The Good Wife's Guide...circa 1955.

Okay...here's an excerpt (spelling???) from "Housekeeping Monthly" 13 May 1955:

The Good Wife's Guide

* 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 & are concerned about 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 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, paper, etc. and then run a dustcloth over tables.

* Over the cooler months of the year, you should prepare and light a fir for him to unwind by. You husband will feel he has reached a haven of order, and it will give him 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 & faces, comb their hair, and if necessary, change clothes. They are little treasures and he would like to see them play the part. Minimise all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise such as 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 topic of conversation are more important than yours.

* Make the evening his. Never complain if he comes home late or goes to dinner, or other places of entertainment without you. Instead, try to understand his world of strain & pressure and his very real need to come home & 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 & spirit.

* Dont greet him with complaints and problems.

* Dont complain if he's late home for dinner or even if he stays out late. Count this as minor compared to what he might have gone through.

* 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 pleasant voice.

* Dont ask him questions about his actions or question his judgement or integrity. Remember, he is the master of the house, and as such will excercise his will with fairness and truthfulness. You have no right to question him.

* A good wife always knows her place.





_____I got a really good laugh out of this!_____