“Parenting is not a solo performance. It’s a duet and sometimes, a full-blown relay.”
– Kavita Yadav
Let me ask you something. Have you ever found yourself absolutely exhausted, running around with your child’s school bag in one hand and a work call in the other… while wishing your partner could just step in and help?
Or maybe you’ve already figured out a way where you and your spouse kind of tag each other in and out, depending on the need of the moment.
If you have been doing this, even unknowingly, you have already been practising something called ‘Tag Team Parenting.’ And I promise you it’s more common (and more helpful) than you might think.
So, What Is Tag Team Parenting?
In simple terms, it’s when both parents share parenting responsibilities, not necessarily together at the same time, but by taking turns based on who is available, what the child needs, and who’s better suited to do certain tasks.
You know how in a relay race, when one runner gets tired or finishes their stretch, they hand the baton to the next? That’s the idea here.
It’s about supporting each other, filling in the gaps, and keeping things moving, as a team.
Where Did This Term Come From?
Fun fact: The term “tag team parenting” actually comes from tag team wrestling, where wrestlers switch in and out of the ring.
It began to be used more widely in the early 2000s, especially in Western countries, as more and more dual-career couples started discussing how they manage parenting and work together. It began to appear in blogs, psychology research, and everyday conversations about modern family life.
What Does It Look Like in India?
Now, in India, especially in urban homes, we are slowly but surely seeing more couples embracing this idea. Traditionally, we had very set roles: moms were expected to handle everything at home and with the kids, while dads were the breadwinners.
But let’s be honest, things are changing.
Today, both parents often work. Grandparents may not live with you. And, the parenting load has gotten heavier emotionally, physically, and logistically.
That’s where tag team parenting makes so much sense.
Let me give you a few examples I see often:
- Dad drops the kids off at school while Mom finishes making breakfast.
- Mom attends the school’s PTA meeting while Dad takes the child to the doctor.
- One parent takes the night shift when the child is sick.
- Mom helps with homework while Dad plays and unwinds with the child after.
It’s not about doing 50-50. It’s about doing what works, together.
Why This Works – Especially Now
Here’s why I think this model really fits into modern Indian parenting:
- Both parents are working, so flexibility is a must.
- Nuclear families mean we don’t always have help from grandparents.
- Kids benefit from bonding with both parents, not just one.
- It reduces the risk of burnout (especially for moms).
- It shows our children that parenting is a shared responsibility and not just “Mumma’s job”.
What’s Great About Tag Team Parenting?
- It reduces stress and helps prevent one parent from feeling overburdened.
- It improves communication and trust between partners.
- Kids feel emotionally supported and more secure.
- It creates mutual respect in the relationship.
- And importantly, it gives both parents some much-needed me-time.
What Can Be Tricky?
Like everything else in parenting, this also comes with some challenges:
- It can become too transactional, like a constant “Your turn, now mine.”
- If parenting styles clash, the child can get confused.
- It requires regular check-ins and conversations as a couple.
- And yes, in joint families, there can be judgements or “advice” about what is a man’s role and what is a woman’s.
A Real-Life Story
I remember speaking to Meena and Kunal (names changed), both working professionals in Bengaluru. They have been parenting their 9-year-old daughter using this approach without even realising it had a name!
Meena told me, “I take care of her school projects and drop her to dance class. Kunal handles mornings and bedtime stories. On weekends, we switch.”
She smiled and added, “We do not compete. We cover for each other. And our daughter? She knows both of us have her back.”
It’s not perfect, but it’s real.
In a Nutshell
Tag team parenting is more than a strategy. It’s a mindset.
It says, “We are in this together. I have got you. You have got me. And together, we have got our child.”
It does not mean both parents do everything together. It means both parents show up at different times, in different ways but with the same love, intention, and care.
Do you and your partner tag-team as parents?
Have you noticed how your roles are evolving?
I would love to hear your story.
Drop a comment, share your thoughts, or message me if you would like to explore this deeper through counselling sessions or parenting workshops.
Let’s raise children with shared hearts and joined hands.