The good wife's guide (Housekeeping monthly May 1955)
- Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready, on time for his return. This is a way of letting him know 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 (especially his favorite dish) is part of the warm welome needed.
- Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so you'll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, 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 for him. His boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it.
- Clear away the clutter. make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives.
- Gather up schoolbooks, toys, paper etc and then run a dustcloth over the tables.
- Over the colder months of the year you should prepare and light a fire for him to unwind by. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift too. After all, catering for his comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction.
- 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. minimise all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer or vacumn. Try to encourage the children to be quiet.
- Be happy to see him.
- Greet him with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please him.
- Listen to him. You may have a dozen important things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first - remember, his topics of comversation are more important than yours.
- Make the evening his. Never complain if he comes home late or goes out the dinner, or other places of entertainment without you. Instead, try to understand his world of strain and pressure and his very real need to be at home and relax.
- Your goal: Try to make sure your home is a place of peace, order and tranquility where your husband can renew himself in body and spirit.
- Don't greet him with complaints and problems.
- Don't complain if he's late home for dinner or even if he stays out all night. Count this as minor compared to what he might have gone through that day.
- Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or have him 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, sooothing and pleasant voice.
- Don't ask him questions about his actions or question his judgement or integrity. Remember, he is the master of the house and as such will always excersise his will with fainess and truthfulness. you have no right to question him.
- A good wife always knows her place.
WHAT???
Ok so a lot of that is good advice & something to strive for. But not so 'Ward' has the perfect kingdom to come home to, it's for the whole family including the wife! I believe wholeheartedly in Godly submission but I don't think it means my husbands "topics of converstation are more important" than mine! Or that I "have no right to question him"! And I know of many men that were contradictory examples of the statement "he is the master of the house and...will always excersise his will with fairness and truthfulness." There is a great difference between a Godly husband & a dominating one!
Geez, soap-box anyone? Didn't mean to go off on that schpeel, I just wanted to share the article cos I though it was funny. I told the friend that sent it to me that I sometimes wish I lived in a simpler time but after reading that, yeaaaaah not so much. Of course, Chris said, "man, I'm living in the wrong era ." HA!
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On another note, one that seems to be a fixation in my life lately, Adah now has a fever. OMGosh, will it ever end???
We had an appointment today that was rescheduled from last week when I was sick. Yup, had to reschedule it again - they are less than thrilled with me now, but what can ya do? I was also planning to use the drop in clinic at my Dr's office to see why I've been sick for more than 3 years 3 weeks now. I'm just a little tired of the swollen gland that's making it excruciating to swallow & making my ear feel like it's going to explode at any minute. PTL they are open on the weekend cos it looks like that's gonna be my only chance.
Have a great day y'all!
