Married life - 1950s style
Ever wondered what it would be like if you were preparing for your wedding in another time or place?
Here's a n exerpt from a home economics textbook - a taste of what a bride to be could expect to be learning in the 1950s and how it compares to life, today.
Have Dinner Ready
* 1950: Plan ahead to have a delicious meal ready 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 prospect of a good meal is indeed part of a warm welcome
* Now: Plan ahead to have a table booked early. If you're busy, or having a bad day, phone him to let him know where and when you'd like to eat and expect him to deal with it. This lets him know that you've had a bad day and gives him the chance to cheer you up.
Prepare yourself:
* 1950: Take 15 minutes to rest before he arrives home, so that you will be refreshed for his arrival. Touch up your makeup, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh looking. He has just been with alot of work-weary men, so be gay and little more interesting. His day has been boring and he needs a lift.
* Now: Take 15 minutes to look through any sale racks you may encounter on the way home. A new outfit will give you the lift you need after a boring day. A quick stop at the "LANCÔME" will also do wonders for your outlook and will keep you from becoming irritated every time he opens his mouth. He's just spent 8 hours at work ,so he can afford the credit card bills, so make sure you show you're thinking about him by using his.
Clear away the clutter
* 1950: 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.
* Now: Call the Kids and tell them that anything left on the floor in 5 minutes will be posted on Ebay.
Prepare the children
* 1950: 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.
* Now: Ensure they've all got friends to visit with, or send them up to their rooms to play on the computer (if necessary).
Minimize the noise
* 1950: At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise by shutting off the dishwasher, washer, dryer, or vaccum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet. Be happy to see him and greet him warmly, don't greet him with problems or complaints. If he's late for dinner, consider it trivial compared to what he's been through, during his day.
* Now: At the time of his arrival, get the kids to be quiet- because you'll be in the bath, tying to enjoy a good book and a glass of wine. If he dains to enter, decide whether you're in the mood or not, and then shoo him out.
Some Don'ts
Ever wondered what it would be like if you were preparing for your wedding in another time or place?
Here's a n exerpt from a home economics textbook - a taste of what a bride to be could expect to be learning in the 1950s and how it compares to life, today.
Have Dinner Ready
* 1950: Plan ahead to have a delicious meal ready 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 prospect of a good meal is indeed part of a warm welcome
* Now: Plan ahead to have a table booked early. If you're busy, or having a bad day, phone him to let him know where and when you'd like to eat and expect him to deal with it. This lets him know that you've had a bad day and gives him the chance to cheer you up.
Prepare yourself:
* 1950: Take 15 minutes to rest before he arrives home, so that you will be refreshed for his arrival. Touch up your makeup, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh looking. He has just been with alot of work-weary men, so be gay and little more interesting. His day has been boring and he needs a lift.
* Now: Take 15 minutes to look through any sale racks you may encounter on the way home. A new outfit will give you the lift you need after a boring day. A quick stop at the "LANCÔME" will also do wonders for your outlook and will keep you from becoming irritated every time he opens his mouth. He's just spent 8 hours at work ,so he can afford the credit card bills, so make sure you show you're thinking about him by using his.
Clear away the clutter
* 1950: 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.
* Now: Call the Kids and tell them that anything left on the floor in 5 minutes will be posted on Ebay.
Prepare the children
* 1950: 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.
* Now: Ensure they've all got friends to visit with, or send them up to their rooms to play on the computer (if necessary).
Minimize the noise
* 1950: At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise by shutting off the dishwasher, washer, dryer, or vaccum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet. Be happy to see him and greet him warmly, don't greet him with problems or complaints. If he's late for dinner, consider it trivial compared to what he's been through, during his day.
* Now: At the time of his arrival, get the kids to be quiet- because you'll be in the bath, tying to enjoy a good book and a glass of wine. If he dains to enter, decide whether you're in the mood or not, and then shoo him out.
Some Don'ts
* 1950's: 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.
* Now: Let him speak first, and then your complaints will get more attentionand remain fresh in his mind throughout dinner. Don't complain ifhe's late for dinner; simply remind him that the leftovers are inthe refrigerator and you left the dishes for him to do.
Make him comfortable
* 1950: Greet him at the door and take off his coat and shoes. Suggest he sit back in a comfortable chair or lie down in the bedroom, depending on the weather, have a cool or warm drink ready for him. Speak in a low, soft, soothing and pleasant voice. Allow him to relax-unwind
* Now: Remind him to take his shoes off at the door - as to not dirty the floor and tell him where he can find a blanket if he''s cold, to show him you're concerned about his needs.
Listen to him
* 1950: You may have a dozen things to tell him, but the moment of arrival is not the time, Let him talk first.
* Now: You may have a dozen things to tell him, but if you speak too soon, he'll get the last word. Let him talk first.
Make the evening his
* 1950: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.
* Now: Never complain if he does not take you out to dinner or to other places of entertainment. Instead, phone your friends and go with them.
The Goal
* 1950: The goal: Try to make you home a place of peace and order whereyour husband can relax.
* Now: The Goal: Try to keep things amicable without reminding him that he only thinks the world revolves around him.
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