Fair Play Method Coaching
Virtual mental load coaching for couples in the US
Does the invisible workload of managing your household cause tension in your relationship? Do you find yourself keeping mental tallies of who does what, feeling resentful about the unequal distribution of domestic responsibilities?
As a Certified Fair Play Facilitator and licensed couples therapist, I help couples transform the way they share domestic work and childcare. Fair Play coaching provides a structured, judgment-free framework to help you rebalance your household responsibilities, communicate more effectively about domestic labor, and create a partnership where both people feel valued and supported.
With 4 easy-to-follow rules, 100 household cards, and a series of conversation starters for partners, the Fair Play Method is an effective system that helps couples prioritize what’s important to your family and finally decide who should take the lead on every chore, from laundry to homework to dinner.
What is the Fair Play Method?
If you’ve ever felt like your to-do list at home is never-ending while your partner somehow doesn’t see half of what needs to be done, you’re not alone. From remembering birthdays to managing laundry, scheduling dentist appointments, or planning meals, the mental load of running a household can quietly become overwhelming — and often, unequally distributed. That’s where Fair Play comes in.
It’s an actual card game, to make it fun!
The “deck” has a range of cards that you and your partner “deal” in order to share the workload more fairly. But the cards are more than just chores — it’s a values-based system that reflects the priorities your family holds.
The Fair Play Method is an approach to parenting, partnering, and professional life that helps couples thoughtfully rebalance the invisible labor in the home. Developed by Eve Rodsky, it's a system built on the fundamental idea that everyone's time is equally valuable — and that measuring time in minutes, not dollars, can reduce chaos, strengthen connection, and create space for both partners to pursue what matters most to them.
Who is Fair Play Coaching for?
Virtual Fair Play coaching is open to individuals and couples across the United States.
Because coaching not clinical, I can work with couples located anywhere!
Fair Play coaching works best for couples who are both committed to creating change and willing to do the work.
You might be ideal candidates if you're experiencing resentment about household division of labor, one partner feels like the default parent or household manager, you're constantly arguing about chores and childcare, you're preparing for a major life transition (new baby, return to work, move), or you want to model equity for your children. However, if your household inequity stems from deeper relationship issues, mental health concerns, substance abuse, or domestic violence, couples therapy or individual therapy may be more appropriate as a first step.
The Fair Play Method is inclusive and adaptable to all family structures.
Married couples, cohabiting partners, same-sex couples, blended families, and couples with or without children can all benefit from Fair Play coaching.
What makes mental load coaching different from couples therapy?
This is one of the most common questions I receive, and it's an important distinction to understand. Fair Play coaching is a structured, skills-based program focused specifically on redistributing household labor and creating equity in domestic responsibilities. It follows the Fair Play Method framework and typically involves 4-6 sessions with concrete homework assignments between sessions.
Coaching is educational, forward-focused, time-limited, and designed for couples who are generally functioning well but need help solving the specific problem of household inequity.
Couples therapy, on the other hand, addresses deeper relationship issues such as communication patterns, conflict resolution, emotional connection, sexual concerns, trust issues, or past trauma. Therapy is clinical in nature and may continue for months or years depending on your relationship’s needs. While therapy can certainly address household labor disputes, it takes a broader, more exploratory approach to relationship challenges.
As a Certified Fair Play Facilitator and licensed couples therapist, I can help determine which service is right for you. Some couples benefit from Fair Play coaching first to address immediate household stress, while others need couples therapy to work through underlying relationship issues before they can effectively implement the Fair Play system.
Why work with a Fair Play coach who's also a licensed couples therapist?
My unique background as both a licensed couples therapist and Certified Fair Play Facilitator means I can recognize when household inequity is a standalone issue versus when it's a symptom of deeper relationship dynamics. I understand the emotional complexity of these conversations and can help you navigate difficult feelings that arise during the Fair Play process.
Some couples discover that rebalancing household labor brings up deeper issues about gender roles, family of origin patterns, or communication styles. With my training in both Fair Play Method and Gottman Method couples therapy, I can help you work through these challenges rather than getting stuck in them.
What are your rates for Fair Play coaching?
My current mental load coaching rates are:
$350 per hour for 2:1 coaching - OR -
900 for 3-hour coaching package
What’s included: Digital copy of the Fair Play cards, digital copy of the Fair Play workbook, worksheets and guides for targeted support
How long does mental load coaching take?
Most couples complete Fair Play coaching in 4-6 sessions over 2-3 months. How much or how little support you need is entirely up to you! Some couples need additional follow-up sessions as they navigate seasonal changes, new family transitions, or system tweaks. The timeline depends on your household complexity, willingness to implement changes, and how quickly you adapt to your new system.
