A card from Fair Play by Eve Rodsky
Birthday Celebrations (Other Kids)
From RSVPing to buying presents, the birthday party circuit for your kids is riddled with opportunities for missteps . . . like when you’re already out the door and realize it’s a princess dress-up theme. Oops. And why didn’t anyone warn you how many weekend hours you’d be spending at other kids’ birthday parties chit-chatting with parents you hardly know? This card pairs with the “transportation (kids)” and “gifts (VIPs)” cards. Meaning, if you RSVP’d yes to the birthday party at the trampoline park, you are responsible for getting your son there (gift in hand) and picking him up afterward.
Note! If you have two or more kids who have to be at separate birthday celebrations, you and your partner can both hold this card separately. A Kid Split means you both CPE the same card at the same time, but for separate kids.
Holding this card means owning all three
Conception
The kids are invited to a birthday party
Planning
- RSVPing to invitations (informing “Calendar Keeper” cardholder)
- Arranging for transportation/attending if younger child
Execution
- Purchasing stickers/cards, wrapping, gift cards and/or birthday gifts
- Wrapping gift(s)
- Filling out facility waivers (e.g., trampoline park)
- Providing money to child if necessary
- Attending party if younger child
Suggested Minimum Standard of Care
Did you RSVP after consulting with your partner and did your kid get there on time with a gift and enjoy the party?
A starting point. You and your partner agree the real standard together, and the holder meets it without reminders.
Holding it well
- 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.