A 29-year-old father of two, Bernard Tararo, is setting an example for all young fathers in the Cook Islands that commitment and faith are key to building a successful family.

Tararo, a former law enforcer in the police force, is now running his own company called “Lawn Care Rarotonga” while caring for his children.

Having had his firstborn at the age of 25, Tararo has been committed not only to his wife and children but also to God, whom he says is the foundation of his upbringing.

He was raised in the ways of the Lord which is common in a Christian nation such as the Cook Islands.

Tararo enjoyed a wonderful relationship with his father and is now pouring that goodness into his small family while raising his children with his wife, Melody Tararo.

“It’s been good, it’s been a really awesome experience, it’s actually helped me become a better person,” shares Tararo while speaking about his fatherhood journey. “It’s been a journey but I couldn’t see anything better right now than being a dad.”

“One of the challenges was learning as I’m growing and learning something new and having to take care of another person and as myself to be a dad and be a good example … just try my best to be an example to my kids and learning as I’m going.

“I’m still learning but it’s good.”

Bernard Tararo with his wife Melody and their two children. SUPPLIED/24082802/ 24082803

Sharing about his relationship with his father, Tararo says he is grateful for everything his dad has taught him while growing up.

Growing up as a child, he had the responsibilities of an eldest to seven siblings, a role he still fulfills alongside caring for his children and wife.

“I had a really good relationship with my dad and dad taught me how to cook and hunt and work which was really good,” shares Tararo.

“One of the things that I really honour my dad for was bringing me up in the way of the Lord and that played a major role in my life and bringing my kids up in that role as well.”

Tararo has a strong faith in God. He believes that in any Cook Islands family’s foundation and upbringing, God is the centre of everything.

He says that God as well as his culture built him up into the father he is today and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

One of the lessons he has learned as a young father is to spend as much time as possible with his children before they grow older.

“Spending quality time with the kids and getting into their world is one of the greatest lessons. Like for us, we don’t have a television in the house because what we don’t want to do is to allow screen time to dictate the way we bring up our family because a lot of families are influenced by screen time,” Tararo explains.

“But for me, it’s more so getting into the kids’ world, going outdoors, getting into the garden, and go for walks. It’s influencing the kids and not letting the world influence the kids.”

Tararo’s advice to fathers is to love God and trust in Him throughout the process.