A lesson I’ve recently learned is that parenting a toddler does not come with breaks. We have been on holiday with family and my first instinct was to relax and put my feet up. But parenting does not follow that same rhythm. It is ongoing and even small deviations quickly lead to chaos. Children, especially toddlers, thrive on structure, routine, and clearly defined boundaries. Even when the setting changes, they still need consistency from us. In many ways, the more relaxed the environment, the more important those boundaries become. I am curious how other dads handle this 🧐 👉Do you loosen rules on holidays or try to keep routines the same? 👉Have you noticed behaviour shift when structure slips? 👉What boundaries are non negotiable for you even when away from home? 👉How do you balance being present and relaxed while still holding the line? Would love to hear what has worked and what has not especially with toddlers.

Hey dads 👋 I took a bit of time away to get through a hectic end of year work season and, more importantly, to be fully present for my family, especially my wife. As a teacher, the end of the year is an especially demanding season for her, and I wanted to make sure I was fully present and supportive during that time. With that said, I’m back. Refreshed. Clear headed. Ready to rock and roll. 💪 Something I’ve always tried to be intentional about, and want to really double down on here, is the implementation of new or revised habits. I don’t subscribe to the whole “new year, new me” mindset. To me, it feels overly commercial and fad driven. Real change doesn’t magically happen because the calendar flips over. I believe change is ongoing. It should be shaped by the state you find yourself in, not by external milestones like New Year’s Day. Lately, I’ve been finding a lot more internal truth by going against the grain and challenging myself at different life defined stages, not socially manufactured ones. And through this approach, I’ve experienced greater, more consistent, and more sustainable change. No resets. No gimmicks. Just honest reflection, small adjustments, and steady progress. More to come. Let’s build. 🚀

We all carry traits that were shaped by the way we were raised. Some lessons stay with us for life, and without even realising it, we begin passing them on to our own children. One trait I am especially proud of is respect. It was something my parents drilled into me and my siblings from a young age. It shaped how we carried ourselves, how we spoke to people, and how we approached the world. In a time where genuine respect is becoming less common, I want my daughter to see it lived out daily. One simple rule I hold onto, for example, is calling someone on their birthday. Not a message. Not a tag. A call. To me, that call shows appreciation, connection, and intention. Technology makes communication effortless, but it can also remove the human element if we let it. As parents, we get to decide which traits continue into the next generation. Some we inherited. Some we rebuilt. Some we want to strengthen with intention.

This month I want to focus on one thing that influences almost every part of my life: my breathing. I recently came across the Wim Hof breathing method. I have not tried it yet, but it sparked something for me. If I can learn to control my breath, I can learn to control my state. And if I can control my state, I can show up better as a father, a partner, and a man. So for this entire month, my challenge is simple: Train my breath every day. Not complicated sessions. Just consistent awareness and deliberate practice. Breathing during movement. Breathing during stress. Breathing when I feel myself rushing. Breathing before I react. Breathing when I need clarity. Have you ever done breath work consistently?