In 2024, a hurricane of events has forced us to scale back our ordinary observances. It all began in May when we found out that my wife Angie was pregnant with our second child. This miracle news of our new baby turned our plans upside down.

Our culture has embraced many myths about fatherhood that make men hesitate to settle down, marry, and start a family. It’s time to bust those myths — beginning with these four.

By being mindful of the example we set — both in the habits we encourage and the behaviours we avoid — we’re not only guiding our children’s actions today, but also building the foundation for the kind of person they will grow up to be.

Our earliest experiences of love and care profoundly influence what we each bring into our marriage. Attachment Theory illuminates how. Thankfully, because of the enduring neuroplasticity of the brain, people with an insecure attachment style can develop a secure one.

"All Mothers Work" is a call to Australians — and Aussie political leaders especially — to truly value the unseen work of motherhood. Donate today to help empower Australian mothers raise their own children instead of being forced back to work before they're ready.

To the extent that we have helped Squish on her language journey, I can think of a number of strategies we’ve employed that are worth sharing — some which are obvious, and others you may never have considered. Here are my top 5 tips for toddler language learning.

“Should parents stay married for the children?” And, “Is a ‘good enough’ marriage good for kids?”

Over time, our staff learned to identify some of the best dads based on some tell-tale comments. When we heard them talk about certain fathering habits or topics, we knew those guys really get it. They incorporate traits and attitudes that translate into great fathering.

Birth rates across the West are plummeting, and our economies will suffer untold carnage in the years ahead — all because we have failed to assign value to the unseen work, that most important job of child-rearing. Still, we have an opportunity to turn this mess around.

As my son is a big fan of all sorts of vehicles, the Brisbane Emergency Services Expo looked like a grand plan for a couple of hours of fun and learning. Hordes of other families had the same idea...

For Squish in particular, the arrival of number two will be a game-changer. Here are three things she has to look forward to — three things that will change her life for the better.

Warren Farrell, known for his provocative insights into gender dynamics, uses this book to argue that societal, legal, and media portrayals often marginalise fathers, leading to detrimental effects on family structures and child development.

Parenting toddlers is challenging at the best of times. When you are sick (not to mention when your spouse and child are sick along with you!), the challenge is multiplied by several magnitudes. But your children still need to be fed, cleaned and occupied. How do you handle this?

Turn the screens off and get outside with your kids! It could be as simple as kicking a ball in the backyard or a visit to your local park. Resist the temptation to make it elaborate or expensive – the simpler, the better!

There are many ways for us to spend time together, but I believe the most bonding of these is when we read together. There in my lap, she feels safe, secure, close and loved. What more could a toddler want?

Have you ever thought about how your marriage looks to your children — or about how your attitudes toward marriage are influencing them? Your modelling influences your children’s perspectives and practices in their own marriages.

Parenting – and teaching – takes oodles of patience, which one is usually short of when sleep-deprived, as parents of toddlers usually are. So, how do we keep our cool and model patience to our toddlers?

If there is just ONE THING you have on hand to give to new dads, I encourage you to have the "Help Me Grow Guide: The First Year". It’s an easy way to bring dads into the wonderful life of their child and encourage their participation right from the start.

The tradition of asking a father for his blessing to marry his daughter reflects this human intuition of responsibility of care. As we welcome each child’s spouse into our family, we entrust them with our child’s care and commit to supporting them in this endeavour.

When we discovered that Baby 2 was on her way, we were delighted, but also a tad concerned about how Baby 1 would react. Now, by and large, our progeny co-exist joyfully, taking delight in each other’s existence. We are careful to treat them as equally or equitably as possible.