Fatherhood Factor

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Emily Joswiak

How To Help Your Child in Their First Year of College

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So, your child is about to head off to college. If they’re like the majority of people that go, they’ll be on their own for the first time. This can be a scary prospect for a parent, and your first urge is going to be to help them however possible. From decorating their dorm to keeping them sane, you can still be there for them—even if they’re far away. To give you some support, here’s how to help your child in their first year of college.

Be Proactive About Addressing Issues

Ideally, you’ll provide support so that they can meet their problems head-on. This means talking to your child about the problems and challenges they might face in their first year. Don’t wait until they’re already dealing with a problem; try and get ahead of these issues, be they social, academic, or physical, before they find themselves lost on what to do.

Be Supportive Without Solving Problems For Them

One of the key things your child will learn in college is how to deal with the pressures of life as they grow up. This can be difficult for many people, and they might turn to you for help. Remember that it is no longer your job to fix their problems for them; however, that doesn’t mean you can’t still support them. Let them come to you with their problems and offer advice when they ask, but don’t step in unless it’s a dire situation.

Stay in Touch

One of the best ways you can help your child in their first year of college is to simply stay in touch with them. Let them know that you want them to thrive, but you’ll always be there when they need to talk about something. College life can get overwhelming and sometimes feel isolating, so make sure they know they always have someone in their corner rooting for them.

Remind Them of Their Accomplishments

The amount of pressure a regular college student feels can be staggering and overwhelming at times. One of your jobs as a parent is to not let them fall into despair when things don’t go their way. Remind them that their accomplishments are just as important and defining as their failures. Just getting into college at all is an accomplishment worthy of being proud of; don’t let them forget that.

Simple Ways To Secure Your Home When You’re Away

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Fathers are often regarded as a human home security system. They’re called on to explore “things that go bump in the night.” They’re the human shields when something scary happens.

But what happens if you’re not there? Maybe you have taken your family on a road trip, or you’re away overnight. Get a little help and peace of mind for yourself and your family with these simple ways to secure your home when you’re away.

Don’t Broadcast You Absence

It’s temping to share your travel plans on social media, but save it until you get back. Whatever your privacy settings, it’s still possible for your information to get shared around or accessed by someone with nefarious intent.

Mow Before You Go

If you’ll be away during lawn season, mow a little lower than usual so the grass won’t get shaggy while you’re gone. If you’ll be away more than a week, arrange for a service to mow the lawn.

Stop Mail Delivery

Don’t let mail pile up until it bursts out of your mailbox. Put mail delivery on hold, or ask a trustworthy neighbor to bring your mail in. If you still receive newspapers in hard copy, stop—or ask the neighbor to bring those in, too. You can pick it all up when you return.

Put Inside Lights on Timers

Get timers from your local hardware or order them online. Set them so lights will go on and off in different parts of the house at times that would naturally correspond with your use of the rooms.

Add Motion Detecting Lights Outside

Install motion detecting lights above the garage, facing the back yard, and at the front entrance. Alternatively, smart lights that are programmable remotely might be a solution.

Disconnect the Garage Door Opener

If you have automatic garage doors, disconnect them on your way out. Burglars have figured out ways to use universal remotes to get automatic garage doors to open.

Do a Lock Check

Go around the house and ensure all windows are locked. Burglars who can’t breach a door will try a window next. Repair or replace any weak or loose door locks. Don’t leave a spare key hidden anywhere. If you’ve asked neighbor to watch the house, give them a key and ask them to keep it secure.

Get a Fireproof Safe

Lock up valuables and important papers in a fireproof safe. Choose a model that bolts to the floor, so a burglar in a hurry doesn’t grab the whole thing and make off with it.

Real estate investors strive to avoid leaving rental properties vacantfor good reasons. An empty home attracts the wrong kind of attention. The same risks apply to occupied homes when the owners are away, even for a short time. These simple ways to secure your home can supplement your home security system and take some of the heat off Dad to be the only line of defense.

Ways To Protect Your Driveway During the Winter

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Winter weather can do a number on your home’s exterior. Even durable elements such as a concrete or asphalt driveway aren’t safe from the destructive forces of sleet, snow, hail, and subzero temperatures. Because your driveway has a significant effect on the curb appeal of your home, it’s important to take measures to prevent any cracks, potholes, or other types of unsightly damage from occurring during the colder months of the year. To keep your driveway in good condition come spring, consider implementing these effective ways to protect your driveway during the winter.

