Another time I arrived at work with my office surrounded by security guards investigating what looked like a break-in. There was stuff all over the floor, files scattered everywhere, paper all over the show. No, it wasn't a modern day Bowen House - gate; it was a few minutes of a toddler unsupervised. It's funny, though, because hardly anyone ever has asked me what it's like to be a father and an MP. I never saw parenthood or domestic duties as my wife's job. We purposely moved to Wellington when I was elected and I often took the kids to school and I tried to go home every night that I could to help put them to bed. I used to put a smile on and pretend that being an equal parent made me a better MP. But in all honesty, it's been hard to balance fatherhood and politics, and it's gotten even harder as I've gotten older. This job is all-consuming, especially for our partners who don't get any of the kudos. I hope this place can seriously consider how we can make it more family-friendly.