A card from Fair Play by Eve Rodsky
Morning Routine
When was the last time you slept in, pooped in peace, or leisurely read the newspaper while drinking coffee in the morning? Before kids, if you’re holding this card. This cardholder is prepared for daily combat before sunrise with a baby and early still with school-aged kids who often need rousing from bed and help getting dressed, hair and teeth brushed, sunscreen applied, and ushering out the door. At least the “Meals (Weekday Breakfast)” cardholder takes the lead on getting them fed.
Holding this card means owning all three
Conception
The kids need to be ready in the morning
Planning
- Ensuring children are up and getting ready for the day (dressed in appropriate, seasonal clothes, hair/teeth brushed, bathroom needs met)
- Consulting with “Homework, Projects, & School Supplies” cardholder for special clothes days
Execution
- Applying sunscreen
- Taking vitamins/medicines
Suggested Minimum Standard of Care
Are the kids appropriately hygienic and dressed for school? (i.e., when it’s 20 degrees out, shorts don’t cut it)
A starting point. You and your partner agree the real standard together, and the holder meets it without reminders.
Holding it well
- It’s a Daily Grind: relentless and time-bound. Make sure each of you holds a fair share of these, ideally one from each suit.
- The holder owns all of it: noticing, planning and doing. No “just tell me what to do.”
- Agree the Minimum Standard of Care together, then let the holder meet it their way.
- Not working? Bring it to the weekly check-in and re-deal it. Don’t take it back mid-week.
Put this card on your table
Deal it, agree its standard, and see who holds what. Free.