Author: Family Friendly Daddy Blog

Leave a comment Posted on fatherhood, parenting, People, Uncategorized

Dear Jack: Your New, Very Own Drill

12 years, 3 months.

Dear Jack,

Last week I was saying how Mommy bought you a certain drill you need, to be able to make it easier to rebuild Hot Wheels cars. Well… it arrived this week in the mail, and you love it!

It was immediately clear how proud you were to officially own your first power tool. You carefully read all the instructions and make sure it was properly charged before you used it.

This past weekend largely consisted of either you at the kitchen table using your drill, or you out in the driveway painting the cars you are custom rebuilding.

I feel a feeling this is more than phase.

Love,

Daddy

Leave a comment Posted on Enneagram, fatherhood, parenting, Storytelling, Uncategorized

Dear Holly: “All I Care About is Peace and Quiet…”

6 years, 9 months.

Dear Holly,

This past weekend, Mommy and I had our annual “Night Out in Nashville/Get Our Taxes Done the Next Day at H&R Block” event, while Nonna and Papa drove up from Alabama to stay home with you and your brother.

Mommy and I went to go see Adam Sandler perform at the Bridgesone Arena. It was one of the best days I have ever spent with Mommy in the fifteen years we have been together. I am so grateful that we were able to go do that.

Nonna always does a great job of proactively sending Mommy and me photos of what’s going on while we’re away.

My favorite picture of you was of you with the “Daddy puppet” you made at church last Father’s Day.

The caption read, “All I care about is peace and quiet.”

Of course, that was you doing your impression of me.

I feel honored that you represented me so well!

It has been no secret in our family, that since becoming a certified Enneagram coach back in November 2021, I have been on an ongoing adventure of self-discovery, as well as helping us learn more about each other.

Something I pray every morning is, “Help our family to find ways to show each other love, in the ways that we invididually need it.”

You have overhead me talk about it enough, that you know that I am an Enneagram 6; and that specifically, I constantly crave a sense of social security- which for me, is presented in the form of the people around me having fun in a calm and collaborative way.

This past week, you and your brother also brought more insight to me that I had never realized on my own:

“Mommy gets mad when her work is stressful. But you never get mad at work; no matter how crazy things get. Instead, you get mad when people around you are upset and not happy.”

This is 100% accurate. Being an Enneagram 6, I am the problem-solver, the trouble-shooter, and the stabilizer.

Work only stresses me out when there’s not enough problems for me to solve, because I am wired to provide solutions and calmness to the everyday chaos I am presented with. I truly enjoy what I do for a living.

However, it’s when I’m not working that I am most likely to get stressed out; as I am the one in our family who is constantly trying to make everyone feel happy and connected with each other.

I learn so much from you about myself! Thank you, Holly.

Love,

Daddy

Leave a comment Posted on Enneagram, fatherhood, parenting, Uncategorized

Dear Jack: You are Now “Rebuilding” Hot Wheels… for Fun!

12 years, 3 months.

Dear Jack,

This past Christmas, you were obsessed with doing model cars. That has now transcended into you taking apart your old Hot Wheels cars, swapping their wheels, and completely repainting both the exterior, as well as the interior.

Just like with all your pursuits of the years, like last year’s Taekwondo, and archery the year before, Mommy and I are all in to help support your newest interest and hobby.

This past weekend, I bought you several cans of spray paint, and Mommy bought you a certain drill you need to be able to take the cars apart much easier.

You are a true Enneagram 4. You are so creative.

Mommy and I finally realized this week, that when you get “too much extra energy”, it’s not necessarily because you need to go outside.

Instead, it’s often because you need a creative activity to work on indoors.

I’m sure I’ll bring it up again later once we finish it, but I bought your sister a Star Wars puzzle this week for she and I work on. So far, you have accomplished more of putting the puzzle together, than your sister and me combined.

I love to see your creativity in action!

Love,

Daddy

 

Leave a comment Posted on fatherhood, parenting, People, Uncategorized

Dear Holly: Our 1st Father-Daughter Dance at Your School

6 years, 9 months.

Dear Holly,

While you and I went to our first Father-Daughter Dance last year at our church, this year made the first time ever that your school has  hosted one.

We were the first there and the last to leave!

The entire time, you and I were up front, right across from the DJ and the strobe lights and the speakers.

You and I are such a perfect match for a Father-Daughter Dance. We never sat down!

I felt bad for some of the dads there, because their daughters didn’t want to dance; so they mainly just sat in the bleachers the whole time.

Not you! Not me!

It was a party in the USA!

 

Love,

Daddy

Leave a comment Posted on fatherhood, parenting, People, Storytelling, Uncategorized

Dear Jack: When You Get to Hang Out with Mommy

12 years, 3 months.

Dear Jack,

Last Friday night while your sister and I were out at her school’s Father-Daughter Dance, you and Mommy went out for pizza at Frankie’s.

It is clearly so important to you that you get to spend one-on-one time with Mommy any chance you can.

I am always happy for you when this works out. As a family, we always do our best to create time and space for us all to hang out in pairs; as it is it is undeniable that we need to respect the dynamics of who we are when we are not all four together.

Also, that reminds me… the four of us do need to go to Frankie’s for dinner some time. Our family has never all been there at the same time!

Love,

Daddy