You spend months planning your child's birth, and then suddenly they are here in your arms, and you are all sent home. What next? We will dive into the nitty gritty of what the full spectrum of the work of home looks like in the first years of parenthood and how you and your partner can proactively plan so that home labor is shared equitably. We will explore how cultural influences, unconscious bias and unspoken expectations shape how those tasks get "assigned" to different partners, learn about key constructive conversations to have with partners, and explore how tools like Fair Play can help you manage the labor of the home in an intentional and proactive way. This workshop is appropriate for expecting parents and for parents of babies.

Here's What You'll Gain

• Unpack Beliefs That Shape How Labor is Divided: Increase understanding of how unconscious bias and unspoken expectations shape how those tasks get "assigned" to different partners

• Build a Strong Foundation: Develop a shared language to discuss the labor of parenthood, identify the full scope of labor that comes with child rearing (highlighting the frequently unseen aspects of tasks), and learn how to have constructive conversations with your partner

• Explore how to Play Fair with Fair Play: Explore the practical tools and techniques of Fair Play, designed to streamline household management and foster collaboration between partners.

Meet Our Speakers:

Nikki Goldwater is a licensed clinical social worker, RETAIN Parental Leave Coach and certified Fair Play Method Facilitator based in Chicago. She has advanced training in Perinatal Mental Health from Postpartum Support International. She is the founder of Root & Branch Parenthood, where she specializes in supporting perinatal and parental mental health for all family members, pregnancy loss and grief, birth trauma and caregivers of medically complex children. Nikki empowers clients to navigate the journey of parenthood with intentionality and resilience.

Andrea Fullerton is a licensed clinical social worker certified in perinatal mental health by Postpartum Support International and a certified Fair Play Method Facilitator.  She runs a private therapy practice in the north Chicago suburbs, where she specializes in perinatal mental health and parental mental health, as well as anxiety, depression, and life transitions.  In addition to providing individual, couples, and family counseling, Andrea facilitates a New Moms group. Andrea is passionate about helping clients navigate this transition to parenthood and become the parents they aspire to be.

Why Attend?

Attend this workshop to gain invaluable insights into navigating the challenges of early parenthood, from unpacking the mental load and invisible labor to understanding how cultural influences shape task division. Equip yourself with practical tools to foster equitable sharing of home labor and build a strong foundation for parenting together with your partner.

Class time 1.5 hours / Cost: $60 per person/ $120 per couple

Class limit: 8 parents/caregivers (4 couples)

Next Workshop: Saturday, February 8th, 2025

10am - 11:30am