The Good Wife's Guide

The Good Wife's Guide
Housekeeping Monthly - May 13, 1955

I must say, my husband had a little too much glee in his voice when he handed me this page he received via fax. I hate re-typing (about as much as I hate housework in general) but this one was too good to not post.

"We've come a long way, baby!!!"

Without further ado.....

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 be 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. 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.

Minimize all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer or vacuum. 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: To try and 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 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.

--->Extras!!!

A lot of people write to me and ask if this article was for real. I have no idea, as I got my copy in the 1980's by fax but it does look like a reprint of real article.

(For all you young'uns out there --we used to commonly trade jokes by fax. I kept all of mine. Some are so faded that you can hardly read them, some still look ok. This was before we could print faxes on regular paper. We had no choice but to use the very expensive, small rolls of 'disappearing' paper.)

Anyway, I digress, this page has started getting other people inspired to write their own version of the Good Wife's Guide. For your viewing pleasure, I present Monica's version and Yvonne's version.

~Robin