Fatherhood Factor

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Cooper Klein

Tips to Prepare for a Long Family Road Trip

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Going on a road trip with your family is one of the most memorable adventures you can organise for them. Spending time together while cruising from one place to another has every chance of creating unforgettable memories for everyone involved, especially your kids. Still, a road trip has to be well prepared and thought through if you wish to prevent it from turning into a nightmare.

The preparation includes much more than just packing everything you need and deciding on the route. Luckily, so many parents are willing to share their experience with family road-trips that we can now safely say that the following tips are the most important ones. So, let’s take a look at them.

Start preparing early enough

Once you’ve decided on the dates for your road trip and selected the destination, it’s time to start preparing. A road trip requires more time to get ready for, so don’t leave everything for the last minute. Instead, dust off your suitcases at least a few days before the trip and start packing in advance. Add items whenever you have a free moment. This is a great tip, since you may easily realize that your suitcase is either too small or too big for the stuff you’re planning to pack. Also, make sure you finish packing the day before the trip, so that you can pack your luggage into the vehicle and check if you have enough space.

Make a checklist

There is a reason why checklists will never become obsolete. Your checklist should be comprehensive, but also well-organised. Divide the activities into sections, such as “packing”, “organising” and “things to do”. You can use one of many apps that help you stay organised, but make sure you include all tasks.

Food and beverages

The fact you’ll be spending a lot of time in your vehicle means you’ll likely to be hungry and thirsty while driving, not to mention your kids who’ll probably start eating as soon as you leave your hometown. When it comes to food and beverages, make sure you always have enough water with you and some snacks that don’t have to be kept in the fridge. Use the opportunity to replenish your stocks each time you stop close to a store.

Make sure your vehicle is ready

Much of your experience will depend on how reliable and comfortable your vehicle is. Bear in mind that you’ll be driving for hours (almost) each day and that both the driver and passengers need to be as comfortable as possible. If your vehicle is not big enough, the road trip can really be spoiled easily. Even more important is the safety and efficiency aspect. Visit your mechanic before the trip to check if everything is ok and that your car is ready. Also, consider installing fuel efficient tyres; that will definitely pay off if you’re planning on covering longer distances.

Emergency pack

Apart from a first-aid kit, which is absolutely necessary, you should also pack some other items that might be useful in case of an emergency. For example, if you’re travelling in the winter, have a blanket or two in the cabin, in case you get stuck. Also, a candle is a great idea, since you might need to wait in the car and you can increase the temperature by a few degrees with just one candle, instead of keeping your engine running. Toilet paper should also be on the list, as well as wet wipes and hand sanitizer.

Carefully plan stopovers

You need to take into account several factors when estimating your times of departure and arrival. You may hit a traffic jam or some road congestions, making it impossible to reach your destination at the planned time. It’s always better to travel during off-peak hours, but make sure you have a traffic app in case you need to seek alternative routes. Needless to say, make sure your phone or GPS are charged and don’t forget to pack chargers and cables.

Make the most of pit-stops

Plan your trip so that you get as much as possible from the journey itself. Your final destination doesn’t need to be the only reason why you’ve decided to go on a road trip. It’s important to take into account the wishes of your family members and try to make everyone happy. You know how easily kids get bored? Well, if they know they are about to visit a place they find interesting soon, they’ll be more likely to behave in the car.

Entertainment for kids

It’s rarely easy to entertain kids on long trips and you need to be aware of that and let them choose the entertainment they want. Allow them to listen to the music (with their headphones, of course), read or bring some board-games that you’ll all be able to enjoy before hitting the sack. The key is to have a mixture of toys and games that can be played together or independently. Still, no matter how many toys and games you pack, your kid may still be bored and that is understandable. Travelling is not everyone’s cup of tea, so be tolerant and understanding. Though the choice of the destination and route is entirely up to you and your family, there are some things you need to take care of regardless of your decision. If you get them right, you’ll have every chance of creating special memories for everyone involved in the trip. Godspeed!

Interior Design Tips for the Décor-Challenged Dad

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Whether you’re a single dad or not, you need to provide your children with an enjoyable, comfortable and fun home environment. However, the problem arises when you realise that décor isn’t really your thing. Sure, you can design a man cave for you and your buddies, but you probably don’t know how to create a space that will be suitable for your children. Luckily, even the most décor-challenged dads can learn the ropes and design the perfect homes for their families.

Go with a functional layout

No one can clutter up a room like children, you’re probably quite familiar with that fact. This can be particularly challenging in a small apartment when you’re already struggling with space. This is why you need to learn how to make the most of your home. The solution to this problem lies in finding a functional layout that will provide you and your kids with a great traffic flow and enable you to move around easily. Try to think of convenient solutions that will help you free up your space and use it to the fullest.

For instance, if you have an open floor plan, you can use bookcases as room dividers and create different zones in your family area. Most importantly, try to keep it simple and practical, designating different spots for your household items, making use of your wall space and experimenting with storage solutions.

Remodel wisely

When it comes to remodelling your home, which you’ll need to do at some point, you need to come up with a plan that will make this process easier for both you and your children. Aside from keeping them involved and preparing them for this period, you also need to consider which remodelling projects are right for you. Make sure to pick profitable renovation ideas that will make your home more enjoyable and functional. From painting interior walls and designing custom-made storage units to remodelling your bathroom or improving your kids’ rooms, choose long-term projects that will meet the needs of your family.

