What you "should" do

It's obvious, not easy. A framework for you to manage your life roles.

Author

Michael Hatfield
April 27, 2024

So for the first week instead of giving you the week’s playbook, let me give you the foundation of every playbook. If you want to manage and customize it for yourself in the future, you have the framework to modify as much or add little as you want. 

You might think “I or anyone could have written this, it’s obvious”. You’re right, but did you? Appairent is going to make sure you match execution to your intention. 

Shameless plug: my whole business idea is to provide virtual assistance to parents to execute (some of) this playbook. The newsletter makes it easier for you to do it. Appairent actually does it for you.

Wanna make your spouse happy, ease your mental load, and save even more time?

Madden Style

Here’s the Playbook (Framework)

The framework is comprehensive, overwhelming even. Don’t try to execute the whole thing.

I’m working on a “3×2×1” approach. Far from perfected, but easy to remember. Each row is a “combo” that I always try to execute in one go. A combo doesn’t take me long to organize. If I finish just 1, I know I’ve got all roles covered.

You can also choose to tackle by “vertical” role. I’ve tried this approach, too. It works! In 15-30 minutes I can have all 3 partner activities planned and/or executed.

Person

Partner

Parent

Get 3 planned wellness activities LOCKED on your calendar.

Give HER 2 hours for whatever the fuq.

Manage just 1 kid activity or event you know is on the calendar.

Get 2 hours booked for whatever the hell you want.

Write down 3 great things SHE did in the past week/recent memory.

Make your plan of what you're going to do with kids for the 2 hours you give to Mom.

Communicate 3 things: known dates, times, and needs from your wife…appointments to your wife NOW. 

Schedule 2 30 min slots w/ your wife: 1 to listen, 1 to talk.

Schedule 1 family event that covers 3 aspects: together, quality time, and presence.

Simple, not easy.

That’s it, for now. It’s simple, not easy.

On subsequent Saturdays I’ll layout specific playbooks, “combos”, and plays so you don’t have to think/plan, just execute. I’m no expert, but I’ve started this journey. Looking forward to sharing insights and making it easier for dads with the best of intentions.

-Hattie