Our single friends love our husbands, but sometimes they want a girls night.  Fine by us- we love quality time with the ladies! The problem is that a “girls night out” isn’t always specified ahead of time. When do you plan to bring him along and when do you go your separate ways?

Here’s a short list of guidelines. Feel free to add your own!

1. Do your research. If your friends are bringing their significant others, your husband is invited- easy one!  But prep him first- a heads up on the crowd will ensure a better time for all, and this will provide your husband with vital information (i.e. he’d better have two cocktails before arriving, and remember not to tell the redhead joke).

2. If your girlfriends have something juicy to discuss or need your expert advice, he is NOT invited- except in the rare event when they need a guy’s perspective.  And if that’s the case, spare your man- the true guy’s perspective is probably too harsh to tell your friend, so let him stay home and counter the evening with a guys’ night of his own.

3. If they want to go out and meet new guys, leave your hubby and wedding bands at home (kidding!). But show some respect for the single ladies and be their wingwoman.

4. If it starts out as a girls night, END it as a girls night!  For your husband, having to catch up to a dinner’s worth of drinks, discussion, and inevitable drama with a smiley face on is probably about as comfortable and genuinely enjoyable for him as hugging your mom.

5. When in doubt, consult your friends.