From Conservationist to New Father Alex Rendell He shared genuine experiences on the show My Daddy James, explaining how his life's priorities have changed—time, health, outlook on the future—and his determination to raise his child surrounded by nature to be a good member of society. He questions what kind of world we will leave for children to grow up in as screens, AI, PM 2.5, and environmental problems increasingly take over their real world.
As a new father, is there anything that embarrasses you or something you feel you're really good at when it comes to raising your child?
"I think I'm really good at holding him. It's a position I figured out by trial and error, like holding him this way—meaning face down."
Do you know what this kind of crying means?
"I understand sometimes, but sometimes I can't tell. Usually, it's because of pee. If it's a high-pitched cry, it means he has gas. The behavior also shows sleepiness: if he cries 'wah' like that, it means he's cranky and tired."
Do you bathe your child yourself?
"I bathe him myself when I'm home. That's my favorite time because it's great bonding. As a man, I think I can hold him more securely. Just yesterday, I was sitting in his little tub, pouring water over his chest without him crying. We were both happy. I kept saying, 'Okay, again, do you like it, son?'"
The thing he dislikes most is when I pick his nose. Also, as a man, I try hard to keep that area clean. A father once advised me to keep that spot clean—meaning no beard—when smelling the baby, because it naturally makes him reject it someday. I didn't realize why until now. So, I shave every day just to smell nice for my child."
There's a notion that as an actor, it might be too soon to have a child, but for most people, they might be ready. Did you feel that way?
"I think the timing was good for me; I was about 35 or 36. Speaking for James and me, we didn't have children when we were just starting our careers. We came to it when things were more settled. I don't feel it's too late; sometimes I feel it's even too early because I'm already feeling the physical effects."
I've calculated that when our child graduates university, we'll be 50 or 60 years old. That's when we'll see his graduation. If we want to travel with him, we need the energy for that. If we have children later, we might not have that much energy, which is important.
Working with kids aged 4, 7, and 10, their energy level is completely different. We have to adjust or else we block them and get tired. I've seen this a lot. Having a child opens a vast new world, and you have to work hard all over again."
During your wife's pregnancy, did you have to prepare or think ahead for her?
"Yes, many things came up, like childbirth, insurance, vaccinations, doctor visits. You have to do what the doctor advises and build strength. What I do is develop an organization. We can't just keep doing the work as is; we need to grow it because we have a child now. I've been in this field since kids were 4 years old, doing commercials at 7, acting in dramas. I've traveled and met many kinds of people."
These skills help us socialize, build discipline, understand different cultures, and see lives unlike ours. I want EEC activities to give children internal strength. What we can control is building their inner resilience so when they face challenges, they handle them safely and well."
I've been doing this work for a long time, but having a child made me more passionate about ensuring these skill sets are part of every activity. I believe kids today, and their parents, can take them to the Maldives, abroad, provide good living, but it's hard to give them real-life experiences, understand others' ways, appreciate nature, touch the earth. Without platforms like this, our kids might never encounter these. That's vital for kids under 10."
Have you planned roughly at what age your child will start these experiences?
"Actually, I've already started planning. I have everything ready."
Any advice for those who want to introduce their kids to nature in the simplest, most basic way?
"Simply take them outdoors as often as possible. I believe in physical development and all-around growth that comes from nature. Years ago, I used nature for therapy for people with special needs."
From that experience long ago, I realized nature drives people to use muscles they might not use daily. So, I strongly believe in nature therapy and using nature for development."
Have you noticed differences in children's characters after playing or learning skills in nature?
"Yes, they differ and develop preferences. I've done this for over 10 years; many kids who started with us then are now in university. They love these things and some pursue careers in this field. This activity also acts as a filter—not just for kids but for parents who share similar interests."
So the vibe among parents is similar, like when dads play in a soccer league together—they share similar feelings and conversations. Some kids love animals and nature, so parents bring them here, or some parents love it and want their kids to like it. This dual interest shows in their eagerness. When families come together like this, it builds character and creates space for shared family activities, which I think is very important."
