The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-10-20

| blllc COluIIlIls
ladies are very unreasonable. They want
man to marry them when they are
widowed and take their children to care
/ for But they will not take man if he
has children on his side. They drop him
like a. hot potato when they find that he
II is not fair for one and not the
other I have dated several women, but
when they found I had children. that
was the end. I still am looking for my
ideal lady am among the lucky for
| am working every day. l am SO years
| old. C. T. c.
Dear c. T. Cit is much more
difficult to be a good stepmother
than it is to be a good stepfather.
The stepmother is at home all day
with the children, and their care
and training falls on her shoulders.
The stepfather sees the children
only in the evening, and has little
part in their upbringing.
He is spared all the strain and
stress of constant contact with little
beings who are not of his flesh. But
the stepmother undergoes the trial
by fire every day of her life.
The stepmother'S job is unusually
thankless, for the children are apt
to regard her as an intruder. The
word stepmother alone is sufficient
to arouse a cloud of resentment and
prejudice 1t is difficult for her to
feel the same emotion for her hus-
ba n d children CHo
that their own Child quick
mother felt. +o No4;co
quick to detect Difference
the difference and
feel abused. When they carry tales
to the father, she can not be as sure
of his sympathy as if they were
the joint parents of the children.
The stepfather does not have half
so black name to live down. He
has more opportunity to escape from
the problems when friction arises.
He can put on his hat and spend the
evening at the club or in company
with some of his cronies.
There is no escape for the step
mother She incurred terrific re-
sponsibility when she undertook the
care of another woman'S children.
No matter how hot things get, she
can not leave her post or shift her
| job to somebody else.
These serious factors give woman
pause when she feels herself at
| tracted to a man who has children
Cou IoLo to rear. If she
rev Ndhe does not overesti-
Success of mate her capacity
O"NN0S'0 VI to deal with the
Tough Job children with pa
thence and for
bearance, you should not condemn
her, but thank her kindly. She
probably saved you lot of trouble.
Some women make a great success
of the stepmother role, but they are
few and far between. I know" one
woman who married man with six
motherlesS children. Four months
after the wedding, the father was
killed in an accident.
The stepmother took over his
business and supported his children
in addition to her strenuous house
hold cares. For four years she has
been both father and mother to
brood of children who have no claim
on her, and she has won their I'M
dying regard and affection.
n
Dear Jane Jordan am II years of
age, and have been going with a fellow
| twelve years my senior for some time.
He asked me to marry him and gave me
| a diamond. l made him no definite
| promise when took the ring. but he in
sisted that take it, thinking I'd change
| my attitude toward him.
He is good 1nancier, has a good edu-
cation. and is fairly well to DO In the
meantime. have met a fellow Is years
of age. but he is not in as good circum-
stances as the older fellow He is a
/ high school graduate, is better looking
than the other fellow, and seems to think
| a great deal of me.
I think like the younger boy better
than the older one, but I am undecided.
II I go with the older fellow. I have to
| give up the younger one, and If l go with
the younger one, must give up the
older one. Please advise me.
DISHEARTENED.
Dear Disheartened-If you were
80 years older, would advise you to
make the practical marriage. At
that age you would be more able to
appreciate the advantages of a good
home and faithful provider. But