I know you’re not looking forward to having eager-beaver grandmas around, but don’t underestimate how helpful they can be when steered toward projects that are actually useful to you. Taking care of a newborn is hard enough with two adults, but particularly when you’re solo-parenting – having another person around to do a load of laundry, make you a healthy meal or just hold the baby while you shower can feel like a godsend. Please don’t feel like it’s anything but normal to ask for and/or accept help; new-mama-hood is a time when you’re *meant* to lean on the people who love you. Put those grandmas to work! (And if not them, your friends. I can’t tell you how much I wish *I* could come over for an afternoon or two while Mike is away and just do whatever you need.)