Words of wisdom

Whatever happened to the good ol' days!

<
<
< The following is from an actual 1950's 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. Make one last trip through the
main part of
< the house just before your husband arrives, gathering up
schoolbooks,
< 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 kiss, letting him know you're glad
to see
< him.
< <
< < 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.
< <
< < 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 pillow 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.
< <
< <