Harmony in the Home

Did you know that , as a wife and mother, you set the mood in your home?? You know the old saying "If Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy", it is so true!!! And so obviously the opposite is true as well!! If you are happy & cheerful all day, your homes atmosphere will be one of peace. If you don't get upset at your children, they are happier for it. They know Mom, isn't going to 'loose her top', just because 'I talked too loud', or 'accidentally spilled something', or seem to 'talk all the time', or do something else childish. And so the child is more relaxed and good natured. They don't fight and argue with their siblings so easily, and they aren't so whinny.

Why is it, that we as Mom's, think the world revolves around us?? It really does!! Much more then we even realize, and yet, we don't realize the full extent of the far reaching effects we have on our little worlds called HOME!! Many times, when my own day seems to be going all 'hay-wire', I trace it back to why I feel the way I do. And many times it's because I went to bed too late, thus either got up tired, or overslept. And you know how that makes you feel-snappish!! Short tempered!! Short fused… and generally out of sorts. And you know who it gets taken out on??? The ones closest to you-Your Hubby and Kids!! So you snap at them, soon they are snapping at you and the rest of the day takes a downward spiral. Unless you get a handle on it, by changing your own attitude, then those around you can change theirs too.

How often does your husband come home to a tense home?? Many times I can 'hold myself together', til my hubby walks in the door and then I lose it. Especially if the boys have been buggy all day, not having enough to do, or whatever the case maybe. Actually many times, it's when I am trying to make supper and they are hungry, so are in the kitchen 'trying to help me', whinny, ect. So 'til my man walks in the door, I am ready to turn them all over to him and go have some 'alone time'. And it is amazing how fast my attitude will have an effect on my hubby. I expect him to 'help me' out, when all he wants is to sit down and rest at the end of a long day on his own feet. If I'm being silent (my form of letting him know all's not well with me. And not right I know-I'm working on that one!!), he soon is snappy at the kids too. And it's not really even the kids fault!!! After all-it was Mom who went to bed late and got up late.

Do you treat your husband with respect?? Did you know that respect is something husbands-men, in general desire more then even love?? And we, as wives-women, desire love. A good book to read is 'Love and Respect' by Dr. Emmerson Eggerich. Do you do your daily household chores with a glad and thankful heart for all he does for you?? Does he know you appreciate all he does for you and your children?? Do you tell him?? You can be thankful for a man, who comes home to you each evening. And if you want him to continue that, then make your home a place he wants to come home to every night!! Do you have a meal ready for him?? His clothes washed?? His favorite chair ready for him, with the paper beside it?? Do you have your home tidied up, the basics of toys and messes cleaned up?? I'm not talking about having everything in a "Companies Coming" state, but just a neat and orderly look to it. It looks much more Welcoming to walk in the door to a neat abode. (Just think of the times you walk into homes that pretty much look trashed.) You can make it a project to do with the children 15 min. before Dad comes home, to do a quick pick-up of toys, ect. Doing that will also teach and show your children you love and respect him, thus instilling the same principle in them!!

Take this article for example-while it was claimed to be in a 1950's textbook-that has not been proven.

Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready on time for his return. This is a way of letting him know that you have be thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they get home and the prospect of a good meal is part of the warm welcome needed.

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-looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people.

Be a little gay and a little more interesting for him. His boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it.

Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives. Run a dust cloth over the tables.

During the cooler months of the year you should prepare and light a fire for him to unwind by. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift too. After all, catering to his comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction.

Minimize all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer or vacuum. Encourage the children to be quiet.

Be happy to see him.

Greet him with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please him.

Listen to him. You may have a dozen important things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first - remember, his topics of conversation are more important than yours.

Don't greet him with complaints and problems.

Don't complain if he's late for dinner or even if he stays out all night. Count this as minor compared to what he might have gone through at work.

Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or lie him 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, soothing and pleasant voice.

Don't ask him questions about his actions or question his judgment or integrity. Remember, he is the master of the house and as such will always exercise his will with fairness and truthfulness. You have no right to question him.

A good wife always knows her place.
Some of these things may seem a bit wild and far out... but God has called us to be Keepers At Home!! And just so you know, I don't practice all these things for my husband. But I do try to be sensitive to his needs when he firsts come in, which is kinda hard, with living on a farm he is in and out of the house all day. We are to be Proverbs 31 women/wives. I am still working on so many of these areas of life!! I am not perfect by any sense of the word!! But by God's grace I am learning and growing.

For more resources read "Created To Be His Helpmeet" by Debi Pearl and "Fascinating Womanhood" by Helen Andelin.