Modern women reveal why they love pandering to their husbands — unlike Louise Redknapp
FLORAL dresses, red-lipstick smiles, marigolds in one hand and a cupcake in the other.
This is the image that springs to mind when we think of a Stepford Wife.
The term was coined in the 1972 satirical film thriller but is still used today to describe a compliant, submissive wife.
Louise Rednapp, 42, called time on her 19-year marriage to ex-footballer Jamie, 44, after she began to feel like a “Stepford Wife”.
The mum-of-two said: “I’ve spent most of my life worrying about being judged and thinking I should always do the right thing by staying at home, looking after my kids and my husband. I lost myself.”
So is it bad to enjoy running a home and looking after your man?
Here, GEORGETTE CULLEY AND LOUISA GREGSON speak to three women who say they are Stepford Wives . . . and proud of it.
'Making effort to look great'
MUM Melissa Todd loves “pandering” to her new husband’s needs. Melissa, 41, married Steven, 61, a postman, in July. They live in Broadstairs, Kent, with her 16-year-old-son James from a previous relationship. She says:
"After I married Steven my friends quickly started referring to me as a “Stepford Wife”.
"I know it’s not a complimentary term but it doesn’t bother me. I’m proud of being one.
"We didn’t live together before we got married so I was very keen to be a good wife to him, especially as he’s waited so long for a wife and has had some rotten luck with women in the past.
"I love spending my time shopping for him and cooking his favourite meals. I enjoy cooking so it’s no hardship. He loves my pies, curries and lasagne. I also do all the laundry and ironing.
"I take pride in ensuring he’s nicely turned out and looks well cared for. It makes him feel good and reflects well on me. He’s my man, I love him, and I want that love to be visible.
"That also means making the effort to look amazing. I spend much more time on my appearance than I used to. Steven likes me to wear make-up, pencil skirts and heels. He pays for me to get my hair and nails done regularly and to have facials and eyelash lifts.
"I spend quite a lot of time at the gym too. He’s very complimentary about my body.
"All this takes up quite a lot of time but I don’t begrudge it. We haven’t got a mortgage and are sufficiently well off that I can indulge us both.
"Once a week, I teach music therapy at an old people’s home, which I get great enjoyment out of. But I don’t have to worry about working because my husband’s the breadwinner.
"I never imagined I’d find such satisfaction in making one man happy. My teenage self would be utterly appalled. He’s worth it and I’m happier than I’ve ever been."
'I leave a note in his lunchbox'
FULL-TIME mum Nina Motylinski-Davies never wanted to be a career girl. She lives in Eastbourne, East Sussex, with husband Jonathan Davies, 41, a bank manager, and their kids Angelina, seven, and three-year-old Gabriel. Nina, 36, says:
"I happily gave up my job in a theatre box office once I had Gabriel. I was finding it hard juggling everything and Jonathan hated coming home to an empty house while I was at work and having to make his own food. It was usually just something we could shove in the microwave.
"Now I cook proper, hearty meals which he adores and I make him a lunchbox every night with a love note in the foil.
"He has a freshly ironed shirt every day and the house is always clean and tidy. He works long hours so by looking after him I help lower his stress levels.
"Being a dedicated Stepford Wife also means I can devote more time to our two children throughout those precious years. All I ever wanted was to be married with children, not a high-flying career. Other mums have told me they wouldn’t look after their husbands like I do but I get real enjoyment out of looking after him and running a home.
"If your relationship and your family are the most important thing to you then it makes sense to look after them the way I do.
"I still find time to do the odd thing just for me. Being a Stepford Wife doesn’t take anything away 7 from that."
'I'm lucky he provides for me'
TIFFANY Pennington says giving up her administration and recruitment job this year has benefited her family. Tiffany, 37, lives with husband Chris, 42, an operations manager, in Eastbourne, East Sussex, with their children Ryleigh, 19, Owen, 13, Grace, eight and Alfie, seven. She says:
"Some people may say it is demoralising being a housewife. But I have lots of friends with children who also have to work, so I feel lucky my husband provides for me. I worked for a long time so not having a 9 to 5 job feels a luxury.
"There are six in our house and I love organising everyone. I do the school run and sort all the after-school activities.
"I also do all the household chores. I love cooking and like the fact I have time to prepare the meals during the day.
";I make sure myself and my husband are well turned out. Even if I’m only ferrying the kids to school, I always put on make-up and style my hair. My relationship with my husband benefits from me being at home.
"I have time to get everything done in the day so we can have quality time together in the evenings.
"People may say I am “just” a housewife. But running a home is not an easy job and I’m glad I have enough hours in the day to do it successfully.
"I like to do nice things when my husband works so hard for our family."