Our 693rd Dad in the Limelight is husband, father, airline pilot, and author, Jonny Oates. I want to thank Jonny Oates for being a part of this series. It has been great getting connected with him and now sharing Jonny Oates with all of you.
1) Tell me about yourself, (as well as how you are in the limelight for my readers knowledge)
Jonny Oates is a husband, father, airline pilot, and author. He grew up in western Victoria, Australia, and developed a keen interest in aviation early in life, which led to an airline pilot career. As well as being a professional pilot, Jonny has other business and personal interests that keep him busy. In secondary school he excelled at mathematics and physics and today maintains an interest in a range of science-based disciplines as well as many of the humanities. History, philosophy, finance and politics are some of the subjects Jonny actively reads. Jonny recently completed a Graduate Certificate in Applied Finance complementing his interest in finance.
Additionally, Jonny has started a business in the energy sector, helping to reduce demand away from hydrocarbons towards a higher dependency on the sun’s abundant energy.
Tell us about yourself and what inspired you to start writing.
The question I’m getting asked a lot! After the launch of ‘Wisdom for My Son and Daughter’, is, why did Jonny Oates, an airline piloted from a small country town, write a book.
I was inspired to write ‘Wisdom for My Son and Daughter’ reflecting on my own life and thinking about the life ahead for my children. Additionally reflecting on the struggles of others and thinking about how I could help. Don’t we all want to leave some sort of positive legacy? Don’t we all reflect on our own life and that of others and think how could things be done better? What do I know now that I wish I knew a little earlier? Hmm, I’m going to write this done, maybe I can help others.
Husband, father, pilot and debut author is me thus far. More to achieve yet! Always busy, constantly adding to my ‘to do’ lists, never finishing them.
2) Tell me about your family
One wife, one son (almost 2) and one daughter on the way. My father was a mechanic and truck driver growing up and my mother a nurse. Two younger sisters, one a hairdresser and one a receptionist.
3) What has been the largest challenge you have had in being a father?
Workload management is one of the bigger challenges. Balancing a career to provide for the family and devoting time to wife and child as they need plus achieving other projects such as my recently released book – ‘Wisdom for My Son and Daughter’ is certainly a balancing act.
4) What advice would you give to other fathers?
Plan ahead, find good methods of multitasking…
I sometimes cook meals in big batches and freeze for later easy preparation.
I have a home gym set up with a TV so that I can work out while my Son watches Peppa Pig etc, works great, till peppa pig episode finishes each 7 mins or so and I have to start a new one.
Integrate your children into the life you want, where you can. Your life shouldn’t stop just because they are around.
5) How have you come to balance parenthood and outside life?
Above overlaps.
6) What have you learned from the fathers that you have interacted with?
I often hear and discuss little tips and tricks with other fathers at work. This is a good source of parenting discussion.
Feedback is always…Life is busy, sleep is precious. But they wouldn’t change it if they could.
7) What else would you share regarding your experiences as a father thus far?
Fatherhood is a great deal of work, but most rewarding. Planning ahead is key like many areas of life. Kids rapidly change, I’ve found certain challenges appearing as others get left behind.
8) What have been the most memorable experiences that you have had thus far as a parent?
I think birth is one of the most memorable and confronting. “Wow this little person is here! A real little person! I’m a father wow!”
When you looking into you newborns eyes and they look back at you it is a special moment.
All the other regular milestones are memorable, some for the wrong reasons…we can say my wife taught my son his first swear word. J
My book website:
If you have any questions for Jonny Oates, please leave a comment here and I will make sure that he gets them so that he may be able to respond!
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