Cetus, while I'm sure that nothing I'll write will influence you at all, I hope that perhaps it will at least give you pause -- at least for a second or two.
I'm a PADI recreational instructor who also has some technical training. Because of what I felt was a hole in the PADI system, I created a new PADI Specialty (what PADI calls a "Distinctive Specialty") called
TecReational Diver. It is aimed at you -- the recreational diver who is exploring the limits of "traditional" recreational diving. It is, in fact "Fundies Light" and may well be a stepping stone for some of my students to GUE Fundies or UTD Essentials.
Getting this PADI Card could well be considered a "learner's permit" towards technical diving -- although it is specifically stated that all diving is to be within the no stop limits. However, despite what Wiki might say, please, do NOT consider the MSD Card such a learner's permit. I, and every other PADI Recreational Diving instructor knows that is not true.
I wish my daughter had shown an interest in diving (hell, I wish my daughter had shown an interest in anything besides TV but that is another topic!). I was ecstatic that her son showed an interest along with a nephew (3 generations diving together) so I understand your joy at diving and learning with your daughter:
On a different, but related, topic, you wrote:
As a result we never owned any recreational equipment and the most logical next steps were/are to adopt the DIR philosophy and acquire correspondent training and experience.
You've made several comments about having "DIR gear" (or words to that effect). Unfortunately this merely shows what may be another hole in your education/training. Having doubles, a stage, long hose, etc. does not a technical (or DIR) diver make. There really is no such thing as "DIR gear" and, to the contrary, all the gear that is used by students taking Fundies and other GUE training is merely recreational equipment. "It ain't the gear that is technical, it is the dive." For what it's worth, I'm starting an open water class on Sunday with my student in a BP/W (single tank) with a long hose on her primary. This is merely recreational gear and a pet peave of mine.
Last comment -- perhaps the best instructor I ever had (a one time GUE instructor BTW) had this advice on diving and training -- "When you get bored with the diving you are doing, take the training to go up a level -- but stay at your level until it is boring."