Dear Heloise: Reading the “Meatloaf Like Mama’s” letter really made me want to write you. To remind people of the letter, the reader has four boys/men, and she makes a great meatloaf. So, why didn’t she teach them how to make it?

When I read that “the oldest son is getting married and asked his future bride to get the recipe,” I truly wondered why he did not get the recipe and learn how to cook it himself. Are we still in the 20th century? In fact, as a mother, teaching your sons how to cook will make them more appreciate a woman who can cook for them as well.

I don’t mind some traditions, but isn’t it time for men and their mothers to learn that their daughter-in-laws are not servants? Let’s not assume that the woman is suppose to do the household chores just because she is female. In fact, if more mothers taught their boys to do laundry, cook and clean, I think we would see more progress in equality. — Jeanne H., via email

Jeanne, I agree with you. There is no reason why cooking dinner shouldn’t be a shared experience. A husband can make the salad while his wife prepares something else. Whoever finishes first sets the table. And there is no reason why a girl can’t be taught to change a tire or safely use a hammer, drill or sander.

Some women want to stick to traditional roles, but some do not. I believe that we must all learn to take care of ourselves because you can’t always depend on someone else being there for you. — Heloise

FOR THE BIRDS AND SQUIRRELS

Dear Heloise: Glen Allen, in Virginia, said he fed birds and squirrels bread. This is not recommended at all as it contains sugar, sodium and carbohydrates. There’s no nutritional value in them. It is not digested well by them, and additionally, the bread can get moldy. Stick to seeds and suet. — Eileen F., Glenwood, Iowa