced he was going to pop the question to his sweetie the day before this book arrived. God takes care of fools and mothers,I guess. I laughed my way through this book. I will be buying a copy for my mother in law and for my son's future mother in law. I only hope I can remember to drag it out and reread the advice before I make myself into a real harridan of a mother in law. The twelve traditions, though presented with wonderful stories and laughs will serve as a great guide for those of us just setting out on the journey. Thanks for this book.
    • 5/5
      Now here's a valuable book that imparts a message, yet does so in a VERY humorous manner without preaching! "The Twelve Sacred Traditions of Magnificent Mothers-in-Law" by Haywood Smith will have snickering, snorting, laughing, and (if you're married) suffering from a severe case of deja vu.This is a perfect book to give as a gift...to just about any woman who has, will have, or has had a MIL (mother-in-law). I'm pretty sure that covers about 99% of women. Haywood Smith provides twelve 'traditions' (read rules) for mothers-in-law (and mothers) everywhere with a full chapter of helpful advice, scenarios, and side-splitting commentary served up with a hefty dose of southern-style sweetness occasionally veering off into sarcasm.A few of my favorite chapters were: Magnificent MILs ...Set and Respect Reasonable Boundaries, ...Bite Their Tongues, Never Wear Out Their Welcome, ...don't Martyr. I think the best thing about this book is that you could give one to your mother or mother-in-law 'as a joke'--and then pray they take Mrs. Smith's advice!!

    Book preview

    The Twelve Sacred Traditions Of Magnificent Mothers-in-Law - Haywood Smith

    Praise for the novels of Haywood Smith

    Hilarious and wise.

    —Dorothea Benton Frank

    A veritable gold mine of Southern homespun homilies where the Ya Ya Sisterhood would feel right at home.

    —Booklist

    Strong characters and irrepressible wit; snapshots of Southern living will charm even the hardest-hearted Yankee.

    —Publishers Weekly

    Quotes from Haywood Smith’s Ladies of the Lake

    The only people who ought to get married are the ones who absolutely, positively can’t help it.

    Plan all you want, but God has a sense of humor.

    When it comes to love, give me a good dose of illusion every time.

    The Twelve Sacred Traditions of Magnificent Mothers-in-Law

    by

    Haywood Smith

    BelleBooks, Inc.

    Copyright

    This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons (living or dead), events or locations is entirely coincidental.

    BelleBooks

    PO BOX 300921

    Memphis, TN 38130

    Ebook ISBN: 978-1-935661-38-2

    Print ISBN: 978-0-9821756-0-6

    Copyright © 2009 by Haywood Smith

    Printed and bound in the United States of America.

    All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review.

    Visit our websites – www.BelleBooks.com and www.BellBridgeBooks.com.

    10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

    Cover design: Debra Dixon

    Interior design: Hank Smith

    Interior artwork: © Haywood Smith

    Cover artwork: © Victoria Shaad / Dreamstime.com

    :Amtt:01:

    Dedication

    This book is dedicated to my gorgeous, amazing daughter-in-law Courtney

    Haywood Smith

    The Twelve Sacred Traditions of Magnificent Mothers-in-Law is a very Southern mother-in-law’s humorous advice to mothers-in-law everywhere, including tried and tested tips on:

    How to Bite Your Tongue

    Minding Your Own Business

    Why You Shouldn’t Tell his New Bride about that Time in Third Grade When He Threw Up on Stage while Playing a Sheep in the Christmas Pageant

    And much more!

    Haywood Smith’s Southern novel, The Red Hat Club, made the New York Times bestseller list. The Red Hat Club Rides Again debuted at #26 on the New York Times list. The paperback edition of Queen Bee of Mimosa Branch appeared on both the USA Today’s list and the New York Times extended bestseller list. Wedding Belles, Smith’s most recent novel, was released in September 2008 from St. Martin’s Press, New York. Wedding Belles was selected as one of the best audio books of 2008 by Publishers Weekly.

    Visit Haywood at www.haywoodsmith.net

    The Twelve Sacred Traditions of Magnificent Mothers-in-Law

    Mothers-in-Law Anonymous

    We the official and unofficial members of Mothers-in-law Anonymous, in order to form a more perfect union with our married children and their spouses, to establish tolerance, insure domestic tranquility, disprove all those bad-mother-in-law jokes, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of our sons- and daughters-in-law, do ordain and establish these Twelve Sacred Traditions for Magnificent Mothers-in-law for ourselves and our posterity.

    No animals were injured in the production of these traditions, but an entire tray of sandwiches from Henri’s Bakery in Atlanta and a jumbo jug of sunny rosé were consumed, followed by a box of éclairs and some

    Enjoying the preview?
    Page 1 of 1