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This article was
actually found in the May 13th 1955 issue of Housekeeping Monthly
entitled "A Good Wife".
1. 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 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
(especially his favourite dish) is part of the warm welcome needed.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part
of the house just before your husband arrives.
5. Gather up schoolbooks, toys, paper, etc. and then run a dustcloth
over the tables.
6. Over the cooler 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.
7. 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
vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet.
8. Be happy to see him.
9. Greet him with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to
please him.
10. 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 conversation are more important than
yours.
11. Make the evening his. Never complain if he comes home late or
goes out to 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.
12. Your goal: try to make sure your home is a place of peace, order
and tranquillity where your husband can renew himself in body and
spirit.
13. Don't greet him with complaints and problems.
14. 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.
15. Make him comfortable. Make him lean back in a comfortable chair
or have him lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready
for him.
16. Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a
low, soothing and pleasant voice.
17. 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 exercise his will with fairness and
truthfulness. You have no right to question him.
18. A good wife always knows her place. |
