You can hold the joey as soon as it is officially dislodged from the nipple. That's when it is considered Out Of Pouch. If momma is very tame with you, you can start petting the joey bum when it is hanging out - before it is OOP. The first few times you hold him, make sure you don't leave momma's site. She may be very nervous. Then very gradually, you can hold the joey for longer and longer.
The eyes should open at around 10 days. From that point on, they grow SO fast!
At first, even though the joey is OOP, you maybe won't get to hold him often as he will nurse almost all the time. He may even crawl (or be stuffed by momma!) all the way back into the pouch!
Daddy should be babysitting in the evening. He will stay in the pouch while momma eats and plays.
Watch for signs of rejection. If the joey is out of the pouch, alone and cold. Or if the baby has bite or scratch marks - usually on the face. If the baby is alone in the pouch and crying, and the parents don't return to check on him. These are all warning signs. They are not very typical - but we tend to hear a good deal about rejection.
Hmmm. Have you read Suz's site?
www.suzsugargliders.com/index.htm
I pretty much have the whole thing memorized! I bought her "rejected joey kit" just in case - but I've never had to use it!