Fatherhood Factor

For all the "dealings" of dads...

Emily Joswiak

Common Problems With Diesel Engines

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If you’ve been experiencing problems with your diesel engine, it’s important to pinpoint the cause and have it repaired at your earliest convenience. You want to get back on the road as quickly as possible, after all—and the longer you leave these problems to fester, the worse they’ll get. There’s a long list of reasons why your diesel engine might be acting strangely, and you may have difficulty figuring out the exact cause of your problems. However, you can look for some telltale symptoms. This way, you can catch some of these common problems with diesel engines before they get out of hand.

Lack of Power

If you’re experiencing a lack or complete absence of power, there might be a problem with the engine’s fuel or fuel system. You should have it checked for:

  • Dirty fuel filters
  • Excessive lubrication
  • Fuel injector problems
  • Loose throttle linkage

These are some of the most common causes for a lack of power in diesel engines, but other, less common problems, like cylinder wash, can also make it harder for your vehicle to start and accelerate.

Oil Oxidation

If you leave your vehicle in the garage or driveway for too long, you might start experiencing problems with oil oxidation. Oil oxidation occurs when air makes its way into the oil and generates bubbles that impact the engine’s ability to stay lubricated. This problem can lead to serious engine damage if you don’t address it promptly.

Contaminated Fuel

Another common problem with diesel engines is contaminated fuel. The fuel your diesel engine uses is more viscous than gasoline, which makes it susceptible to contamination. The most common contaminants include glycol, soot, and water. If any of these contaminants breach the fuel system, you might start noticing a decrease in power, thick, black smoke coming from the exhaust, and other problems with the engine.

Excess Noise

Your diesel-powered vehicle will always be slightly louder than a gasoline engine, but it shouldn’t be excessively noisy. If you notice any knocking, pinging, or any other unusual, persistent noises, it could be a problem with the fuel injectors. If the fuel injectors are damaged, it can lead to an offset compression balance and a decrease in overall performance.

What Is Reading Comprehension and Why Is It Important?

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As a dad, you want to be there for your child. There are many ways to show that you support their growth. For example, you can support their emotional growth as well as their academic growth. To support your child academically, it’s important to be present. There’s a lot of educational lingo to learn, so let’s start with reading comprehension. What is reading comprehension and why is it important?

Reading Comprehension Explained

You already know that learning to read is a challenge, but reading comprehension is a step past that. You might ask yourself: what is reading comprehension and why is it important? Reading comprehension is the ability to understand the meaning of text. It’s a common misconception that reading comprehension is merely the ability to read. However, comprehension is the ability to understand. If a child has excellent reading comprehension skills, they understand the text clearly.

Why It’s Important

Reading comprehension is a fundamental skill all children must have to succeed academically. Children must develop reading comprehension so that they can understand the material they learn in school. It’s also essential for kids to develop reading comprehension because it affects their daily life. The ability to read something and discuss it is essential. They should develop this skill at a young age.

What You Can Do

Practice makes perfect. Encourage your child to practice their reading whenever they have time. You can also set an example by reading often. This encourages them to see value in reading. As a parent, you can help your child succeed academically. There are many ways to build a child’s reading comprehension, so try to make it a priority whenever possible.

It takes time to build reading comprehension. Your child won’t develop this skill overnight. Encourage your child to be patient. And don’t be discouraged if it takes your child some time to develop this skill.

Things To Consider When You’re Building a Tree House

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Have you ever considered building a tree house? It’s a fun, family-friendly project that can give your children a reason to get off their devices and play outside. You don’t need a big, sturdy tree in your yard to make a tree house—even the smallest, weakest tree can hold one if you use wooden panels for support. In this guide, we’ll go over all the things to consider when you’re building a tree house so that you can make it fun, safe, and long-lasting for your children.

Plan the Design

When you’re planning the design, you’ll want to balance appearance and function. The design needs to consider the tree’s size and strength, but it should also have some fun features for your kids. You can handle the structural elements and let your children plan smaller, decorative details, like the color you’ll paint it. Some fun features you can consider adding are:

  • a tire swing
  • a slide
  • a loft
  • a porch
  • a trap door
  • a hammock
  • a bird feeder

If you’re planning to paint your treehouse, consider using low or no-VOC paint. These products are non-toxic, making them safe for younger children. You’ll also want to use latex paint, which is more durable on exterior surfaces.

Choose the Right Tree

The biggest thing to consider when you’re building a tree house is the tree you’ll use. It should be decently sturdy, though you can always add additional support if necessary. Your tree house requires a solid foundation, so make sure the quality of the ground is safe, too. It shouldn’t be moist or uneven, and it should be strong enough to bear the weight of the construction. When you can, try to pick a tree with a good view—it makes the whole experience better! If you have a large backyard, you might want to choose a tree that’s closer to the house so that you can keep an eye on your kids from the living room or kitchen window.

