Author: Family Friendly Daddy Blog

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Dear Jack: You Started High School This Week

14 years, 9 months.

Dear Jack,

This is the question that came to my mind this week:

“Am I really old enough to have a kid in high school?!”

I mean… I guess I am. I’m 44. The math checks out. I was 29 when you were born.

So now, here in the fall of 2025, you have now started high school!

Something I am specifically excited about is that on your schedule for your freshman year, you have “Personal Finance” your 1st semester, then “Career Preparedness” your 2nd semester.

I feel you will be attending a progressive high school that will lead you to a bright future.

After all, I would know: I graduated from the same high school in 1999!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: You Started 4th Grade This Week

9 years, 3 months.

Dear Holly,

After a short summer of hanging out with your cousin Darla, the two of you now begin 4th grade together. But this time, you will be in separate classrooms, unlike last year when you were still a new student here.

But you are smart, confident, and friendly; so I know when you will easily make friends in your 4th grade class. Perhaps there will be new students who you help welcome to the school, now that you are settled in.

Though you won’t have your cousin right next to you the whole time this year, she’ll still be in the same hall; the classroom next to yours, actually.

I loved 4th grade! I think you will too.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Your New UTV “Side-By-Side”

14 years, 9 months.

Dear Jack,

It’s funny what you can order from Walmart’s website these days. When we were planning the move to Alabama back in late 2023, Mommy proposed the idea of our family getting a golf cart; since the neighborhood we now live in is adjacent to the golf course.

But once we got here, you realized that all your friends ride around in UTV’s (“utility task vehicle”), also known as a “side-by-side”.

Just a week or so after we ordered it from Walmart.com, a truck delivered our new side-by-side in front of our house.

I say “our” new side-by-side, but we all know it’s really yours. We’ve had a lot of fun already, simply exploring old trails near our house.

And I appreciate that you driving your side-by-side serves as great practice for you getting your driver’s permit here in a few months!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Trading in Your Pink Surfer Girl Jeep

9 years, 3 months.

Dear Holly,

I admit. It was sad to see your pink “Surfer Girl” Jeep out by the side of the road to be picked up; along with your old car booster seat and the stroller we used to push you around in. And for the record, someone picked it all up before we even went to bed that night.

The pink Jeep was your main gift from us for Christmas 2020; over 4 and a half years ago when you were only 4 years old.

And you certainly got so much use out of it all these years. It served its purpose, for sure!

But, I have to accept that you are growing up and that means you eventually outgrow certain toys. Now, your brother’s new “side-by-side” vehicle serves as the new upgrade to your pink Jeep!

 

Love,

Daddy

 

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Dear Jack: Trying Italian Sausage

14 years, 9 months.

Dear Jack,

Nearly a year ago when you turned 14 years old, you casually mentioned that you might try eating some meat; since you have never tried it on your own.

When you were a baby, we fed you some baby food with some meat in it, but it has been your choice your entire life otherwise to be a vegetarian.

Well, nearly a year since you mentioned your curiosity of trying meat, this past weekend after I cooked the Italian sausage for our class at Sweet & Savory Classroom in Chattanooga, you saw your sister serving as the “taste tester” and then said, “I think I’ll try some of that sausage.”

And then you did.

So this might be the beginning of you slowly transitioning to increasing your protein intake, during the middle of your continued growth spurt further into adulthood.

For what it’s worth, you are currently 5′ 4.5″, just an inch and a half shorter than Mommy now. Though we did discover you now outweigh her by a few pounds!

Love,

Daddy