6 Valuable Parenting Lessons You Can Learn from a Man

Men seem to have cornered the market on strategies for appeasing every would-be visitor of a new baby. They are able to coordinate the endless stream of well-wishers while keeping smiles on their faces and proud swings in their steps.

A woman, however, often sits on the couch worrying about who will show up next (and when), if she'll still be in her pajamas, if she'll have a breast hanging out when visitors arrive, if they'll be dumb enough to ring the doorbell and awaken the baby she just got to sleep, or if they'll notice the path of dirty laundry from the steps to the laundry room.

One of the biggest benefits of a man's laid back attitude is that he's not likely to argue with your needs, especially when he knows your hormones are raging and so he barely recognizes you anyway. (Frankly, I don't see anything wrong with telling your husband that your hormones are raging for one reason or another every day for the rest of your life.)

Inform your other half early on of your ground rules with regard to visitors. If you would prefer that no one come over before 11 AM, or if Saturday and Sunday are the only days on which you are willing to accept visitors at any point in time, communicate that. If you feel that you need an hour's or a day's notice, mention that as well. Let him worry about the details of who's coming when (and what delicious dinner item they are bringing).

Remember, if at any point visitors are expected and you suddenly feel you cannot entertain them, you have the perfect excuse to stay in bed. They need not know you've got a great magazine and a newly rented movie in there with you!