18 Comments
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Paul Ashton's avatar

This makes me think of something I may have shared on “Dating Jesus” but I rely on everyone’s shaky memory (including my own) so I can repeat my self.

My parents raised me to know all the aspects of running a household. Throughout my childhood they taught me about the systems in the house, plumbing, electric, simple carpentry, etc. Not to be expert at any of them but so I could recognize problems, fix them if I could or call a professional if I couldn’t. They also made sure I knew how to keep the house clean. Take care of my clothes. Shop and cook. Fairly early I could replace a button, darn a sock, do the laundry including ironing, make my own lunch. When I was old enough they taught me how to responsibly look after younger kids. Whenever I’d complain about any of it they would always tell me the same thing. “We want you to be able to take care of yourself. When you start to think about getting married, we want you to look for a wife and not a mommy”. It worked. I see other couples struggle with rigid and frequently lopsided expectations of one another regarding roles in the household. I realize that being taught to understand what it took to take care of the whole house helped me understand what it takes to take care of the whole home.

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Susan Campbell's avatar

That's an excellent way to raise a kid, and that goes for all genders. My grandfather taught me how to change a tire and change the oil in my car. I drove, didn't I? Was I going to wait for someone to rescue me? I was not.

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Sharon Foster (CT)'s avatar

Once in a while you have greet him at the door wearing nothing but Saran wrap. I'm sure I read that somewhere

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Susan Campbell's avatar

THE TOTAL WOMAN!! I’m shouting a lot this morning. Very unladylike.

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Sharon Foster (CT)'s avatar

That's the one! That may have been the book that turned me off marriage once and for all.

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Susan Campbell's avatar

I remember hearing about that part of the book and trying to imagine my own mother doing that and then falling into a puddle of my own pee because I couldn't quit laughing at the thought.

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Mary Ann Dimand's avatar

Whatever happened to Marabel Morgan?

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Rich Colbert's avatar

Welcome to the delightful community of Stepford! Glad you have finally seen the light from the right!

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Susan Campbell's avatar

It took me a while. I’m so silly.

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Thomas Dombroski's avatar

Have you started selling Avon door to door??

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Susan Campbell's avatar

Oh, geez, the list grows!

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Tim Sullivan's avatar

Who are you and where did you put Susan ? I will call the police if you don't answer.

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Susan Campbell's avatar

Susan is in ReEducation Camp.

JK!!

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Marla's avatar

Iron his handkerchiefs and boxer shorts, practice saying ‘yes dear’, take a beer to him and the remote control when he returns from work, never discuss 17 of your naughty children with him, and make sure they are seen but not heard.

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Susan Campbell's avatar

HOW DID I MISS THESE?!? Vital rules I left out and thank you.

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Jac's avatar

My God, this is a horrifying list! All the more reason to stay in a Blue State!

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Mary Ann Dimand's avatar

Let me strongly recommend A Thousand Ways to Please a Husband, with yet more period recipes and other life lessons. For instance: do not waste your husband's salary by living in a boarding house just because you are afraid of the responsibility of keeping house! With Bettina's friendly, expert help, you too can splurge occasionally on cherries inFebruary and a tiny decorative hatchet to delight hubby with a Washington's Birthday celebration! (And learn to play Hosiery Ha Ha at wedding showers!) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13227916-a-thousand-ways-to-please-a-husband

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Susan Campbell's avatar

This will be my new obsession and thank you.

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