Fatherhood Factor

For all the "dealings" of dads...

Emily Joswiak

Why Fabric Choice Is Important for Seat Covers

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After either buying your automobile or having it refinished, you will want to keep it protected so that you can maintain your investment. As your personal means of transportation, upkeep is top on the list of things to do when owning an automobile, so you should never short yourself when it comes to dressing up your car or truck with the right seat covers. Therefore, this article will cover why fabric choice is important for seat covers.

Canvas and Denim

If you live a busy life that can sometimes get a little hectic, then canvas or denim might be your preference when going with protection for your upholstery in your vehicle. If you happen to have a family or tend to road trip and use your vehicle for work purposes, this might be another reason why you choose a fabric like this. Sturdy and strong, the canvas can withstand a beating over a long period of time, and it is resistant to stains, so you can be sure that you have bought the right material if these conditions apply to you.

Carbon Fiber

For sports fanatics and car enthusiasts, you might like the luxury of having a flashy car. This is a great alternative for those who don’t want to sacrifice covering their beautiful upholstery with seat coverings that might take away from the glamour of their ride. This material is not only visually appealing but also serves to be soft and durable. With these characteristics, you will be riding in style with both the look and the feel that you want.

Leather or Leatherette

This option is for those who truly live for luxury. Your vehicle may already have a leather interior and seating, but just as an added precaution, you add more leather with your seat cover as the most classy and stylish protection money can buy. Or perhaps you have a lower-end vehicle that wasn’t upholstered with something as flashy and stylish as leather, and you wanted to add that element to your vehicle. Well, now you can do it and feel wonderful every time you are behind the wheel.

So, if you’re constantly on the road and tend to ride rough around the edges, canvas could be for you. Or maybe sporty is your thing. Whatever you choose will ultimately be your decision, but it is always a wise idea to do your research beforehand so that you can know it matches your style and taste. But it is also just as important that the seat cover matches the vehicle appropriately as well. Now you know why fabric choice is so important for seat covers when trying to improve the quality of your ride.

How Does Moving a Family in the Military Work?

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Any time you prepare to move, things can get a little dicey without the proper information and planning. Therefore, if you happen to be on active duty and are also preparing for a move, the military has all the hard stuff taken care of for you. This isn’t to say that you won’t have to put your end of the work in as well, but they help make the overall transition a little easier. This is how moving a family in the military works for those in the military curious to know before their first move. (Or simply for others who’re interested.)

Restrictions Overseas

The military is chock-full of restrictions on what you can and cannot do and moving is no exception. Generally, when moving, you can take everything with you—but if you’re moving overseas things tend to become complicated. There’s a limited amount of items and specifics on what you can take when traveling overseas. The military will step in to put your things in storage during your entire time overseas at no cost to you. As a bonus, they’ll pay to have everything shipped. Make sure to take precautions before things start happening.

Filing Claims

It’s never ideal if something gets lost or broken during a move. Some things are priceless, so you should be careful of what you choose to have moved in bulk and what you decide to take with you personally. Otherwise, the military will reimburse you for issues like this. It is up to you, however, to make sure to file your claims with your command wherever you end up. You have a limited amount of time to do so before it’ll be counted as void.

Finding Your Footing Afterward

For military members, moving is just another aspect of the job. But for the spouse, it’s more of an intricate situation. They have to uproot themselves from their lives every few years. This can be a complicated process, so the military has assistance programs for them during and after moves. One thing military spouses worry about is how to continue with their normal lives when they must constantly move. The government has programs in place to help them if they’re seeking to further their careers when their spouse is on active duty.

Moving doesn’t have to be as complicated of a process as people tend to imagine. If you have the proper plan and strategy in place, it can make for a very simple procedure. So, if you’re wondering how moving a family in the military works, then it’s as easy as referencing this article. Alternatively, you could ask a military service member what their experience was like. You might be surprised to hear how effortless it is for them.

The Ultimate Fall Landscaping Checklist for Your Yard

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Fall is the perfect time to get some yard work done. Instead of relying on professional landscapers, the jobs listed here in the ultimate fall landscaping checklist for your yard are easy, laid-back projects that won’t take forever to complete. Here’s our guide for the ultimate fall landscaping checklist for your yard.

Ventilate Your Lawn

If your lawn easily floods from downpours, it’s time to consider aerating it. This will help the soil pull in water and nutrients reach the roots. You can do this with garden tools if you have a small yard. If you have a big yard, consider using a walk-behind aerator which will break down water molecules naturally.

