Scott McGillivray is a real estate expert and host of HGTV Canada’s Income Property and Moving the McGillivrays.
The best thing about being a dad is spending time with my daughters Myah and Layla. I have an awesome time teaching them about the things I love to do, as well as watching them learn, grow and develop their own skills. Here are my five favourite things to do with my girls.
Fishing
Fishing has been a favourite pastime of mine since I was a kid and I’m beyond stoked that my girls love it too. Myah in particular has really taken to it. We go fishing all the time – in both lakes and the ocean – and some days she catches more than I do! We always throw the little ones back, but there have been a few big ones that we were able to take home and eat for dinner. I love how proud she gets when she realizes she’s provided a meal for the whole family.
Gardening
It’s no secret that I’m a big hobby gardener. I first started the garden when my girls were babies – and I had no idea how rewarding it would really be. We start every year by sowing seeds in egg cartons and over the summer we nurture the garden and watch everything grow. Perhaps the greatest thing to come out of this activity is the fact that both my daughters now love to eat their vegetables. They feel so proud that they helped grow them – and there’s a great sense of pride and excitement when they see them on their dinner plates.
Related: How to Prep Your Vegetable Bed for Winter: Scott McGillivray’s Garden Guide
Swimming
We are incredibly lucky to have a pool at home, but because we do, it was really important to teach the girls how to swim from a young age. I was totally blown away by Myah’s talent when she first started. At only three years old, she was diving in the deep end and swimming the length of the pool. To this day, she can’t get enough of the water. There’s nothing I love more than coming home from a day on a reno site and getting into the pool with her and her sister. We have tons of fun and never stop laughing.
Sports
I love that my girls are getting into sports of all kinds. It’s great exercise and it teaches them about perseverance and teamwork. They love hockey, basketball and skiing. Even if it’s a sport they don’t know, they’ll give anything a try. Layla isn’t quite a tennis pro yet, but come on, how cute is this?
Daddy/Daughter Time
When I was in my 20s, I never thought I’d be spending my evenings playing princess and painting little girls’ nails. But quite honestly, there are few things I’d rather be doing. No matter how tired I am or how stressful my day has been, my kids put everything in perspective. I wouldn’t trade being a dad to Myah and Layla for anything.
Related: Scott McGillivray’s Favourite Winter Activities with the Family
Images Courtesy of Scott McGillivray
