Fathers day special: It's the little things that count

Matt Ruddell with Faith, 3, and Phoenix, 5. Photo / Vision Media

Matt Ruddell didn’t expect to be a solo dad, but when his former partner was killed in a head-on collision, he brought their two children home from hospital.

Ask newly solo dad Matt Ruddell what he wants most from his kids this Father's Day and a rare sleep-in tops the list.

But even if 3-year-old Faith and 5-year-old Phoenix barrel in early with an inedible breakfast this morning, the smile on the Tauranga sous chef's face will be just as big.

"It's the little things that count. Even if I get burnt toast and a half-a**ed coffee made by the kids, I'll be stoked with that."

The trio may go out, or not. "If I can get away with having a lazy day with the kids then I'll do that. A sleep-in would be insane."

It has been a year for counting blessings, wherever they can be found. The children lost their mum, Ruddell's former partner Tracey O'Brien, in a horror car smash eight days before Mother's Day in May.

The crash nearly robbed them of their own lives. Their little bodies - clothed in fancy dress costumes for a party - were left broken and ¬battered in the head-on collision.
Their dad by their side, and with the support and love of both sets of grandparents, the siblings have come far since the smash.

Phoenix, who had to learn to walk again after breaking his pelvis, legs and arm, started at Tauriko School this week. His proud dad marked the milestone by posting a bunch of photos on Facebook.

Faith, who broke her leg and suffered head injuries that may cause her fatigue for the rest of her life, is also doing well, Ruddell says.

"They're both getting there. Phoenix went back to kindy five or six weeks ago. He butt-shuffled in and walked out.

"That [walking] was six weeks ahead of the physio schedule."

The little boy's tenacity matched the dreams his father held for his children. "Life is what you make of it. If you want something, go out and get it. That's how I've been brought up.

"My hope for them is to grow up and get on with things."

It's an example Ruddell is already setting. Before the crash, the 27-year-old used to work up to 60 hours a week. He pegged that back to 24 hours and moved his shattered family in with his parents while the children healed. Now the trio are in their own home and Ruddell is back to working almost full-time.

He's also perfecting his talents in styling little girls' hair. "Check my Facebook. I did a triple plait. I'm working on a French braid."

He has also learned - via YouTube - how to tie up Faith's hair with the help of a vacuum cleaner.

"You start at the front and work back. Get all the hair into the nozzle and then slip the hair tie over and tie it up. You can place the hair ¬wherever you want. If you want a high pony, you can get a high pony. If you want to place it to the side, you can place it to the side.

"You get all the straggly bits in and the kids think it's really funny."