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Zachary Perez

@nonpractisinggenius

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386

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buy my book ‘Becoming Dad’ now 💗
next walk, November 8, 8:30am 🚶‍♂️

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Chicago dump 🤝

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I’m finishing up as Campaign Director, Paid Parental Leave & Dads at The Parenthood to spend more time caring for our two children.

I’ve spent my time in this role advocating for something I believe wholeheartedly: parents need time and support to care for their children.
When @msbrowsie went back to work, I had two years at home with our kids. I learned the full weight of the mental and physical load of caring for small children, as well as the joy. The smiles, the cuddles, finding out what they love and what they don’t.
Right now, our family needs more of my time at home. With two young children, a recent move and Elle starting a new job, stepping back from work is a big decision, but it’s the right one for our family at this point.
@theparenthood is an incredible organisation. Starting a new career in a new industry at 43 was a leap, and @georgiedent_ , Maryjean, Tegan, @visibilityplaybook and the Board made me feel like I belonged from day one.
I’m proud of what we’ve contributed to together:
🔹 Bringing dads to Parliament House with Movember for the launch of their More Time With Dad report and the inaugural meeting of the Parliamentary Dads Caucus.
🔹 Launching First Year Foundations and Here For It. From Day One., and campaigning for 12 months of paid parental leave at replacement wages, with dedicated leave for each parent.
The dads and parent network in Australia is extraordinary. It’s encouraging to see more dads taking an active role in care, and so many people working to make that possible for more families.
To the advocates, researchers and organisations I’ve learned from, and the people building communities where dads can connect and support one another: thank you. And to every dad who trusted us with his story, your honesty is what gives this work its power.
A special thank you to Sean Sammon and the team at York Park for giving me a desk every Thursday. Having somewhere to land each week, with good people around me, made a real difference.
I’ll be cheering loudly for The Parenthood and everyone working to give families more time, support and choice.
My station has come and I’ve loved the ride. Someone else will get on and keep making it better.

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Still buzzing from yesterday. 🌀

The Hills Hoist is packed up, but what happened on that lawn isn’t going anywhere. Dads, babies, MPs and supporters stood together in Canberra and said it loud: fathers want to care, and families need a system that lets them. 👨‍🍼

That energy doesn’t end with us. It’s yours now too.

If you’ve got a onesie on the line at home right now (or you’re willing to hang one up just for this), we want to see it.

Snap a photo of your own backyard Hills Hoist moment and tag us, because the first year looks the same in every state and postcode: night feeds, nappies, learning as you go, nobody doing it by instinct. 🍼

Thank you to every dad who showed up yesterday and every dad carrying this with us from home: @movember.au @twodotingdads @matthewdavidjohnson @jampikelets @thewiggles @lachy_wiggle @simon_wiggle @wiggletalkpodcast @seanszeps @drbillygarvey @popcultureparenting @joelbp @ben.and.zara @nonpractisinggenius @bobevansmusic

The momentum from Canberra needs to turn into a full first year for every family, at a wage that actually works. ❤️

👉 Haven’t signed yet? Comment ‘HEREFORIT’ and we’ll DM you the link to add your name.

📸 Got a onesie-on-the-line moment? Post it and tag us, or DM us we’ll send you the details on how to share it.

#HereForItFromDayOne #PaidParentalLeave #TheParenthood #Movember

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We showed up in Canberra today. Not for a photo. For our kids.
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We raised a Hills Hoist on the lawn of Parliament House and filled it with onesies, because that's what the first year actually looks like: night feeds, nappies, 3am wake-ups, learning as you go. Nobody becomes a confident parent by instinct. You become one by doing it, over and over, with nobody else in the room.
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Right now, only four weeks of paid leave are set aside for Dads, and a load that falls overwhelmingly on mums. 29% of dads take none at all, not because they don't want to be there, but because they can't afford to be.
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More time for Dads is good for Dads, is good for mums not to do this alone, and it's good for babies. It's about building a foundation that lets both parents show up for their kids.
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Today, dads stood together and said it plainly: we're here for it, from day one. Now we need Australia to build the foundation gives a full first year to babies and parents.
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Add your name to the call for 12 months of paid parental leave. Comment ‘Here for it’ to sign the petition and we’ll DM you the link.
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@movember.au @twodotingdads @matthewdavidjohnson @jampikelets @thewiggles @lachy_wiggle @simon_wiggle @wiggletalkpodcast @seanszeps @drbillygarvey @popcultureparenting @joelbp @ben.and.zara @nonpractisinggenius @bobevansmusic

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Happy #fathersday .

A poem.

Shout out to the dads of 2026.

The shout outs at the end of the video are to the local men supporting them @preparedadfoundation @dadsgroup @dadfit__ @dadsteps_ @nonpractisinggenius @strongdadsgeelong @sebdadvocate @movember.au

🙏

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Becoming a dad can be one of the biggest shifts in a man’s life, but how often do we really talk about what it feels like from his side?

