Advise for wives

Advise from"How to be a Good Wife" written in 1933

Don't overlook the fact that the average husband likes being made a fuss of.  If you give it honestly and don't gush about it, there is nothing he won't do for you.  Of course. it has got to be genuine.

Don't forget that it is every married woman's duty to come down in the morning with a smile.  It is the atmosphere of this early morning hour that largely colours the whole day, hence the advisability of your men folk going forth with the memory of a smile rather than a frown. 

Do endeavour at all times to look on the sunny side of things.  This is a fortune in itself.  Don't look on life through a smoked glass.

Don't feel aggrieved if your husband mentions with pleasure some dish that his mother use to make.  Write and ask her for the recipe and then give him a surprise by producing it.

Don't dress for other men or women, not even to outdo the latter, but dress for your husband. Do this with the same care that you did before you were married.  If there is a particular dress that he like, put it on occasionally even if it is out of fashion. 

Don't fail to laugh at your husband's jokes, even if they are poor bring out a smile for them or, otherwise, if you fail him, he will feel properly crushed.

Don't burden the ship of life with useless cargo.  Throw over everything which does not help to make the voyage more pleasant.

Do try not to fall into the common error of grumbling at the monotony of housework.  Learn to find happiness in doing it well.  A good laugh once a day will have the effect of making it seem much easier.

Don't carry on because your husband is not exactly what he was before your were married.  Then, you only saw him in his leisure hours: now you have him on a work-a-day footing.  And the two are not exactly the same.

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