EXCLUSIVE: Beau Ryan’s advice for enjoying the holiday season with his kids: “I would hate to ruin it by…”
The Amazing Race host also shares how he manages screen time with his kids.
As we approach Christmas and the school holidays, parents everywhere are racing to wrap up work and get set for their summer break with the kids.
Counting down to the holiday season is Amazing Race Australia host and father-of-two Beau Ryan who spoke to Bounty Parents about his family plans for the summer. The former NRL player – who has been married to Kara for 10 years and have kids 9yo Remi and 4y0 Jesse – says after a busy year, the holidays are a reminder to relax and have some fun with the kids.
How do you juggle your public life and family time over the holiday period?
We all live busy lives but spending time with family is something that’s very important to me. I have to travel a lot for work throughout the year so I really cherish those moments where I can spend quality time with my family.
I really make a conscious effort to switch off from work more during the holidays because it’s such an exciting time for the family; I would hate to ruin it by working or taking work calls constantly. I see the end of year break as prime time to do nothing but have fun with them, whether we’re out at the beach or indoor playing games.
All Beau wants for the holiday season is to have fun with his two children, Jesse and Remi.
How do you spend quality time with the family, plus how do you plan to do so this Christmas and holiday season?
The kids and I have recently been to a wedding in Byron and now we’re lucky to go off to Thailand for the Christmas break. While we’ll be busy and seeing the sights, I definitely want us all to have a chance to unwind.
We’ve had the chance to play Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope over the last few months since it launched in October and we’ve been having so much fun playing it, we’re bringing our Nintendo Switch along for when we need some downtime.
Sometimes the kids get tired on a big holiday, so it’s good to take a few hours to kick back and relax with a safe and fun game. They’re also keeping their minds active, so their downtime is spent well – even though to them, it’s all about the fun.
Beau and his family with the star of the festive season, Santa.
Do you let your kids have screen time and why?
As a dad, I’m aware that being in front of a screen 24/7 is not the best but these days, kids do play with technology so it’s just made me more aware of how to monitor screen time and make sure it’s done in a way that is helping my kids learn and grow.
With moderation, there’s so many benefits to kids having screen time. There’s a lot of research showing that playing video games can improve motor skills and coordination as well as develop problem-solving skills. When we’re playing video games together, Kara and I teach the kids to make connections between what they’re playing and their own lives.
So, how do you keep an eye on what they’re doing?
Haha, I’m actually playing along with them! It’s a single player game but we take turns and get super involved watching one another play, though I do have to make sure Remi and Jesse take turns!
Getting into this Nintendo Switch game has actually been making me feel a bit nostalgic. I remember playing Mario games as a kid and getting stuck into the larger than life characters of the Mario + Rabbids franchise years later is almost surreal. I’m reliving my youth and sharing it with my kids at the same time; it’s actually quite special to share.
By playing with the kids, I feel safe and secure because I know what they’re playing. It’s always better to choose games you can rely on for being safe and family friendly, but being there also means I can answer their questions and help them navigate especially challenging moments. It’s a whole family affair… and hey, it’s my time to relax, too!
Beau and Kara celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary on October 14, 2022, with a stunning family photoshoot.
Gaming is something we know all kids will be begging their parents to do these holidays. After gaming with your own family, how would you suggest to our readers that they can support their kids to game in a way that’s fun and safe?
Well, first things first, I’d say consider what games you buy them or let them play. Be present in these decisions and encourage them to go for options that make their minds work – ones that are more tactical, involve puzzles and strategic or creative decision making.
As I said, I get involved and game with them – it’s super fun for parents to get involved and it actually forces you to take a break and not take yourself too seriously, which can sometimes happen when we’re working adults.
Finally, I try to remember it’s all about balance. I think some parents worry about their kids gaming but like anything, it’s really how you go about it and that’s what I try to keep in mind. I make sure the kids do their homework (during the year), get out for some sun and exercise, spend time at the dinner table chatting about their day and then they usually have an hour or so for screen time, before unwinding with a story before bed. With this balance, my wife Kara and I are completely confident that gaming is a safe and fun hobby for them to keep in the long run.
The new Ubisoft and Nintendo game Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope is out now. Read the parent’s guide for the new, exciting game here.
