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A man thinks it's perfectly reasonable to leave a 2.5 yr old playing with scissors & glue at table and then turn his back on them to do something at the sink. A woman would know that those beautiful curls would then become the ponies tail on the lovely picture dd was doing. A man would also fail to remember this 2 years later & do exactly the same thing with dd2!!(that was chunks out of her best t-shirt).
A man would think it was a good idea to show 5 yr old dd that he used to jump off the swing at its' highest point. A woman would know that that would result in the evening at casualty.
A man would blush furiously when confronted by 9 yr old dd saying 'I know exactly what you do to make babies daddy', and would then agree when she adds 'but you & mummy would never do that would you'

My partner taught me many things about being a parent. It's one big advantage of marrying man who is already a wonderful father. He showed me that you it is possible to bring up a child who is kind, well-mannered, loving and happy without giving them material things. That a firm 'no' won't mean a child hates you. That you can have fun and have a life with children - it's just different (very different, sometimes).
As for what I've learned about him, well, nothing much that I didn't know already. He's solid, dependable, never puts his own needs before that of his family, believes passionately in fairness at home - we have always split night duties equally and since I've been pregnant he's got up every morning with our son. He does things differently to me, but with just as much love. He loves me just as much fat and pregnant as slim and lithe - if not more. I have also learned that when I hear people saying that 'men' can't multi-task/take care of children/get up in the night.....they are being sadly misled! OK, he doesn't necessarily do the washing, but he can install broadband and make dinner while taking care of a three year old.

That he does still love me and fancy me despite the fact that I am a few sizes bigger and everything is squidgier and more droopy than before having babies ...

I have learned: that I run on Duracell. My DH runs on supermarket own brand;

That the beneficial effect of my lie-in at the weekend will be off set by the need to clear up the aftermath of World War 3 in the house afterwards;

That I can leave him in charge of two small boys, solo for 4 days, so long as I leave every meal, labelled in the freezer;

That until then, he didn't realise what it was like, watching him leave the house in the morning in a clean shirt, tie and suit, whilst I pick up toast and ceral off the floor, still in my pyjamas...

That I am so glad that I married my best friend because you NEED your best friend when pregnant, giving birth and bringing up children.

Pretty soon after his second birthday (earlier if you're really unlucky), your angelic, sweet, fragile little baby will disappear and be replaced by a red-faced, clenched-fisted, foot-stamping, howling little goblin. He will stay that way until he is an adult.

That his way is just as good (if not better) than my way.

that dh is more capable than I give him credit for

A husband's idea of a weekend lie-in is far different from your own

I have learnt that if you change the channel on the tv whilst they're snoozing on the couch they'll wake up and complain but somehow he manages to sleep through a baby wailing at 3 in the morning

I have also learnt that a sharp elbow in the sides can't be ignored as easily

I've also learnt you can fall in love in a whole new way just by watching your DH change a nappy without having to be asked first

If you drop the baby then its an accident, if DH puts her down a touch too hard its grounds for full-scale war

We know that men are unable to multitask.

But until kids we do not fully understand how this affects their vision and hearing. They cannot see or hear two small boys having a violent fist fight in front of them if they are playing a computer game. They cannot wash up after putting the children to bed because they are 'listening' to them and they are unable to stop the cat eating the babyfood when the football is on.

instead of buying a changing table put the changing mat on the floor. Then you can have a shower while you baby plays and you don´t have to worry about them falling off the table.

Guilt is part of being a parent - get used to it...

Just accept that everyone else is doing a better job than you. Smugly reassure yourself that your children are more intelligent, beautiful, lively and responsive by nature and will get through some how.

Don't buy white T-shirts.

Tangerines stain.

You will shout "stop shouting!" at the top of your voice.

if you feel it is best for or you know something is wrong with your child you are normally right so have belief in your self and your instincts

Oh dear, I am crying with laughter. Loved the snot on jeans height test.
AND don't buy a plain blue Ikea sofa! Toddlers leave "snail trails" aka snot, all over the cushions and I have lost count of the times I have nearly killed my washing machine, washing the covers.

I learned that "bad" habits can always be unlearned, quite painlessly, compared to sticking to the "advice" doled out by books and HVs...

...and baby wipes are also fabulous for removing biro from skin.

It doesn't make you a bad parent if you draw a moustache on the baby for a laugh, but best not to do it with indelible marker the day before an appointment with the health visitor.

ensure the lid is down on the toilet before letting your child brush their own teeth, or you will be buying a new brush!

Don't listen to obnoxious strangers who tell you that you are 'Mean to drag that child out' when you have surfaced for the first time after giving birth and are quietly having lunch with your mum and 3 week old baby (who is asleep).
Get your mum to sic 'em.

The best way to cure constipation in a baby,is to let it crawl around without a nappy on.

Also,Vanish is great at removing baby poo stains from carpets.