The Dad MOT: How’s Your Engine Running?

He can fix the bike, the leaky tap, and the dodgy Wi-Fi, but when’s the last time he checked his own engine?

You wouldn’t drive around with your oil light flashing, but plenty of dads do the life equivalent, running on caffeine, four hours’ sleep, and a vague promise to “sort it out after the weekend.” The car gets its regular service. The mower gets a tune-up. But you? You’ve been skipping your own maintenance for years.

November’s here, which means it’s Dad MOT Month. Time to pop the bonnet and see how you’re really running. No judgement, no grease-stained metaphors (well, maybe a few). Just a reminder that even the best engines need a service now and then.

"Men are very good at fixing things outside themselves, but they’ll wait until the wheels fall off before seeing a doctor. A basic yearly check-up can catch issues early; physical, mental, or emotional.” 

Dr. Adam Taylor, a GP specialising in men’s health.

The Dashboard Lights: Spotting the Signs of Burnout

When your patience runs thinner than your hairline, that’s a sign. So is the constant fatigue, the short fuse, or the Sunday-night dread that hits before Monday even starts.

Burnout doesn’t always look like a breakdown, sometimes it’s just living in permanent low power mode. If you’ve been running on autopilot, reacting more than connecting, you might be overdue for a service.

Try this quick test: when was the last time you did something for yourself that didn’t involve an errand, a work email, or a school pickup? If you had to think about it, you already know the answer.

Oil Change Time: The Physical Check-In

Every dad loves a bit of tinkering, until the tinkering involves their own body. But here’s the truth: getting your yearly check-up isn’t optional maintenance, it’s basic warranty protection.

Blood pressure, cholesterol, skin check, prostate chat (awkward, yes, but survivable) it’s not about paranoia, it’s about prevention. 

Think of it this way: you wouldn’t drive 50,000 kilometres without checking your oil. Why run your body that hard without a service?

Top Up the Tank: Mental & Emotional Fuel

Self-care isn’t just bubble baths and meditation apps (though if that’s your thing, carry on). It’s taking ten minutes for a walk, saying no to one more task, or actually messaging that mate you’ve been “meaning to catch up with.”

When the tank’s low, you don’t keep driving until it’s empty, you pull over and refuel. The same applies here. Sleep, exercise, and real connection aren’t luxuries. They’re fuel. And no, scrolling the Bunnings catalogue doesn’t count as “downtime.”

Keep the Engine Cool: Stress and Small Fixes

Even a V8 can overheat if you push it too hard. Stress is fine in short bursts, it’s what gets the school lunches packed and the bills paid. But constant heat warps everything.

The trick isn’t to avoid stress altogether. It’s to give your system time to cool. Step outside. Breathe. Hand over the remote control of life for one night and let someone else steer. A few small changes, better sleep, less late-night phone scrolling, a walk at lunch, can keep the engine running smoothly.

You’re not a machine, mate but if you were, you’d still deserve a proper service. Life’s roads are long, and the best way to go the distance is to stop pretending you’re indestructible.

DADDING IN ACTION

Book your own service; GP, mate, or just a night off. The ute can wait. You can’t.

Resources:

1. The Expectant Father by Armin A. Brott and Jennifer Ash

   A comprehensive, month-by-month guide offering practical advice and emotional support to dads-to-be navigating pregnancy and preparing for fatherhood.

   https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Expectant-Father-Audiobook/B01G4ENQYC

2. Man Enough: Undefining My Masculinity by Justin Baldoni.

   An insightful exploration of modern masculinity, encouraging men to embrace vulnerability, emotional expression, and healthier fatherhood roles.

   https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/man-enough-justin-baldoni/1137302928

3. Fatherhood: Rising to the Ultimate Challenge by Etan Thomas

   A spirited call to fathers to embrace their pivotal role with strength, emosional, and commitment, addressing the challenges and rewards of modern fatherhood.

   https://www.walmart.com/ip/Fatherhood-Rising-to-the-Ultimate-Challenge-Paperback-9780451414892/22149952