Fatherhood Factor

For all the "dealings" of dads...

Emily Joswiak

Top Tips for Spring-Cleaning Your Car

By Leave a Comment

The spring season of renewal is upon us. While many people are busy cleaning out their homes, closets, offices, or living spaces, plenty of places fall under the umbrella of spring cleaning—including your vehicle. Each spring, it’s worth the time it takes to roll up your sleeves and tune up your automobile for the rejuvenating drives that lie ahead.

Let’s take a closer look at the top tips for spring-cleaning your car. Here are the steps to take to maintain your car’s value for the long haul. A mere $3 car wash won’t quite do the trick.

Wipe On and Wipe Off: Wash Your Car Everywhere

Embrace your inner Mr. Miyagi to deep clean the exterior and interior of your vehicle. You don’t need to wax on and wax off for hours, but balance is the key here to protective gear up for the warmer seasons. While you may only think of cleaning the parts of your car that are visible, it’s crucial to wash not only on the outside—but also the nooks and crannies of the underbody and the wheel wells. Even scrub your tires for superior curbside appeal.

Move Inside With a Brush and Vacuum

One of the top tips for spring-cleaning your car is to clean the interiors from the top down. Use a mild cleaning spray and microfiber cloth on the dash, consoles, and other dust-collecting surfaces. Removing garbage, clutter, and vacuuming out the seats, floor mats, rugs, and trunk makes your car’s interiors less of a disaster area. Take a stiff brush and all-purpose cleaner to your mats and carpet. Nothing takes more abuse during the winter than your salty floormats.

Take Care of Your Seasonal Maintenance

The main car parts that require a check-in this spring include your tires and your wiper blades. Take a gander at your windshield wiper blades and see if they need replacing for spring showers. You don’t want to get caught in a rainstorm without working wipers. After the long winter, it’s also a good idea to examine tire depth and pressure. You should ensure your wheels are working as efficiently as possible.

Don’t forget to stay on top of maintenance, especially if you’d like to enhance safety in a modified car. Springtime is the perfect time for an annual car inspection. Bring in your vehicle for routine maintenance before hitting the roads for the prime driving season. Maintaining your automobile is about more than mere cleaning—rather, it’s about assuring safety and reliability for yourself, your family, and others on the road.

Biggest Issues Facing Public Education

By Leave a Comment

School serves as an incredibly developmental time and space for young children and teens. From their first day of preschool or kindergarten until high school graduation, your children are constantly expanding their social skills and academic knowledge in the classroom. Though school is one of the most influential structures in kids’ lives, public education still has its obstacles. Learn about a few of the biggest issues facing public education and what you can do to make a difference in your child’s school and, ultimately, your community.

Bullying

Though most schools implement a “zero tolerance” policy, this doesn’t always stop bullies from bullying. With the presence of social media in students’ lives, the landscape of bullying has changed. Cyberbullying now makes harassment between students easier and often more anonymous.

What you can do: To help combat bullying in your child’s school district, advocate for strict anti-bullying policies that include cyberbullying. If your child’s school has a persistent bullying issue, inquire about anti-bullying programs and groups that could promote safer learning environments for everyone.

Poverty

Students who experience poverty tend to encounter more challenges in school than their peers. Having a harder time accessing three nutritious meals a day, a reliable place to sleep, and proper medical treatment places additional stress on students who are affected by poverty. These conditions may hinder the students’ ability to reach their full academic potential.

What you can do: Whether you’re an educator or not, there are plenty of ways to support students experiencing homelessness and other factors of poverty.

Classroom Size and Resource Shortage

Public education continues to be a topic of contention when it comes to the federal budget. Because of the controversy over allocation, many public schools suffer from a strained budget, making scarce resources one of the biggest issues facing public education.

A lacking budget results in overcrowded classrooms and overworked educators. A jarring student-to-teacher ratio makes it especially difficult for teachers to keep close tabs on all their students and their academic success.

What you can do: Relieve some of the financial stress that many teachers experience by starting a fundraiser for their classroom. Raising money or starting a school supplies drive is a great way to equip a local school with the materials it needs. If you have spare time, ask your child’s teachers whether there are any volunteer opportunities you could help with.

Things To Do Before Your Adopted Child Comes Home

By Leave a Comment

“Some men are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.” This same concept applies to fatherhood. While some stumble into fatherhood by accident or as a happy surprise, others move heaven and earth to step into the role. And in no case is this truer than for that outstanding class of men known as adoptive fathers.

As with any father, there is no better day than the one in which their child comes home for the first time. But just as preparing for a new biological baby takes a lot of preparation, there are plenty of things to do before your adopted child comes home. Here are a few of them.

