With Father’s Day approaching there is no better time to shine light on our first Mankind feature.  We regularly feature our Mumma Muse each month, however I thought it was time to celebrate the Dads out there who equally do their part in this crazy thing called parenthood.

When thinking about an inspirational Dad I could not go past Brett Hooker aka @fifo.dad who has inspired me beyond words, with his strength, love, positivity and dedication to his family. Brett is husband to the beautiful Rachael @darling.children and father to Lailah, Zaylee and their little warrior Finley.

Finley was born January this year with Gastroschisis, a medical condition which meant his intestines grew outside of a small hole in his tummy. He also had intrauterine growth restriction, so was a very small 2kg at birth and was given a minimal chance of survival.

Finley was born at 37 weeks and was in hospital for a week with his delicate organs placed inside a silo bag hanging above him and slowly going back inside his body with the assistance of gravity.

Finley has had ongoing struggles with weight gain and vomiting and is still going through extensive tests and potential surgery within the next couple of weeks. He is currently tube fed through an NJ tube past his stomach straight into is intestines as he can’t keep any food down that goes into his tummy. 

Finley certainly lives up to the warrior status.  His adorable smile will melt your heart.

Brett has shared these incredibly hard times he and his family have endured, along with all the special moments and the amazing journey fatherhood offers.

We are celebrating Brett and all Mankind this Father’s Day!

We hope you enjoy our one-on-one with Brett!

Tell us about @fifo.dad; what drove you to start it?

I initially started my account to document my daughter’s (and now son) lives so I’d have cool, fun and loving memories to show them when they’re grown up. It’s still what motivates me to stay on here but I’m also lucky to have made a lot of great friendships on here which is a bonus. 

How has fatherhood changed you?

It’s definitely settled me down, taught me how to be selfless and with everything that’s gone on with Finley it’s shown me what’s really important in life and not to take simple things for granted. 

What is the greatest lesson fatherhood has taught you? 

Patience haha still learning that though 😂 and of course unconditional love 

What piece of advice would you like to share with other Dads about fatherhood?

Don’t expect it to be easy, but do know that every challenge in fatherhood is worth it. 

What is the most challenging aspect about fatherhood for you?

Have little to basically no personal space haha! Being a fly in fly out worker whenever I am home my kids want to be around me 24/7, and that includes not sleeping in their own beds most nights and when I say I’m going to the toilet, all that they hear is family meeting hahaha! 

What drives you to maintain a healthy lifestyle for yourself and your family?

I definitely struggle with maintaining a healthy lifestyle at the moment, especially this year with how hectic the first 6 months have been but I’m looking forward to getting back into my healthy food and exercise regime because I’ve definitely been slacking on that haha

How do you find balance in your life? Can you share any tips?

I think because I’m away 8 days at a time I do get that time to really miss my family and just want to be around them as much as possible when I’m home. I’m very lucky that my fiancé does a lot around the house and looks after me like another child haha so that gives me sometime to myself here and there. Hence why I need to get back into the gym lol!! 

What 3 things could you not live without?

My family - as I’d be lost without them and don’t know where I would be in life.

My phone - to have those epic FaceTime calls with the kids when away at work.

Coffee - give me all the coffee in the world to get me functioning for the day ahead

What is your favourite quote to live by?

Life is short, live it. Love is rare, grab it. Anger is bad, dump it. Fear is awful, face it. Memories are sweet, cherish it.

What makes Father’s Day special to you?

Seeing how excited my girls get racing upstairs in the morning with their little home made gifts! Lailah loves making things so it’s always so much fun to see what she’s created and now Zaylee is older I imagine she’ll be just as sweet about it all.

Thank you Brett.  We hope you have a magical Father's Day!

Xxx

@fifo.dad