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Have "mitor" (dinner) ready. Plan ahead,
even "di nakht" (the night) before, to have
a "batamt" (delicious) meal ready on time
for his return. This is a way of letting him
know that you have been thinking about
him and are concerned about his needs.
Most men are "hungerik" (hungry) when
they come "heym" (home) and the
prospect of a "gut moltsayt" (good meal)
(especially his favourite dish) is part of
the warm welcome needed.
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Prepare yourself. Take "fuftsn" (15)
minutes to rest so you'll be refreshed
when he arrives. Touch up your
"kosmetik" (make-up), put a ribbon in
your "hor" (hair) and be fresh-looking.
He has just been with a lot of work-weary
"layt" (people.)
-
Be a "bisl fraylekh" (little gay) and a little
more "interesant" (interesting) for him.
His boring day may need a lift and one of
your duties is to provide it.
-
Clear away the "shmuts" (clutter). Make
one last trip through the main part of the
"hoyz" (house) just before your "man" (husband) arrives.
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Gather up school "bikher" (books), toys,
"papir" (paper), etc. and then run a
"shmate" (dustcloth/rag) over "der rish" (the table.)
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Over the cooler months of "der yor" (the
year), you should prepare and light a
"fayer" (fire) for him to unwind by. Your
"man" (husband) will feel he has reached
a haven of rest and "treyst" (comfort), and
it will give you a lift too. After all,
catering for his "treyst" will provide you
with immense personal satisfaction.
-
Prepare the children. Take
a few minutes to "vashn" (wash) the children's hands
and faces (if they are "kleyn" (small), comb
their "hor" (hair), and, if necessary,
change their "klayder" (clothing). They
are little treasures and he would like to
see them playing the part. Minimize all
"tuml" (noise). At the time of his arrival,
eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer,
or "shtoybzoyger" (vacuum cleaner). Try
to encourage the children to be
"shtilkayt" (quiet.)
-
Be "gliklekh" (happy)
to see him.
-
Greet him with a warm "shmeykhl" (smile)
and show sincerity in your desire to
please him.
-
Listen to him. You may have
a dozen "vikhtik" (important)
things to tell him but the moment of his arrival is "nisht"
(not) the time. Let him talk first--
remember, his topics of "shmus"
(conversation) are more "vikhtik" (important) than yours.
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Make "der ovnt" (the evening) his. Never
"kvetch" if he comes home "farshpetikt"
(late) or goes out to dinner, or other
places of "farvaylung"(entertainment)
without you. Instead, try to "farshteyn"
(understand) his world of strain and
"druk" (pressure) and his very real need
to be at home and relax.
-
Your "tsil" (goal): Try to make sure your
"heym" is a place of "sholem" (peace),
"ordenung" (order) and tranquility where
your husband can renew himself in body
and spirit.
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Don't greet him with complaints
and "yesurim" (problems/troubles.)
-
"Don't "kvetch" (complain) if he's
"farshpetikt" (late) home for dinner or
even if he stays out all night. Count this
as "minivertik" (minor) compared to
what he might have gone through that
"mesles" (24-hour period.)
-
"Make him "bakvem" (comfortable). Have
him lean back in a comfortable "shtul"
(chair) or have him lie down in "der
"shloftsimer" (the bedroom). Have a cool
or warm "getrank" (drink) ready for him.
-
Arrange his "kishn" (pillow) and offer to
take off his shoes. "Redn" (speak) in a
low, soothing and pleasant "shtime" (voice.)
-
.Don't ask him questions
about his actions or question his "psak" (judgment) or
"yosher" (integrity). Remember, he is the
master of the "heym" and as such will
always exercise his will with fairness and
truthfulness. You have no right to
question him."
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A "gut froy" (good
wife) always knows her place.
