The Way It Was….

Today, I came across this article about being a ‘good wife’; it caught my attention, so of course I had to share with you;  it was published in 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 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 schoolbooks, toys, paper 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 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 all small), comb their hair and, if necessary, change their clothes.  They are 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 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 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.
• Don’t complain if he’s late home 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 questions 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.

Strange as it may seem, the wife role has not changed much in today’s society.  She is still the caring provider and nurturer of young children, and the feminine presence of the household.

However, I also know that women are more visible than they have ever been in history.  Today men are no longer the sole breadwinner and the traditional role of women began to lose importance.  Women are no longer seen as passive and weak and unable to accomplish physically or mentally all that men can.

Women want and deserve many things.  First and foremost in our minds and hearts is always family and friends;  we want to empower them, to celebrate with them and to create a better World for all of us.

I strongly believe that as a WOMAN… “I am not here to entertain a man!”

Be Well!!!!