Make Sure It’s Secure

Above all else, the tree house needs to be safe for your kids to jump, climb, and play on. Carefully consider the different methods available for supporting a tree house, and pick the one that’s best able to handle the construction’s weight. The two methods for supporting a tree house include rigid framework and floating framework. If your tree isn’t naturally sturdy, you’ll need to make sure there’s enough support by adding additional wood pallets or poles that anchor to the ground. You’ll also have to consider how you’ll join the house with the tree. Instead of using nails and screws, which can damage the tree, opt for bolts and ropes. Try to keep the bolts a minimum of 12 inches apart. Placing bolts too close together can reduce how secure your tree house is due to corrosion. In general, you’ll want to use the smallest number of joints possible to hold the structure.

Ways To Help Your Child Succeed in School

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Ways To Help Your Child Succeed in School

It might not come as a surprise, but the trick for getting your child to succeed at school is to be an active, supportive parent. By practicing healthy habits, regular routines, and good communication at home, you can set up the foundation for educational success. Getting involved with your child’s education by helping with homework, attending school events, and keeping in contact with their teachers are more great ways to boost their academic performance. There’s a long list of ways to help your child succeed in school, but let’s check out some of the most effective methods.

Implement a Healthy Routine

We all remember our own school days. It wasn’t always easy to focus on school and schoolwork, especially when we wanted to be doing something fun instead. It’s even harder for children who are tired, hungry, or feel sick to pay attention and actively participate in their education. By establishing healthy routines, you can help your child feel their best. Establish a bedtime, provide a healthy breakfast, encourage exercise, and try to limit the amount of time they spend on their devices, whether that’s their phone, computer, television, or a video game console. This way, your child will be less focused on their tired eyes, grumbling stomach, and runny nose and more focused on what their teacher is trying to tell them. Another benefit of establishing a routine is that it helps your child organize their day in a way that’s efficient. A routine informs them of when they should get up, do their homework, go to bed, and more. Eventually, they’ll be capable of following the routine on their own.

Encourage Your Child

Another way to help your child succeed in school is to encourage them. If your child is struggling in a certain subject or with a particular concept, don’t let them feel down about it. We’ve all struggled with learning something new before, whether it was multiplication or filing taxes. There’s nothing to be ashamed of. Making mistakes is how we learn! You can offer to help your child with their homework, find online resources that explain the concept in an easy-to-understand way, or ask the teacher to give them extra help in class. When children are faced with something that’s frustrating and hard to understand, their first instinct might be to shut down and give up. By offering them encouragement and support, you’re teaching them that it’s worth it to keep it trying.

Communicate With Their Teachers

Teachers play a huge role in your child’s development. The next time you see them, make sure to say thanks! It’s important to support your child, but it’s just as important to support their teachers. You should set aside time to meet with your child’s teachers and make sure to stay in regular contact by phone or e-mail. This way, you can discuss any concerns you have. Staying in contact with your child’s teachers will make them more comfortable with calling or emailing you with their own concerns, so you can work together to find a good solution for everyone involved.

Different Categories of Replacement Car Parts

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Even the highest quality vehicle components don’t last forever. Over the lifespan of your car, at least one part of your vehicle will likely experience issues that a quick repair can’t fix. In some instances, the only option will be replacing the part entirely. In such a case, it’s important not to simply buy the first replacement part you can find. Depending on your budget, preferences, and vehicle model, there are many different types of auto parts to choose from. Here are some of the different categories of replacement car parts to familiarize yourself with before making a purchase.

Genuine Parts

Genuine car parts refer to replacement auto parts that are the exact component originally installed in your vehicle. These parts come with the emblem of the automaker and there is usually a low supply, as automakers build auto parts for use in new cars rather than replacements. As a result, genuine car parts generally come with a lofty price tag.

Original Equipment Manufacturer Parts

Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts are components that your vehicle’s original maker produced. They are specifically made for your vehicle which guarantees that they will work seamlessly with optimal safety and aesthetic benefits. Unlike genuine parts, however, OEM parts don’t bear the manufacturer’s logo and typically cost less as a result. 

Aftermarket Parts

Another different category of replacement car parts is aftermarket parts. Like OEM parts, aftermarket parts are specifically designed to suit your vehicle. However, such parts are made by a company other than the original equipment manufacturer. Because a third-party manufacturer makes them, their design may differ slightly from your vehicle’s original auto part. When purchasing aftermarket parts, make sure to do a fair amount of research on the company as aftermarket parts can vary substantially in quality.

