A card from Fair Play by Eve Rodsky
First Year of Infant's Life
Unsettled hormones, sleep deprivation, and a ravaged body are enough to make this a Wild card, not to mention that your time has all but disappeared. The days of having even a consecutive two-hour stretch of time to be productive are a vague memory as you drown in nursing/feeding, diaper changing, comforting your baby around the clock, and an innumerable amount of other to-dos all courtesy of your bundle of joy. Make no mistake: The first year of an infant’s life is not only a “Mom thing.” There’s plenty for Dad to do, too. While you’re trying to survive another day, let him dig into the Daily Grind cards: “laundry,” “dishes,” “garbage,” “groceries,” and taking the lead on “meals (weekday dinner).”
How Wild cards work
The Wild suit includes life-changing scenarios that rock your world, and come with a mind-numbing amount of invisible work. When you’re dealt a Wild card (hopefully temporarily), you’re entitled to ask for additional help from your partner guilt-free. Your partner is encouraged to reach out to your village for even more support, but the Wild cardholder is not the one who handles this delegation. You and your partner are also encouraged to remove cards from your deck, temporarily, while dealing with a Wild card.
Suggested Minimum Standard of Care
Do you feel supported to take the lead on this wildcard? Will your partner be stepping up to take on other cards?
A starting point. You and your partner agree the real standard together, and the holder meets it without reminders.
Holding it well
- Whoever is dealt this card can ask for more help, guilt-free.
- Their partner picks up other cards and reaches out to the wider village.
- Set non-essential cards aside temporarily, and re-deal at your next check-in.
Put this card on your table
Deal it, agree its standard, and see who holds what. Free.