Choose a style that you’ll all love

Whether you’re a true fan of unique industrial style or you want a contemporary, minimalist home, it’s important that you choose a design that both you and your kids will love. A boring, monochromatic look will make your space unappealing to your children. Instead, go with a neutral base and a classic style and then introduce bright colours and fun patterns for accent details, such as area rugs, cushions, blankets, curtains, etc. Decorating with your memorabilia and souvenirs will give your space an authentic character. This will create an exciting atmosphere that will meet both your and their needs. It’s important that your home reflects your family’s personality rather than just yours.

Have your own personal space

Being a parent is exhausting, so it’s important that you have your personal space where you can just relax. Typically, this will be your bedroom, so make sure that it reflects your taste and personality. As your sanctuary, this room can feature your favourite colours, materials and embellishments as long as it still complements the design of your home. You should pay special attention to your bed and mattress. It’s important that you get quality sleep every night so that you can wake up energised and ready to tackle the upcoming challenges. Of course, parents’ rooms should always have high-quality and comfy king mattresses, so make sure to invest in one. Aside from providing you with great back support and quality sleep, it will come in handy when your little ones come in the middle of the night scared of a nightmare or decide to wake you up by jumping on the bed as high as they can.

Design the perfect kids’ rooms

If you saw a cute kid-size race car bed for your son, don’t buy it! You’ll spend a fortune on it only to store it in the attic after a few years. When decorating your kids’ bedroom, you need to go with a design that will grow with your children. Choose functional furniture that can adjust to their changing needs. You can go with playful patterns, cheerful colours, cosy fabrics and fun decorations, but keep it balanced. If your kids are sharing a room, make sure that each of them has their own personal space. You can include desks and shelves where they can do their homework or draw. Of course, make sure that they have plenty of floor space because children love to play on the floor!

Stay on top of clutter

Clutter is your biggest enemy, so make sure to control it! A cluttered space isn’t only unpleasant and crowded, but also unhealthy because clutter can expose your children to different allergens, such as mould, mildew and dust. You need to maintain an airy, clutter-free environment that will make your home more enjoyable and comfortable. Make sure to include functional storage solutions for your kids’ toys in your living room. You know that they’ll make their way to the family room sooner or later. Your kids’ rooms should also have plenty of chests, boxes and drawers for their belongings. Finally, keep your surfaces clear – encourage your kids to return everything to its place and tidy up after themselves.  As a dad, you need to design a home that will reflect your taste while also appealing to your children. However, don’t put aesthetics over functionality, but try to keep your design as convenient as possible.

Ways to Survive Home Remodeling With Kids

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As a proactive dad, you’re probably constantly trying to find new and exciting ways to spend time with your family. Well, this is not one of them. However, remodeling your home needn’t be a daunting venture either. It will all come down to how well you plan the entire ordeal, how well you prepare for it, and how well you structure your kids’ time for maximum compliance and minimal property destruction during the whole thing.

Kids are hard work, okay, let’s not kid around, and no matter how much you would love to send them away along with your darling partner so that you can renovate and remodel on your own terms, the reality is going to be far different. With that in mind, here is your quick-and-easy guide on how to survive home remodeling with your kids.

Dad, what’s remodeling?

Oh, that moment when a kid catches you off guard with a complex question you simply can’t formulate an answer for on the spot. Just be glad it’s this one and not the birds and the bees. However, much like with any complex question, you need to have a simple, kid-friendly answer at the ready in order to avoid any further discussion and keep your kids happy.

This is why it’s a good idea to prepare for this question well in advance, come up with an easy answer, and maybe even sit them down to explain the whole process. Explaining to your kids what’s going to happen in the weeks and months to come will be instrumental in getting them to adjust to the new lifestyle, say bye-bye to the bedroom they once knew, and embrace the new living arrangement.

Make a detailed plan to uphold your routine

Your home might be in complete disarray and missing a wall or two, but that doesn’t mean that your routine should fall through in the process. In fact, one of the best ways to preserve peace in the household and prevent utter confusion on a daily basis is to keep doing what you always did. Not only will this keep your kids calm, but it will present you as the father figure your kids can look up to.

You might end up having breakfast in the garage, but as long as you’re having it at the same time every morning, you’re bound to keep the family train on its tracks. Remember, a modern father takes initiative, he is determined and does best with what he’s got.

Give the kids a part in the project

Another great idea that can help you keep the peace in your house while workers are tearing it down is to give your kids a seemingly important role to play in the entire thing. This should be something menial such as helping you pick out bathroom supplies or pick a new color for their bedroom, something along those lines.

Whatever it is, make sure they feel valued for their contribution – who knows, they might even help you put an amazing finishing touch to a room, so trust your kids and don’t forget to present the whole thing as a fun adventure. This brings us to the next crucial point.

Child-proof the place, or just kick them out

It’s amazing how kids manage to bewilder you with a profound, smart question that makes you feel like you’re raising the next NASA employee of the year, and then the next moment they’re slamming their heads against a wall. Kids are like that, they run around, they make a mess, and oftentimes, they get a bump on their forehead in the process.

If you want to avoid rushing to the emergency room because your kid hit their head on a support beam, you will do well to child-proof the house beforehand. If that seems like a chore, then just send them away to their grandparents during the biggest remodel.

Give yourself, and the kids, a break

Last but not least, the key to coexisting peacefully with your kids, and your partner, lies in taking an occasional break, and just getting away from all the hustle and bustle. Don’t worry, the house will still be there when you come back from the restaurant, and truth be told, the workers might not even need you for an entire weekend, so give yourself a break and take a well-deserved mini vacation in a nice kid-friendly spa upstate.

Kids are great, aren’t they, what their constant running, screaming, play-fighting, and unbelievable inability to sit down for a second and listen to your boring explanation of why your house is going to look way different in the near future. Nevertheless, with these essential tips in mind, you should have no problem organizing a smooth remodeling project your entire family can enjoy.