Have you heard of the Uncle John's Bathroom Reader books? Well, I heard about them from a friend and decided to get one for Matt for his birthday (kind of as a joke). When he goes into the bathroom and turns the fan on, I know I won't see him again for a while so I thought he would appreciate some entertainment in there. I have also spend some time in the book and when I read this section, I thought it was quite comical and would like to share:
This is taken directly from a 1950s Home Economics text book:
When Your Husband Gets Home
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."
Prepare yourself: "Take 15 minutes to rest so you will be refreshed when he arrives. Touching 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."
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 husbands will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift, too."
Prepare the children: "Take a few minutes to wash the children's hands and faces (if the are small) comb their hair, and if necessary, change their cloths. They are little treasures and he would like to see them playing the part."
Minimize all 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."
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."
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 hi shoes. Speak in a low, soft, soothing and pleasant voice. Allow him to relax--unwind."
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."
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."
Is this for real!?!?! Was there a section for the husbands to read? Times have changed, haven't they? I wonder if there were less divorces back then. So, I asked Matt what he thought and he said that he thought is was "great, really good advice..." YES, HE WAS SERIOUS. (I guess there is some good sense in it.)
12 comments:
I am giggling inside! lol.
that was too funny! I'm sure the divorce rate was much lower then than it it now, just cuz of that mentality.
I'm sure if more men read that article, they would refer to it as the "Bible of How to Properly Treat Your Husband Manual".
Haha. I thought it was good advice until it kept going and going. I mean, really! I guess if they came out with how to treat a wife section we would think it had good advice as well. I'm just glad to have a little more appreciation and help from Ryan than that little book suggests!
Here's to hoping Ryan doesn't read your post.....:)
I like the part about holding off on the dozen things you have on your mind and just listen. It is nice not to come home to a problem list. MJ
I think it is a bunch of horse shit. Who is going to do those things for me when I get home from a long day at work. Oh, and like staying home and taking care of the kids all day is a breeze right?
I've actually read/heard that little piece before and have the same reaction: I am commentless (a real word?). Cyrie's comment hits it on the head!
My answer to that would be: "Oh, honey, you have a week of vacation. WONDERFUL!" I would then proceed to use his hard-earned money to book a flight to Hawaii for myself and leave him home to spend the week taking care of the family. Of course, when I returned at the end of the week, I would want the house clean, dinner on the table, and a fresh happy family waiting for me.
yes, the times have changed. this is what we come home to now-a-days:
- sweatpants and pony tails
- "where's dinner?"..."waiting for you at burger king"
- sink full of dishes
- blah, blah, you need to do more around the house, blah, blah, you're never home, blah, blah, that was a crappy valentines present, blah, blah, why don't you like my mother, blah
- you want to watch the game? not on mondays because that's "the bachelor" night
- day 3 of no underwear because I didn't do the laundry
- him: "what did you do today" her: "not much, nothing good was on tv"
I would like to personally thank Norm for that last post. It is sad to see how our society has digresed.
MJ
I am laughing so hard!!! I think I am going to copy that and frame it! That or I should write about what my husband comes home to. haha!!! I can't decide which!
Maybe if my husband came home at 5 pm every day...
so you should try it....on April fools day and see if Matt gets it.
C'mon MattJohn, Julee works hard! You are so old fashioned. What happens at home that day is as important as what happened that day at work.
Julee I think you should really do that on April Fools. I think it would be really funny!
Post a Comment