By Casey Neill
Sam McMillan never thought a poem to celebrate his daughter’s first birthday would land him millions of views and a book deal.
The Sunrise weather man, better known as Sam Mac, shared the “love letter” to Margot in a video on Instagram.
“I needed her to know the magic she’d brought to our lives. Even if it would be a few years before she could fully understand it,” he wrote.
Much to his surprise, the video – born from musings on the back of an Uber Eats bag – took on a life of its own and has since been viewed more than 1.5 million times.
“I think it resonated because the unparalleled joy of new life fascinates us all,” he told Kids.
“It’s a wild ride, with the highest of highs and lowest of lows, but it’s so incredibly precious – a gift.
“My words and video connected with millions of people all over the world and it’s something I’m extremely proud of.
“I had countless messages from new parents thanking me for articulating what they were feeling.
“Milestones like first steps or first words are so universal, they transcend nationality or socio-economic status, and therein lies the beauty and power.
“They deserve to be celebrated and remembered.”
When Penguin approached him about turning his poem into a book, Sam felt excited and grateful.
“I keep envisioning reading the book with Margot for many, many years to come and showing her what her arrival meant to her mum and I,” he said.
“I love that the book will open up connection and conversations for so many other parents to do the same with their little ones.
“But not just parents – grandparents, uncles, aunties, friends and more.”
He hopes readers take his words as a gentle reminder of how precious life is, and how much of a privilege it is to have a newborn baby in your orbit.
“And I hope that it opens up conversations and leads to beautiful moments of nostalgia between families,” he said.
Becoming a parent “instantly” changed the way Sam saw his life.
“Everything I do, every decision I make, now has to be the right one for Margot (and Bec), both consciously and subconsciously,” he said.
“It’s a purpose like no other and it’s crystal clear. I love it.”
It also changed the way he saw his partner.
“I saw how strong Bec really was, and is, throughout the pregnancy and particularly in that birthing suite,” he said.
“The pain she went through to safely welcome our baby girl is something I’m forever grateful for.
“A warrior.
“Further to that, I’ve watched her transform into the most caring, reliable, fun mother.
“Bec is still all of the things I fell in love with when we started dating, but I now see a completely different version of her as a mother, and it’s even better than anything I could’ve ever imagined. “Except when she leaves her hair all over the bathroom. I hate that.”
Sam also has a newfound appreciation for his parents.
“I think as children, we just take our parents for granted,” he said.
“We don’t really consider how hard it might be for them to juggle work, a partner, finances, kids etc.
“Becoming a parent myself has been a wonderful reminder to do more for my parents.
“Spoil them. Make sure they know how loved and appreciated they are.
“I find myself learning more about them through conversations about what parenting was like for them and one of my great joys is seeing Margot laughing and playing with Nanny and Grandad. The best!”
How about those parenting moments that aren’t quite so joyful?
“In the challenging moments (and of course, there’s many), I try my absolute best to stop for a quick moment, take a breath, and remind myself not to apply adult logic to the struggles of a one-year-old,” he said.
“I know I need to get Margot home from the park because it’s time to start dinner.
“But in her mind, I’m prematurely ending the best part of her day, playing at the park.
“Her meltdown is not happening to make my life difficult … it’s happening because playing at the park is making her incredibly happy – as it should be for a one-year-old.
“Just briefly pausing and trying to view things through that lens really helps me understand why she might be behaving in that manner.
“I’m certainly no parenting expert, and I fail multiple times daily, but I find this approach very useful.”
Margot took 21 flights during her first 12 months, following her dad to work around Australia and overseas.
“I’m so lucky to have the support of Seven. They’ve gone above and beyond to enable me to continue in this role AND be a present parent,” he said.
“My advice to others would be if you don’t ask, you don’t receive.
“You need to speak up.
“If your child has a sporting carnival you desperately want to be at, have the conversation with them.
“Pitch your solution on how you can shuffle your work schedule.
“It’s more than likely your boss is juggling work/life balance with their own kids, and you might be surprised how accommodating they are.
“If that fails, use some of your leave.
“The special moments with our little ones should unashamedly be our priority.”
Most parents feel blindsided by the realities of parenthood, but there’s nothing Sam wishes he knew beforehand.
“I feel like it happened exactly the way it was supposed to, and if I knew too much going into it, it may not have been quite as magical,” he said.
Baby number two is now on the way. What will he do differently the second time around?
“Everything!” he said.
“Because it’ll be a totally different person and from all reports, everything we thought we mastered with Margot is now out the window.
“Please send help.”
Suddenly One is available from 17 September.
