OLD WAY |
NEW WAY |
| 1. 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 prospects of a good meal are part of the warm welcome needed. |
1. Have dinner ready: Make reservations ahead
of time. If your day becomes 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 gives him an opportunity to change your mood. |
| 2. Prepare yourself: Take 15 minutes to rest
so you will be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, 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. |
2. Prepare yourself: A quick stop at the
"LANCOME" counter on your way home will do wonders for your outlook and will
keep you from becoming irritated every time he belches at the table. (Don't forget to use
his credit card!) |
| 3. Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip
through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives, gathering up school
books, 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. |
3. Clear away the clutter: 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. |
| 4. 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. |
4. Prepare the children: Drop them off at
grandma's! |
| 5. Minimize the noise: At the time of his
arrival, eliminate all noise of 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 to see
him. |
5. Minimize the noise: When he arrives at
home 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). |
| 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. |
6. Some DON'TS: 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. Don't complain if he's late for dinner. Simply
remind him that the last one home does the cooking and the cleanup. |
| 7. 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. |
7. Make him comfortable: Remind him where he
can find a warm fuzzy blanket if he's cold. This will show you really care. |
| 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. |
8. Listen to him: But don't ever let him get
the last word. |
| 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. |
9. Make the evening his: a chance to get the
washer and garbage disposal fixed. |
| 10. The Goal: Try to make your home a place
of peace and order where your husband can relax. |
10. The Goal: To try to keep things amicable
without reminding him that you make more money than he does. |
