the rule: Don't worry about housework when you have a baby around.

the reality: Falling into total chaos does not help a new mom's stress level.

Tara Feaster, mom of 4-year-old Cassie and 2-year-old Robert in the Bronx, New York, says that managing even a small task like getting laundry done gives her a sense of accomplishment and control. "With two small kids, our house is a disaster area," she says. "I somehow find peace in putting all their toys away, and when things are neat, it actually helps me relax." For those who lean to the anal-retentive side, doing even one minor chore per day (sorting out a closet, organizing a bookshelf, throwing away old food from the fridge or pantry) can help them feel closer to normalcy.