How to Be The Perfect Vintage Housewife
It's hard to ignore the "Housewives" phenomenon - Desperate, Real, Football, Basketball, Rock, Hip Hop...
But the funny thing is that most of these women (are not wives or are headed towards divorce) don't represent the "housewives" that I've grown to adore and admire. The women that dedicate their lives to their husbands, community, children, and their passions (BIAS ALERT usually fashion and food ). Although this article had a few hair raising moments (cringe worthy) for me, all in all, I loved it.
It's a head-nod to the ladies that took being a housewife seriously - none of this mistress mess and fist-fighting-table-flying behavior. At the end of the day, I think that being a house-partner should be based on the needs of your family, your desire, and your life. I think working and being a parent is awesome as well, I just wish people took being a stay-at-home partner as seriously as the working partner - they are both noble acts (when done RIGHT).
P.S. Everything I just wrote works with the stay-at-home father as well :) Don't think the fellahs get a pass card. If someone from your household decides to stay at home, here are a few little tips from Rockabilly.
Your own house
A partner and/or children
Patience
Instructions:
1. Start with your personal self. Rise an hour early, before the rest of your family, and take a warm shower{not hot-don't want to scald your skin!}, using a fragrant soap or bodywash. Dress in appropriate clothing, tight enough to show off your feminine figure, and loose enough to be practical. Spray a favourite scent in front of you, then walk into it, giving you a slight, alluring scent that won't be harsh on anyone's nose! For makeup, stick with creamy foundation, a mild rosy blush and light eye makeup. Pin your hair up into a pretty yet practical style. The point is to make your husband/partner admire your ability to be beautiful the second he wakes.
After this is completed, wake the children {if you have any}. Get them organised for showers and dressing, and to collect their homework from the previous night.
2. He will be awake at this point, so while he showers and shaves, swiftly prepare a non-greasy but filling breakfast for yourselves. Aim to create something new every few days, for example, bacon and eggs on toast one morning, mushroom omelette the next. When he is dressed and seated at the table, and before he reads his paper or turns on the tv, tell him what you have planned for dinner that night, and ask him for any suggestions he may have. This lets him know you care about his opinion and input, which is essential for any healthy relationship.
Slip in little things like "I know you like mushrooms, so I thought a mushroom and beef stew would be good for dinner tonight?"
3. While he is eating, prepare his lunch and a few snacks for the day. Pack something filling, nutritious AND tasty. If you're lucky enough to have children, now is the time to pack their lunches too. If he is on any medication, or has any specific needs for that day, e.g: You know he has a cold, so pack a few aspirin and a handkerchief. Pay close attention to his needs, and when you use that knowledge to attend to him, he will be happy...and when my husband is happy, I'm happy!
4. Depending on who leaves the house first, kiss your husband and children goodbye. Wish him a good day and let him know that you're proud of how hard he works, and ask him if there is anything he wants done today. If he says, for example, "I have no clean socks", apologise for not noticing, and promise to wash them the second he goes to work. Even if you don't touch them for a few hours, he leaves the house with peace of mind that he can come home to clean socks and a wife that remembers his needs.
Once everyone has left the house, clear the breakfast dishes and wipe the sink and benchtop down.
Now is the time to wrap a scarf around your hair and don an apron and gloves. Start with clothing. Find all the dirty clothing and wash it, then dry it outside if possible. It gives a nicer, fresher smell. While they are washing, change over the bedsheets and give them a light spritz of his favourite perfume. Iron and fold the clothing. Pick up the general mess, and sort it into it's appropriate places. Wipe dust from shelves, put on a pair of your highest high heels and pay close attention to all the places that you can now see- these are the places your husband will notice!
Mop and vaccuum the floors {obviously, only mop the tiles or vinyl floors!}.
Open the windows and sit a vase of fresh flowers or spring of lavender in front of each window.
A great trick for the room closest to the front door is, later in the day, to bake {yes, handmake!} a loaf of bread, and place it to cool on an open window ledge near the front door.
As soon as he enters, he gets that ultimate homely comfort smell- warm, soft, hand baked bread.
It makes a perfect tool to relax him after a long hard day, and he won't even know it!
5. Next, cook yourself a small, quick meal. As you eat, you can relax outside, watch a tv show or call a friend. Your cleaning is all done, so if you're making dinner, do it now before the children get home.
The instant they do get home, get them into a bath, dressed in clean clothes and doing their homework at the kitchen table. You can provide assistance and keep an eye on them as you cook- two jobs in one!
Let them play or watch tv before your husband gets home, so that they are calm and relaxed to greet their father.
Let him unwind with warmed slippers and dressing gown {clothes dryer for a few minutes!} in his favourite chair, and ask him, with genuine interest, how his day was. Give comments, always supporting him, such as "Oh darling, how terrible! But don't worry, I baked your favourite apple crumble!" After dinner, play a boardgame or have a 'show and tell', where each family member tells something interesting they learnt or experienced that day, ending with a discussion on current events and news. Send the children to bed with hugs and kisses to their parents, let them know they are loved and their love is appreciated in return.
6. Head to the bedroom and make sure it looks and smells nice. Turn back the covers so he only need slip between the covers. Take down your hair, clean off your makeup, and get into a nice, clean nightdress or better yet, nothing at all. *wink*When he goes to bed, offer a massage, or gently stroke his hair. If he wants to discuss anything, listen to him and let him know you're listening.
Tips & Warnings
Despite what the feminists say, as a housewife, you are not a slave, nor a sex object, nor is he entitled to beat you or abuse you or your children in any way- physically, mentally or emotionally. It is not fair to assume 'housewife' is the same thing as 'doormat'. We are proud of our abilities to keep a household in perfect order!
