Dad Chat – Adelaide Dad

Here’s the next instalment of my Dad Chat series for you. This time it’s Ryan from Adelaide Dad. This blog follows a Dad who lives in Australia (you never would have guessed would you!) and now has…well, I shouldn’t give too much away or you won’t read the post! I do find it fascinating how the internet has allowed such communication and collaboration as this interview to take place across the world. Fantastic!

You’ll find links to his great blog at the bottom of the interview.

Please read on, enjoy, and check out his blog and social media.

1. Tell us about yourself and your family.

Hi, my name is Ryan, I am a 35 year old father of two, from Adelaide Australia. I have been married to my wife Lisa for nearly 9 years. Our kids are Vivian aged 4 and Tobias aged 2. Up until my son was one, I was the primary worker, and practically breadwinner. In early 2017 I left this job for a less intense environment (and other reasons) – and in 2018 I took a step back even further to become a part time stay at home dad – due to me being better at the domestic duties around the home – and also as my daughter was starting kindergarten, we needed someone to both drop her off, and pick her up – and that has become my role this year. We are also in the process of getting my son tested for Autism, or a developmental delay.

2. Have you always wanted to be a Dad?

I think I always felt I knew I would be a dad at some stage. I started dating my wife when I was 20, and we were married by the time I was 26 – so it was inevitable that we would have kids eventually. I guess growing up I always assumed it would happen too, so thankfully this came to fruition.

3. What’s the best thing about being a Dad?

Having these two little people who are so dependent on me, and so honest with their love and affection. I’m not the most overly blokey bloke, so I’ve always had that sensitive, and nurturing side. I think that makes me being in this role much easier.

4. What’s the most challenging thing about being a Dad?

For me maybe the uncertainty that I am doing right by them, and living up to my own father – I was quite lucky in having a great role model in him (and still do). The process of what we are going through with our son is also challenging at the moment, and is taking quite a long time to get done. Not knowing the answer to his problem – and desperatly wanting it is hard, but once we have it and are able to help him – I think things will be easier.

5. If you became a Dad again would you do anything differently? If so, what?

Possibly hold off for a couple more years, we didn’t get to do some of the things we wanted to do as a childless couple, such as travel. But there is always when they are older (and WE are).

6. What advice would you give to new dads?

Everything will come naturally – listen to advice for sure, but every child, and every home environment is different. Adapt to what best suits yourself and your child.

Help your partner, it is not her sole responsibility to do it all, and communicate with her if she is finding things difficult. It might be hard on you, but it is harder on her!

7. Social media links…

www.adelaidedad.com

https://twitter.com/adelaidedadblog