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.
  > >
  > >