But the funny thing is that most of these women (are not wives or are headed towards divorce) don't represent the "housewives" that I've grown to adore and admire. The women that dedicate their lives to their husbands, community, children, and their passions (BIAS ALERT usually fashion and food ). Although this article had a few hair raising moments (cringe worthy) for me, all in all, I loved it.
It's a head-nod to the ladies that took being a housewife seriously - none of this mistress mess and fist-fighting-table-flying behavior. At the end of the day, I think that being a house-partner should be based on the needs of your family, your desire, and your life. I think working and being a parent is awesome as well, I just wish people took being a stay-at-home partner as seriously as the working partner - they are both noble acts (when done RIGHT).
P.S. Everything I just wrote works with the stay-at-home father as well :) Don't think the fellahs get a pass card. If someone from your household decides to stay at home, here are a few little tips from Rockabilly.
How to Be The Perfect Vintage Housewife
By RockabillyLove, eHow Member
Things You'll Need:Your own house
A partner and/or children
Patience
Instructions:
1. Start with your personal self. Rise an hour early, before the rest of your family, and take a warm shower{not hot-don't want to scald your skin!}, using a fragrant soap or bodywash. Dress in appropriate clothing, tight enough to show off your feminine figure, and loose enough to be practical. Spray a favourite scent in front of you, then walk into it, giving you a slight, alluring scent that won't be harsh on anyone's nose! For makeup, stick with creamy foundation, a mild rosy blush and light eye makeup. Pin your hair up into a pretty yet practical style. The point is to make your husband/partner admire your ability to be beautiful the second he wakes.
After this is completed, wake the children {if you have any}. Get them organised for showers and dressing, and to collect their homework from the previous night.
2. He will be awake at this point, so while he showers and shaves, swiftly prepare a non-greasy but filling breakfast for yourselves. Aim to create something new every few days, for example, bacon and eggs on toast one morning, mushroom omelette the next. When he is dressed and seated at the table, and before he reads his paper or turns on the tv, tell him what you have planned for dinner that night, and ask him for any suggestions he may have. This lets him know you care about his opinion and input, which is essential for any healthy relationship.
Slip in little things like "I know you like mushrooms, so I thought a mushroom and beef stew would be good for dinner tonight?"
3. While he is eating, prepare his lunch and a few snacks for the day. Pack something filling, nutritious AND tasty. If you're lucky enough to have children, now is the time to pack their lunches too. If he is on any medication, or has any specific needs for that day, e.g: You know he has a cold, so pack a few aspirin and a handkerchief. Pay close attention to his needs, and when you use that knowledge to attend to him, he will be happy...and when my husband is happy, I'm happy!
4. Depending on who leaves the house first, kiss your husband and children goodbye. Wish him a good day and let him know that you're proud of how hard he works, and ask him if there is anything he wants done today. If he says, for example, "I have no clean socks", apologise for not noticing, and promise to wash them the second he goes to work. Even if you don't touch them for a few hours, he leaves the house with peace of mind that he can come home to clean socks and a wife that remembers his needs.
Once everyone has left the house, clear the breakfast dishes and wipe the sink and benchtop down.
Now is the time to wrap a scarf around your hair and don an apron and gloves. Start with clothing. Find all the dirty clothing and wash it, then dry it outside if possible. It gives a nicer, fresher smell. While they are washing, change over the bedsheets and give them a light spritz of his favourite perfume. Iron and fold the clothing. Pick up the general mess, and sort it into it's appropriate places. Wipe dust from shelves, put on a pair of your highest high heels and pay close attention to all the places that you can now see- these are the places your husband will notice!
Mop and vaccuum the floors {obviously, only mop the tiles or vinyl floors!}.
Open the windows and sit a vase of fresh flowers or spring of lavender in front of each window.
A great trick for the room closest to the front door is, later in the day, to bake {yes, handmake!} a loaf of bread, and place it to cool on an open window ledge near the front door.
As soon as he enters, he gets that ultimate homely comfort smell- warm, soft, hand baked bread.
It makes a perfect tool to relax him after a long hard day, and he won't even know it!
5. Next, cook yourself a small, quick meal. As you eat, you can relax outside, watch a tv show or call a friend. Your cleaning is all done, so if you're making dinner, do it now before the children get home.
The instant they do get home, get them into a bath, dressed in clean clothes and doing their homework at the kitchen table. You can provide assistance and keep an eye on them as you cook- two jobs in one!
Let them play or watch tv before your husband gets home, so that they are calm and relaxed to greet their father.
Let him unwind with warmed slippers and dressing gown {clothes dryer for a few minutes!} in his favourite chair, and ask him, with genuine interest, how his day was. Give comments, always supporting him, such as "Oh darling, how terrible! But don't worry, I baked your favourite apple crumble!" After dinner, play a boardgame or have a 'show and tell', where each family member tells something interesting they learnt or experienced that day, ending with a discussion on current events and news. Send the children to bed with hugs and kisses to their parents, let them know they are loved and their love is appreciated in return.
6. Head to the bedroom and make sure it looks and smells nice. Turn back the covers so he only need slip between the covers. Take down your hair, clean off your makeup, and get into a nice, clean nightdress or better yet, nothing at all. *wink*When he goes to bed, offer a massage, or gently stroke his hair. If he wants to discuss anything, listen to him and let him know you're listening.
Tips & Warnings
Despite what the feminists say, as a housewife, you are not a slave, nor a sex object, nor is he entitled to beat you or abuse you or your children in any way- physically, mentally or emotionally. It is not fair to assume 'housewife' is the same thing as 'doormat'. We are proud of our abilities to keep a household in perfect order!
