Families For Life | How to make time for your in-laws

Let’s face it. Juggling work responsibilities, parenting duties, and keeping the household running can feel like there’s hardly any time to breathe, let alone find any to bond with your in-laws.

Making time for your in-laws means including them in life's special moments and ensuring those times are meaningful. Here are some simple tips to help you get in touch with your in-laws!

Include them in your everyday life

Instead of carving out time for your in-laws, it’s more convenient and meaningful to invite them to join you in what you already do every day, whether it's having dinner as a family after work, going to the playground with the kids or redecorating the home on weekends. Any of these simple moments can become cherished memories without taking up extra time.

Shared hobbies = shared moments

Although you and your in-laws are from different generations, shared interests can bridge that gap instantly.

Cooking or baking, for example, is a great way to not just share recipes but meaningful moments through conversations. You might discover your spouse's childhood favourites or uncover cherished family recipes passed down through generations.

Sports is also another great hobby to build camaraderie over. With Singaporeans increasingly adopting healthier lifestyles, and recreational sports being a timeless hobby, it’s easy to fit in a game of badminton or two with your in-laws while getting fit together. Just don’t forget to use your ActiveSG credits to book ActiveSG facilities and offset fees for ActiveSG programmes!

Plan a mini day out

Not every gathering with your in-laws has to be a big day out. Just meeting for coffee on the weekends, having prata for breakfast at the kopitiam, or taking casual walks in the park with the family, shorter meet-ups also make it easier to fit into everyone’s busy schedules.

The important thing is to make the time you spend together matter. Be fully present. Put your phones away and have meaningful conversations. It shows your in-laws that you value the time you are spending together.

Celebrate special occasions together

Festivals, birthdays and cultural events are perfect opportunities to spend meaningful time together with your in-laws. You are going to celebrate them anyway, including them adds another layer of joy to these gatherings. You could even start a new tradition that’s unique to your family! These shared celebrations strengthen bonds and create regular moments of connection throughout the year.

Make time if you can

Sometimes, the only way to make time is to block it out in your calendar. It could be a once-a-month meetup or a bimonthly catch-up. Remember, it's quality over quantity - even brief, meaningful interactions help build stronger relationships.

Ultimately, making space and time for your in-laws doesn’t need to be stressful. It’s about weaving them into the life you already live. By being intentional, even small, simple gestures can turn into moments that bring you closer together. Over time, these shared moments become the building blocks of a warmer, more connected family.