Start Nesting

When you have a biological child on the way, the nesting instinct kicks in and helps you make the entire home ready—and yes, fathers, we fall prey to nesting just as much as mothers do. That instinct may not kick in in this instance, but try to pretend. You may not have the energy to devote to room overhauls later, so add them to the list of things to do before your adopted child comes home.

If your new child is an infant, this involves baby-proofing the nursery. If you’re bringing home an older child, make sure their space is nice and put together. This will help ease them into the new normal. But don’t become too attached to the room design. Once you get to know each other better, you may decide together to rearrange the room to match their interests.

Prepare the Family

The process of adoption is not just about the child; it’s about the entire family. And making sure the rest of the family is ready will help smooth your new child’s transition even after the excitement of homecoming.

Help your kids, especially, understand that this new child is just as much their siblings as a biological sibling but that this new addition may need a little more of your attention at first. If your new child has come from a traumatic background, you’ll also need to help your other children understand that they’ll need to be patient as their new sibling may be working through a lot.

Take Time Off

Many experts recommend families with adoptive children take part in a process called “cocooning” when your child first comes home. Cocooning is a time to allow your child to adjust to their new situation, learn their role in the family, and bond with their new parents and siblings. It’s an emotionally intense time for everyone involved, so consider arranging to take time off work.

But it isn’t just working you should step away from. As excited as you, your extended family, and your friends are, try to avoid shuffling your child through a barrage of social engagements. The new setting is already a big enough transition. For the first few months, try to stick close to home. Then, little by little, you can introduce your child to the world.

Tips for Choosing the Best Wedding Anniversary Bouquet

By Leave a Comment

Many people choose to celebrate specials days or memories, such as their wedding. There are many reasons you should celebrate your anniversary, whether you do something extravagant or intimate. One way to celebrate your anniversary is by gifting your spouse a bouquet of flowers. Here are a few tips for choosing the best wedding anniversary bouquet.

Know the Flower’s Meaning

Each flower has a specific meaning. When you choose flowers for an anniversary bouquet, make sure to reflect on what your spouse means to you. Roses are a great option because they represent love and passion. Tulips are another great choice as they symbolize unconditional love. If you want to go the non-traditional route, there are many options. For example, hollyhock symbolizes ambition. Another example is a sunflower, which symbolizes loyalty. Whichever flower you choose, be sure to know the meaning behind it. Your spouse will appreciate the thought you put into it.

Consider the Color

The color of the flower also symbolizes different things. For example, white flowers symbolize perpetuity. For this reason, wedding flowers are often white. Red symbolizes love and passion, so it’s a great choice for an anniversary. Pink symbolizes grace and happiness, while orange symbolizes enthusiasm and passion. Each color has its own unique meaning, but any color is a good option. Most colors have a positive connotation, so feel free to choose whichever color feels right.

You can choose the color based on the anniversary year you’re celebrating. The fifth-anniversary color is blue, for example. If you’re celebrating your fifth wedding anniversary, consider choosing blue flowers for the bouquet. There is a specific color for each year, so feel free to follow that as a guide.

Go With High Quality

When considering the tips for choosing the best wedding anniversary bouquet, don’t forget about quality. It’s important that you get the bouquet from a trusted company or floral shop. The most ideal situation would be picking up the bouquet from a local floral shop, but there are also floral delivery services available. No one wants to receive a bouquet of wilted flowers, so make sure to do your research. If you’re ordering flowers online, reading reviews is a great way to determine the quality of the flowers.

Tips for Creating an Organized Playroom

By Leave a Comment

If you can create a playroom that is well set up and has designated areas for everything, you should be able to get some semblance of order. Of course, there will be stragglers here and there. But with a few tips for creating an organized playroom, you and your kiddos should be happier with the arrangement of playtime materials.

Organization

In any room, a lack of organization and an overwhelming amount of clutter can be draining. Many people don’t realize the importance of playtime, as it is not just for fun, but a way for children to learn how to play through processes, problem-solving, and experimentation. An abundance of toys and items may cause more of a mess than an experience for play and development. Everything should have a place in the room.

Incorporation

Specifying areas for different subject matter without an overload of toys or visuals is ideal. If you organize items categorically, it will also be easier to switch out toys or learning materials when needed. Incorporating various subjects such as literacy, science, household items (a kitchen set, table, baby dolls), and math can help your child learn more during playtime. Encouraging kids’ interest in science, math, reading, or other useful and important topics brings many educational advantages to the playtime experience.

Labeling

Literacy is something that can and should be taught very early on. Young children are able to quickly absorb information. Therefore, consider labeling everything in the playroom—from the door to the table and even bins dedicated to specific toys. Include a reference photo with the written label to further assist kids with reading comprehension.

This way, your child will become familiar with lettering and can use sight words (words you know simply by looking at them) to identify things as they grow and their literary skills improve. Though organizing by color is a great start, it doesn’t promote learning like labels do.

