The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-06-02
of
Homes Laid
TO Mothers
BY MARTHA LEE

An Organization for the Suppress
sion of Mothers in-Law is needed In
Indianapolis.
Out of the thousands Of letters 1
receive every year, a fair percentage
of them are complaints about moth
ers-in-laws.
That's pretty bad. I,can't under
stand why mothers don't see the
thing in the right way and stop
bounding their children in-law.
First it is a young wife complain
ing that her husbands mother has
moved in on them, taking their
home. ut is her home now" the
bride walls.
And then it is the husband shout
ing that his wife's mother has start
ed heckling him. "She says 1 don't
treat my wife as I should" COM
plains the husband.
So it goes, year in and year out.
Mothers know they are unwelcome,
but still they keep right on visiting
their children.
But sometimes the visit becomes
permanent.
1--WE decided to visit you this
summer" mother writes to her Son.
Fails to Understand
And then she doesn't understand
when she receives no reply to her
letter, or why the reply is so cold.
I'll bet his wife had something
to do with this" says the mother
between clenched teeth.
Sure the wife did, and I don't
blame her, either.
Here is something for all girls to
remember. If you are not married
now you will be, and then you will
have a mother-in
I hope you don't have to suffer
with her.
But aside from that, you will have
your husband and your home and
all the other things that go to make
up life.
You live your life as you want 1t
without interference from any out
slider. That is, if you are lucky.
Then you will have children. Soon
they will be grown, and they will
establish homes Of their own.
Right to Own Lives
They were not consulted when
they were brought into this world,
and you owe it to them to let them
live their own lives.
Don't try to tell them what to
do and how to do it. Let them do
it for themselves.
Certainly they are glad to have
you visit them once in a while. But
make it short. Don't stay forever.
Live such a life in relation to your
children-in-law that when you go
to visit them they will tell the
neighbors: Mother is coming to
visit us next week." and not, "Well,
the mother-in-law will descend next
week."
Here is letter that is typical of
the hundreds received at this desk:
all my life that a mans greatest love goes
70 his mother, but now 1 know that his
grs@9 J bro i9ye goes goes to his wife;
mother, and most of his salary.
~, Mother tL earned quite a bit Of money,
Brother lost his wife because he had to
give everything to mother. His wife is
married to another man. She seems to
De happy with her second husband. Broth
er couldn't, give her happiness because
mother took everything.
Brother never comes to see mother any
more and he doesn't send her any money.
Mother lives with my wife and me now
aanq an OF us are unhappy. Mother is
Mother gets xii the noonev and Ara
clothes. while my wife has to dresS
cheaply Mother handles most Of my money
wife should work because she is young.
e e eant even kiss my wife while, mother
came between US. I would like to take
my wife IN my arms when I come home
from work but II 1 did mother would
Mother says / should never marry when
have her to support.
NV wife doesn't say much, but many
nights she cries herself to sleep on my
shoulder.
Miss Lee, I'm afraid TIL lose my wife
like brother did, Sometimes I almost hate
mother because Of her Selhshness.
Mother is 46 years old and is able TO
work. I could let mother live with some
OF our relatives, but she won't leave the
She says this is her home and does not
s5Ssin0Mn}g to my wife. She says oa m nS
Evidently you have reached the
end Of the rope. 1t seems assured
that before long you will lose your
wife or your mother.
1t is up to you to choose between
them. If you want your wife, then
be firm with your mother. Tell her
to leave your home and establish a
home Of her own.
You can provide for her in some
other place, and it will leave you to
your happiness.
If your mother doesn't acquiesce
to polite demands, I suggest you
consult a lawyer.
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