The Good Wife's Guide

*before you get hostile with me, i was not the one to make this up! This is an article from Housekeeping Monthly.

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 favorite 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 (the happy kind) 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 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. 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.

*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 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 knows her place.


A few years ago i had a boss show me "The Good Wife's Guide" article from a 1955 Housekeeping Monthly. I had been cleaning out all the files he had in his filing cabinets and it was stuffed in a "Funny Stuff" folder. It's a real article for the 50's housewives on how to be a good wife. It kind of cracked me up at first because the extremity of it just seemed like a joke. It's not completely out in left field, some of it is a little endearing in ways, and i'm sure the older you are the more you may agree with the article. But some of it.....wow. It's gives a whole new insight. They were expected to be like that!

Here is my rule ladies: Whatever works for you family situation is great. As long as you and your husband and family are happy, stay positive and make your home life the best you can.


*here is the real article