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Subscribe at GravitasMag.com | 29 So when the editors at GV ITAS stumbled across an old issue of Good Housekeeping, we got a k ick out of one of the articles: "e Good Wife's Guide," a well-intentioned lile list of tips and tricks any homemaker could employ to keep her husband content. Needless to say, since this article was published in 1955, a lot's changed. Still, it means well, and even though some of these tips seem a lile… bizarre by today's standards, there are still a handful that have endured the test of time (k ind of ). We decided to take a swing at updating the advise for a 2016 gal. For an appropriately modern twist, we gave it to one our male editors to get his take on these kernels of wisdom. Our big takeaway aer pouring over this blast from the past? K indness and respect is thank fully a two-way street, now. Then Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready, on time for his return. is is a way of leing him k now that you have been think ing about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungr y when they come home and the prospect of a good meal (especially his favorite dish) is part of the warm welcome needed. Now While falling back on Chinese takeout works wonders, it doesn't do a lot for intimacy during the workweek. Tr y to plan (at least) one night a week where the two of you team up in the k itchen. It doesn't have to be any thing special—an easy go-to meal is just fine—but tak ing a lile time out of your busy schedules to whip up an easy pot of pasta can provide a welcome sense of decompression. row in an extra touch, like candles or linen napk ins, to make the whole affair a lile more festive. Then Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so you' ll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh-look ing. He has just been with a lot of work-wear y people. Now Meetings, travel, carpools, conference calls, dr y cleaning , groceries—it's easy to get k nocked out by the end of the day. But it's so important to make some "you time," and 15 minutes is a great place to start. Take a few deep breaths. Meditate. Take a stroll, even if it's just around the block. Find a quiet place to get away while you gather your thoughts. A mini-vacation during the day can work wonders (absently scrolling Facebook doesn't count). Then Be a lile gay and a lile more interesting for him. His boring day may need a li and one of your duties is to provide it. Now If you've had a lousy day, lose the veneer and be yourself. e best couples make time to share in each other's highs and lows, but they also k now how to find strength in each other Pour a cocktail before dinner, and chat for a few minutes. Voice your stressors, and listen to his, too. It doesn't take long to get back on the same page and exchange some levity. Then Clear away the cluer. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives. Now Unless you have a professional maid ser vice coming to your home ever y week, there is bound to be cluer (especially if you have k ids). But that's okay—team up to get some organizing done during the weekend, and you' ll be good to go. Just remember—you don't do windows. Then Gather up schoolbooks, toys, paper, etc. and then run a dust cloth over the tables. Now Designate one space or room in your home that's just for the k ids to do homework, play with toys, and store those odds and ends. Keeping it all focused in one space can save a whole lot of cleanup time in the long run. Then Prepare the children. Take a few minutes to wash the children's hands and faces (if they are small), comb their hair, and, if necessar y, change their clothes. ey are lile 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, dr yer, or vacuum. Tr y to encourage the children to be quiet. Now With ever yone moving on different schedules, having k ids and parents together at the same time can be a rare joy. Tr y to plan one family night together: go out to a favorite restaurant, sit down with a board game, or just watch a movie. Then Be happy to see him. Now Be happy to see him. ere's no greater joy than coming home aer a long day at work and being with the one you love the most. Then Greet him with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please him. The original guide featured in an issue of Good Housekeeping, May 1955.

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