Modern families: Gogglebox’s Kevin and Bob on their unique journey as they raise their sons
The couple shares how their family dynamic works, in a new podcast from Bounty Parents and Aptamil Toddler.
Wakka Wakka and South Sea Islander man Kevin Yow Yeh and Kamilaroi Bob Smith are one half of the first Indigenous families to appear on TV hit Gogglebox.
The loved-up couple, who have been in a relationship for five years, appear on the couch in the reality series alongside their friends, Jared and Mia.
Summing up their parenthood journey and where they are now, Kevin says, “We both brought in our lived experiences, our love for family, our love for community. And you’re trying to make it work.”
Sharing the challenges and joys of raising their two teenage sons, Kevin and Bob share the story of their modern family in the Bounty Parents and Aptamil Toddler parenting podcast, Every Parent Has a Story to Tell.
Bob and Kevin’s modern family
Bob and Kevin share parenting responsibilities with the mother of Bob’s two children.
“I met their mother when I was living in a little country town,” Bob tells podcast hosts Julie Snook and Carla Bignasca.
“Together we had our children and we were together for a number of years and then we separated. From there, Bob went on his little journey of exploring his sexual identity and who he is as a person, which took a minute. Then next thing you know, there’s Kevin – and so we’ve been co-parenting alongside, the boys’ mother, who’s an amazing person.”
Kevin admits he wasn’t looking to “jump into a family dynamic” when he was dating – but all that changed when he met Bob.
“Once I met Bob and we started to explore what that family dynamic was, it was a no brainer for me. Like, Bob and I hit it off really fast. We have a lot of similarities, both professionally and personally. It made the transition into that family dynamic very easy.”
Overcoming the challenges of co-parenting
Bob says open and honest communication is key to the success of their co-parenting journey and that they keep the mother of the boys involved in every step along the way.
“We had these really thorough parenting, co-parenting discussions before we even introduced the boys,” shares Bob.
“That was powerful in itself because if we weren’t on the same page in regard to how we were going to move forward, I don’t know if we could have been as successful as we have been with being parents.”
Putting the children and their wellbeing first is the end-goal for co-parents and it’s something Bob says he and his former partner are on the same page about.
“No matter what, we would always try and centre the kids at any decision, we always brought it back to the kids. We don’t all agree on the same things all the time, it’s not that fluffy. There are some things we don’t agree on, but we always bring it back to what’s beneficial for the kids.”
The pair on the joy of parenting
While Kevin missed the baby stage of parenting the boys, he says he loves the role he plays in raising two young men.
“I love seeing their personalities develop. I love being a part of creating these humans, and I love, particularly at this age, where they’re going through puberty and being able to have really honest, frank conversations about the world,” he says, adding that his life now is beyond what he ever imagined it could be.
“I couldn’t have even dreamt this, like, even in my wildest dreams, I didn’t think I would have what I have,” says Kevin.
“And you know, when I think about Bob’s journey, he was married with children. That’s even harder. I was single and no children, so we both come to this from different places, but we both brought in our lived experiences, our love for family, our love for community. And you’re trying to make it work.”
Above all else, as parents you want your children to feel loved and Bob says his teenage sons would describe him and Kevin as loving and caring fathers.
“I think the love that we have with the boys, between each other, is quite strong. And that’s something that a lot of children don’t get to have with fathers. For me, I love the fact that we could have that direct relationship and share the love quite intensely.”
Listen to Every Parent Has a Story to Tell’s full episode, ‘Making modern parenting work’ with Carla Bignasca, Julie Snook, Kevin Yow Yeh and Bob Smith.
This episode of Every Parent Has a Story to Tell is brought to you by Bounty Parents and Aptamil Toddler. Every Parent Has a Story to Tell is a new podcast series that aims to get intel and experience for parents of all walks of life. We cover all the important issues highs, lows and everything in between with some well-known and everyday Aussie mums and dads hosted by media personalities and real life moms, Julie Snook and Carla Bignasca, who will share, learn and discover from our unique but shared journeys. So what’s your story? Every parent has one.
Every Parent Has a Story to Tell podcast episodes:
- Making modern parenting work, with Kevin and Bob (Gogglebox)
- Cracking the co-parenting code, with real-life mums Elise and Alicia
- Building toddler immunity, with accredited practising paediatric dietitian Marianne Tomlin
- Jana Pittman’s gloriously unconventional family
- Tempting fussy eaters, with accredited practising paediatric dietitian Marianne Tomlin
This is not intended to replace medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional.
Brought to you by Aptamil Toddler