I often see moments when parents cry watching their kids at camp because the child achieves small things, like standing and speaking in front of others or presenting a project. Even these small moments make parents' hearts flutter. This is a special moment I love about this work. It's not just about nature or youth; it's about strengthening bonds."
Many children with attention deficit come here and nature helps improve their focus. They get to learn what interests them, unlike mainstream education, which might not suit them when they are young. So, there are cases like this that benefit their growth and build their character."
If your child is just over a year old and starting to toddle, would you recommend going to the beach or the mountains?
"For a year-old, I think the mountains. Take them on forest trails. Once they get a bit older, then the beach. All kids I've seen love animals. The beach has small creatures like shells and crabs, shallow waters to explore. But the forest builds strength and familiarity. My nephew initially didn't want to walk in the dirt because it got messy, but soon he was all in. The next week, we took him to swim in rice paddies."
How has having your own child changed your feelings?
"A lot. With other people's kids or my nephew, as an uncle, my role is just to play, not teach manners or put them to sleep, or change diapers. When they cry, I send them back to their parents. But with my own child, it's different. When he cries, he comes to me. When he poops or smells, I deal with it. I couldn't process this before, James."
You see, with other kids, their highest reliance is on their parents. For me, with my child, I am his highest refuge, his safe zone. I carry him, and he calms down; when his mother holds him, he calms down. That bonding touches me deeply. He has no one else but me. If he dreams, he probably dreams of me because in his life, right now, there is only me."
Growing up in a good family, is there anything you want to adapt or qualities you'd like your child to have?
"My mother was very disciplined, and I want my child to have discipline—that means being able to socialize, be loved by others, and love others in return. My father was hardworking, always working. That is my challenge as a parent: how to instill drive in my child like I have."
Everything I achieved came from hard work: waking at 6 a.m., sleeping at 10 p.m., being on set daily for over 10 years. I can say I earned what I have. I want to give my child the drive to work and the sense of achievement. Each daily decision leads toward that."
I don't want my child to grow up without drive, like some friends who were born with everything but lived without clear goals, leading to confusion and constant comparison. I emphasize responsibility and accountability, not necessarily working as much as us but being responsible for one's actions."
Are you worried about today's generation, often labeled as Beta, and the differences from how we grew up?
"I am worried, honestly. But at the same time, we must adapt to the modern world. Our parents didn't understand many things in our era either, leading to differing opinions. My main worry is about technology like AI and deceitful things our children might face. If my child wants to travel the world and I can support that, I won't fear that. But AI and scams worry me because I don't know what my child might encounter."
Do you and your wife share the same views on parenting?
"Actually, she leads because we work together. I'm the brave homemaker; no worries there. She always leads; I focus on playing with the child."
How have you changed internally?
"Believe it or not, I only recently felt truly grown-up. I'm 36, turning 37, and in three years, 40. But only now do I really feel like an adult. I've always thought of myself as young because I grew up as the youngest in many contexts—youngest child, youngest in the industry, youngest in everything. Even with a company and team, I felt like a kid until I had a child."
Having a child shifted my priorities completely. What once seemed important suddenly became less so, without me forcing it. Things that used to stress me, like work, now make me more relaxed. After dinner, instead of fiddling with my phone, I have something to do that makes me a better person."
What kind of world are you preparing for your child, and how do you hope they become the best gift to this world?
"I want him to be a good person for society. I want people to respect him and see him as a good example no matter what he does. Through my work and having a child, I've become more passionate about the environment. The seas seem to be disappearing; coral reefs are dying where I visit yearly. It's hot, UV rays are strong. In the north, PM 2.5 is a problem. Outdoor learning is all tied to the environment."
I want my child to grow up in a world where outdoor activity is a choice. This morning, I visited a school where children couldn't play tennis outside because of high PM 2.5 levels. They had to change clothes and stay indoors. I hope the world adapts, or at least we can choose places with facilities that don't limit outdoor activities. I want my child to live not just with screens or indoors but outdoors as well. But outdoor life is now beyond our control."
This generation sees environmental care as 'cool.' When we were young, global warming, forest fires, and PM 2.5 weren't big issues, so we weren't as aware. I feel that this mindset makes them think of others constantly, which is very important right now."
Click to read moreEntertainment NewsMore
