Good Housewife Part II

Tip #6. 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.

HOLLY'S TAKE: Ummmm.... yeah. If the man's a father, there's a big chance he opens the door to a visible problem or visible mess that Mallary just made. The late for dinner thing? I can handle him being late if he calls to let me know he's going to be late. But, if I'm working hard to get the food on the table by the time he were to walk in the door, then I'm totally going to complain about it if he didn't call. It is a very simple, common courtesy, that takes one minute to pick up the phone and make a call. But, like I said, we haven't had any issues with it this new year. That must have been one of John's resolutions.

Tip #7. Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or suggest he lay 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. Allow his to relax and unwind.

HOLLY'S TAKE: Doesn't that make you laugh? I know there are still men out there that expect this, and they are crazy. Luckily, my husband isn't one of them. A father comes home from work and probably has, what, maybe two hours before their little kids go to bed? If a man uses an excuse he has to unwind before helping or playing with his kids, LAME! He only has two hours to interact with his kids, and then he can unwind for the rest of the night!

Tip #8. 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.

HOLLY'S TAKE: Honestly, on most days, by the time John gets home my nerves are pretty shot, and I don't feel like talking at all. I need time to unwind.

Tip #9. 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 and his need to be home and relax.

HOLLY'S TAKE: The evening his? How sweet. Luckily, my husband knows that my world has lots of strain and pressure too, and understands my need to relax. If I need entertainment, I'll go shopping, and he can stay home and relax.

Tip #10. The goal. Try to make your home a place of peace and order where your husband can relax.

HOLLY'S TAKE: It's 2010. The goal should be a team effort between the husband and wife to make the home a place of peace and order where everyone can relax. Thank goodness I wasn't a housewife in the 50's! (Though the clothes would have been fun to wear!)