🌎Your Most Important Relationship on Earth

Appairent Returns…and Evolves

Been a minute since you heard from me, right? Here's the truth - I've been heads down trying to build this thing called Appairent. But amidst the noise, I realized I really have to keep sharing the journey,the changes, and the insights I’m gathering as a partner that might help us all level-up. 

And I sure as s*it can't tell other parents how to make intentional time for their family if I’m not at least trying (and yes failing sometimes) myself.  All feedback, research and signs point to how being “Appairent”- becoming a  better, more balanced parent, partner and person - has to start with your partnership.

Practical accountability and actionable concierge for your relationship is here. You can do anything yourself, you just can’t do everything. If you’re interested in putting your partnership first in meaningful ways, let us manage it while you stay busy doing what you do. Everyone wins.

You Both Have to Turn Your Key

Doesn’t improvement in your home life have to start with your most important relationship on Earth?  Read it again. That’s right, it’s the most important partnering decision you’ve ever made and it’s likely not getting that kind of mindshare. Hell, it's why I named this thing "Appairent" and not "DadDoes" or some other dad-focused name. The pair is critical. Dads most definitely need some help with all they’re juggling, but the real magic happens when both parents “turn their keys”.

Think of those old missile launch systems in the movies - two people, two keys, one mission. That's basically what great partnership looks like that opens up better parenting, self-care, work, play, you name it. And if I can't make time to turn my own key with my wife, what business do I have telling you how to turn yours?

Make It a Giving Contest

Here's the thing - I keep coming back to this idea of making partnership a "giving contest" borrowed from Shaan Puri of MFM when he was discussing important factors of business partnerships  Not in some scorekeeping way, that’s relationship death. I'm talking about both parents actively trying to outdo each other in support, thoughtfulness and intention with no chance of reciprocity. The beauty is I’m convinced that in a great partnership, this will spur a pretty virtuous cycle of doing well for one another even if you act without expecting it. 

But you can't have a giving contest if the other person doesn't know they're in the race. And when the pilot wrapped up, I’d been failing at even showing up to the starting line some days.

Mental Load is Real

Let's be real. Moms are often carrying this massive mental load - the endless to-do lists, scheduling, and household management that never seems to end. But here's what I've learned: us dads have our own version of that mental load too. And when both sides are just fixated on their own burden, we end up in this weird standoff.

I caught myself in this trap recently. Busy building a business to help parents make more intentional time... while simultaneously not making enough intentional time with my own family. The irony isn't lost on me. Sometimes you gotta step back and realize you're becoming exactly what you're trying to help others avoid.

Practical Partnership, DIY

So here's what this partnership stuff looks like in practice, and it’s what Appairent is going to make easier and more consistent over time.

Be a Partner to be Appairent

You want to be a better parent? Start by being a better partner. Want your spouse to help carry your mental load? Help carry theirs first.

I'm walking this path right alongside you. Some days I nail it, some days I fail it. But I'm committed to making those memory dividends with my wife and kid, because if I'm not creating those moments in my own home, how can I honestly help you create them in yours?

This is why at Appairent, we're moving from helping dads be better dads - we're about helping parents be practical everyday partners. Because when both parents are in on the giving contest, everybody wins. Especially those little rugrats watching how their parents treat each other.

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