Fair Play for New Parents: How the Card Deck Can Help You Navigate Parenthood as a Team - Geelong Therapy
Becoming a parent is one of life’s most beautiful and exhausting transitions. Amidst the joy of a newborn comes a whirlwind of responsibilities—feeding schedules, laundry, doctor appointments, managing visitors, night wakings, and remembering to feed yourself, too. For many couples, this new chapter also brings a big, unspoken question: “Who’s doing what, and how do we make this feel fair?”
That’s where the Fair Play Card Deck comes in.
What Is the Fair Play Card Deck?
Developed by Eve Rodsky, the Fair Play Card Deck is a practical, conversation-starting tool designed to help couples (especially new parents!) divide household and parenting responsibilities more equitably. Each of the 100 cards represents a common task—from “Diaper Bag Packing” to “Medical Appointments” to “Pumping & Milk Storage”—and encourages both partners to take ownership in a clear, sustainable way.
Why New Parents Need Fair Play
In many households, the invisible mental load of parenting—the thinking, remembering, and planning—falls disproportionately on one partner. Often, this leads to resentment, burnout, and the feeling that you're doing it all alone.
The Fair Play system shifts the dynamic. Instead of “Can you help me?” it invites couples to ask, “How can we own this together?”
For new parents running on very little sleep, this can be game-changing.
How It Works
Set Aside Time to Talk
Choose a calm moment (as calm as it gets with a newborn!) to go through the deck together. This is not a blame session—it’s a chance to reset expectations and align as a team.Sort the Cards
Decide who currently does what, what’s overwhelming, and what might be falling through the cracks. There’s even a special category for newborn-related tasks.Assign Ownership, Not Just Tasks
In Fair Play, to “own” a card means taking full responsibility for the task:Conceiving it (noticing it needs to happen)
Planning it (figuring out how and when to do it)
Executing it (getting it done—without being asked)
For example, if one partner “owns” Baby Laundry, that means they keep track of when it needs doing, gather the dirty clothes, wash and dry them, and put them away—without reminders.
Revisit and Adjust
New parenthood is full of change. Revisit your Fair Play system often. What works one month may need rebalancing the next.
What New Parents Love About It
Reduces Mental Load
No more being the default parent for everything. Both partners are engaged in keeping the household and baby thriving.Supports Communication
It gives you the words to discuss what’s really going on, instead of silently stewing.Creates Fairness, Not Just “Help”
You’re not delegating or assigning chores—you’re building a shared life where both of you carry the weight.Strengthens Your Relationship
Working as a team brings more connection, less conflict, and the space to enjoy the beautiful (and chaotic) parts of parenting.
Parenthood isn’t meant to be a solo act. With the Fair Play Card Deck, new parents can build a foundation of fairness, clarity, and compassion—from day one.
It’s not just about who changes the diaper. It’s about knowing you’re both in this together.