Roxanne 
Dolores Catania is opening up about adjusting to life as a mother-in-law, admitting that stepping back and allowing her new daughter-in-law to take control of wedding planning wasn’t always easy.
During Bravo Fan Fest in Charleston, South Carolina, the Real Housewives of New Jersey star shared some surprisingly candid advice for mothers navigating their relationships with their sons’ wives.
The conversation began when a fan, who described herself as a mother of boys, asked Dolores how she approached welcoming a daughter-in-law into the family.
Dolores, whose son Frankie Catania Jr. married Nicole Perricho in Portugal on August 1, acknowledged that controlling her instincts as an involved Italian mother required some effort.
Dolores admitted that holding back was difficult, explaining that she had to resist the temptation to insert herself into the couple’s wedding decisions.
“I sat on my hands, and I shut my mouth,” Dolores said.
Although Dolores knows how to throw an elaborate celebration, she recognized that the wedding belonged to Frankie and Nicole.
Rather than taking over, she allowed Nicole to organize the celebration in Portugal and praised her daughter-in-law for doing an amazing job.
But Dolores revealed that she will soon have an opportunity to put her own event-planning skills to work.
Because many of her relatives were unable to travel to Portugal for the wedding, Dolores is organizing another celebration in the United States.
According to Dolores, Nicole has been completely supportive of the arrangement and encouraged her to take charge of the second party.
Nicole essentially told Dolores that the new celebration was hers to plan, giving her the freedom to create the kind of event she wanted for her extended family.
Dolores explained that she is planning a big party and that their relationship has been going well.
However, it was her final piece of advice that stood out.
When fellow Housewife Gina Kirschenheiter praised Dolores for giving her daughter-in-law room to make her own decisions, Dolores explained that maintaining a good relationship with your son sometimes requires swallowing your pride.
Her message was simple: preserving the relationship matters more than winning every disagreement.
The comments offered an interesting perspective from Dolores, who has always been vocal about her close relationship with her two children, Frankie Jr. and Gabrielle Catania.
Dolores has frequently described herself as a traditional Italian mother, and RHONJ viewers have watched her remain closely involved in Frankie’s life throughout the years.
But with Frankie now married, Dolores appears to recognize that her role in his life is evolving.
Despite admitting that stepping back can be challenging, Dolores has made no secret of how much she loves Nicole.
Following Frankie and Nicole’s wedding, Dolores shared an emotional Instagram tribute celebrating the newlyweds and expressing how grateful she was to welcome Nicole into their family.
The wedding itself was a lavish celebration in Portugal’s Douro Valley, where the couple exchanged vows in a traditional Catholic ceremony surrounded by family and friends.
Frankie and Nicole’s relationship has also brought the extended Catania family together for several celebrations, including their engagement and Nicole’s milestone birthday.
And now, with Dolores preparing another wedding celebration closer to home, it sounds like the newlyweds will have another opportunity to celebrate with relatives who couldn’t attend their destination ceremony.
