THE ART OF WIFEHOOD.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19999, 15 July 1920, Page 9

THE ART OF WIFEHOOD.

Women, who are now taking their places in all brandies of art, sometimes, seem to forgot, if they ever knew it, a far more practical and vital art to them, and one which can be almost universally practised—that of wifehood. To be a successful wife is perhaps the most difficult art in the world, and demands ffiiteljigpuce, sympathy and unselfishness, especially in the case of people with small incomes. Let us consider the essentials of a model wife. She must be good to look upon. If she, is not pretty she can be dainty, fresh and well groomed. She must ho a good and prudent, housekeeper, and be. able to cook, even if she can afford servants. Sho must have tasteful ideas about house decoration, making her home a place >of rest and comfort. She must bo a companion to her husband. Sympathy is not enough. She must bo able to discuss work, literature and politics, intelligently with him and his friends. She must he .a. devoted mother, realising to the full the responsibility, resting with her, of .giving to her country moral, ‘healthy and helpful citizens. And, with all these duties, she m,nst never be for a. moment without loveTo perform all these- things to their uttermost is no easy task, but all wives and wircs-to-be who arc desirous of reducing matrimony to a fine art should consider the following practical I details i 1. .Scdf-edncntion. Insist upon having a. morning paper of your own ami devote half an hour each afternoon to an intelligent perusal of il; an hour a< day should also bo given over to good rcaorag. 2. House decoration. A sense of colour must be cultivated and maintained. 3. I’orsonal appearance. Never consider it • ■■unnecessary to dress daintily for tho evening. Your hnshanhs is just as appreciative of pretty dresses, neatly dressed hair, and a. charming appearance as he was before, you married him. -I. Companionship. 'When your husband returns after the day’s work, household duties must bo laid aside-and all your attention given to him. Interest yourself in his interests. If ho plays golf, learn to play also, and thus make yourself indispensable to his pleasure as well as to his work. 33c tactful and do not encourage frequent bickering. All this may seem to demand rather too much of a woman's life and of self-denial, but in practice it will lie found to bring more happiness and. content, than any other method; and shot will have the satisfaction of realising that every day so spent is furthering the great ambition to make a true art of wifehood.—EAV.T. in the " Daily Mail'’