In many ways, sons start working for their fathers at a young age. Whether it's chores around the house, helping with a home improvement project, or just being the guy on the other end of a couch that needs to be moved, sons are always looking to their fathers for direction. Somewhere along the way, the little boys who mastered taking out the trash, or mowing the lawn, are ready for a bigger challenge.

 Our Superintendent Jason Fridlund has recently had the opportunity to bring his son Jacob on to learn the family trade. For Father's day at Merit, we interviewed Jason on what it was like to work with his son, and this is what he had to say:

"I want to lead with Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there! Being a father is a blessing and maybe the most important thing a man can do. It can be incredibly tough sometimes and also incredibly rewarding. To all the dads out there that tough it out through the good times and the bad and support your kids through it all, I salute you!"

What is it like working with Jacob? 

"Jacob and I have worked together on various projects and tasks at home since he was a teenager so It feels pretty normal working with Jacob on the jobsite. I find myself getting more into a teaching mode when I’m working side by side with him because I know he is eager to learn. "

 Do you enjoy teaching him? Is he a quick learner?

"I do enjoy teaching Jacob, but it’s always enjoyable to teach when the student wants to learn. He is pretty quick to pick things up and he has an inquisitive mind for the how and why when learning new things. Those traits are a good foundation to build on for a Carpenter Apprentice working towards Journeyman status."

What is your favorite part about having him on jobs?

"I would be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy watching him struggle a little bit with the hard work. It reminds me of when I started out in the construction business. I know it will get easier for him and I’m proud of him for continuing to press forward even when it’s hard. Another fun part of working with my son is when he is asked to perform a task he just does it, there isn’t that father-son friction you get sometimes when you are asking them to clean their room!"

Do you have memories of him helping you work when he was little?

"Jacob always enjoyed the demolition portion of the work when we would be renovating parts of the house. I would tear down the upper portion of a wall and he would work on the lower part, it’s fun watching your kids do things that put a smile on their face and yours. We may have wrote a few notes on the framing letting the next person to renovate know we were there, the kids always enjoyed that too!"

From everyone at Merit, Happy Father's Day.