Before the spreadsheet, I had an idea I think many share: Marriage and family should more or less work. If you’re with the “right” person and you’ve made the “right” choices, your family life shouldn’t require a lot of discussion or effort. The appointments you keep in your head, the family social schedule you juggle — all of it should be noticed and appreciated. Far from making our marriage seem cold and robotic, the spreadsheet sparked more honest conversations than we’d had in years. They’re not going to be erased simply by getting the right politicians elected or the right policies enacted (although those things will help).

Source: New York Times May 25, 2019 12:22 UTC