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The following 10 Guidelines are from a 1950's Home Economics textbook
intended for High School girls, teaching on how to prepare for
married
life. Along with each of the 1950’s guide is the updated 90’s
version!
***************!!!
1. Have dinner ready: Plan ahead, even the night before, to have
a
delicious meal - on time. 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 prospects of a good
meal are
part of the warm welcome needed.
90’s Version: Have dinner ready: Make reservations ahead of time.
If
your day becomes too hectic just leave him a voice mail message
regarding where you'd like to eat and at what time. This lets
him know
that your day has been crappy and gives him an opportunity to
change
your mood.
***************
2. Prepare yourself: Take 15 minutes to rest so you will 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. His boring day may
need a
lift.
90’s Version: Prepare yourself: A quick stop at the "LANCOME"
counter
on your way home will do wonders for your outlook and will keep
you from
becoming irritated every time he belches at the table. (Don't
forget to
use his credit card!)
***************
3. Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main
part of
the house just before your husband arrives, gathering up school
books,
toys, paper, etc. Then run a dust cloth over the tables. Your
husband
will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will
give you
a lift too.
90’s Version: Clear away the clutter: Call the housekeeper and
let her
know you'll need her for an extra day this week. Tell her that
any
miscellaneous items left on the floor by the children can be
placed in
the Goodwill box in the garage.
***************
4. 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.
90’s Version: Prepare the children: Drop them off at grandma's!
***************
5. Minimize the noise: At the time of his arrival, eliminate all
noise
of washer, dryer, dishwasher, or vacuum. Try to encourage the
children
to be quiet. Be happy to see him. Greet him with a warm smile
and be
glad to see him.
90’s Version: Minimize the noise: When he arrives at home remind
him
that the washer and garbage disposal are still not working properly
and
the noise is driving you crazy (but do this in a nice way and
greet him
with a warm smile...this way he might fix it faster).
***************
6. Some DON'TS: Don't greet him with problems or complaints. Don't
complain if he's late for dinner. Count this as minor compared
with what
he might have gone through that day.
90’s Version: Some DON'TS: Don't greet him with problems and complaints.
Let him speak first, and then your complaints will get more attention
and remain fresh in his mind throughout dinner. Don't complain
if he's
late for dinner. Simply remind him that the last one home does
the
cooking and the clean-up.
***************
7. Make him comfortable: Have him lean back in a comfortable chair
or
suggest he 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,
soft, soothing and pleasant voice. Allow him to relax and unwind.
90’s Version: Make him comfortable: Remind him where he can find
a warm
fuzzy blanket if he's cold. This will show him that you really
care.
***************
8. Listen to him: You may have a dozen things to tell him,
but the
moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first.
90 Version: Listen to him: But don't ever let him get the last
word.
***************
9. Make the evening his: Never complain if he does not take you
out to
dinner or to other places of entertainment; instead try to understand
his world of strain and pressure and his need to be home and
relax.
90’s Version: Make the evening his: a chance to get the washer
and
garbage disposal fixed.
***************
10. The Goal: Try to make your home a place of peace and order
where
your husband can relax.
90’s Version: To try to keep things amicable without reminding
him that
you make more money than he does.