Death of the Homemaker

Ahhh...I'm just about caught up with all of my work and I finished my lesson for tomorrow....so I'm treating myself to an evening of "posts". I've been writing these babies in my head for the past 2 weeks and haven't had time to publish them. So without further adieu, I'll start with the "Queen Mother" of them all...

I was speaking with a friend about the "craziness" of life when she mentioned the "Good Housekeeping" article from 1955. I told I knew exactly what she was talking about and we went on to bash it. Well the very next day, a friend in Flagstaff emailed that exact article to a bunch of women...and wouldn't you believe it, but the very NEXT day (I'm not making this up either), my husband is sitting at my table, eating the lunch I've put in front of him, wearing the clean underwear that I have scrubbed for him and begins to do his "philosophising" thing (is that even a word?) on the "Death of the Homemaker", and actually references the aforementioned article! According to Matt and an "un-named" friend as well as a brother-in-law who shall remain nameless, women just do not take their job as a "homemaker" seriously. He is quick to assure me that he isn't referring to "me"....just women in general :). You see if women were to take their "homemaking" jobs seriously...they would get up...get showered...get dressed...put on makeup...not talk on the phone...and have a routine schedule of laundry on Mondays, groceries on Tuesday, etc....(he seems to have missed my schedule of laundry on Mondays and groceries only once a month :)...and when I'm really on top of my game...homemade bread and rolls (once again, a quick reassurance that he isn't referring to me). So....trying not to be defensive (a weakness I'll admit)--I am willing to concede to the death of the homemaker (according to the below article's description of "homemaker")...Death perhaps....but how about the BIRTH of the "Man-wife"...for those of you who don't know what that is...it would be the title of the wife/mother who hangs her own Christmas lights with 3 children holding onto her legs....or the wife/mother who is installing the porch light 5 minutes before 60 women show up at her house to eat, in hopes that they don't smash their face on her doorstep. So I'll give him the death of the homemaker who freshens up with a ribbon in her hair five minutes before her man walks into the house---but all I ask for is recognition of the birth....the birth of the "man-wife".

Please enjoy the article:

• 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 the warm welcome needed.
• Prepare yourself. Take 15 min. 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 many 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 yb. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift too. 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 palying the part. Minimize all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet.
• Be happy to see him
• Greet him witha warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please him.
• Listen to him. You many 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.
• Your goal: Try to make sure your home is a place of peace, order and tranquility where your husband can renew himself in body and spirit.
• don't greet him with complaints and problems
• 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 judgement 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.

Wow...I have no idea why this "role" died.

I need to add (just in case he reads this) that my husband was with our children, by himself, for 2 nights this week. I sure appreciate him :)