"Why is your mom home? Where's your dad?" I asked my friend. I was around 5. Maybe 6.
My friend replied, "Um, my dad is at work. Why is YOURS home?"
I would later learn that being a stay at home dad in the 80s and 90s wasn't exactly the norm. But to me, it was perfectly normal. My mother went to work for the Air Force. My Daddy took care of me.
Yesterday was my Dad's birthday. I am so glad we live nearby now so we can celebrate.
I had a wonderful childhood because of him. He didn't just take care of me. He played with me. He played with the neighborhood kids. I remember him chasing us with a water gun. He used to blow smoke bubbles because yes, he used to smoke. (He has since quit! I am so proud of him for that.) He was the cool dad on the block.
I love that my family life was unique. It helped me become who I am today.
Now my kids get to have fun with my Dad. He's their Papa.
Natalie once told me, "My Papa is so fun and cool!" and I smiled. He was my cool Dad. And now he's a cool Papa who lets his grandchildren do his hair.
Happy Birthday, Dad.
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He sounds like a wonderful Dad and Grandad! Hope he had a nice birthday
ReplyDeleteThat's so cool, happy birthday to him!
ReplyDeleteWhat great memories of your dad. I hope my kids will have memories of their dad like this.
ReplyDeletedad's are the best!
ReplyDeleteNatalie looks like you when you were little!! Hope your dad has a great day.
ReplyDeleteYour so lucky you have such a awesome dad a dad who too is a big Kid at heart. Your lucky than most people. Happy birthday Ambers dad. Before I forget in the first photo of you and your dad you look a bit like Jodie Sweetin from Full House when she was little during the shows first season. And your dad looked like Tom Selleck with the moustache too also in that picture where he is holding you and that old toy Glo Worm
ReplyDeleteSuch cherished memories. So perfect to have them.
ReplyDeleteToo good post. You have such a awesome dad a dad. He sounds like a wonderful Dad and Granddad. Happy Birthday to him!
ReplyDeleteI hope my girls think similar of me. Happy birthday your dad.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a wonderful father and grandpa :) Happy Birthday to him!!!
ReplyDeleteWhatever works for you huh. Nice memories.
ReplyDeleteAw Happy Birthday to your dad! I'm so glad you have such great memories of him and these pictures just make my heart melt!
ReplyDeletexx Heather | stormywheather.com
I know my partner would love to stay at home with our little princess. It's so sweet that he was able to have that relationship with you and now your children. He sounds like a fantastic man. Happy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteIts funny cuz now days its becoming more common for dads to stay at home.
ReplyDeleteAwwww, Happy birthday to your daddy!! He looks like a really fun grandpa <3
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to your dad. My dad is the coolest dad, too. And I miss every single day without him.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to have such a great relationship with your dad! I am very close to my dad too. My parents both worked, but it is really nice to be close.
ReplyDeleteWhat a handsome fellow your dad. And he has the same great smile with your kids as he did with you. My husband stayed home on our farm with our four kids for two decades while I worked as a nurse manager. They got off the bus, went in the barn, helped with chores and supper and all four have turned out more than decent. YEAH FOR STAY AT HOME DADS!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you got some wonderful bonding time with your dad! My first husband was a stay-at-home dad. I worked 2-3 jobs and went to school. He was a musician and only worked weekends. We took turns taking care of the kids.
ReplyDeletethis was so sweet. I love the role reversal. I really hate gender roles. I believe that whatever works best for the family should be put in place regardless of other people's opinions.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading this post. Thank for for sharing your sweet and personal memories. You're lucky to have such a great dad.
ReplyDeleteMy husband is also a Stay-at-home-dad, honestly we're stay-at-home-parent. I'm glad that you shared this story.
ReplyDeleteThis is so sweet! That's so cool that you had a stay at home Dad! He does look fun!! Happy Birthday to him!!
ReplyDeleteHe seems like a spectacular Dad & Papa! I find it takes a strong man to be a SAHD! Such a sweet story.
ReplyDeleteNothing beats the love and care of Dads... and when they became GrandPa they doubles the love
ReplyDeleteHis hair is gorgeous and your daughter playing in it is too cute! While many people may associate staying at home with something a mom does, I think it's becoming more common for dad to do it too. I personally think whatever is right for the family is what they should do! Happy Birthday to your dad!
ReplyDeleteHe sounds like an amazing Father. Reminds me of my own.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to you dad! He sounds like a good dad.
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful! Glad you have such a great relationship with your dad!
ReplyDeleteLove those pictures.. so many sweet memories with your dad :) my dad has been self employed for most part of his life so he has had a flexible schedule so we also could have more memories than some of my friends :) I am lucky for that!
ReplyDelete— DT | Here I Scribble
This is so cute! Happy birthday to your dad, he looks like the coolest guy
ReplyDeleteAW!Many many happy returns of the day to your dad! And Amber, trust me you look so much like Natalie during your childhood that in the first picture I got confused and thought for a second that Natalie was playing with your dad!
ReplyDeleteWhat a really great story! Makes me missed my dad!
ReplyDeleteThat's really sweet! Happy Birthday to your dad! He sounds like a wonderful father and you're so lucky to have him.
ReplyDeleteHe does sound wonderful. What a blessing to have him in your family, and I'm sure he feels the reciprocal of that too. :) Happy Birthday to him.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to your father! He's such a sweet and wonderful dad and grand dad!
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome. Love the photos. Sounds like an amazing dad and grandpa :)
ReplyDeleteNeat story! My moms a CEO so has always been the family's breadwinner. I think old stereotypes are meant to be broken!
ReplyDeleteThis is so sweet! I love that you have shared that your dad was the stay at home parent. You hardly hear of that but that's awesome!
ReplyDeleteha - he reminds me of my dad. With the long, cool hair! And playing!
ReplyDeleteI love your unique childhood story.
Such a wonderful Dad.Mother or father parents are the building blocks of our lives. It's because of them that we are what we are
ReplyDeleteMy husband is able to work from home with me to be with our daughter. I love that he is with us all the time.
ReplyDeleteHow neat that you were able to have a stay at home dad! My parents were divorced so I only saw him every other weekend, about 4 days a month. It seems crazy now that it was a common experience back then. It seems so obvious now that children need (A lot!) more than 4 days a month with their dads.
ReplyDeleteTrue it is very uncommon for stay at home dads but still i love this post & happy birthday to your awesome fantastic dad!
ReplyDeleteOmg how wonderful and cute!!!!!!! I really don't get why it's not more common for more guys to stay home
ReplyDeleteThis is such a Beautiful post! Your dad sounds like a wonderful man and grandpa
ReplyDeleteI love this! Sounds like you were raised by an awesome man and have some wonderful memories.
ReplyDeleteCool Dad and grand daddy. Lucky also that he has nice grandchildren :)
ReplyDelete