How to welcome your man the 1950's way

[Milhos]

The following is from a 1950's Home Economics textbook intended for the High School girls, teaching 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 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.

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, 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.

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 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, 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

[SewCrafty]

[Katybird]

Visions of Stepford are springing to mind, LOL.

[lucy979]

Wow!

[canadian gardener]

Well a few of those are common sense. I've slapped dinner down in front of him within 20 minutes of arrival since we've been married. If I'm out at work (I've worked shifts as well as been a SaHM which I am now) he got the dinner ready himself.

my step gran taught me that. She said, it's far easier to get a man's attention if he isn't hungry and tired so NEVER EVER broach something serious (not meaning emergencies ok?) till after food and a short rest.

Saves a lot of fights and cranky behaviour.

I find my mental health is better if I take a deep breath and prepare myself for a switch in schedule at that end of the day about half an hour before he arrives.

If I don't I'm often irritable as I'm pulling up and out of what I'm doing, feeling like the day is running out of control.

I was like this at work too, preferring to come into work 15 minutes ahead, to catch my breath, and plan my day.

I don't fuss with my hair, nor did I fix the kids, but about 3:30 when they get cranky, snacking the kids and me eating a bit of protein sure helps.

that gets me thru supper prep without falling over due to sheer tiredness and kept the kids from getting grouchy.

Toning down the volume (sound control) helps me keep my sanity at that end of the day too. I can't cope with sensory overload at that end of the day, so that is for me, but it's a nice side effect for him.

I know, I just scared the living daylights out of a bunch of you but some of that stuff really works.

[AmyMCGS]

Originally posted by canadian gardener
I know, I just scared the living daylights out of a bunch of you but some of that stuff really works.

[Dixie]

I kind of like those ideas, but I'm a June Cleaver wannabe anyway.

[Heather]

Originally posted by Dixie
I kind of like those ideas, but I'm a June Cleaver wannabe anyway.

Me too Dixie!

Some I can't see myself doing (no ribbons in this hair..lol...or taking off his shoes!) but I think it's all about respect for one another and how we can make our spouse feel good about being at home.

[Dixie]

Originally posted by karlisangel
.
I think my motto has been, that if I give him my ALL, he will give me his ALL.

I totally agree!

[Julia Kimber]

Julia

[lucy979]

I might have to try these since you ladies say they work. I guess it is just a little overwhelming to read.

[pip]

I don't know about rubbing his feet, , but some of those things help the entire family feel better in general. I don't actual do all the things on the list, probably don't actually do many of them at all most of the time, but I agree with them. (I think I would have fit in quite well as a house wife of the 50's!!!!)

[canadian gardener]

I ditto Carolyn.

Dh's tend to feel cared for and special when they see you doing stuff for them, and in return they often go out of their way to return the favour.

And that improves a marriage no end.