#wifelife

i look calm

i’m not here to confuse you!

just quietly existing

in a way that makes you feel something

"I could be such a wonderful wife to another wife's husband"

Okay so listen to this chat. The other day Mister Henley and I went to a ball. I put on this beautiful dress I wore to a ball just a few months ago. It had feathers and flowers and a chic matching hat that my aunt had picked out for me. I was so excited to go to the ball and show off my dress but Mister Henley disapproved! He said a woman over the age of 26 shouldn’t be dressed like a child and that I was much better off in my plain clothes.

Chat I just about cried right then and there. I tried to convince him that my aunt had not meant to infantilise me with these clothes, but rather was trying to make me seem like the proper wife I was. I pleaded that I wouldn’t go unless I could wear the clothes I picked. 

He just smiled at me and said, «Eh ! qu’importe !»

At this I began to cry. He finally saw the pain he was causing me and relented saying that if my aunt deemed it appropriate then he saw no issue. I was elated and kissed him what must’ve been a hundred times. What an understanding man he is chat.

At the ball the guest of honor, Lady Bridgewater, arrived to much anticipation. When she finally did enter she wore a beautiful gown of red feathers! I felt vindicated and pointed out as such to Mister Henley but he simply had no opinion because she was not his wife. To know he cares so much about me was wonderful, though in retrospect I suspect it may have something to do with her being almost 10 years my junior. 

I ended up chatting with Lady Bridgewater all through the night while Mister Henley helped a young girl named Miss Clairville. He really is so kind and thoughtful. Lady Bridgewater was wonderful conversation and we found many commonalities between us. 

Okay you guys are all ganging up on me and saying my husband is "weirdly controlling" and "hates creativity" for some reason. I'm telling you his requests were very reasonable. He didn't raise his voice or even get angry. He calmly explained to me why my intentions were good but my actions were wrong. If you had heard him you would understand.

Anyways, I was having trouble keeping up with some of the household chores so Mister Henley told me to contact the old housekeeper to get her to come back. I asked why he could not do this but he simply said he had business. 

When I got in contact with her I found out that the situation was more complicated. She was living in squalor and I would have to take in her sister if I wanted the housekeeper to come back. However, the housekeeper’s sister was very clumsy and untidy, so I had to send them both back to those awful living conditions. 

Mister Henley was mad that I did this and said that a small expense was worth being compassionate and that he would never have even thought of the disadvantages of keeping the housekeeper and her sister around. I suppose he may be right, but that girl was so bad at cleaning, chat even you would have sent her away.

Perhaps from now on I should rely on Mister Henley more for these sorts of decisions?

I have officially moved into my husband's belle et noble maison, Hallowpark. Apparently Mister Henley's mothers, l'héritière de la famille d’Astley, bequeathed it to him. I was ushered in by these strange servants with these big white wigs to meet my new step-daughter. Do you know what chat? I fell completely in love with her. I gave my new step daughter all the gifts I had bought for her and brought her to see her father. I expected he would be happy to see us getting along so well. Turns out he doesn't like to spoil his daughter and by giving her extravagant gifts I had set a bad precedent. I was a little shocked but I understood that every family is different and I would have to make some adjustments to his lifestyle. I quickly apologized and we moved past it.

A similar occurrence happened a few days later when I tried to teach my new step daughter Les Fontaines Fables. When I showed my husband what I had taught her he became quite perturbed that his daughter was spending time learning frivolous stories and requested that I leave the teaching to her tutors. Of course I understood and agreed that it was best if her education was left in the hands of professionals.

But that's not where the strangeness ends. Every night when Mr.Henley and I go to bed, I lie awake and look out at the wall only to find myself face to face with a giant portrait of his dead wife. I haven't had a good sleep in a week because whenever I close my eyes I can feel her watching me, judging me, as if she's saying "how dare you sleep with my husband in the bed I once slept in. how dare you call yourself Madame Heneley." 

Being a "good" wife and mom is a deeply personal and evolving journey. There's no single formula, but here are some key principles to consider:

Nurturing Relationships:

Strong Communication: Open and honest communication is the foundation of any healthy relationship.

Quality Time: Prioritize quality time with your spouse and children, even in small moments.

Active Listening: Truly listen to their needs, concerns, and dreams.

Expressing Appreciation: Regularly express gratitude and appreciation for your loved ones.

Self-Care:

Prioritize Your Well-being: Remember that you cannot pour from an empty cup. Make time for self-care activities that rejuvenate you.

Physical Health: Prioritize your physical health through exercise, healthy eating, and adequate sleep.

Mental and Emotional Well-being: Seek support from friends, family, or professionals when needed.

Fostering Growth:

Encourage Independence: Encourage your children to develop independence and responsibility.

Support Their Interests: Cultivate their passions and encourage them to explore their talents.

Lead by Example: Model positive behaviors such as kindness, empathy, and respect.

Creating a Harmonious Home:

Shared Responsibilities: Share household chores and responsibilities fairly with your partner.

Create a Warm and Welcoming Atmosphere: Foster a loving and supportive environment for your family.

Embrace Imperfection: Accept that there will be challenges and imperfections along the way.

Staying Informed:

Continuous learning is crucial for personal growth. Websites like Light Pink Care and other reputable sources like Psychology Today offer valuable insights into relationships, parenting, and personal development.

Remember:

There is no one-size-fits-all approach: Every family is unique, and what works for one may not work for another.

Focus on building strong relationships: Nurturing your relationships with your spouse and children is the most important aspect of being a good wife and mom.