Customer Reviews

Don'ts for Wives

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3 star:		(1)
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In 1913, women were expected to wear smotheringly hot full length dresses in order to be considered decent. Most women did not work outside of the home, being expected to be happy in their role as wife and mother. In most of the world, women didn't even have the right to vote. Surely any marital advice given at this time would seem incredibly outdated or, at the very least, charmingly quaint, in the year 2011? It was with this attitude that I first opened the pages of 'Don'ts For Wives' by Blanche Ebbutt. It did not take me long to realise just how wrong I was. While some of the tips are no longer relevant to the average reader - those having to do with how to deal with servants, for example - much of the wisdom within this volume is as relevant today as it was then. I found myself taking note of many pieces of advice, with the intention of attempting to remedy my behaviour within my own marriage.

Much chastened, I moved onto Don'ts For Husbands with a more open mind. Once again, I was surprised at how relevant much of Ms Ebbutt's advice is to today's relationships and the progressiveness of some of the points, considering the era in which the book was written.

It is a shame that these books have been so unknown for so long, as I feel that the advice in them is more relevant to a newly married couple than a dozen books of the Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus: The Classic Guide to Understanding the Opposite Sex persuasion. I would venture to go so far as to state that a copy of each of these books should be given to the happy couple as a wedding present (or perhaps a housewarming gift for those in less formal arrangements). Certainly anybody in a permanent relationship should consider reading them. You will be surprised at just how much you are doing wrong.

Definitely early 20th century, but more balanced than you might expect. You have (paraphrased), "Stay out of his way when he gets home, he doesn't want to be bothered after a hard day's work," but you also have, "Tell him what you think, you have a right to your opinion." My favorite is (also paraphrased), "Even though you can buy jelly in the store, the pleasure he takes in eating yours makes it worth the trouble to make it yourself." That's right. Make your own jelly. Good for a chuckle.

Great Book! Much like the Don't For Husbands, it's amazing that people don't change. Only the times.

While much of the content is indeed outdated, it does provide food for thought and can be quite entertaining when given as a shower gift. We all took turns reading excerpts (which was not at all planned) and it really livened things up while other gifts were opened. I have since given it as a bridal shower gift along with Don'ts for Husbands.

This book is a cute, amusing read. Some of the advice is funny because it is outdated, other advice is surprisingly relevant. It is a good book to tuck into a bridal shower gift, and always gets a laugh.

This tiny volume is a reprint of a book from generations ago. The statements have become outdated and funny. Think of it as an icon of past times, a new keepsake from nearly a century ago.

I ordered this product along with the "Don'ts for Husbands" to use as a prop for my engagement photoshoot with my now-husband. They were so cute and we always get compliments on those photos.