IN RESPONSE to ‘daughter-in-law time to play nice!’ on Saturday, August 1.

I have never before written to a newspaper but felt compelled to respond to the unhappy report of being mother-in-law to her son’s wife, it seemed rather one-sided, we haven’t heard her daughter-in-law's view on this. However...

My eldest son married his girlfriend of 10 years last October and I have to say I could never have wished for a better daughter-in-law.

She is a lovely girl, not just to behold but with a loving, kind, caring nature. We often exchange text messages and emails.

On Mothering Sunday in March, my two sons and daughter-in-law took me, my husband and my daughter-in-law’s mother out for lunch.

We had a wonderful time as we have always got on well and both families were delighted when they married.

Both young people were happily accepted as part of each other’s family long before their wedding.

I have never and will never, nor would I want to, interfere with their plans for their life together.

I am just so grateful that my son met and married such a lovely girl and I know they are very happy together.

Perhaps this mother-in-law tried to tell her son and daughter-in-law what to do, or showed a possessive side to her son.

The girl in question may already have felt on the receiving end of hostilities within the family.

I have heard women say their son has married someone who would not be their choice.

Believe me, most girls would be aware of the feelings their future mother-in-law had of them, and therein is the problem.

Everyone has the right to marry who they love and with whom they feel comfortable, it’s not the business of any other family member.

Some sons show their care for their mother too deeply so their wives feel overshadowed, whilst other sons may take their wife’s side against their mother.

At my son’s wedding, a sign inside the ceremony room said ‘Please take a seat, not a side, today our families become one’.

My last advice would be ‘Mothers-in-law, spare a thought for your daughter-in-law’ as she may have to overcome the prejudice of some members of her new family.

Accept her, make her feel welcome and valued and you might be surprised at the difference this can make.

J Head, Southampton