*
The Good Wife’s Guide
Housekeeping Monthly 13 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 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
you husband arrives.
Gather up schoolbooks, toys, paper 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 (if they
are small), comb their hair and, if necessary, changer 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 or vacuum. 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 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 relax.
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.
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, soothing 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 exercise his will with
fairness and truthfulness. You have no right to question him.
A good wife always knows her place.
Replies
*
The Good Wife’s Guide
Housekeeping Monthly 13 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 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
you husband arrives.
Gather up schoolbooks, toys, paper 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 (if they
are small), comb their hair and, if necessary, changer 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 or vacuum. 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 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 relax.
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.
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, soothing 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 exercise his will with
fairness and truthfulness. You have no right to question him.
A good wife always knows her place.