HOW TO BE A GOOD WIFE
( From a 1950 High School Economics Book)
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 bout 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
house just before your husband arrives, gathering up school books, toys, paper,
etc. Then run a dust cloth over the
tables. Your husband will feel he has
reached a haven of rest and order, and it 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 the 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 and be glad to
see him.
Some Don’ts. Don’t greet him with problems or
complaints. Don’t complain if he’s 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 that 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 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.
The goal. Try to make your home a place of
peace and order where your husband can renew himself on body and spirit.
FROM A 1950's HIGH SCHOOL
ECONOMICS BOOK
WIFE