Expectations

Though this room is dedicated to toys and play, it should have established expectations for how it is to be kept. This is a great time to teach responsibility and instill best practices for maintaining order. You can even make a sign with pictures of what the kids need to do before exiting the room.

Encouraging your child to maintain organization and order upon departure from the playroom will start with teaching the importance of cleanliness. This guidance should carry over into the rest of the home as well. You could create a sign that shows kids putting toys in bins, pushing in table chairs, turning lights off, etc. Teaching autonomy whenever possible is a win for everyone.

There are many tips for creating an organized playroom. You’ll be able to kill two birds with one stone regarding education and life lessons when you organize things in a specific way. Dedicating different areas to certain subject matters will inevitably foster learning. Additionally, ensuring every item has its own space teaches important life skills regarding responsibility and caring for our belongings.

How To Make Your Backyard the Place To Be This Summer

By Leave a Comment

Most summertime memories are built outside. It’s the time of year we all look forward to with anticipation. As a father, you want your home to be the place your children’s friends want to be and the place your friends want to be. Use the following ideas to make your backyard the place to be this summer.

Set up a Fire Pit

Fire pits are great because they last beyond summer and into the fall. Summer nights call for roasting hot dogs over the fire and creating classic s’mores after the sun sets. There are many portable fire pits on the market that you can easily set up in the backyard or, if you’re feeling adventurous, you can dig your own fire pit using rocks or bricks and sand.

Keep Coolers at the Ready

The best homes are the ones that are prepared for company at a moment’s notice. In the summer, keep a large cooler or two in the backyard, ready to be filled with ice and cold drinks when friends stop by.

It’s helpful when grocery shopping to pick up a six-pack here and there and keep them cool in the house until you’re ready to put them in the cooler. Stock the cooler so you can easily spend hours just relaxing and sipping with friends.

Deck or Patio

Make sure there is a comfortable area in your backyard where everyone can hang out when they come over. Patios work well for a grill and table with chairs, but if possible, consider adding a deck for a more attractive outdoor seating area.

Comfortable Seating

Speaking of seating, how is your outdoor furniture? The elements can wear out outdoor furniture when it’s been used year after year. Check for ripped cushions or rust on chair legs and splurge on new furniture if needed.

Choose outdoor seating that is comfortable and makes guests want to stay a while.

Outdoor Music

You don’t need to set up a state-of-the-art stereo system to enjoy long summer nights outside with friends and family. If that’s your thing, by all means, make it happen.

If not, Bluetooth speakers work great. Keep one charged and at the ready with your favorite outdoor playlists anxiously awaiting their chance to pump music throughout your backyard.

Light up the Night

There are many creative ideas out there for lighting up your outdoor space. You’ll want to choose something that helps everyone see one another while they relax and enjoy the evening mood lighting. Go for subtlety when creating light in the backyard.

Vintage-style lightbulbs strung across a deck give off a warm amber glow. Porch lights in the backyard with a soft white light rather than floodlights work well too. Even tiki torches create plenty of evening light and keep bugs away at the same time. Plus, they give you a reason to play reggae music and pretend you are on an island.

Have fun as you make your backyard the place to be this summer and enjoy those long summer nights.

Tips for Making Your Yard Look Clean

By Leave a Comment

A neat yard can improve the appearance of your home’s exterior, but it takes a lot of effort to maintain it. But with the right tools and techniques, you can achieve the look you’re after. Utilize these tips for making your yard look clean and enjoy the natural beauty of the space.

Proactively Prune and Weed

Your trees, shrubs, and lawns all need frequent trimming. Without it, they can become overgrown, and this makes your yard look uninviting. On top of this, the longer you wait to deal with them, the harder the task becomes. Be proactive about pruning your trees and bushes, as well as weeding and cutting your grass. It allows you to avoid facing time-consuming sessions in which you must make up for all the times you pushed off your yard maintenance. In the case of weeding, it also prevents unwanted plants from becoming rooted deeply in the ground.

Landscape With Mulch

Grass definitely beautifies your home’s outdoor spaces, but you can make things easier for yourself by reducing the amount of land that it covers. Instead of just grass, create some mulch beds in your yard. You can form them around trees or set up new sections for smaller plants. Landscaping with mulch is a great tip for making your yard look clean because it decreases your yard’s mowing requirements. With short borders around them, mulch beds give your yard clear lines that make it look tidier.

Use a String Trimmer

A string trimmer is an invaluable tool when you’re concerned about the orderliness of your yard. Lawnmowers are wide and bulky to cover more ground at once, shortening the time you spend cutting grass. Their one shortcoming, however, is that they can’t reach small crevices and edges in your yard very well. String trimmers allow you to cut grass and weeds in hard-to-reach places. When you want to clean up the areas where your lawn meets pavement or hard pathways, a string trimmer provides the precision you need.