Down-to-earth parents Shayn and Carly are hoping to win House Rules for more than just the prize money.
The Sunshine Coast couple plan to have a third baby if they take out the renovation competition!
WATCH HOUSE RULES EXCLUSIVE: Quick questions with Shayn & Carly
“Since being on the show, we’re, like, if we won, I’d like another baby,” Carly, 31, tells New Idea.
“Because at the end of the day, kids are highly expensive.”
Proud dad Shayn adds: “Hopefully, we’ll have a little boy!”
The 33-year-old civil engineer admits that it’s tough seeing his daughters Harper, 5, and Imogen, 3, grow up so quickly.
“Harper started school this year,” he says. “Imogen, I think she’s got one more year of kindergarten, so they’re nearly both at school, so it’s nearly no daycare fees and all that stuff. But I don’t know. Where have our babies gone? They’re growing up!”
According to Shayn and Carly, the most difficult thing about entering House Rules was the decision to leave their children behind.
“It was our choice, you know, we are doing this for the girls,” Carly says. “But I don’t think anything could actually have prepared us for just how much it was going to take a toll. When you’re in the middle of the reno, you definitely think about them all the time.
“They’re in the back of my mind and I’m like, ‘Well, they’re why I’m here so keep going,
keep going!’”
While their parents compete in House Rules, the young girls are staying with Shayn’s mum
at home in Queensland, and Shayn and Carly say they couldn’t have done the show without her support.
“She’s taking leave with half pay so she could take time off to look after them,” Shayn gratefully says of his mum.
“She’s an amazing woman, definitely, and she’s been doing an amazing job because even when we FaceTime every afternoon, they are just happy.”
Carly adds: “It makes it a lot easier knowing they’re so happy. She’s a wonderful woman – I actually don’t think we could ever repay her – we couldn’t have done this without her.”
Shayn interrupts: “We will repay her when we win!”
Despite the heartache of being separated from their children, Shayn and Carly say competing on the show has been even better than they imagined.
The easygoing pair say that unlike some other couples on the series, their relationship has held strong so far through the rigours of the renovations.”
“The good thing with Shayn and I, we had a very strong relationship before even going on the show,” Carly reasons.
“I think what House Rules has done for us has actually just cemented that, if not made us stronger.
“I’ve seen a different side to Shayn,” Carly adds. “He’s probably seen a different side
to me, and yeah it’s cemented, probably, our love for each other, as clichéd as that is.
“Shayn actually said the other night, it feels a little bit like honeymoon!”
Agreeing fervently with his wife, Shayn admits that becoming parents was the perfect pre-test for House Rules.
“Obviously, we’ve got two girls and if anything is going to test your relationship it’s having kids!
“We just get closer and closer to be honest. We’re so lucky.”
For more, pick up the latest copy of New Idea on sale now!
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