The following is excerpted from a 1950’s high school home economics book. This is what girls were taught in their classes! Lets share this around the world…we need it NOW.
HOW TO BE A GOOD WIFE
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 prospect of a good meal is part of the warm welcome home.
Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so that you’ll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your hair and be fresh looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people. Be a little happy and a little more interesting. His boring day may need a lift.
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.
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 they playing the part.
Minimize all noise: At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the 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!
Some dont’s: Don’t greet him with problems and complaints. Don’t complain if he’s late for dinner. Count this as minor compared with what he might have gone through during the day.
Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a chair or suggest he lie down in the bedroom for a few minutes. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him. Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes, or rub his feet. Speak in a low, soft soothing and pleasant voice. Allow him to relax and unwind.
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.
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; his need to be home and relax.
The goal: Try to make your home a place of peace where your husband can renew himself in body and spirit.
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Good stuff, right? Oh, to go back to those days of decency when women truly MADE the home a castle.
God said to be his “helper.” That is not only our assignment, it is our ministry and our greatest gift.