What are the benefits of Fair Play Coaching?
Reduced Mental Load: Both partners understand what needs to be done without one person having to think of, delegate, and follow up on everything.
Less Resentment: When both partners feel the division of labor is fair, resentment decreases and appreciation increases.
Improved Communication: Fair Play provides a common language and framework for discussing household responsibilities without blame or defensiveness.
More Free Time: When you eliminate duplicated effort and decision fatigue, both partners reclaim time for rest, hobbies, and connection.
Better Modeling for Children: Kids who grow up seeing equity at home learn that all adults are capable of full domestic participation.
Stronger Partnership: Working together to create a fair system deepens your sense of teamwork and mutual respect.
Greater Life Satisfaction: When your home life runs more smoothly, both partners experience less stress and more joy in their relationship and daily lives.
Why do we need a Fair Play coach? Can’t we figure this out on our own?
Many couples wonder if they can simply read the “Fair Play” book and implement the system on their own. While the book is an excellent resource and I encourage all couples to read it, working with a Certified Fair Play Facilitator offers significant advantages that help ensure your success. I serve as a neutral third party who can facilitate difficult conversations without taking sides and help you navigate the emotional reactions that inevitably come up when addressing inequity. As a Certified Fair Play Facilitator, I can troubleshoot your specific household challenges and customize the Fair Play system to your unique family dynamics, work schedules, and values.
Coaching provides accountability, structure, and helps you avoid common pitfalls.
Perhaps most importantly, I help you avoid the common pitfalls that cause couples to abandon the system before it becomes sustainable. Many couples get stuck during the card sort, struggle to establish their minimum standard of care, or fall back into old patterns when stress hits. Having a coach means you have expert guidance to work through these obstacles rather than giving up in frustration.
Is Fair Play coaching worth the investment?
Consider what household inequity is currently costing your relationship. How much resentment builds up each week? How many arguments stem from feeling undervalued or overwhelmed? How much time do you spend thinking about all the tasks that need to be done? How much energy goes into managing your partner's participation in household work?
Fair Play coaching is an investment in your partnership and your future together. The system you create will serve you for years to come, adapting as your family grows and changes. Most couples find that the return on investment—in terms of reduced conflict, improved connection, and reclaimed time—far exceeds the cost of coaching.
The Fair Play Method has helped thousands of couples create more equitable, joyful partnerships. It's not about keeping score or achieving perfect balance—it's about both partners feeling valued, respected, and fairly treated in the daily work of running a household and raising a family.
Your relationship deserves the investment of time, effort, and intentionality it takes to thrive. If you're ready to stop fighting about household responsibilities and start working as a true team, I invite you to reach out today to schedule a Fair Play coaching session. Together, we'll create a sustainable, equitable system that honors both partners' contributions and allows your relationship to flourish.
What to Expect from Fair Play Coaching at Sea Glass
Initial Fair Play Assessment & Goal Setting
Our first meeting focuses on understanding your unique household dynamics and identifying pain points. We'll discuss your current division of labor, what's working and what isn't, and your goals for creating a more equitable partnership. You'll receive access to the Fair Play system and learn about the core principles and ground rules.
Fair Play Card Sort & Household Mapping
In our second session, we'll use the Fair Play cards to map out all the tasks in your household. This eye-opening exercise reveals the invisible mental load and helps couples see the full scope of domestic work—often for the first time. We'll identify who currently holds each responsibility and discuss which tasks feel most burdensome or important to each partner.
Creating Your Fair Play System & Action Plan
Together, we'll design a customized Fair Play system for your household. You'll learn how to play cards fairly, establish your family’s "minimum standard of care," re-deal cards when you need to, set boundaries around work and personal time, and create accountability structures. Most couples meet for 4-6 sessions, over 2 to 3 months to fully implement their Fair Play system, with follow-up sessions as needed for troubleshooting and refinement.
Tools & Resources to Succeed
All Fair Play coaching couples will receive: a digital copy of the Fair Play cards, Fair Play workbook, and additional worksheets and targeted exercises to support their unique needs.
ERIN PRITCHARD, CERTIFIED FAIR PLAY FACILITATOR
“Fair Play Method provides a structured, judgment-free framework to help you rebalance your household responsibilities, communicate more effectively about domestic labor, and create a partnership where both people feel valued and supported.
Fair Play is the best solution I’ve found for couples to redefine and redistribute domestic tasks and truly build a shared life.”
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