Kids on the coast

Along with the usual challenges Terri faces the additional pressure of parenting in the spotlight under constant public scrutiny and balancing Bindi and Bob’s experiences as children with their public roles. Terri says time spent with her children is what helps her most to meet the balance of home and work life and keeps her focussed on the most important things.

How do you juggle work and home life?

I feel that work and home life is not so much a juggle, but more of a challenge to balance. I’m so lucky because I work where I live – wildlife conservation is not just a job for me, it is my life. So work and home blend very naturally. The secret to finding a balance is to prioritise, and I always schedule time for my family. I always make sure we have enough down time together to enjoy each other’s company and to bond and grow. We always base our holidays around wildlife experiences, and we’re very lucky that we can do that.

Does it make family life harder when you are in the spotlight?

I don’t know if it is harder, but it is certainly different. Because we are so passionate about encouraging everyone to get involved in conservation, it is an opportunity – not a sacrifice – to stop and talk to people about what we are trying to achieve. We really enjoy talking about wildlife conservation, and sharing our passion with others. It is very difficult to take Bindi and Robert to a public area because more people know who we are.
How do you cope with being a single parent in the spotlight?

I have learned that taking care of yourself physically enables you to cope better mentally, spiritually and emotionally. I love to work out, often with Bindi, as it helps to keep me fit and focused, and ready for whatever challenges I face next. I also got to join Robert for his first mixed martial arts lesson in the Dojo. He was great and I was really proud.
But through everything, throughout the growth of Australia Zoo and the travelling that we do for conservation, Bindi and Robert have always come first.

What has been your biggest parenting challenge and why?

My biggest challenge has been keeping the commitment to always travel with my children. I won’t go anywhere overnight without Bindi and Robert, so as a family we travel all over the world together. I feel that it is a choice that I make to take my kids with me, and it is important to always have me there as a consistent element for them.

What piece of advice your parents gave to you has been the most useful in family life?

My mother always set a good example – she always took the time to really teach us. I could read by the time I was five years old. My Mum was very patient and taught me that mothering means dedicating your time to your children. I was also blessed to have the best dad in the world. He really believed that I could do anything that I set my mind to. I often thought, “I’m not sure that I can do this, but if Dad thinks I can do this, then I can.”

What advice would you share with our readers about parenting?

I have a few pieces of parenting gold that I would like to share, that I have found to be so important and effective. The first is that you need to set borders or boundaries; kids can only be well adjusted and polite if they know their boundaries. Also, choose your battles – don’t make a big deal about everything, but always pick up on it and follow through if you have asked them not to do something. Reward good behaviour, and take time out for your kids. Being with my kids on a daily basis is so important for me and for them.

What is your favourite way to relax as a family? What do YOU like to do to relax when you aren’t working?

I enjoy training on my own some days. It’s a good chance to clear my head and focus on the challenge at hand. Other days it’s great to have the company of friends, family and a terrific coach to encourage you to achieve more.

As a family, we love visiting our conservation properties, in particular the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve in Cape York. We spend a month on the Reserve every year for our annual crocodile research trip. It really is like walking into the Secret Garden.

It has rare birds and animals, including the Palm Cockatoo, Australia’s largest snake, the scrub python, the cuscus, frogs, endangered sawfish and the Wenlock River, which has the highest biodiversity of fish in Australia and Queensland’s biggest population of saltwater crocodiles. The Reserve truly is a special place – it is a living tribute to Steve, and a place that we love to visit.

Why is the Sunshine Coast a good place to bring up kids, and where are your favourite places to go as a family?
I feel very lucky to live on the Sunshine Coast. What a beautiful place. There is this laid-back lifestyle, and I love the friendliness of the people. It’s great for families too, because its intimate, there are not a huge number of people and it’s not frantically busy, but there are great family activities available right here.

When I’m at home, a lot of my time is taken up at Australia Zoo, and I am just extraordinarily lucky, because everyday is just a blast!
Tell us about your favourite family holiday.

I’ve been fortunate enough to visit so many wonderful places around the world, but one of my favourite places is Tasmania. It has the most spectacular wilderness, and the wildlife is so amazing. The weather is so diverse, but I love it in the winter; it’s so fun to cuddle up with a cup of hot chocolate in front of the fire. Tasmania is like the Garden of Eden.

Could you describe the qualities you love the most about your children’s personalities and how they are different from each other?
Bindi and Robert are both so passionate about wildlife – Steve shines through in them both. Bindi has the same heart as Steve. She is caring and sensitive about wildlife or people who need help.

Robert is a chip off the old block. He has inherited Steve’s way of speaking and his mannerisms, and is tough and fearless. He has a natural curiosity about wildlife and has Steve’s sixth sense that tells him when an animal is about.

Tell us about a specific moment with each of your children when they have made you proud.

Bindi and Robert make me proud everyday. Just recently they were awarded the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Award for Biggest Greenies. They accepted this award together and dedicated it to Steve and the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve. This was a very proud moment for me. I am so lucky to have the best kids in the world.

What would you most like your kids to do when they grow up/do you want them to follow in your footsteps?

More than anything, I want my children to feel fulfilled and happy with whatever direction they choose to take. Given their surroundings and the environment in which they have been raised, I’m very confident that they will continue in conservation, just like their dad.

A few of Terri’s favourite things:

Favourite restaurant – Lyn’s Place in Minyama is one of my favourite restaurants. The rhubarb crumble is “to die for!”

Favourite beach – we have been to beaches all over the world, but we love to play on the Sunshine Coast’s beaches – they are beautiful.

Favourite food – I’m really lucky when it comes to food, because I love everything. But the most difficult thing for me to give up is chocolate, so I usually allow myself a little bit every day so I don’t go crazy and down an entire mud cake in the one hit!

Special family activity – Bindi, Robert and I love to cook pancakes together. It’s a special treat that we do occasionally. We all have a job to do, and then we all enjoy the end result.