For first-time dad and author @nonpractisinggenius , those first 50 days of fatherhood were a complete rollercoaster. So much so that he decided to document it all in real time, the emotions, the uncertainty, the sleep deprivation and the things he simply didn’t know he was in for.

Zachary wrote Becoming Dad because he couldn’t find many parenting books that felt like they were actually written for men. He wanted something honest, accessible and in a tone that dads could relate to.

And honestly? I think dads need more conversations like this. ❤️

💛 If you are a new dad, expecting dad, partner of a new father, or simply want to better understand what men experience when they become parents, this conversation is one to watch or listen to.

Link in bio or You can catch the full episode, First-time Dad: The Side Men Rarely Talk About with Zachary Perez, author of Becoming Dad, on The Parenting Collective Podcast YouTube channel or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Much Love
Donna ♥️

#becomingdad #fatherhood #newdads #aussiedad #wednesdaywaffles

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Is there a significant gap in the dad community? Are modern fathers seeking more social connections? and are there systemic or social barriers preventing them from finding it?

We spoke to Melbourne writer, content creator and new dad @nonpractisinggenius to find out.

Zachary Perez recently went viral after sharing a vulnerable moment online , when no one turned up to his newly formed dad-walking group. His post sparked an outpouring of support, generating over 2.2 million views.

Read the full article in our journal. Link in bio 🔗

Good Together

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What happens when the dad you thought you’d be meets the reality of fatherhood? 🎙️

In the first episode of Season 3 of The Fathering Project Podcast, Dr James Brown sits down with first-time dad and Becoming Dad author Zac Perez for an honest conversation about expectations, identity, uncertainty and finding your feet as a new dad.

Zac’s new book Becoming Dad journals the first 100 days of being a dad to his son, the ups, the downs, the messy moments and the days where you think to yourself just how lucky you are to hold a tiny human in your arms.

Real, relatable and refreshingly honest.

🎧 Season 3, Episode 1 — out now. Listen to it on your preferred podcast app ✅

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Things to do in Melbourne this September 👇

September is packed with things to do with the kids, from spring festivals and footy celebrations to free events, markets and school holiday fun.

Comment SEPTEMBER and we’ll send you the booking links + more info for the events 😊

Here are a few to add to the calendar 🫶

📍@cherryhill_orchards Blossom Festival, Wandin East

📍@tesselaar_tulip_festival Tesselaar Tulip Festival Children’s Weeks, Silvan

📍 Acland Street Father’s Day Car Show, St Kilda

📍@polyglottheatre @fed.square Paper Planet, Melbourne CBD, Fed Square

📍 Free Movies, Melbourne CBD, Fed Square

📍 Dean Kite Festival, Daylesford

📍 @nonpractisinggenius Dad’s Walking Group, Abbotsford

📍@gasworkscreativeprecinct Spring in the Park, Albert Park

📍@mcg AFL Grand Final + Macca’s Footy Fest, East Melbourne, Yarra Park

📍 @thenightmarket @vicmarket Winter Night Market, Melbourne CBD, Queen Victoria Market

📍@scholastic_au Fill-a-Box, Campbellfield

📍@ceresmarketbrunswick Twilight Market, Brunswick East

Save this for your September planning and send it to someone who’s always looking for things to do with the kids 💛

Follow along @melbourneparentguide for more things to do with kids around Melbourne + Victoria 🫶

#melbourne #thingstodoinmelbourne #whatsonmelbourne #fedsquare #cbd

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Dads need the power of connection, community and a good ol’ chat too ❤️💪

Having a village requires everyone helping to build it - brick by brick. That’s why we want to make it as easy as possible for blokes to build theirs too.

We always hear how hard it is for dads to meet and connect. So now there’s a map to make it easier than ever to find local ways to connect (link in bio 🤠)

So many dads want to do more with their bubs, and want to enjoy those experiences with other dads. But from the cultural norms holding back men from connecting in the early days, to the lack of programs - we don’t make it easy.

There’s so many incredible dad led community groups and charities out there changing the way dads step into fatherhood.

If there’s a dad in your life you think needs to know about more ways to meet other dads - send this their way!

@dadfit__ @dadsteps_ @nonpractisinggenius @minisensoryclub 👏👏👏

*Dads and caregivers of all genders are welcome at Mum Walk. However, sometimes it can be beneficial to connect with people going through the same experiences.

#dadwalk #dadgroup #dadfriends

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Dads: notoriously difficult to shop for. Thankfully, you can find some inspiration here.

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Just in time for #fathersday next weekend , if you are a NEW Dad, know a NEW dad, this book is a must read . The Gorgoeus Zach @nonpractisinggenius has just released his book “Becoming Dad” a real, authentic look into his journey from a Dad’s point of view , also go and check out our podcast episode released today, LINK in bio . And at the end of this reel where to purchase his book.

Much Love
Donna ♥️

#newdad #newborndaddy #becomingdad #aussiedad

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