Every parent eventually creeps into their child's bedroom to check they are still breathing, but few are met with a toddler faking their own demise. A routine check on a motionless child turns into a minor heart attack, only for the little one to reveal a giant grin, knowing exactly how to mess with a tired father.

Rob and Marcus dive into the exhausting reality of back to back daycare illnesses, with Rob surviving a brutal month of flu, gastro and mystery rashes. The conversation shifts to the elusive concept of work life balance, exploring whether heading to the office is actually a break from parenting or just another demanding shift. Rob reflects on a rare three month stint of unemployment that offered a glimpse of true balance, while Marcus admits to slipping into a robotic routine during precious evening hours with his daughter.

The realities of single fatherhood take centre stage as Marcus prepares for a holiday to Greece, battling the guilt of leaving his daughter behind. He confesses to falling into the trap of buying affection, dropping eye watering amounts at the toy store to overcompensate. Meanwhile, Rob shares the secret to his household's financial survival with a monthly budget date night, prompting a discussion on how to teach kids about money, the legacy of school banking programmes and the unexpected windfall of helping a stranger change a tyre.

Chapters

00:00 A brief moment of panic
00:51 A month of back to back illnesses
02:13 The daycare immune system build up
04:09 Preparing for a holiday to Greece
05:43 The guilt of travelling without your kid
06:43 Dropping the ball on family time
07:55 Exhaustion after a weekend of parenting
08:53 Is work a holiday from being a parent
10:43 The robotic routine of evening chores
11:54 Becoming the stereotypical single dad
13:31 The monthly budget date night
15:37 Teaching kids about financial responsibility
17:34 Setting up a bank account for the future
18:49 The irrational fear of a silent child
20:06 What happens if a single parent dies in bed
21:19 Waiting for the third breath

Mentioned in this episode

Bluey: bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m000vbrk/bluey
Mollymook: smh.com.au/traveller/topic/mollymook-crl
Lego: lego.certifiedstore.co.il
Money, Money, Money: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Money,_Money,_Money
Mamma Mia!: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamma_Mia!_(Film)
Kmart: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kmart_Australia

What to listen to next

From Gold Medalist to Dad | Ellia Green
One and Done

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Credits
Hosts: Rob Stott and Marcus Hurley
Producer: Amelia Navascues
Videographer: Jordan Yankov
A Man of Many production. New episodes every Thursday.