Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Are You a Good Wife?


Things could be worse...
You could be a wife in 1955!


Having trouble reading the
guide for GOOD WIVES
from Housekeeping Monthly
May 13, 1955?
Here let me recap...

1.  Have dinner ready.  Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready, on time for his return. This is a way to let him know you have 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.

2. 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 alot of work- weary people!

3.  Be a little gay and a little more interesting for him.  He may need a little lift and one of your duties is to provide it.

4.  Clear away the clutter.  Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives.

5.  Gather up schoolbooks, toys, paper, etc. and run a dustcloth over the tables.

6.  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 him a lift too. After all, catering for his comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction.

7.  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 treasure and he would like to see them playing the part.  Minimize 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.

8.  Be happy to see him.

9.  Greet him with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please him.

10. 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.

11. Make the evening his.  Never complain if he comes home late, or goes out to dinner, or other places of entertainment without you. 

12. Your goal:  Try to make your home a place of peace, order and tranquility where your husband can renew himself in body and spirit.

13.  Don't greet him with complaints and problems.

14.  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.

15.  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.

16.  Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes.  Speak in a low, soothing and pleasant voice.

17.  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 also exercise his will with fairness and truthfulness. You have no right to question him.

18.  A good wife always knows her place. 

Wow!
Were they using crack in 1955?
Now, I expect all of you to be
 Good Wives from now on!

9 comments:

The Texas Woman said...

Dern, no wonder my mother was bipolar and psycho! With those rules, I would be too!

The Texas Woman

Sue said...

Nope, not a good wife! Maybe that's why I'm divorced and never, ever in a million years want to travel down "that" path again!!

Pastusek said...

This article actually is on my mother's refriderator...my dad gave it to her like 14 years ago. We laugh all the time at it!!!

trash talk said...

Of course I am a "good little helpmate". Who wouldn't be with a man like Cat Daddy? I also weigh 100 lbs. and I am 5'7".
#7 cracks me up. So after sedating the children with benadryl, one trots them out for Daddy and then trots them back to bed?
Debbie (I gotta get me an alter ego when I come over here!)

JANN said...

May 13th, 1955 I was 3 years old, I suppose my Mom gave me a tiny little party! May 13th, 1952 I was born...I just know my Mom was the BEST housewife - LOL !
Thanks for sharing this blast from the past

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

Puuuuuullllleeeeeze! I would NOT have fit in well at all back in the day!! "Speak in a low and soothing voice"! There ain't a low and soothing thing about me!!!

This was hilarious!

Lou Cinda :)

PS I HATE to cook! I do it, but I am not smiling and gay and soothing! That's for sure!

Teresa said...

Guess that's why I'm happily divorced!

Talking Horses Arts said...

Hi there...well that would be the day I am moving to another planet!!
No way....
Andrea.

Woman in a Window said...

You know what is sad? I do all of this. I really do. Well, except #6 and then the few others between #1 and 18! Crazy ass women!