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Being
a good spouse
Headline:
Then & Now
Intro:
As time passes by, definitions change and axioms assume
new meanings. If in the
1950s
being a good spouse meant being a good housewife, now
it has come to mean maintaining a harmonious balance between
your personal and professional life.
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Story:
THEN...
The
way to a man's heart is through his stomach. So, plan ahead, even
the night before, to have a delicious meal ready when he gets
back. This is a way of letting him know that you have been thinking
about him, and are concerned about his needs.
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o
. Take 15 minutes to rest so
you will be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up,
do your hair and look attractive. He has just been with a
lot of work-weary people. His boring day may need a lift. |
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. Make
one last trip through the main living area, gathering books,
toys, paper, etc. Then dust the furniture. Your husband will
feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will
give you a lift too. |
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. Take
a few minutes to get the children cleaned and dressed up. |
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. Ensure
the house is quiet. Try to encourage the children to be quiet
as well. Greet him with a warm smile and be glad to see him. |
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. Don't greet him with problems
and complaints. Don't complain if he's late for dinner. Count
this as minor compared with what he might have gone through
that day. |
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. 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 low,
soft, soothing and pleasant voice. Allow him to relax and
unwind. |
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. Never
complain if he does not take you out to dinner or a movie.
Try to understand his need to stay home and relax. |
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. You
may have a dozen things to tell him, but this may not be the
right time. Let him talk first. |
The
Goal: Try to make your home a place of peace and order where your
husband can relax.
Now...
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o
. Make reservations ahead of
time. If your day gets too hectic, just leave him a voice
mail message regarding where you'd like to eat and at what
time. This lets him know that your day has been crappy and
prepares him to change your mood. |
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. A
quick stop at the Lancome counter on your way home will do
wonders for you. |
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. Call
the housekeeper and let her know you'll need her for an extra
day this week. Tell her that any miscellaneous items left
on the floor by the children can be placed in the goodwill
box in the garage. |
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. Drop
the kids off at grandma's! |
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. When he arrives, remind him
that the washer and garbage disposal are still not working
properly and the noise is driving you crazy (but do this in
a nice way and greet him with a warm smile. This way he might
fix it faster). |
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. Don't
greet him with problems and complaints. Let him speak first,
and then your complaints will get more attention and remain
fresh in his mind throughout dinner. |
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. Don't
complain if he's late for dinner. Simply remind him that the
last one home does the cooking and the cleaning. |
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. Remind
him where he can find a warm fuzzy blanket if he's cold. This
will really show you care. But don't ever let him get the
last word. |
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. Make use of the chance to get
the washer and garbage disposal fixed. |
The
Goal: To try to keep things amicable without reminding him that
you make more money than he does.
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