Firstly—and thusly, whatever that’s supposed to mean—the work I put into Grace this past term has really paid dividends. She was starting to look a bit chubby in the cheeks, which was a good sign we were giving her a bit too sedentary a lifestyle. But instead of spiraling into guilt about not giving my little princess the best start in life, I made some simple changes. A bit of movement each morning before school, regular trips to the pool, more afternoons at the park.

Grace had a late start physically. As a baby, she didn’t spend much time on her belly—minimal floor time—so going into preschool, her core strength was weak, and she couldn’t do many of the activities other kids could. We had done bits and pieces—dance classes, a bit of gymnastics—but it probably wasn’t enough.

Now though, she’s a little dynamo. She’s the one encouraging me to exercise, to get on the bike in the morning, because she’s figured out I have way more energy for play if I move my body early. This term, and especially these school holidays, have been a huge leap forward. She can handle long walks without demanding to be carried. Her core strength, her arm strength—both have improved dramatically. She’s still not at the level of kids climbing trees and jumping off tall buildings, but she’s come a long way.

Mum’s been amazing too, reading to her every day while I focused on making sure we moved our bodies. These holidays have felt different. In the past, it was always an uphill battle: I wasn’t burning enough energy to have enough energy for fun, activities, and play.

A big part of that change has been my shift in attitude around my own work. I used to be neurotic about finishing projects, obsessively thinking about them even while I was supposed to be present with my family. Now, I’m slower. Calmer. I still tick boxes, still make progress, but I don’t do it at the expense of my health or my young family anymore. I’ve found some balance.

When I was parenting my son, I was always off-balance—always trying to focus on too much at once, my mind a mess, my attention somewhere else. I’m a far better parent now. And a far better worker too.

All this to say to any new parents: consistency beats intensity. It’s not about doing heaps all at once and then nothing for a while. It’s about little, regular efforts. Five to fifteen minutes here and there. An extra ten minutes at the park. Slowing down enough to actually enjoy it—without that nagging feeling that you’re falling behind on ten other things.

Focus on what’s truly important. Do a little more of that. You’ll still have time for piss-farting about. And you’ll still be making progress.

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