That’s the advice new father Clancee Pearce received from fellow Freo Docker dad Aaron Sandilands.
Pearce and partner Jess Samarelli welcomed baby girl Memphis Rose into the world on Wednesday 15 January.
The Freo midfielder has quickly discovered that raising a child doesn’t come without challenges, particularly when trying to balance it with a professional sporting career.
“Sleeping is the biggest one, trying to get a good sleep in before training hasn’t been easy,” Pearce said.
He has heeded the advice from Sandilands, who has a 14-month old baby girl of his own.
“Whenever Memphis goes to sleep, I’ll try and join her, even it means not doing the housework,” Pearce said.
Captain Matthew Pavlich, who had a baby daughter in March last year, told Pearce that sleep was the priority.
“He told me that if things don’t get done around the house, it’s not the end of the world, just make sure I get the sleep in,” Pearce said.
Assistant coach and father of five Brett Kirk has also been a wealth of information.
The former Sydney premiership hero practices meditation, and he has passed some mental imagery techniques on to Pearce.
“We’re in a big training load at the moment and it can be tough trying to focus if you’re not sleeping,” Pearce said.
“Brett Kirk gave me a 10 minute piece that I listen to before I go to bed and that helps me sleep.”
Freo players and coaches aren’t the only ones helping Pearce get some shut-eye in Memphis’ infant years.
Partner Jess takes a big load of the responsibility.
“The night before the bigger training sessions I’ll try and sleep through the night and she’ll do most of the work with the baby,” Pearce said.
“The other days I’ll dig in and help her out.”
And as for a second child, the couple have talked about the possibility.
“Hopefully, in about a year and a half, maybe another one, but I think we’ll just enjoy Memphis for the moment,” Pearce said.
