While the plan was always to get back into their own place 15 minutes down the road fairly quickly, life had other ideas \u2013 a year on, Hayley, 45, Josh, 35, and their boys are still living on the family farm.<\/p>\n
Hayley\u2019s two boys, Raven, 3, and Kingston, 18. Photo \/ Babiche Martens<\/p>\n
But what could have been a setback has instead become something very special.<\/p>\n
Hayley says, \u201cIt\u2019s actually been a really beautiful thing for all of us living together. The boys get this amazing time with their grandparents, and we\u2019re surrounded by love and support.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hayley is no stranger to the concept of reinvention. Since finding fame in 2006 as a dancer (and later judge) on Dancing With The Stars, the former professional snowboarder has also been a More FM radio host, presenter on Breakfast and The Crowd Goes Wild, plus a 1News sports reporter.<\/p>\n
She even dabbled in politics as a Green Party candidate in 2017, so it\u2019s perhaps unsurprising when she finished up at TVNZ last year, instead of despairing, she felt excited about the future.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know it sounds a bit weird, but I actually like change,\u201d she tells. \u201cI think it\u2019s good for us.\u201d<\/p>\n
And Hayley was thrilled to land a job in sales with a fleet management company. While she loved the people and the new challenge of the role, juggling full-time work and a long commute with two young kids proved tougher than expected. After much soul-searching, she made the tough decision to walk away.<\/p>\n
A long commute with two young kids proved tougher than expected. Photo \/ Babiche Martens<\/p>\n
\u201cIt just wasn\u2019t working for our family and I had to admit to myself I had a limit,\u201d Hayley explains. \u201cI couldn\u2019t actually do it. The boys were missing me, Josh and I were stressed out because everyone was so stretched, and we realised that to make it work, we\u2019d have to put the boys in full-time daycare, with extra childcare around the edges. It just made absolutely no sense. It was like, \u2018What\u2019s the point?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Now tradesman Josh has upped his work hours, and the family is staying on with Robin and Murray until Hayley finds a job that works alongside motherhood. While living with her parents isn\u2019t always easy \u2013 Hayley is keenly aware just how demanding life can be for her parents with two toddlers in the house \u2013 there are special moments every day that make it worthwhile. The kids adore their grandparents and vice versa.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe boys\u2019 relationship with my parents is a blessing,\u201d Hayley shares. \u201cThey go upstairs and open Nanny\u2019s door every morning, and she has toys up there for them to play with. Kingston sits on Dad\u2019s four-wheeler and waits for Poppa to take him for a joy ride. They\u2019re just in their element here and I feel so, so grateful.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hayley says the boys\u2019 relationship with her parents is a blessing. Photo \/ Babiche Martens<\/p>\n
Hayley recalls a moment recently where Raven insisted on adding Nanny and Poppa\u2019s names to a Christmas trinket he was making at daycare.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was the only one who had his grandparents included on it, and my mum and dad were so proud,\u201d she beams. \u201cIt was super cute.\u201d<\/p>\n
But this Christmas, Hayley jokes she\u2019s giving her parents the best gift possible \u2013 some peace and quiet! Hayley, Josh, Raven and Kingston will head to Taup\u014d on December 23 for a week. The nearby community of Hatepe is an incredibly special place for Josh, who is of Ng\u0101ti T\u016bwharetoa and Ng\u0101puhi descent.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s where lots of his wh\u0101nau are and where he feels most at home,\u201d reflects Hayley, who has grown to love it too. She reckons it\u2019s incredibly special seeing their boys with all their aunts, uncles and cousins.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have so much fun down there \u2013 it\u2019s right on the lake, so there\u2019s lots of swimming, relaxing and catching up. It\u2019s pretty special.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s incredibly special for Hayley to see her boys with all their aunts, uncles and cousins. Photo \/ Babiche Martens<\/p>\n
At 3, Raven has just reached the age where the holidays are a big deal. He\u2019s been talking about Santa a lot. Every time he sees a Christmas tree, he says, \u201cLook at that beautiful tree!\u201d<\/p>\n