In Conversation with Adrian Tan: Co-Founder of The Nurts & Author of The Nurts Tales and A Parent’s Promise.
From bedtime conversations with his three children to creating meaningful, value-driven stories and games, Adrian Tan has dedicated his creative work to nurturing the parent–child bond. We sat down with Adrian to learn about the moments that inspired his books, his philosophy on parenting, and why connection lies at the heart of all he creates.
Q: How did you come to write The Nurts Tales and A Parent’s Promise? What inspired the ideas behind them?
Adrian: Both books – along with every Nurts product I’ve worked on – were inspired by my own experiences as a parent of three young children. Often, it’s those “aha” moments when I realise something children think about but rarely voice, or when I reflect on how different their future will be compared to the world I grew up in.
Q: Was there a particular parenting moment that sparked them?
Adrian: Absolutely. The idea for A Parent’s Promise came when my daughter, who was three at the time, asked me: “What is a daddy, and what is our relationship supposed to be?”
That question led to a long lights-out bedtime conversation that brought us much closer.
It struck me then: I had never had a conversation like that with my own parents. In the workplace, leaders always establish clarity of purpose with new team members – yet with our own children, that same clarity is often overlooked.
As for The Nurts Tales, it’s the culmination of key values and principles I want my children to grow up with. I thought deeply about the world they’ll inherit, what will remain the same, what will change, and how to prepare them. That’s how Zoey, Liam, Mia, and Noah – and the songs that pair with each story – came to life.
Q: What’s your personal philosophy on parenting and childhood education?
Adrian: I have a few guiding principles:
- The role of a parent boils down to four objectives: ensuring the safety, health, and emotional wellbeing of our children, and preparing them for their future – not our past.
- Confidence, empathy, curiosity, and critical thinking are as important as knowledge, especially when that knowledge may be outdated by the time they’re adults.
- Recognise that children are individuals. My job is to discover their interests and aptitudes, then support and empower them – not fit them into a mold.
- Gentle but firm parenting. Build strong emotional connections with mutual respect, but have clear boundaries.
- Lead by example. Hold myself to the same standards I set for my kids.
Q: What’s one surprising thing you’ve discovered on your journey as a writer and creator?
Adrian: I started out wanting to share my ideas with my children and other parents – but along the way, I found the process deeply fulfilling and therapeutic. Creating stories, songs, or games has made me reflect more on what will truly prepare the next generation to thrive. In turn, it has made me grow as a parent.
Q: Any proud or emotional moments tied to your books being used at home?
Adrian: Two moments really stand out.
First, shortly after A Parent’s Promise was published, a family told me it had become their 3-year-old’s favourite book. He loved that it read like a message from his parents and would always ask his mum to read it.
Second, on a more personal note, my eldest daughter's class teacher shared how she had excitedly told her classmates about the games and stories I created – and even brought The Nurts Tales to school to share with her friends. That meant a lot.
Q: What’s the goal behind the eight stories in The Nurts Tales?
Adrian: Each story is designed to instil a specific value or principle. At the end of each one, parents will find guiding questions and explanations to help their children reflect on the message. The music playlist keeps those lessons alive even outside of reading time.
Q: How does it reflect The Nurts’ mission of nurturing fulfilled lives?
Adrian: Like all our offerings, The Nurts Tales equips parents and children with ideas to help them grow into the best versions of themselves – all delivered in a fun, engaging format, rather than a top-down lecture.
Q: Why was A Parent’s Promise important for you to write?
Adrian: That first conversation with my daughter about our relationship was incredibly meaningful. She had so many questions, and those became the foundation for each verse in the book. I wanted to capture it so the message could be revisited over and over – not just with her, but with my other two children as well.
Q: What do you hope parents feel when reading it?
Adrian: I hope they feel a sense of reassurance and clarity – for themselves and their children. The book can serve as both a comfort and a conversation starter. The language is intentionally more adult, prompting kids to ask questions and giving parents a way to engage in meaningful dialogue.
