My mother was pretty supportive, as she was musical (wish I had inherited her "pitch perfect" gene!). But, having grown up in a strongly Methodist family, pubs were not mentioned, and half my repertoire (Plastic Jesus, Chastity Belt, One-Eyed Reilly, etc) were not practised at home. One thing I recall is my mother's dislike of "unfinished" tunes i.e. those that finished on a seventh chord. Sometimes the comment came drifting through to my bedroom from the kitchen; "Finish it!". Some of my current folkie friends who know the story still use the comment as a heckle - shame on them!

Shimbo