The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-06-22
Dorothy Dix Talks
Ten commandments for, Mothers-in-
BIZ DOROTHY DIX
Wsria's Highest Paid Woman wrivsx.

Ten Commandments for Mothers-in-
law.
1t is, therefore, of the utmost i'm
portance to every mother with mar
ried children to preserve what diplo-
mats call the entente cordiale" with
her in-laws. and the only way this
can possibly be done is by avoiding
the disastrous experiment of ever try
ing to live together.
1T is so-much easier to admire peo-
pie whose every weak is not con-
tinually thrust upon our notice.
There is so much less friction when
our little ways and peculiarities do
not come in hourly conflict with some
So many people are SO delightful for
an hour and such bores if we have a
day of their society!
This applies to all humanity but it
goes double for in-laws whose liking
for each other almost invariably de-
ponds upon how little they see of each
other. Hence wise is the mother who
keeps her own home, or goes to live
in boarding house, or the Asylum
for Lone Females when her children
marry, rather than become that bone
of contention, a mother-in-law on the
hearthstone.
Another long step towards getting
mothers if they would refrain from
being jealous of the man their daugh-
ter marries and the girl their son
marries. It is strange that so many
mothers indulge in this silly form OF
jealousy, because every woman knows
from her own experience that the love
one gives ones mate, and the love one
gives ones parents are two entirely
different passions that bear no more
relation to one another than milk does
to champagne.
Indeed, so far from marriage taking
childrens love from their mothers, it
heightens it, for it is only after men
and women take upon themselves the
serious business of life that they real
ize what-a mothers love and sacrifice
and unselfishness really mean and
they appreciate her at her true worth.
Yet in spite of this knowledge 1t
is mother jealousy that makes women
eternaf1y fir d fault, and nag their in
laws until they make enemies of those
whom. they should have made friends.
Finally, remembers. Mother-in-
law to treat your in-laws as you would
have some other women treat your
children.
When your daughter marries, you
pray her motherin-law won't live
with her, that her mother-in-law will
be cordial and affectionate and take
her to her heart instead of keeping
her at arms length; that her mother
in-law won't go shopping around the
garbage can measuring the depth of
the potato parings; that her mother
in-law won't think a young girl
should have no pretty clothes or good
times, but just be content to be a
domestic drudge.
And you pray your sons mother-in-
law will not settle herself upon him,
and that she won't think all man
is good for is to make money for am
extravaganza wife to spend; and that
she won't nag and fret him, and OBJ
ject every time he lights a. cigaret,
and tell him how bad everything he
likes is for his digestion
And you pray the mothers-in1law
your children get will be wise, big,
gentle hearted, forbearing women who
will be- towers of strength in every
time of trouble, and real mothers to
their adopted as well as their own
sons and daughters.
Well, just answer that prayer. for
your own in-laws. and your sons and
daughters in-law mothers will arise
and bless you.