My mum got on very well with her m-i-l, who shared her ideals that women should be educated and make their own way in the world. My mum applied for a job, with my m-i-l offering to care for me just 2 hours in the afternoon, so my mum could 'keep her hand in', but the office turned her down as they thought mothers of pre-school children should be at home (they knew because it was a very small community!)
I do know though that my m-i-l liked to see me 'nicely turned out', which I was for Sunday best, but my mum used to make me shorts so that I could climb trees and my m-i-l didn't like that. Neither did she like the 'romper suit' sent by my mum's best friend from the US. We would describe it more as a miniature track suit, in stretch fabric. although this was sent when I was only one, I still have it - after my sister had finished wearing it, I put it on my teddy bear who is still with me!