Give Your Grass Nutrients

Once late summer approaches, cut back on the fertilizer. This can help prevent wasting energy on lead production in perennials. Even though grassroots continue to grow until it hits forty degrees outside, it’s still an excellent time to feed your grass one last time before cooler temperatures set in. Use a high phosphorus mix on your lawn to yield a greener turf come spring.

Mow One More Time

After you feed your grass, mow one more time before cool temperatures hit. By cutting your grass one more time, you prevent diseases from harming your landscaping. When grass is cut, fallen leaves won’t attach themselves and cause your grass to become ill.

Pro Tip: don’t cut too low since grass makes its food from the upper blade.

Gather Leaves

If you’re having trouble collecting leaves, consider raking them onto a tarp. This will make it easier to transport them into waste and compost bins. If you’ve got a compost bin, ensure you flip the leaf pile every week with a garden fork to ventilate the compost.

Get New Shrubs and Plant Them

If you have a green thumb, then you probably know planting a shrub in early fall will give your plants a head start in establishing roots in excellent, moist soil. All you’ll need to do to plant your shrubs is dig a hole, position the shrub, fill in the gap, and then water and place dirt on the root.

Cut off Dead Limbs

Dead tree branches can cause harm to you and your home when winter snowstorms and winds strike. Conserve your house by cutting off dead tree limbs when fall comes around. Make sure to cut loose and cracked branches that are close to the trunk as well.

This fall, ensure you have the right equipment when you’re working on your landscaping. Get your yard prepared for the fall by following our guide on the best landscaping you can do this cold season.

Common Power Steering Issues To Have Repaired

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We count on our cars to take us where we need to go every day. It’s frustrating when something goes wrong and suddenly our car isn’t acting as it should. One function that we expect to work properly every day is our power steering. It’s essential to pay attention to the common power steering issues to have repaired before they turn into a bigger problem.

Leaking Fluids

Power steering uses a fluid that moves the pressure in order to make the wheels turn. If you find an unknown fluid leaking from your vehicle, make sure to have it checked. You may hear a grinding noise as one of the first signs there’s a leak.

Power steering hoses wear out after years of use, showing signs of age as they harden and crack. The couplings connecting the hoses also wear out over time. Both issues cause leaking of power steering fluid. If it goes on too long, you’ll find yourself on the road, suddenly unable to steer.

Ball Screws

Ball screws are used in power steering components to convert rotational motion into linear motion (assisting in the motion of the wheels). Ball screws are preferred because of their rotational ability and lack of friction. To keep the steering system working smoothly, ball screws must be well lubricated. Over time, if not well-maintained, a ball screw will need rebuilding or replacing if it has worn out. Once rebuilt, you can use the ball screw again, just as if it were new.

Belt Issues

When the drive belt slips, you can’t turn your car in a different direction. If you’re driving and hear a whining noise as you turn, have the drive belt checked. It drives the pump, and without it, fluid pressure is gone.

Steering Pump

It’s unavoidable—as our cars age, the pumps age as well. Seals and other parts break down over time, leading to fluid pressure loss. As with most common power steering issues to have repaired, you’ll know you possibly have a steering pump problem when you hear odd noises while steering.

It’s best to have a regular, yearly maintenance schedule with a trusted mechanic so you can catch all of these issues early and avoid steering problems while on the road.

The Top 5 Motorcycle Sports Bikes of 2020

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Did you see when Jayson Uribe got the top 10 in superbike in Atlanta? A lot of teamwork transpired to ensure Jason’s bike was fixed. If you find that an interesting story, you’re most likely interested in motorcycles, and so you’ll enjoy knowing the winners of bike brands are Honda, BMW, Yamaha, Kawasaki, and Ducati Panigale.Continue reading to learn a little bit more about them.

Honda

Honda superbikes are affordable and have great insurance rates. They’re an economical brand, have two headlights, and a four-cylinder engine.

The CBR stands for city bike racing with the edition number that follows. The notable Honda bikes are the CBR5000 and CBR650R.

Yamaha

The Yamaha is one of the top 5 motorcycle sports bikes of 2020. This type of bike is great if you race competitively on the track!

They have a distinct exhaust that matches the design effortlessly. A few notable bikes for 2020 are the R1, R1M, YZF-R6, and YZF-R1.

