12 Parenting Rules You Can Break

the rule: Nap when the baby naps.

the reality: If you can manage this, more power to you.

Dual siestas always sounded great to me; before my first due date, I used to picture myself cuddling up in the middle of the afternoon with my newborn baby. But the reality is, I have never, ever been able to sleep much during the daytime -- my body clock just doesn't work that way -- and that didn't change after my daughter Mathilda was born. No matter how sleep-deprived I got, I just couldn't doze off. But because everyone told me to "nap when she naps," I drove myself crazy for months, lying down and feeling frustrated because I couldn't fall asleep. And that only made me more tense and exhausted than if I had sat down to read a book or listen to some music. Give yourself a break: You're a grown-up, and you know the best way to spend your time. (But just forget napping altogether if you have two kids: No way is a toddler or preschooler going to let you off the hook when the baby finally doesn't need your attention.)