Dear Amy: I am a first-time mother-in- law. We are a close family. We have always kept in touch with one another on a regular basis, even after the kids left home. My son and new daughter-in-law live about 90 minutes away. My daughter-in-law seems content to keep contact to a minimum. This includes discussing/celebrating important events — both happy and sad. For example, I am going through a difficult separation from my husband.