The Indianapolis times., 1930-05-27
Being a Pal
to Children
Parent Duty
BY MARTHA LEE

II WEA~ O-A~ = 49, N~---N
be applicable to all parents in the
treatment Of their children 1t would
be for father and mothers to be pals
to their sons and daughters.
Respect of children for their par
ents suffers not one iota by mother
and father being friendly with them.
Too many parents feel it necessary
TO keep their children in awe Of
them. That's all right when the
youngsters are too young to have
secrets from their mothers and
fathers, but once they have grown
up and are meeting the problems
and temptations Of life, many a
time both parents will yearn for a
heart to heart talk with the chill
dren. And they won't get it.
The way to find out what your
children are doing and who their
friends are is to have the crowd"
in at the house. Prejudice against
the younger generation never will
do, if you parents want to offer
your children all the protection and
guidance you can.
Straight Thinking
Your boys and girls are going
with the children of their age
whether you oldsters approve or
not. They are not a bad lot, any
way. That's all false propaganda.
They are straight thinking,
straight-talking, fairly sensible
bunch of kids. They are not like
you were when you were young, any
more than you were like your
mothers and fathers in their youth.
Your children have different
amusements. Their entertainment,
for the most part. takes them out
side the home circle. But that does
not mean a thing. If you want to
give your growing boys and girls
a real helping hand, don't restrain
them from going with youngsters
their own age. Instead, have the
youngsters in, give them the once
over, and weed out the undesir-
ables.
Dear Miss Lee-I am 81 years old and
in my opinion old enough to take care
agree. I think the world of them and
they have been wonderful to me but for
one thing. They are strict to the point
of narrow mindedness.
They do not forbid me to have dates
but when do have one, get such
sermon about it don't venture out very
often. 1 want my parents to meet my
friends. but they refuse to come in the
room when I have company. When they
do, it is to say a cold How do you do"
and leave with look that would freeze
a fireman. If I go to a party or dance
it is always the same argument. They
insist I be in at II. I do not believe
in late hours. but ! don't think 1890
is bad for a dance. The dances usually
close at midnight, and by the time the
crowd gets something to eat it's about
1880 when 1 get home. But don't try
another dance for som time after. be-
cause the lecture is enough to spoil the
good time I had at the dance.
am not allowed to sit in front of the
house even for few minutes, and I never
can ask boy in when I get home What
fellow wants to take girl out that gets
treated in this way? I lost the friendship
of a wonderful fellow about 1ye months
ago because no amount of explaining on
my part could change. his opinion that
my parents objected to him. resent TINS;
as much as I think of them. They will
not give me a chance to prove that I am
careful with whom I associate.
That is a hard problem for an
attractive girl to cope with, Sally.
You'll just have TO educate your
parents to the ways of 1880 model
doings. You have been pretty pa
tient, and I do think it's very in
telligent of you to understand that
thy are doing what they think best.
Had Taffy Pulls
They still are harboring the hope
that one of their friends sons will
ask to court" you I suppose. That's
the way things were done in their
day. And of course boys and girls
did not go out the way you young
sters do. They had taffy pulls and
all sorts of home parties. They ap-
parently are afraid that some harm
will befall you, that your friends
are too different" from them to be
interested in them.
Get your mother to help you plan
an old fashioned party. One like
they had when she was girl. Have
her arrange the program of enter
tainment. 1t sounds fiat but you
and your friends will have a circus.
And it will allow both your mother
and father to see you youngsters as
you really are. And I'll bet any
thing you will not have so much
trouble after that having your dates
and entertaining your friends at
your own home.