How To Be A Housewife

In May I was laid off after being at the same company for 12 years. In that 12 years I went from being single and living on my own to being married with 2 kids. Last time I was unemployed I was single, paid rent, but that was the extent of my obligations. Now that I'm unemployed, I have to be the "housewife" - a role I've never coveted, and one that I'm not naturally good at - while I'm looking for my next career.

Thing is, I'm determined to be good at whatever I do. And, if it's my lot to be a housewife, even for a little while, I want to be good at it. I do think it will make me a better mom, a better wife, and just more organized in general. I wanted to write about it knowing that there are a lot of people out there who are going through the same work transitions.

Here's what I came across on the internet on How To Be A Good Housewife from a 1954 Home Economics Text Book:

~~~~~~~~~~

HOW TO BE A GOOD WIFE

Home Economics High School Text Book, 1954

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 prospect of a good meal are part of the warm welcome needed.

Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so that you'll 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.

Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the home just before your husband arrives, gather up schoolbooks, 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.

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.

Minimize all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the 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 he is home.

Some don'ts: Don't greet him with problems or complaints. Don't complain if he is 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 his shoes. Speak in a low, soft, soothing and pleasant voice. Allow him to relax and 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.

The Goal: Try to make your home a place of peace and order where your husband can renew himself in body and spirit.

~~~~~~~~~~

Yeah - so, that's not going to happen. Welcome to 2009. This is not going to be my experience. My goal is to come up with a new definition of what it means to be a housewife in this decade, as equal partners, gender-neutral. We'll see how it goes.