Episode One:

Introducing a beautiful country lad and his perspective on connection and present parenting

Name and Age: Nathan Jenkins, 35.

Children/Child/Infants name and age: We have two children; Chase (Son) is 6.5 and Koah (Daughter) is 3

Relationship status: Defector

What do you do? Sheet Metalworking, working on construction sites installing air-conditioning/mechanical services

How has becoming a parent changed you? Before kids, I was very money driven. I ran my own business and worked a lot of hours. After almost losing our daughter after her birth, I made the decision to step back from the stresses and long hours of running a business and welcomed the set hours and paid leave to have a much greater work/life balance.

What do you do to connect with your little ones? One on one time with each of the kids as they are at such different ages and have different interests. I take my son motorbike riding and playing golf. My daughter much prefers to go to a nail bar and get her fingers and toes painted. Both kids love books and we have special time each night reading stories together (or my son reading to me now that he is learning to read).

How do you create present parenting within your home? We have recently begun special family nights on Saturday nights, where the 4 of us get to reconnect, snuggle and watch a hilarious family movie. We are attempting to make our way through all of the Robin Williams classics, plus all of the great 90’s family movies (i.e. Denise The Menis, Might Ducks, Home Alone, The Sandlot Kids…)

Do you connect with your partner regularly i.e. Date night or day? At home or out? Finding time for just the 2 of us can be tricky as all of our family live interstate, making babysitting for the kids expensive and sometimes extremely difficult to arrange. We make sure that we make time at the end of the day, once the kids are in bed, and when possible we will go out for dinner, a few drinks, or sometimes even a day together. This is something we are still working at, but have definitely gotten better at it over the last few years.

Do you connect with yourself regularly i.e.. Self care rituals? I have my “man cave” (shed) that I retreat to, to have a quiet moment (and a beer) to myself. I also got my motorbike license a few years ago and enjoy taking some time out to just go for a ride and de-stress. My partner has recently taken up Yoga and is really enjoying the time out…and the silence!

Any words of wisdom for those that are new to being a parent, ways in which they can connect with their little ones? Ways in which they can find time for themselves and each other? Get down on the kids level with them, be hands on and try your best not to use screen time as an easy out (although it can be helpful at times!). If the kids find an interest, let them follow it. It may last a week, it might last years if it makes them happy let them follow their dreams.
Finding time for your relationship and yourselves can be hard, but don’t feel guilty for doing it; it will make you a better parent and a happier person. Even if it is just enough time for a coffee, or a movie; timeout away from being Dad or Mum is important. If you are like us and your family all live a million miles away, find a few good babysitters (or reliable friends) early on, and HOLD ONTO them!! You might even have luck with the childcare you put your kids in; that’s where we found our favourite; her and her husband are now “aunty and uncle” to our kids, and our daughters God Parents.