Seal-Coat Your Driveway

One of the best ways to prevent damage from occurring to an asphalt driveway is to have it seal-coated. Seal-coating your driveway involves applying a liquid coating to the driveway; it will harden and provide protection from a variety of different elements, such as UV rays, water, ice, and oil. For optimum protection, you should have your driveway seal-coated every two to five years. Ultimately, investing in this form of preventative maintenance is much more cost effective than having to repave your driveway due to damage that will inevitably occur over time.

Shovel Snow Regularly

Another way to protect your driveway during the winter is to regularly shovel snow off its surface. Clearing your driveway of snow will prevent melted snow from infiltrating any cracks in the pavement and refreezing, which will cause any existing damage to become worse as the ice expands. 

When shoveling your driveway, make sure to use a plastic shovel rather than a metal one, and try to be as gentle as possible. The blades on metal shovels can scratch the surface of concrete or asphalt driveways and potentially cause more damage than the snow would have. 

Repair Any Cracks Before Freezing Temperatures Hit

To avoid extensive damage from occurring to your driveway during the winter months, it’s important to take care of any existing issues before freezing temperatures hit. As we previously touched on, any existing cracks in your driveway will likely become worse as freeze and thaw cycles occur. If there are any minimal cracks in your driveway, water from melted snow or rain will likely infiltrate them. Then, if temperatures dip below freezing, the water will freeze in the cracks, causing them to expand and become wider and deeper. To prevent small flaws from becoming large issues, make sure to fill any cracks or holes before winter weather arrives in full force.

Signs That It’s Time To Call a Professional Plumber

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When you own your own home for a while, the temptation’s there to always try and fix problems yourself. Whatever the problem might be, it can start to feel like it’s your responsibility to always fix it. However, some problems are too risky to try to fix on your own. When the stakes are serious damage to your home or family, it isn’t time to play around. Here are a few signs that it’s time to call a professional plumber before something really bad happens.

There’s No Hot Water

A lot of handy people will tell you that when your water won’t get hot, it’s time to swap out the pilot light in your home. However, there could be a lot more going on than you realize. Trying to fix a heating element of your home could lead to serious burns. When the problem is bigger than a pilot light, it’s time to call in the professionals to get the job done right.

Your Drains Aren’t Working

One of the most obvious signs to call a professional plumber is when your drains aren’t working properly. If they just won’t go down or, even worse, something starts to come back up, you don’t want to wait too long to get it fixed. Trying to fix this issue with drain cleaning fluid may not perfectly fix the issue; it can actually harm your pipes in the long run.

The Water Pressure is Low

When you’re taking a shower or washing your hands, check to see how good the water pressure is. If you notice a big change in pressure one day, it could indicate a serious problem with your piping. The most common problem could be that you’ve sprung a leak somewhere. You could also have a burst or damaged pipe. These issues need to be dealt with by a professional who knows what they’re doing.

Your Faucets Keep Dripping

We’ve probably all tried to tighten up our faucets to better dispense water or fix dripping. What you need to watch out for is if the dripping persists for a long time. This can be another indicator your pipes are leaking. Even worse, it could mean there’s a significant clog in your pipes. When this problem goes on for too long without a fix, you need to call in a professional to check your water line.

Your House Smells Like Sewage

Unfortunately, there’s no wiggle room with this problem. When you start to smell a sewage scent coming from somewhere in your house, the professionals should be called right away. This smell means there could be a large blockage in your pipes that could regurgitate unsanitary water back into your house. Don’t try to live with this problem; it can be fixed quickly if you call the right people.

Common Problems With High Mileage Vehicles

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As the automotive industry develops, so do its vehicles. Cars are more durable than ever, logging hundreds of thousands of miles before giving out. With proper high mileage maintenance and care, vehicles can last for decades on the road.

If you are in the market for a budget-friendly car, you likely have some high-mileage options. Be aware of the common problems with high mileage vehicles so you can prevent problems, and address them if they occur.

Engine’s Burning Oil

In high mileage cars, the engine often burns through oil quickly. The piston rings that seal engine combustion gases become compromised after many miles. Proper maintenance and high-grade oil can slow the wear and tear of the piston rings that protect your vehicle’s engine. You must complete routine checks on your oil to monitor levels and quality. Change your oil when levels are low or if the liquid appears gritty.

Failed Transmission

The transmission uses sensors to shift gears and change them with internal oil pressure. It helps your vehicle accelerate out of stops and prevents the engine from working too hard. As your car tacks on miles, the likelihood of a failed transmission increases.

Cars experience transmission failure at roughly 100,000 miles. Bizarre noises from the transmission are a sign that your vehicle could use a checkup at the mechanic. Address transmission problems early; the cost of repair is much lower than the steep price of transmission replacement.

