This is an excerpt from a 1950's Home Economic Textbook.
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.
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 School books,
toys, papers, etc. and then run a dustcloth over the tables. 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.
Prepare the children. Take a few minutes to wash the children's hands
and faces (it they are small), comb their hair, and if necessary,
change their clothes. They are his 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 and vacuum cleaner. Try to encourage the children to
be quiet.
Be happy to see him. Greet him with a warm smile and show sincerely
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 ask first -
remember, his topics of conversation are more important than yours.
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 relaxed.
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.
Don't greet him with complaints and problems.
Don't complain if he is late for dinner or if he stays out all night.
Count this as a minor compared to what he might have gone through
during 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 and soothing 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 exercise his will with fairness and truthfulness.
You have no right to question him. A good wife always knows her place.
|
