>>> The following is from an actual 1950s Home Economics textbook
>>> intended for High School girls, teaching them how to prepare for
>>> married life.
>>>
>>> 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.
>>>
>>> 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.
>>>
>>> 3. Clear away clutter. Maker 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.
>>>
>>> 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.
>>>
>>> 5. Minimize the noise: At the time of his arrival, eliminate all
>>> noise of
>>> washer, dryer, or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be
quiet.
>
>>> Greet him with a warm smile and be glad to see him.
>>>
>>> 6. Some DONT'S: 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.
>>>
>>> 7. Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a comfortable
chair
>>> or
>>> suggest he lay down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink
ready
>>> for him. Arrange his pillows and offer to take off his shoes.
Speak
>
>>> in a low,
>>> soft, soothing and pleasant voice. Allow him to relax and unwind.
>>>
>>> 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.
>>>
>>> 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.
>>>
>>> 10. The Goal: try to make your home a place of peace and order
where
>
>>> your husband can relax. |
