Married Life Has Come a Long Way

In the May 1955 Housekeeping Monthly the following “Good Wife’s Guide” was published:

• 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 about him and are concerned about his needs.
• 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 a lot of work-weary people.
• 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.
• Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives.
• Gather up schoolbooks, toys, paper, etc. and then run a dustcloth over the tables.
• Over the cooler months of the year you should prepare and light a fire for him to unwind by. After all, catering for his
     comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction.
• 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. Try to
     encourage the children to be quiet.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soothing and pleasant voice.
• Don’t ask him questions about his actions or question his judgment or integrity. Remember, he is the 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.

Marriage has come a long way. Successful ones are more of a partnership than a fiefdom. They can certainly bring joy but they come with a lot of work and compromise. What they don’t come with is a guarantee but as the great philosopher Erma Bombeck said, “If that's what you're looking for, go live with a car battery.” Enjoy the show.

Richard Carrothers
President - New Theatre Restaurant