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 makeup, 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, 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.
The following is from a 1950's
home economics textbook intended for
high school girls, teaching them how
to prepare for married life.
