Fatherhood Factor

For all the "dealings" of dads...

Emily Joswiak

Tips for Helping Children Cope With Anxiety

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No matter how many books we read, videos we watch, or input we get from others who have been through the upbringing of families, no two situations are truly alike. What works for one family or child may be challenging to implement in others. When our children deal with difficult emotions, we feel for them, and addressing issues can feel puzzling at times. With a few tips for helping children cope with anxiety, regardless of the cause, you can find some relief together.

Manage the Anxiety

It’s essential that, when reacting to your child’s anxiety, you try to manage (not eliminate) the experience. All people have things that trigger this paralyzing feeling within them. These catalysts may vary from person to person, but the fear will always exist on some level. How you respond to it and the actions you take to lend support are more important.

Don’t Avoid

You may struggle to face problems head on, especially if you grew up in a household that swept deep feelings under the rug. However, true struggles arise when we avoid our more minute issues. You may feel uncomfortable addressing issues as they come up, but this step is important for your family’s health. After all, wellbeing stems from openness and transparency when addressing anxiety and its triggers.

Express Expectations

Though you want to tread lightly in some scenarios with your child, don’t let bouts of anxiety turn into free passes. When establishing expectations for behaviors and responses, stay positive but remain realistic. Anxiety will come and go, but we still have obligations as members of a household and society.

Engage in Activities

A great way to maintain closeness and relieve anxiety is to engage in activities with your child or supporting their hobbies. Taking up a stress-relieving hobby, engaging in pastimes that you enjoyed in the past, or engaging with animals can help. Hippotherapy and equine therapy (horseback riding) have been proven to build physical strength and help immensely with uncomfortable feelings while promoting emotional growth.

One’s connection with a horse is personal and takes communication, mutual trust, and understanding. Additionally, volunteering at a shelter and caring for animals in need can relieve stress by distracting the mind while giving care. Animal-based therapy can be very powerful.

In reality, there are many tips for helping children cope with anxiety. You may find that some things work better than others. As long as the communication lines are open, feelings are being respected and addressed, and you’re in this together, you can come up with coping mechanisms that you’ll use throughout your life.

How To Help Kids Say Goodbye To a Loved One

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When loss hits your family, your first reaction might be to shield your child from the experience. However, grief is a natural part of life that everyone must deal with at some point. When you help your child through the loss of a loved one, you can teach them to celebrate life and cherish the good memories rather than fixating on their grief. One of the most critical parts of processing grief is learning how to say goodbye. It can be difficult at any age, but when you listen openly and work with your child, you can create meaningful closure for everyone. Start the conversation with this guide on how to help kids say goodbye to a loved one.

Normalize Different Responses

Everyone handles grief differently. Most people understand this on a cognitive level, but even adults can struggle to accept their different grief responses. Children will also face this challenge, so show your kids that there’s no wrong way to grieve. Make sure your child hears different examples of grief. You can talk about your own emotional responses, both currently and in the past. Your child needs to understand that they aren’t the only one experiencing these feelings and reactions.

Be Honest About the Situation

Kids often surprise us with how much they can handle. While you don’t want to overload your child with details, you should be honest and open about the situation. Sit down together, and explain your loved one’s condition. Listen carefully to what your child has to say, and do your best to answer their questions honestly. Don’t put off these conversations. For example, if a loved one still has a few months to live, now is the time to talk to your kid about hospice care or any other treatment plan your loved one has. Talking through it will help your child process their reaction and come to terms with the situation, which will make it easier to say goodbye when the time comes.

Let Them Decide What To Do

Once you give your child all the facts, let them decide what they want to do. One of the essential aspects of helping kids say goodbye to a loved one is to give them some control over the situation. Maybe your child wants to say goodbye while your loved one is in the hospital, or all the machinery may be too frightening for them. Your child may wish to participate in the funeral, or maybe they need to say goodbye without strangers’ attention. Work to help them understand exactly what to expect when they say goodbye. Figure out a setting that they’re comfortable with so that they can have space and confidence to say goodbye to their loved one the way they need to.

