Fair Play: A Game-Changing Framework for Moms Carrying the Mental Load

If you’re a mom, chances are you’re no stranger to the invisible mental load that comes with running a household and raising a family. In my work with women—especially moms navigating the overwhelming demands of modern parenting—this theme shows up often. 

The endless to-do lists, the constant planning, the remembering, anticipating, and organizing…it can feel like you’re managing an entire corporation while also doing all the day-to-day tasks yourself.

Enter Fair Play: A Game-Changing Solution for When You Have Too Much to Do (and More Life to Live) by Eve Rodsky—a framework that offers a refreshing and practical approach to reclaiming balance and creating more equitable partnerships at home.

I first came across Fair Play a few years ago and immediately resonated with the concept. I read the book, bought the deck of cards, and appreciated how the system gave language and structure to things so many moms silently carry. 

But what really brought it to life for me was working with Diana Forbes, a certified Fair Play facilitator. In a one-on-one session, she guided me through a visual mapping of all the tasks I manage—and wow, was it eye-opening.

There was something incredibly validating and cathartic about seeing it all laid out. Every tiny detail I held in my brain—school forms, snack shopping, birthday gifts, doctor appointments, emotional labor, family logistics—it all had a name and a category. It was no longer just “stuff I do” that goes unnoticed. It became tangible. Talk-about-able.

That clarity is one of the most powerful parts of the Fair Play process. Mapping out responsibilities doesn’t just help partners better understand what’s really going on behind the scenes—it also helps moms shed the guilt of asking for help or needing a break. It shifts the conversation from "why can't I handle this?" to "how can we handle this together?"

Many of my clients find that doing this exercise—especially with the help of a consultant like Diana—opens up better conversations at home. Conversations that are constructive rather than shaming or blaming. It brings visibility to what’s often invisible, and helps redefine what “fair” actually looks like in their unique family dynamic.

Another book I often recommend is Drop the Ball by Tiffany Dufu. It offers a powerful reminder that doing it all isn’t the goal—and that letting go can actually lead to more joy, connection, and purpose. What I found particularly useful is how Dufu highlights the full scope of what it takes to run a family. One partner may be managing the day-to-day, while the other contributes in less visible but still valuable ways—like researching flights or booking vacations.

Both books align beautifully with the work I do around helping people redefine self-care and create lives that feel more sustainable and fulfilling. When we can take a step back and look at the full landscape of the family operation, we can regain perspective and better advocate for ourselves, recalibrate expectations, and move forward as a team.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the daily grind and the mental gymnastics required to keep everything afloat, you’re not alone. And there are tools and conversations that can help. You don’t have to carry the load alone—or invisibly.

If you’re curious about Fair Play or want support mapping out your own task inventory and starting these conversations at home, get in touch and we can get the conversation started.