In-laws for men can be tough to handle. You have to work so hard just to get in the door for them to be okay with you and their daughter. A piece of advice is to work on building a good relationship with the mom, your chances for success ultimately lye with her. In the end, your father in law will adhere to her wishes, so plan your success around that. Daddy dearest will be a tough nut to crack and he is not going to like you no matter how much you try so you are wasting your time until Mommy dearest has a relationship with you. Don't be a kiss ass, no one likes a kiss ass. Remember this is either going to be part of your family or already is, so treat them as such. Here are some tips:

1. Help around the house and be there for them. Nothing shows that you care more for someone more than helping them with duties or chores. Offer to take care of the house when they go on a vacation. When they are gone, do stuff like cut the grass. If there is a really bad snow storm go over and help shovel or in fall, help with the leaves. Nothing will bring you closer to them than being there for them in a time of need.

2. Try and get together with them on a weekly or biweekly basis. Offer to have dinner at your home and invite them over. This tells both your significant other and your in-laws that your are not afraid to welcome them in, be part of her family, and enjoy spending time with them. Get topics for dinner conversation from your wife before they actually come over. This will help avoid those long awkward silent moments.

3. Buy her old man a good bottle of something to drink and bring it over when invited. Nothing helps break the ice with a tough SOB than throwing a few cocktails back to loosen him up. Hell...if you both kill the bottle, you might be his best friend by the end of the night.

4. Bring some flowers over for her mom if your invited to dinner and always for her birthday and mother's day. This goes way beyond the 10-20 bucks you will spend on some flowers. Chances are the old man doesn't do it as often as she would like and it will add some charm to you, as I'm sure you need it.

5. Gauge what their interests are for discussion. Offer very little if you are not knowledgeable about the subject. I try and stay away from political and other divisive conversations as the end result could be very ugly for you if you are both on the opposite sides. Tread lightly here and remember to be respectful and let them have the forum. You are there to listen especially when you are first getting to know them. Once they are regular "mom and dad" to you, then you can be more engaging.