Father’s Day is a special time to appreciate the men in our lives. It is a time to express gratitude and love for those who have raised, supported and guided us through life. To celebrate the occasion, we have spoken to three fathers about their experiences – the challenges and joys of parenthood, along with their hopes for the future and the lessons they have learned from their own fathers.
Jason
Dad to Matilda and Charlie
What is one of your favourite memories with your dad? A favourite memory with my stepdad was during my teen years on a houseboat fishing.
What is a life lesson your dad taught you? To be nice, polite and respectful. And to stay out of trouble.
If you could go back in time, to tell your younger self about being a dad, what would you say? Listen to my girls more. Take in those special moments. Listen to the things they tell you that mean a lot to them.
How has becoming a dad changed you? It’s made me think more about reality. Makes you really appreciate what you have got in a family sense. Family brings everyone together.
What advice would you give future dads? If you do not know something, ask for advice from other parents, your own mum and dad. Take on other ideas to help.
What is the best and worst thing about being a dad? The best thing is the smile on their faces when they are happy. Watching them grow up.
What do you like to do in your down time? With the kids, we go to the beach, Browns Bay, or down to the river at Nelson. Without the kids I like to go have a beer with mates and a chat. Fishing if I could.
What is something you have always thought “When I’m a dad I’d like to teach/show my kid…”? I played soccer for about 30 years… I taught Charlie how to play soccer.
How would you like to spend your Father’s Day? My ideal Father’s Day, to be hanging out with my girls, a good feed, probably a barbie, a few drinks and relax.
Andrew
Dad to Kellin aged 7 and a baby on the way
What is one of your favourite memories with your dad? Looking after greyhounds and going to the greyhound track. We had 13 at one stage and he use to breed them.
What is a life lesson your dad taught you? You gotta work hard if you want to get something. I use to work with dad during school holidays for years.
If you could go back in time, to tell your younger self about being a dad, what would you say? It’s not as scary as you think. Have kids closer together. Like a couple years apart, not seven years. Just because it would be easier for him to have someone closer to his age to play with.
How has becoming a dad changed you? Not so much change, you realise you have got a partner and kids to support. You have got that in the back of you’re mind when you have kids that you cannot lose a job. You’re the one that’s gotta provide for them.
What advice would you give future dads? It’s a lot easier when it’s your own kid. I feel like me personally it’s a lot easier to just hold them and change their nappy. You just get it done because it needs to be done. You can never keep them clean.
What is the best and worst thing about being a dad? The best thing about being a dad is being a dad. You can teach them, you have got a best mate. The worst thing is the crying and whinging or demanding. They ask politely to anyone else. You never get a second of peace.
What do you like to do in your down time? Golf without him. Ride dirt bikes and BMX with him.
What is something you have always thought “When I’m a dad I’d like to teach/show my kid…”? They can do anything they want to do, there is no limitations. He can do anything that he puts his mind to.
How would you like to spend your Father’s Day? Golf in the morning, then bike riding after that. Me and my brother, that’s our Father’s Day thing is to go golfing.
Alan
Dad to Leah, Denika, Jaiden and Sherridan
What is one of your favourite memories with your dad? Working on the farm … old style farming sheep and cattle.
What is a life lesson your dad taught you? He taught me how to appreciate working hard.
If you could go back in time, to tell your younger self about being a dad, what would you say? You’ll get through it.
How has becoming a dad changed you? It changes you in the sense you appreciate the world. You have other people, your kids, to think about.
What advice would you give future dads? Let your kids be who they are, not who you want them to be.
What is the best and worst thing about being a dad? The best thing is seeing them succeed and build their own life. That’s when you know you have also succeeded.
What do you like to do in your down time? My down time is taking my kids to BMX and their other sporting events.
What is something you have always thought “When I’m a dad I’d like to teach/show my kid…”? Treat everyone the way you want to be treated.
How would you like to spend your Father’s Day? Not having to work. Have the kids with me.
