A card from Fair Play by Eve Rodsky
Packing & Unpacking (Kids; Local)
If you use the last diaper in the baby’s diaper bag and don’t replace it, how many diapers will be left the next time you need to change an explosive poop on the go? Exactly. It’s got to be restocked, just as backpacks need to be packed (and unpacked) daily with library books, lunch, homework, water bottles, clothes for after-school activities, and about a million other things you’ll forget if you don’t have a system in place. Bonus duties: packing for sleepovers, packing and replacing the change of clothes in the school cubby as needed, and hitting up the school’s lost and found when only one glove makes it home.
Holding this card means owning all three
Conception
Kids need supplies for an activity
Planning
BACKPACK AFTERNOON/DAY-OUT BAG
- Taking inventory of afternoon out bags (water bottle, snacks, sunscreen etc.) SLEEPOVER
- Determine what is needed for overnight bag (e.g., bathroom bag, clothing, sleeping needs, medical (e.g., Epi-Pen)) *Note: If it is a birthday celebration sleepover, keep the packing with the “Birthday Celebration (other kids)” cardholder who reads the invitation or coordinate closely.
Execution
BACKPACK
- Backpack packing. including snack, water bottle, lunch box (prepared by “Weekday (School Lunches)” cardholder, homework, library books/textbooks/folders, special items
- Backpack unpacking including emptying lunch box and placing in sink for “Dishes” cardholder
- Following up on lost items/lost and found AFTERNOON/DAY-OUT BAG
- Stocking afternoon out bags SLEEPOVER
- Overnight bag packing and unpacking
Suggested Minimum Standard of Care
Do the bags contain what they need at the times you use them? Are they unpacked in a timely manner?
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.