Go ask your father: What Jay Nash wants this Father’s Day

His three daughters — Maisie, 8, Courtney, 6, and Tilly, 3 — are waiting to spring forth and fulfil this wish, as long as they can celebrate the dad who is always there for them, no matter how much he has on his plate.

Just six months ago, Jay stepped away from the stability of his bank job to launch his own business, Empire Finance Brokers, with wife Katie — a leap Katie admits raised eyebrows.

Words that come to mind are stress, overwhelm, a pressure-cooker if you will.

But they’re not in Maisie, Courtney and Tilly’s vocabulary.

“Even though he’s working triple the amount he ever has before, these little girls wouldn’t know,” Katie said.

“I’ll always finish work at five and then won’t work until the kids go to bed,” Jay said.

“I’m just trying to be present — that’s important to me.”

Presence is a theme in Jay’s parenting.

He recognises that his approach might be on the gentler side, having a penchant for allowing his girls to get away with too much, but it’s rooted in listening, encouragement and plenty of fun.

“I don’t feel pressure to act a certain way, but I’m conscious that they’re always watching and I’ll be their male role model … I’ve got to set a good example,” Jay said.

“Maisie always wants to try new things and play different games, so I try to encourage her and play with her.

“Courtney’s a bit more quiet, so she needs more encouragement.

“And Tilly’s just a handful. She’s happy doing anything as long as she’s laughing or with her sisters.”

The result? Three “beautiful-natured, happy kids”, as both parents put it.

Jay is a hands-on dad, even when it comes to celebrating Father’s Day.

This Friday, he will flit between school and daycare breakfasts, before unwinding at home with pizza boxes on the table and his daughters underfoot.

That certainly sounds like the relaxed day he hoped for.

Still, Maisie’s curiosity, Courtney’s quiet spirit, and Tilly — dubbed “The Boss” in the family — will surely keep him on his toes.