Reconditioned or Refurbished Parts

Recondition parts refer to used auto components that have been refurbished or repaired. Such parts could be secondhand genuine, OEM, or aftermarket parts depending on their source. Because they have been previously used, the condition of reconditioned parts can vary significantly. That said, reconditioned parts must undergo a rigorous cleaning, servicing, and testing process to ensure their safety and quality before being sold.

Scrapped or Salvaged Parts

If you’re on a budget, scrapped or salvaged parts are typically the most economical option. These parts are removed from vehicles that have been junked or salvaged. There are several different reasons why a car might become salvaged. For example, the car could have gotten in a significant accident, been stolen and recovered, or sustained weather damage. While salvage vehicles have often sustained substantial damage, some of their parts may remain intact. In such a case, an insurance company or someone who purchased the salvaged vehicle can recover and sell the usable or repairable parts.

How To Make Walking Part of Your Kids’ Daily Lives

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Maybe you share your favorite sports with your kids or include them in some of your workouts. But, showing them how to be healthy doesn’t have to always involve sweat. And sometimes Daddy gets…well, tired. Take things down a notch and learn how to make walking part of your kids’ daily lives. It’s a great way to increase their exercise without overwhelming them.

Give Them a Pedometer

If your kids are attached to their phones, show them how to use health apps. There’s nothing like a new gadget to intrigue a child. Pedometers are inexpensive and can clip onto their clothes or belts, or you can present them with a rudimentary wrist fitness tracker. You can set them with goals, and you might be surprised at the high numbers. Experts recommend that adults get 10,000 steps a day, but kids need even more. Girls should aim for 11,000 to 12,000, while boys’ targets are 13,000 to 15,000.

Start Walking To School

Taking a break from school physically could make it easier to start a new routine. Depending on your location and how busy streets are, you can get up a little earlier and stroll with your kids each morning. If you’ve been working from home, it might even be a “mini-commute” to replace your own and clear your head for the day. If you’re not able to accompany your kids, you could form an exercise group with neighbors. It’s also worth your while to take advantage of the federal Safe Routes to School program, which can establish better routes and incentives.

Make It a Game

It might be asking a lot to expect kids to amble through the forest preserve and quietly admire nature. If you want to make walking part of your kids’ daily lives, there has to be something in it for them—namely, entertainment. Bring a map and see if they can navigate where they want to go. Challenge them to speed-walking races. Improvise a scavenger hunt for objects that start with each letter of their names. Examine different insects with a magnifying glass. Use boulders and logs as elements of an obstacle course that goes on until you get home. If your kids get bored easily, you could end up doing all these activities—and having a super fun time!

3 Ways To Make Fishing More Fun

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Fishing is a sport that many people start doing and never stop. It’s accessible to people regardless of their age, location, or budget. One of the best parts of fishing is how rewarding it is. There’s nothing better than catching a fish, and, whether you decide to take it home or release it, the adrenaline and pride will linger with you for a while. But fishing also involves a lot of downtime, and if you’re doing the same thing day-in and day-out, you might find yourself starting to get bored. Wondering how to make your fishing trips exciting again? Let’s check out some simple ways to make fishing more fun.

Make Memories With Family and Friends

Fishing alone is a great way to escape and immerse yourself in nature, but fishing with your friends and family can also be an exciting and rewarding experience. Fishing with friends is great if you want some company; you can sit together, crack some jokes, and even enjoy a nice lunch or some drinks. If you’re a fishing fan, there’s nothing better than teaching your kids the ins and outs of the sport. When you fish with your kids, you’ll teach them a valuable life skill, shape their mindsets, and, most importantly, get to bond with them.

Try New Lures and Techniques

Step out of your comfort zone and stop using the same old lures and techniques. Most anglers rely on the same equipment and fishing methods, but you can keep your fishing trips fresh by switching it up every so often. Ice fishing, kayak fishing, kite fishing, bow fishing, and hand-catching are fun and exciting variations on classic fishing, so why not give them a try? Who knows? Maybe you’ll even like it better than your current method!

Fish for Different Fish

Another way to make fishing more fun is to try for different fish. A lot of people who fish find a specific species that they’re the most comfortable fishing for. If you’re feeling bored, try switching up your target. You might have to adjust your location, method, and bait, but by challenging yourself in new ways, you can expand your knowledge and skills as a fisher. If you’re feeling competitive, why not challenge yourself to catch as many different species as you can? The local environment is full of diverse fish populations, and there’s nothing better than being able to say you’ve seen and caught them all.