Fair Play: A Game-Changing Solution for When You Have Too Much to Do (and More Life to Live) by Eve Rodsky

Fair Play: A Game-Changing Solution for When You Have Too Much to Do (and More Life to Live), by Eve Rodsky, explores how to shift away from outdated gender roles and expectations to create a balanced life for modern couples. Rodsky argues that most households still rely on women to take on most of the work, both inside and outside the home, leaving them overwhelmed with responsibilities. She innovates a method for couples to share the load that is fair, equitable, and self-sustaining.

Using anecdotes, research, and her own experiences, Rodsky makes a compelling case for why fair play is necessary both in the household and the workplace. She traces the traditional family structure that perpetuates gender imbalance, noting that although the roles of men and women have shifted since years past, the expectations have not. Women are still expected to be competent at both the home and professional front, while men can easily focus on their career if they so choose. Rodsky argues that this is not only unfair, but unsustainable.

In order to put an end to the current cycle, Rodsky unpacks the concept of the 'Fair Play process'. By laying out how this system works and how it can be implemented, she demonstrates that it is possible for couples to successfully create a balanced life. In the book, Rodsky outlines three components of the Fair Play Process: Re-Think, Re-Skill, Re-Balance. In the Re-Think step, couples identify unrealistic expectations and shift their perception of home and work responsibilities in order to share the load equally. In the Re-Skill step, couples build skills to ensure that everyone can contribute to the household and professional life. The Re-Balance step involves creating a schedule for the family that takes into account everyone's needs, desires and individual commitments.

Rodsky's book offers a detailed road map to the Fair Play Process that couples can use to create their own solution. Throughout the book, Rodsky reinforces the idea that life is a team sport and that it is possible to make it a win-win situation for everyone involved. Rather than one person taking on the bulk of the domestic life and the other credited with professional success, Rodsky outlines how couples can successfully divide the load to achieve both personal and professional goals.

In her book, Rodsky makes a refreshingly actionable case for why more equitable arrangements are key to modern couples achieving a balance work-life balance. Rodsky acknowledges that it may take time for couples to come to a fair agreement and be comfortable implementing it. She encourages readers to ‘stay the course’ in order to reap the rewards of their labor. By providing examples of how couples have successfully implemented this new way of sharing the load, Rodsky provides readers with real-world inspiration and advice for navigating the transition.

Fair Play: A Game-Changing Solution for When You Have Too Much to Do (and More Life to Live), is a must-read for any couple struggling to find balance. Rodsky's Fair Play Process introduces a revolutionary way to re-think gendered expectations and create a greater divide between home and work responsibilities. Her innovative approach is sure to bring relief and clarity to couples who have previously been feeling overwhelmed with too much to do, and not enough time to do it.