There’s no denying it – parenting can be seriously hard work.

With no instruction book or owner’s manual to fill in the blanks, navigating parenthood often comes with its challenges.

But while there’s no one-size-fits-all way to handle to the ups and the many, many downs, there are plenty of parents out there who have offered their advice on parenthood.

In celebration of Father’s Day, we asked eight of Australia’s most well-known dads to share their best parenting advice.

This is what they had to say:

Ben Fordham

Australian journalist, sports reporter, radio presenter and father-of-two.

Ben Fordham shares a Father’s Day message. Post continues after video.

Sam Wood

Former Bachelor star, personal trainer and father-of-three.

“When it comes to being a Dad of course there is no manual and every situation is different but from my personal experience so far I would say: Don’t overthink or over analyse. Being a parent is more about feeling and being present than thinking. If everything comes from a place of love and you are making an effort I genuinely feel you will have a great relationship with your kids.”

“I would also say that communication with your partner is critical. Snezana and I don’t agree on all parenting matters but whenever we discuss it we realise there is a compromise that we are both happy with.

“The last bit of advice would be to not try and do too much. Being a parent to young kids is exhausting so choose your battles and be smart about it. We have become the hosts. It is much easier for our friends with no kids to visit us and have dinner or a BBQ at our place than to try and get all the kids in the car and go somewhere all of the time.

“The most important piece of advice is to enjoy it. The best bit of advice I was given is ‘long days and short years’. It is so true and I don’t want to miss a thing.”

Andrew Daddo

Author, host of Mamamia’s This Glorious Mess podcast and father-of-three.

“Hey new dads and dads-to-be, how good is Dadding?! It certainly lets you know you’re alive, eh? Especially when you’re reading bedtime stories on the couch and you send them off to clean their teeth so you can sneak in a quick kip before they come back.”

“Talking, reading, cajoling, wrestling, footy-kicking, swimming, surfing, swimming, singing and crapping on – looking back at the past twenty-one years and three kids, it seems any thing that was ‘doing something’ felt pretty good. If I started again, I think I’d chase the mantra of making memories to enjoy at the time and later. Sharing stories. Old fashioned stuff. You know?”

Andrew Daddo outlines all the ways Aussie parents do it far better than their British counterparts on our podcast for imperfect parents. Post continues after audio.

Tom Hawkins

Geelong Cats AFL player and father-of-two.

Tom Hawkins. Image: Mark Kolbe, AFL Media.

"Life as a parent is exceeding expectations. Being able to watch them grow into their own and witness them discovering the world is my favourite. It’s also been great watching Belle discover her interests. She is dinosaur mad and obsessed with running and balls, so I love being able to share my love for footy with my girls, either at games or playing with Belle at home. Belle loves the Cats and really gets into it now! Although our cheeky babysitter who is a Western Bulldogs supporter has also taught her to say 'Go Doggies', which she now does to get a rise out of Emma and I."

"Our household has become significantly busier since the arrival of our second daughter, Primrose. On top of that, my wife Emma has worked tirelessly for the past 18 months launching a clothing line for children, @homegrownkidsau all while supporting me and looking after our girls.

"We’ve learnt a lot about parenting and each other during this time. My advice for new dads (and mums) is to share the parenting workload equally, support each other and make sure you make time for each other. It’s always a work in progress and with our work schedules it’s never even. During finals I need extra support from Emma, but once I have a bit more free time, I’ll be able to take a load off her as well. I guess, as they say, communication is key!

"Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to get it right all the time! It is hard work, but it’s worth it. I feel like as a dad of girls, my tough years might be when they get a bit older! So I’m trying to stay in the moment, not over think it and just enjoy this amazing age."

Richard Wilkins

Radio and television presenter and father-of-five.

"It’s a brave person who offers parenting advice to others – sadly there is no ‘instruction book’, no ‘owner’s manual’, and no ‘money back guarantee’ that comes along with becoming a parent and despite the best intentions of friends, family and myriad experts there is no easy path to perfect parenting."

"Every child is magical, each situation unique, every relationship different and I believe the challenge is to spend as much time with your child as you can – make them feel safe and allow them to experience the wonders of the world and the opportunities that abound.

"Most of all – make them feel loved and allow them to be themselves."

Peter FitzSimons

Author, journalist, radio and television presenter and father-of-three.