The Good Wife's guide

I was playing around on the computer a few weeks back and came across "The Good Wife's Guide" from Housekeeping Monthly from May 13, 1955.  I read it and thought "hmmm, I think I'll a few of this for when Cody comes home".  Oh that was funny.

Have dinner ready.  Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready and on time for his return.  This lets him know that you have been thinking about him and are concerned about his needs.  For us, it just says "we're hungry and want to eat".  We do eat early most nights but it's because we have so many activities that dinner needs to be ready early.  Or, we're at the gym so dinner is either in the crockpot or in the fridge.


Prepare yourself.  Take 15 mins 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.  Well, I've been running around teaching the kids, taking care of the pets, running to speech, horseback riding, gymnastics or karate.  I've been taking care of your 3 kids all day.


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.  I'm sure his day has been anything but boring.  


Clear away the clutter.  Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives.  Now this I can do because I can't stand a mess.


Gather up schoolbooks, toys, paper etc and then run a dustcloth over the tables.  I guarantee my husband will not notice any of those things....especially the dust.  


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.  Hahahaha, if I've got the fire going, it's because we're cold.  It's not like he'll relax by the fire place.  


Prepare the children.  Take a few mins to wash the children's hands and faces (if they are small), comb their hair and if necessary, change their cloths.  MY FAVORITE PART They are the little treasures and he would like to see them playing the part.  Minimize the noise and try to encourage the children to be quite.  They don't know our children.  I think Cody might feel like he's stepped into the Twilight Zone if he came home to this one.  


Be happy to see him.  Of course, because this also means that I get to be off duty for a bit and take a break.  :)


Greet him with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please him.  I did this and he thought I'd lost my mind.  


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 then yours.  This one is too funny.  If I let him talk first, then I'll forget what I've been wanting to tell him all day. 


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.  Cody actually laughed at this one.  He said "what about your time to relax.  You've been with the kids all day".  Yes my husband understands.  I do realize he has a trying job but he realizes I do too.  I love my man.  


Your goal: try to make your sure your home is a place of peace, order and tranquility where your husband can renew himself in body and spirit.  Like this is going to happen with my kids and pets.  Preslie doesn't know how to give peace and tranquility.  


Don't greet him with complaints and problems.  Cody said then it wouldn't feel like home.  Hmmm, don't know if I should be offended or not ;)


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.  Ok, I can handle coming home late because he does work in an Operating room and emergencies happen but if he stayed out all night, then we wouldn't still be married.  


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.  I tried this one and he looked at me funny.  


Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes.  Speak in a low, soothing and pleasant voice.  I'm not touching his shoes or feet.....yuck!!  I'm not a touch your shoes and feet person.  And if I can't yell then how can the kids hear me....I'm joking, or am I.  


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 hi will with fairness and truthfulness.  You have no right no question him.  hahahaha, really?


A good wife always knows her place.  Guess, I'm not a good wife by these standards.  


Ok, so after I read this to Cody and we laughed a little.  He actually said "You really want the girls to think it's ok to act like that?"  I LOVE that man!!!!!!!!!!