Replies to '12/28 Wifestyles'

My idea of a good wife is one who has a sense of humor, is witty, fun, and spunky.  One who takes care of her body to keep it fit, shapely and trim.  All the things you hear when people get married, "Love is kind, patient, does not boast, etc.," that is what makes a good wife.  And a good husband for that matter. 

When growing up, my mom was a SAHM, and she sat on the couch drinking booze and crying all day long, collecting food stamps.  She was negative and selfish, abusive and self-absorbed.  My best friend's mom was patient, kind, always had a book in her lap, and worked full-time outside of the house along with her husband.  They took us on camping trips, and we always hung out at his house.  She was intelligent and articulate.  She made meals, and taught her children the value of hard work, learning and being open minded enough to hear and try to understand another's point of view, and she was just a lot of fun.  Always a twinkle in her eye. 

I personally don't feel staying at home full-time is the only way to parent.  My sister-in-law is the most outstanding wife I can think of.  She and her husband own a business -- he's a dentist -- and she is the Office Manager and Accountant.  She is very bright, but doesn't boast and blow her own horn.  She is constantly talkin her husband up, and doing all she can to help him feel good about himself and be the best he can be.  She has accepted him "warts and all," and they are best friends.  She is quite ambitious, and is always busy earning money for the family somehow.  She sells cosmetics and creams, paints Christian art that has warranted shows locally, and she is very frugal & wise with their money.  She is a great listener, and is able to understand another's point of view even when it isn't particularly her point of view.  She's helped my brother be all he can be.  And she's a great mom, too.  She is firm and a strict disciplinarian, but she's kind enough with her kids that they are turning out fabulous.  Her mom is always in their house (popping in when not home or when home) and cleaning for them.  Bringing in bowls of fruit and arranging them on their table with daisies in them, going to the kids' games.  Completely selfless.   

In Sleepless in Seattle, when the widower is describing his wife, he said, "She made everything beautiful."  And her ghost or memory came and sat by him on the couch or whatever, and she was beautiful with no makeup in a plain old housedress.  A good wife would ideally be beautiful in jeans and a t-shirt with no makeup at all.  My sister-in-law got married in no makeup at all and was beautiful. 

Some of these women worked and some stayed home (my sister-in-law's mom was a SAHM).  But the examples of good wives I've given here are not all SAHM's.  My sister-in-law isn't, and she's the best example I can imagine of a good wife.