Leaking Water Pump

Water pump leaks are common problems with high mileage vehicles that you must fix before they pose a bigger issue. Water pumps ensure quality cooling system performance. The water pump plays a vital role in preventing an overheated engine.

Poor Brake Pads

Busted brake pads hinder your car’s performance and decrease road safety. Pressure on weakened brake pads can lead to damage on your rotors and bearings, which are much more costly to fix. When your brakes make unpleasant screeches or your car’s brake performance seems off, get your brake pads checked.

The Different Ways Winter Can Damage Your Home

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With the first day of winter less than a month away, you’re going to want to prepare yourself for the havoc the season creates, from dangerous driving conditions to spikes in flu cases. Everything that’s exposed to the weather is susceptible to its dangerous effects. One area winter could hit particularly hard is your house. If you’re not aware of the different ways winter can damage your home, discover some of the most common issues below.

Trees and Weak Limbs

Trees may be the perfect way to add shade during the hot summer months, but things can quickly go downhill during the winter. The chances of a tree limb or two breaking off increases during the winter, when heavy snow can land on weak tree limbs. This can lead to a hefty repair cost if the limbs land on your roof. Whether snow has arrived or not, you’ll want to cut back these tree limbs as soon as possible.

Ice Dams

Ice dams are large icicles that hang off the edges of homes during the winter season. They typically form as a result of blocked gutters. They may appear harmless and like a normal feature of the season, but they can actually signal a much larger problem, including major roof damage. Roof leaks and improper ventilation could be causing these large ice dams. Furthermore, if you don’t remove them, they can quickly weigh down your gutters and cause a mess of expensive problems.

If you’re concerned about your roof, you may want to consider a roofing upgrade. Before you do that, you need to know a few things about replacing a roof during the winter; you can find them here.

Peeling Paint

If you recently invested in a paint job for your home, you may be in for a rude surprise. The winter season can cause a fresh paint job to quickly crack and peel. This is because paint takes days to completely cure. It must also be applied during a time when above-freezing temperatures will be consistent.

You may be thinking that this won’t be a big deal. After all, the spring season will quickly arrive, and you’ll be able to apply fresh paint. However, if your paint starts to chip and peel, it won’t be long before moisture gets under your siding and damages your home.

Rodents

The winter season can also increase the chances of rodents making their way into your home. With the cold weather, mice and rats are desperate for warm shelter. Cracks in your foundation can create openings for small animals to make their way in. The major downside to this is the fact that rodents eat away at things such as insulation and electrical cords. They can also carry various diseases.

As you can see, there are many different ways winter can damage your home. Take this time to prepare your home now to prevent expensive repair costs in the spring season.

Popular and Safe Car Models To Buy for Your Teenager

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If you’re the parent of a teenager, you’re probably used to worrying at this point—about their success, their safety, their happiness, and a multitude of other things. One of the biggest challenges a parent will face is when your teenager starts driving on their own. If you’re planning to help them get a car, you want to know which one is going to be the right choice. We’ve got a few of the most popular and safe car models to buy for your teenager so that you can sleep a little easier at night.

Honda Civic

The safety features of the Honda Civic that come standard with the car are well worth considering for your next car purchase. With brake assist, advanced airbags, stability assist, and a rearview camera, the Civic is a great car to start your teenager on. It’s also highly customizable if you want to change anything out for added security.

Kia Optima

If you know your car brands, you know that Kia makes cars to be workhorses. They don’t skimp on safety features, though, as they include a lot of driver assistance technology to help your teenager stay safe on the road. It’s also a great car if you’re on a budget but want your child to have their own vehicle.

Subaru Crosstrek

Subaru has a long history of being one of the safest car brands in the industry, and their new Crosstrek certainly doesn’t disappoint. The EyeSight suite of safety features is bursting with safe-driving technology, and it regularly alerts you to changing road conditions as they happen. The Crosstrek is also a great vehicle to pick up if you want a beefier car without the extra bulk.

Toyota Camry

No matter what kind of Camry you end up buying—whether it’s the cheapest or the priciest version—they are all made with safety in mind. The Camry comes standard with emergency braking, lane-departure warnings, bright high-beam lights, and adaptive cruise control, so it’s another great sedan option for your teenager if that’s the kind of car they want.

Lexus ES350

If you’re looking to go all-out on a car, the Lexus ES350 is one of the best ways to approach buying a safe luxury car. The ES350, along with the rest of the vehicles on this list, has gotten the IIHS’s Top Safety Pick+, so you know you’re getting what you pay for when you choose this vehicle.

Doing your research on the safest cars you can buy for your teenager will really help put your mind at ease while they are out on the road. It’s also important to remember that a car can only do so much—teaching them good driving behaviors will also benefit them as they hit the road for the first time.