Drew Scott, the well-known HGTV personality, has shared an emotional experience that he refers to as a ‘heartbreaking wake-up call.’
At 48, the Property Brothers host took to Instagram to recount a poignant moment with his four-year-old son, Parker, which prompted him to reevaluate his life’s priorities.
In a heartfelt video, Scott began by saying, ‘I don’t know who needs to hear this, but if you’re constantly rushing around, as I often do, you might find this story resonates with you.’
He continued, ‘I returned home one day and greeted Parker with, “Hey Parker, give me a hug.” To my surprise, he ran off instead.
‘What he did next was both amusing and eye-opening—he grabbed a toy, held it to his ear, walked around, and said, “I’m on a business call,”‘ shared Scott, who is also the father of two-year-old Piper.
It soon became clear that Parker was mimicking his father’s repeated actions.
Scott shared: ‘It was heartbreaking for me because he just saw me on calls all the time.
‘So that was a wake-up for me to not be on my phone when I’m around the kids.
HGTV star Drew Scott (left, alongside brother Jonathan) has candidly opened up about his recent ‘heartbreaking wake-up call’
The Property Brothers host, 48, welcomed son Parker, four, and daughter Piper, two, with wife Linda Phan
‘To show them that I’m actually present, I’m listening to their questions, I’m answering, I’m playing with them.’
The TV personality, who presents home renovation shows alongside brother Jonathan Scott, said that he then vowed to change his habits at home.
‘It’s a small thing, but for me to be present there, I can see it in Piper’s face, she gets excited. And for me, it’s heartwarming, and I love it.
‘But if I were just to be in my busy, busy work pace, I would do calls over my lunch and I would skip that.
‘Then all of a sudden I would look back years from now and think I missed these crucial points in my baby’s life.’
Concluding the message to his 2.7 million followers, he poignantly said: ‘It’s going to feel pretty empty at the end of your career or at the end of your life if you look back and all you did was work.
‘And don’t be that person checking your phone when you’re hanging out with family.’
Real estate broker Scott met podcast producer Linda Phan in 2010 before getting engaged in 2016.
Real estate broker Scott met podcast producer Phan in 2010 before getting engaged in 2016
Their wedding was documented in the 2018 TLC special Property Brothers: Linda and Drew Say I Do.
Scott and Phan welcomed their first child – son Parker – in May 2022. Their family grew again with the birth of daughter Piper in May 2024 with both kids welcomed via IVF after battling fertility issues.
Scott’s heartfelt message comes just months after Phan’s mother passed away.
At the time, he took to social media with a touching tribute that read: ‘My heart is broken. We have lost one of the most beautiful, kind and selfless people this planet has ever seen.
‘Linda’s mom is truly one of a kind and was taken from us far too soon.
‘Thank you Habu for bringing so much light to our lives. Your laugh was infectious and I will always remember our late nights playing your favorite game.’
Scott continued: ‘I feel helpless in trying to comfort Linda and her family but know memories of all the beautiful times with Habu will live on with us forever.
‘You were always there for us and all 10 grandkids. The hardest thing for me is to know we won’t have you here to see Parker and Piper grow into strong and compassionate adults like you. I love you. I miss you.’