BMW S1000RR

This type is one of the notable 2020 bikes of 2020. They were used in the Superbike World Championship. It’s used for speed racing before traveling casually and has four cylinders and strokes in lines.

Kawasaki

A Kawasaki bike is excellent for people who are beginners or interested in traveling long distances. Along with a great body, this type of bike can stand alone without customizations or adding rims. It offers the thrill one could be missing!

Ducati Panigale

Lastly, out of all the top 5 motorcycle sports bikes of 2020 on this list, there’s the Ducati Panigale series. These bikes all have monocoque frames. They’re middleweight easy-to-use sports bikes that have six speeds with quick shifts. They have excellent foot pedal support so you won’t waste energy while riding.

Some notable Ducati Panigales are the V4R, V2, and V4. If you aren’t sure which bike to choose, have a test-driving session with each before making your final decision. They are all fast and sleek!

Fun Activities for a Father and His Young Son To Do

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If you surveyed 100 fathers and asked them what age their son was when they really started to connect, many of them would likely say when he was around his teenage years. Some dads seem to have trouble connecting with their sons at a younger age.

Regardless of the reason for this issue, we feel some of it comes from not knowing what to do with them until they’re old enough to do “manlier” things. Ahead, we’ve created a list of fun activities for a father and his younger son to do together. Don’t miss out on any good times early in your son’s life.

Take Him To a Ball Game

Many people would go with the cliché “play catch with him,” but we think actually taking your son to a sporting event is a better use of your time. No matter how young he is, he’ll enjoy the food, the excitement of the crowd, and whatever silly things the mascot is doing. Sure, he might not remember it when he’s older, but this could be the event that sparks an interest in the sport down the road, which could lead to many games of catch in the front yard.

Build or Fix Something Together

Some dads think that this idea is only suitable for older children, but building or fixing something together is an excellent way to bond. Give your son some easy tasks, like grabbing a tool or twisting in a screw.

If you’re working on something for your son, he’ll be more likely to want to help. For example, some people like to modify their child’s ride-on.

Go on a Camping Trip

If you want your son to experience the outdoors, take him on a father-son camping trip. On this trip, you can teach him how to fish, set up a tent, or even build a campfire. If he likes it, you could turn it into a yearly tradition, finding new things to teach him every year.

Play Some Games With Him

If none of our previous fun activities for a father and his younger son to do together seem to be working, you might have to do something on his terms. Many kids are into video games these days; try playing one or two of them with him. Even if you aren’t very good, your son will appreciate that you’re trying it out with him.

If you want to meet him halfway on this subject, try to find a board game that he likes. If you need more players, get the whole family involved and make it a family game night. Regardless of what you do, taking an interest in the things your son likes goes a long way.

The Benefits of Taking a First Aid Course With Your Kids

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When you think about hanging out with the kids, your mind probably goes to amusement parks, the zoo, indoor fun centers, and the like. But a first aid class? You might imagine the look of disappointment on their faces when you describe a morning or afternoon of instruction, but give them the benefit of the doubt. A first aid course is fun in the right circumstances and setting, and you’ll equip them with the skills they need. Here are the benefits of taking a first aid course with your kids.

Learning First Aid Is Never Boring

First aid and CPR courses promise excitement, engaging activities, and interesting anecdotes from the instructor. You’ll have to practice what you learn, leading to the fun of practicing techniques on each other, including bandaging, CPR, Heimlich maneuvering, splints, and more. If your kids are fascinated with such things, they’ll love learning the importance of caring for others while satiating their curiosity.

First Aid Knowledge Builds Confidence

Another one of the benefits of taking a first aid course with your kids is that kids certified in first aid and CPR are more confident about their ability to handle an emergency. Kids can learn first aid skills as young as nine years old, and a child who knows how to look out for and care for their friends is more self-assured and will view themselves as a leader in their peer group. You’re also showing that you trust them with this sort of knowledge, making it a great bonding moment.

They’ll Learn Valuable Skills

There’s no argument against learning first aid. Everyone should know the basics of providing first aid to an injured or otherwise incapacitated person until healthcare professionals arrive. First aid gives a person a fighting chance, potentially saving their life, limbs, or general health and well-being. When you equip your kids with first aid skills, you’re ensuring this doesn’t just apply to your family but all the people your kids know or meet in their lives. Other courses and camps can entertain and educate your children, but first aid prepares them for the worst life can throw at them. Who knows? They may even save your life someday.