Dear Dr. Tracy Boundaries and Repair: how to protect your emotional well-being and come back together after conflict in family dynamics
Have you ever wondered if it’s okay to set boundaries with family, or how to repair your marriage after a fight about in-laws?
In this episode of Dear Dr. Tracy, Clinical Psychologist and Relationship Expert Dr. Tracy Dalgleish dives into two powerful listener questions that so many couples and families struggle with.
First, Dr. Tracy explores the question: “Is it okay to intentionally avoid a sibling who constantly makes hurtful comments?” If you’ve ever dealt with toxic siblings, family tension, or sibling rivalry as adults, you’ll learn the difference between avoidance and boundaries, how to protect your emotional health at family gatherings, and how to communicate your limits without guilt.
Then, she answers: “How do I repair my marriage after a fight about my mother-in-law wanting to live with us temporarily?” Dr. Tracy walks through a step-by-step process for marriage repair after conflict, including nervous system regulation, setting healthy in-law boundaries, and finding a way to work as a united team with your partner. If you’ve ever argued about your mother-in-law moving in, intrusive in-laws, or family living arrangements, this segment will give you the tools to navigate conflict, reconnect, and rebuild trust in your marriage.
Key topics in this episode:
Setting boundaries with siblings who cross the line
The difference between avoidance and boundaries
How to stay emotionally safe during family gatherings
Repairing your marriage after an argument about in-laws
Navigating mother-in-law conflicts and living arrangement disputes
Building a united front with your partner
Practical communication strategies for family conflict
If you’ve ever searched for “how to set boundaries with in-laws,” “toxic sibling relationships,” or “repair after marriage fights,” this episode will give you clarity, compassion, and practical steps forward.
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