Fatherhood Factor

For all the "dealings" of dads...

Emily Joswiak

Ways To Encourage Creativity in Kids at Home

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Creativity is a factor in all aspects of our lives, but we often believe it’s only artistic skills, like drawing or dancing. However, we use creative thinking in math and science, and it also plays a role in emotional intelligence. Fostering creativity in your children will help them express who they are and become better problem solvers.

Explore these ways to encourage creativity in kids at home.

Questioning Things

Children are naturally curious, and you should urge them to keep those instincts. Asking questions creates a pathway to growth and development by giving them a flexible mindset. Instead of answering any questions immediately, have them propose their theory on why the sky is blue or why dogs pant when they’re hot.

Support Interests

Did you know that gifted children are often creative? Supporting interests can help encourage gifted children to apply themselves in whatever they love, but not every child has an inclination when they’re younger. Give them opportunities to discover what they love.

Multiple Solutions

Creativity is finding multiple solutions to one problem. By teaching your children to look at problems from multiple angles and consider more than one answer, you can strengthen their critical thinking abilities.

Encourage Playtime

Pulling your child away from a tablet or TV can be difficult, but it can help them cultivate their creative thinking. Engaging them in creative games or critical thinking activities can help them develop coordination, self-expression, and problem-solving skills.

Reading for Fun

When you limit their screen time, you can also promote reading for fun and not just schoolwork. By reading more, children increase their vocabulary, express themselves, develop logical thinking, and grow interested in learning!

It’s also important to give your children free time to explore and find out what interests them. Any of these ways to encourage creativity in kids at home can help your child become the person they want to be.

Going Green: How to Make Your Home More Eco-Friendly

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Fathers must set a good example for their children. This means that dads should eat healthily, exercise regularly, and do their best to help the environment. Anyone who needs aid with the latter should read this guide on how to make your home more eco-friendly.

Sustainable Watering

There are practical ways to conserve water in your lawn and garden. For starters, you can use rainwater to your advantage. Having a system that allows you to collect and utilize it can lower your water bill. Also, consider having water-efficient greenery. There are certain plants out that don’t require as much water. In addition, you could also set up a timed irrigation system that waters your land only when necessary. Irrigation systems reduce water waste.

Letting in the Light

Perhaps one of the simplest things you can do to become more sustainable is letting in natural light. Your electric bill will significantly decrease if you take advantage of your windows instead of turning on the lights. Moreover, more natural light can improve your mood and help you feel more productive. There’s no reason not to install energy-efficient windows that’ll transform your home.

Cleaning and Design

Another tip on how to make your home more eco-friendly is to use green cleaning products. Many cleaning products on the market today are full of harsh chemicals that are harmful to the environment. So be careful while shopping and only buy items without chemicals or additives. In addition to getting green cleaning products, you should think about sustainability when purchasing furniture. Try your best to use refurbished furniture instead of getting new pieces. Not only is this better for the environment, but you can make the refurbishing process into a fun arts and crafts project with the kids.

Dads must constantly juggle so many things at once. Since you’re busy, you may not think you have the time to lead a green lifestyle. But this couldn’t be further from the truth. This article has detailed simple yet effective tips on how to transform your life.

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!