YOU'VE COME A LONG WAY...BABY!

Someone forwarded this to me. It is an article from HOUSEKEEPING MONTHLY dated 13 May 1955.

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 of him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home and the prospect of a good meal is part of the warm welcome needed.

(okay, that's not too bad....)

* Prepare yourself. Take 15 mintues 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.

(If I face my husband with a ribbon in my hair he will laugh!

* 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.

Just a LITTLE gay, you say?

* 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 reset and order, and it will give him a lift too. After all, CATERING FOR HIS COMFORT WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH IMMENSE PEROSNAL SATISFACTION.

* Prepare the children. Take a few minutes to wash the children's hands and faces, 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.

Shades of Captain Von Trapp prior to Fraulein Maria's arrival!

* 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.

I'm glad I was born when I as born.

* 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.

* 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.

Oh the hardships of being a male!

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

Hokey na ba 'to, dar-leng?

* Don't ask him questions about his actions or question his judgment or integrity. Remember, he is 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.

I am therefore not a good wife, and proud of it!