About us

When Ethan first found out he was going to be a dad, his reaction was one word: disbelief. “I’ve been a stepdad to my partner’s two boys,” he says, “but we'd started to reach a point where we weren’t sure if having a biological child together was part of our future.”

That disbelief turned to something deeper the moment he saw his baby for the first time. “To be honest I was still half in awe of the incredible work my partner had gone through, especially in those last few hours. But actually, seeing him felt like a part of me I’d always been missing had clicked into place.”

Fatherhood has been full of surprises

Ethan expected it would be all about learning how to care for a baby and it has been but what caught him off guard was all the unlearning he’s had to do about himself. “Like changing my own habits and behaviours,” he says. “What’s surprised me though is how quick I’ve picked things up, but there’s no choice when I want to give my all to be there for him.”

Of course, not every moment has been easy. “Definitely being apart,” Ethan admits when asked about the most challenging part of being a new dad. “I know he has a whole lifetime ahead, but with work and other responsibilities, it feels like there’s never enough time with him and he’s growing fast!”

The rewarding moments far outweigh the hard ones

“The most rewarding thing so far has been seeing the love for him, from family and friends,” Ethan shares. “Knowing that he already has a community around him who want to see him grow up and live his best life is incredibly rewarding.”

And even though it’s still early days, Ethan already has a favourite memory: “Those big smiles when he sees me get in the door from work.”

Fatherhood hasn’t changed who he is, but it’s definitely changed his focus. “It feels like it’s refocused me. I’m still the same me, but I feel like everything has a stronger intention behind it.”

When the days get long and the nights even longer, Ethan stays grounded by remembering why he’s doing this. “I want to say excitement for the future and seeing this little person grow, help him chase his dreams. Truth is though it’s my amazing partner who takes the brunt of the nights so I can still function at work. I’m incredibly grateful for everything she does.”

Juggling work and home

Balancing work and home life has taken some adjustments. “Caffeine, optimism, and acceptance that my time is valuable to more than just myself,” Ethan laughs. “I love my job, I do it because of a genuine passion to help others, but you also have to draw that line because your family needs you too.”

“With any of the kids, for me it’s about celebrating that connection with each other. This year might hit a little different, but it will still have that same intention with it even if it’s more me celebrating him.”

This Father’s Day, Ethan plans on volunteering to help cook breakfast at a community event, then spending as much time as possible unwinding with his partner, son and step kids.

Ethan’s advice for other new dads is to give your kids your all - be their hero. He believes that while children will have many people in their lives as they grow up, they’ll only have one of you. That’s why being present and doing so with intention matters most.