This is word-for-word from a 1950's public high school home economics textbook....
HOW TO BE A GOOD WIFE TODAY
*Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal on time. This is a way of letting him know that you have been thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home, and the prospect of a good meal is part of the warm welcome needed.
*Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so that you'll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your makeup, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people. Be a little gay and a little more interesting. His boring day may need a lift.
*Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives, gathering up school books, toys, and papers. Then, run a dust cloth over the tables. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and will give you a lift, too.
*Prepare the children. Take a few minutes to wash the children's hands and faces (if they are small). Comb their hair, and if necessary, change their clothes. They are little treasures, and he would like to see them playing the part.
*Minimize all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer, dishwasher, or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet. Be happy to see him. Greet him with a warm smile.
SOME DON'TS:
*Don't greet him with problems or complaints.
*Don't complain if he is late for dinner. Count this as minor compared with what he might have gone through that day. Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or suggest he lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him. Arrange his pillow, and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soft, soothing and pleasant voice. Allow him to relax and unwind.
*Listen to him. You may have a dozen things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first.
*Make the evening his. Never complain if he does not take you out to dinner or to other places of entertainment. Instead, try to understand his world of strain and pressure, his need to be home and relax.
9 comments:
Haha that had to be written by a man!
I enjoy reading your blog Jennifer! You have such creatvie and interesting posts. Last night's dinner in ND was all the leftovers out on the counter ready to be dished up and reheated. Does that count as a delicious meal??
I agree with Jill, it had to be written by a man. And if men were the ones who historically stayed home, I wonder what it would say then. Hilarious!
I have seen that before- it is quite funny. I have an old Betty Crocker cookbook and it talks about some of those very same things. Getting a cocktail ready for him when he walks in and vacuuming, so the carpet is super fresh. Oh, goodness. How times have changed...
So, is it bad that not only do I not to the "shoulds" but do do the "don'ts"? Hm... my poor husband...
this sounds a lot like how to pamper your husband! and i love the assumption that he is the only who has had a stressful day! i agree with everyone else, this had to be written by a guy! and alisa, i'm with you, i think i do a lot more of the don't's than do's! and i'm sure it will only get worse once this baby gets here!
What if your husband is a student, home 3 days a week and you are the sugar momma? I think this sounds pretty nice. Perhaps I'll give Brandon the list...
The DOs are one thing, not that I do any of those...anyone who knows me knows that I rarely wear makeup so I never need to touch it up! ;)...But the DONTs...you have got to be kidding me. Everyone knows that men speak many fewer words per day than women and most of their words are used up at work. This sure makes me thankful for my husband...and his mother! If he expected any of this we'd sure be in trouble!
Shannon
Well, this would be all fine and good if women didn't have to work too sometimes. I mean, where is MY dinner when I get home after working all day, picking up my child and getting home at 6:30PM with a starving and tired child?!?! I wish I could come home to a clutter free, laundry and dishes done house with hot food on the table and someone tell me to sit in a recliner, put my feet up and not bother me with anything else for the evening. I mean seriously....I need a wife and a maid myself!!!
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