"The Good Wife's Guide"

Relationships nowadays are complex and difficult. The following article--Taken from 13 May 1955 Good Housekeeping--Explains where we are going wrong and how life has changed.

The Good Wife's Guide:

1. 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. Most men are hungry when they come home and the prospect of a good meal (especially his favourite dish) is part of a warm welcome needed.

2. Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so that 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.

3. Be a little gay and a little more interesting for him (fishnet stockings come to mind) His boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it.

4. Clear away clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before the husband arrives.

5. Gather up schoolbooks, toys, paper etc; and then run a dust cloth over the tables.

6. Over the cooler months of the year, you should prepare a light fire for him to unwind by. After all catering for his comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction.

7. Prepare the children. Take a few minutes to wash their hand and faces. Comb their hair. They are little treasures and he would like to see them playing their part. At his time of arrival, eliminate noise.

8. 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 to you first. Remember, his topics of conversation are more important than yours.

9. Make the evening his. Never complain if he comes home late.

10. Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair. Have a warm drink ready for him.

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

12. Don't ask him questions about his actions or question his judgment. Remember he is the man of the house. You have no right to question him.

13. A good wife always knows her place.

Good God! What a shock!

Man, those were the days (wink)

After discovering this article, it instantly reminded me of Mary Hopkin's Song,

"Those Were The Days" (1968).

The following are partial lyrics from here song, which I found to be appropriate for this article:

Those were the days my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way.

Those were the days, oh yes those were the days

Ok ladies. No hard feelings, right?

I was Just having some fun with you (wink, wink, and a sly smile)...