The Good Husband Guide
Author's note: After receiving an email about an article written
in 1955 about what is expected of a good wife, I decided to
write my version of the good husband. For a look at this
article, go here http://www.tonh.net/freedom/goodwifesguide.html
and click on the lower corner to enlarge the piece. My reply to
this article is meant in fun.
March 17, 2005
The Good Husband's Guide
Today's wife has much to do, including the many roles in her
life: wife, mother, teacher, employee, co-worker, and friend.
She's much too busy to sit at home preparing dinner for her man
every day, and making sure the children are quiet when he walks
in the door after a hard day at work. She also has had a hard
day at work, be it in the work place, working from home or the
hardest job of them all - raising children.
Pick up the children from daycare. Sometimes she has to work
late too and could use the extra few minutes for a breather.
This lets her know you are thinking of her and care about her
needs.
Have dinner prepared. Let her know you are concerned for the way
she feels after work; have her favorite dish ready.
Prepare yourself. Take a few minutes to de-funk yourself after
your hard day at work. Remember, those times of closeness, she
doesn't want to smell the rottenness of the day.
Clean the children. Get their baths done early so family time
isn't bothered with a bunch of 'must-do's' before bedtime.
If you want to go out for the night, check with your wife, she
might have plans. After all, someone does need to watch the
children. There also might be a dinner function the two of you
need to attend. Going with her to a career dinner lets her know
you care about her work as well as your own.
Over the cold months, you should start a fire so she has a nice
warm place to come to at the end of her day. Your wife will feel
as if she's reached a haven of peace.
Over the hot months, make sure the air conditioner is in
excellent condition. Nothing adds to a stressful day more than
heat.
Be happy to see her, not just have a pencil in your pocket, but
be really happy to see her. Let her know she is the only one for
you. Greet her with warmth and respect.
Listen to her. Her problems are just as important as yours are,
if not more so. Let her speak first. Adhere to the rule, ladies
first.
Make the evening hers. Run her a bubble bath, so her relaxation
can continue on, pour her a glass of wine or her favorite
beverage. Spark a few candles around the tub; it's a big gesture
that will take you a long way.
Don't complain. She works just as hard as you do, if not more
so. Children are hard work to raise and dealing with them all
day is stressful.
Speak soothingly to her at all times. The worst is having a
man's rough, harsh voice raised about something that is of no
importance.
Don't ask questions you don't want answers to. Don't judge her.
Be respectful. This goes both ways and is a huge rule in life to
carry through on.
Be trustful. A wife needs a husband she can believe and doesn't
need to worry about his running around doing "single" things.
Always remember, 'what is good for the goose is good for the
gander'.
Pick up after yourself. You married her for a reason and it
wasn't to have her become your slave.
Think of her. Give her a back massage releasing the week's worth
of stress from her body. Be nice, let her relax - without having
to get a piece of action out of the deal.
All-in-all, stick to these guidelines and life will be perfect -
your home life at any rate. Doing things for each other once in
a while is a great way to keep a good marriage. Isn't that what
we all want in life? A smooth sailing ride that we can remember
to get us through the rough times, I think so.