Want to help make 50-50 shared parenting the norm? Here is what you can do now:

1. Sign up. We will keep you posted on ways to get involved politically. This might include:

• • Sign a petition
  • Call or write your legislator
  • Call your local media outlet
  • Share an important message on social media

2. Join us. Do you love what is happening here? Never seen anything like it? Want to join forces, lend a hand, commiserate? Reach out, and let’s do something huge together. 

Contact us now. Let’s brainstorm a cool collaboration that benefits us both.

3. Be a good citizen. Talk to your state and national representatives about shared parenting. Find your local representatives here.

• At town halls and other public events, ask candidates about their position on shared parenting legislation. A current list of shared parenting state bills is here. The more candidates hear about shared parenting, the better. The more everyone at the town hall meeting hears about shared parenting — the better! When you speak up, not only do you pressure your representative, you educate everyone within earshot. Keep talking!
• Communicate via email and social media with candidates about shared parenting. Again: Everyone on their feed and your feed gets an education.
• Vote for candidates who support shared parenting legislation.

4. Media coverage. If you work in the media, publish and air meaningful stories on shared parenting. There is activism happening in every state, bills introduced in 28 states, and millions and millions of interested parties who will click and share the crap out of your content. Reach out here and we will help you connect with great sources (relevant fact: I am a long-time, award-winning journalist, with past positions in community newspapers, the Associated Press NYC office, a finance column on MSN Money, etc.— I know how to put together a great story).

Every time I create a blog post or podcast about shared parenting or parental alienation on Wealthysinglemommy, traffic spikes and the content goes viral. Trust me: There is a huge, unmet and pent-up demand for quality content on this topic. Your producer / editor / advertisers will thank you!

Here are recent news stories about equally shared parenting.

5. Be a corporate partner. Does your organization believe in healthy families, gender equality, and child welfare? Do aim to support your employees’ work-life balance — while also benefiting your company’s bottom line?

Reach out to Emma to learn more about how to create a truly gender-equal workplace that supports both mothers and fathers, men and women equally. Your P&L will thank you.

6. Spread the good word. Talk with everyone you know about shared parenting. The most powerful way to change our culture is by having personal conversations about 50-50 parenting, and encouraging people who know and trust you to consider it for their families. Here are some sample conversations:

“It’s sad to think about being away from the kids for a lot of time, but Chad is a good dad. I’ve been reading a lot about equal parenting time, and all the studies find that it is best for the kids. Plus, you need a break — we all do!”

“When my parents split up, my mom really tried to use us against my dad, and that is such a painful experience for me. She thought she hid it from me, but we all knew what was going on. When my dad stopped coming around much, I was angry at him at the time, but now I see why.”

“I know you’ve been the main one to take care of the kids, but he is their parent, too — you’re going to have to back to work, and it only makes sense that he should care for them half the time. Otherwise your life will look like June Cleaver’s! That’s not a good look! [insert earnest laugh]”

When my brother got divorce a few years ago, his wife fought him tooth and nail for more time with the kids, and made up or exaggerated all these claims that everyone knew were either lies or BS — all because she was so angry about his affair, but also because having the kids more meant she’d get more child support. In the end, he got the kids half the time (the judge didn’t care at all about the affair), but not after spending $40,000 on lawyers — and creating a ton of stress for everyone involved. I know you’re broke right now — but leveraging parenting time isn’t the answer. Can I help you with your resume?