The Best Way to Have a Smooth Holiday Season Is to Understand What Type of Mother-in-Law You Have

Welcome back! Business Insider is wrapping up its series, Lonely at the Top, a look at how wealth impacts relationships. In our final feature, millionaires share that it’s not exactly envy that’s driven their friendships away. It’s a bit more complicated.

On the agenda:

But first: What kind of MIL do you have?

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This week’s dispatch

6 Types of Mother-in-Laws

I got really lucky. When I met my mother-in-love, as I like to call her, we immediately started talking about “The Real Housewives of Potomac” — and the rest was history. Still, not everyone is so fortunate as to get along with their MIL.

Don’t worry, though: Before you head to your partner’s house for Thanksgiving, knowing what type of in-law you have can help improve communication and ultimately your relationship.

Dr. Tracy Dalgleish, a clinical psychologist and author of “You, Your Husband, and His Mother,” identified six different types of mother-in-law, although she noted that some mothers can fall into more than one category.

“The idea is not so much that we put people in boxes,” she told Business Insider’s Julia Pugachevsky. “It’s so we can understand what behavior is showing up.”

Ready to spot your MIL? Here goes:

• The Martyr: She gives, but often with strings attached. For example, she may offer to babysit, then complain. Dalgleish said it’s important not to let guilt affect your boundaries.
• The Victim: She feels like life is “happening” to her and is powerless. Dalgleish warned not to be “pulled into this pattern of wanting to rescue them.”
• The Blamer: She criticizes and may try to control. Dalgleish said in order to avoid a power struggle, “focus inward on your chosen family.”
• The Controller: She insists that there’s a right way of doing things, such as cultural or religious norms. Dalgleish said it’s important to “trust the decisions you’re making.”
• The Distancer: She keeps her distance, fearing she might overstep. Dalgleish encourages couples to articulate how they would like to receive support.
• The Supporter: Considered the “jackpot” of MILs, she’s often willing to listen and offer help. Even in this dynamic, it’s important to “work on really clear and healthy communication,” Dalgleish said.

Turns out that the key to surviving Thanksgiving dinner is knowing which mother-in-law is sitting across from you. Good luck!

Where credit’s due

Mark Cuban is a longtime critic of Donald Trump, but he praised the president for a TrumpRx deal that slashes the costs of Ozempic and other weight-loss drugs.

Cuban told Business Insider that he and Trump are working from the same playbook to cut costs for consumers. The “Shark Tank” businessman owns Cost Plus Drugs, which on Thursday announced a deal to cut the cost of an expensive Crohn’s disease medication.

Game recognizes game.

Fueling up

Dr. Samuel Impey, who focuses on endurance training and was formerly the lead nutritionist for the British cycling team, has a passion for bread — specifically fresh sourdough.

He eats carbs like potatoes or rice to fuel up before a run or to recover after one. Impey isn’t packing on the protein, though. He prefers to sprinkle it in throughout every meal. He also tries to hit his daily fruit and vegetable goal for fiber.

It’s all about balance.

An unlikely co-parent

Since Lilian Schmidt turned to ChatGPT for parenting advice — and it worked — she said she’s felt a lot calmer. Schmidt now makes TikToks about it and even sells a “vault” of pre-made prompts for other parents to use.

For many parents, balancing childcare with a full-time job can feel like a lot. Whether it’s meal prep, planning activities, or homework help, using AI for parenting can be a helpful tool when used correctly, she said.

What parents should — and shouldn’t — use AI for.

Bougie B.C.

Vancouver is the second-richest city in Canada, home to 46,400 millionaires and 11 billionaires. On a trip there this year, BI’s Joey Hadden clocked 10 signs of extravagance, from palatial mansions to yacht-filled harbors.

Hadden also spent a night at the five-star Fairmont Pacific Rim, where she said her room’s bathroom felt like a private spa. Construction on Vancouver’s Billionaire Row was busy — so it looks like the city’s wealth is only growing.

Welcome to Vancouver.

What we’re watching this weekend

• “Frankenstein”: Netflix teams with Oscar-winner Guillermo del Toro to deliver the latest adaptation of the Frankenstein monster starring Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi.
• “Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale:” On Peacock, watch the feature-film final chapter of this beloved series, as the Crawleys grapple with changing times.
• “Materialists”: Over on HBO Max is this A24 rom-com starring Dakota Johnson as a matchmaker in New York City. The movie also stars Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal.

What to shop

• Surprisingly great jeans: We put Abercrombie’s size-inclusive denim collection to the test by trying on seven of its most popular pairs. The fabric, fit variety, and style options really hit the mark, and they’ve become our style team’s favorite under-$100 jeans.
• Look good bundled up: From frosty commutes to wind-whipping walks, these are the women’s winter coats worth the hype. Whether you’re into cloud-like puffers, tailored wool, or something that doesn’t turn you into a walking marshmallow, these picks are warm, wearable, and winter-ready.
• Sleepwear worth showing off: Looking for PJs that feel like an upgrade, not an afterthought? From crashing early to lounging late, these men’s pajamas bring comfort, fit, and a touch of style to your off-duty hours.

Inside Italy’s $1 home promotion

A couple moved to Sicily, Italy, to pursue its viral $1 homes. They ended up spending a lot more than that, but said it was worth every penny.

More of this week’s top reads:

The BI Today team: Dan DeFrancesco, deputy editor and anchor, in New York. Akin Oyedele, deputy editor, in New York. Grace Lett, editor, in New York. Amanda Yen, associate editor, in New York.