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
and are concerned about his needs.
most men are hungry when the 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 will 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 for him.
his boring day may need a lift
and one of your duties is to provide it

Clear away clutter.
make one last trip
through the main part of the house
just before your husband arrives.

Gather up schoolbooks,
toys, papers etc and then
run a dust cloth 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 to 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
change 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 from
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 your home
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 home late for dinner
or even if he stays out all night.
count this as minor compared to
what he might have gone through
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 soothing
and pleasant voice.

Don't ask him questions
about his actions or
question his judgment 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

[Article in Housekeeping Monthly 13 May 1955]