Marriage is a very special event in a person's life. Along with the merging of possessions and lifestyles comes the merging of families, namely in-laws. Often depicted as overbearing and interfering, in-laws become a static part of the family. All jokes aside, there are ways to stop them from bullying, taking control or being disrespectful.
Step 1
Get the partner's support. He knows his parents best. It's important to have his input when addressing the issue of his parent's bullying. Given the relationship, the partner can address them in a much firmer way. Parents may feel they are protecting their child in some way, however they must develop respect for their child's spouse.
Step 2
Take a stance and hold on to it. Wavering on the approach for addressing the in-laws will not improve their behavior. In most cases, they will respect the spouse more and realize that they can't take control or manipulate the situation.
Step 3
Communicate how their actions affect the relationship. There is no guarantee that they will change their behavior immediately. However, communicating how their behavior impacts the family in a calm, respectful manner can resonate with them. If their behavior continues, it may be necessary to set a boundary with consequences if they don't alter their behavior. Avoid giving ultimatums however, it may be necessary to limit or cease communication with them until their behavior improves.
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