Tips on Maintaining Your Racing Motorcycle

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As a dad, you spend lots of time with your family, giving them your attention and care. But there are those hobbies and activities that are just for you. If your motorcycle is your hobby, you must learn how to take care of it well. Here are the best tips on maintaining your racing motorcycle.

Clean Frequently

Many motorcycle owners make the mistake of leaving debris on their bikes. Motorcycles are more exposed to the elements than cars; thus, they may accumulate dirt faster. Though it may take extra time each week, you must pay attention to your bike’s cleanliness. When you remove dirt buildup, you remove the possibility that a rock may slip into your internal machinery, or a patch of dirt may cause your feet to slip. Frequent cleaning is the perfect solution to ensure a beautiful motorcycle and a safe ride.

Check Your Tires

When you race motorcycles, you operate at high speeds and maneuver through quick turns. Your reaction time must be spot on, but so must your tires. If your tire pressure is too low or high, you could blow a tire. This possibility is dangerous, especially when riding quickly. You should also check your tire treads. These treads are the key to your success and will keep you on the road even at insane angles. A worn tread will cause you to slip and crash your bike on hard turns.

Top Off Your Fluids

Your motorcycle needs fresh fluids to keep it running at full capacity. Check your engine oil and ensure it’s fresh and full. You’ll also want new coolant and brake juice every once in a while to keep things smooth when the heat builds up. Flush your engine and give your machine a solid cleanout. This will allow the fluids to do their jobs and keep things slick and smooth.

Put these tips on maintaining your racing motorcycle into practice the next time you have some free time. If you notice any problems with parts or want to improve your bike, you should also consider motorcycle performance upgrades. With a well-maintained and tricked-out motorcycle, you will surely make the most of your time on the track.

How To Set up the Ultimate Man Cave

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Establishing a man cave in your home is an exciting renovation project that assures you’ll have a space to call your own by the end of it. Building an ideal man cave can become quite the project when going it alone. We’ve compiled some tips on how to set up the ultimate man cave, so your mission to create a personal entertainment space doesn’t become a headache.

Get Measurements

For all renovation endeavors, accurate measurements are crucial. Avoid ordering fixtures and furniture that’s too large for your setup by double and triple-checking your measurements.

Pro Tip: If you’re creating your man cave in a relatively small room, consider its vertical space. You can stack drawers, opt for ceiling lighting, and install overhead shelving to maximize the storage space within your personal haven.

Check Electrical and Plumbing Requirements

Most folks fulfilling their man cave dreams incorporate lavish TV systems, comfy furnishings, and other large items, such as a pool table or pinball machine. Though not all your extras may need to get plugged in, you must account for the accessories that do. Note all the outlets in your room before transforming it, so you can assure your wiring will fit.

If you’re going to need plumbing, whether it’s for a bathroom or full bar, you’re going to need a source of running water. Contact your local plumbing provider to gauge how feasible plumbing construction will be for your man cave aspirations.

Secure the Add-ons for a Theme

You want your man cave to feel well-rounded, just like any other room in the house. Clashing patterns, ugly furniture, seemingly random accessories—there’s a lot that can go wrong without proper planning. As you explore how to set up the ultimate man cave, consider a theme. Choosing a theme can help guide you toward adequate styling and furnishing choices.

Your preferred theme can range anywhere from sleek and modern to vibrant and retro. If you need thematic inspiration, check out the best theme ideas for a man cave.

Fix Your Furniture in an Open Arrangement

Prevent having an abundance of dead zones or unused space in your man cave by arranging an open layout. When you organize your furniture in an open layout, there’s more space for entertainment and guests. Place your furniture against walls to create an inviting and open look.

Pro Tip: If there’s space between your furnishing and the walls, utilize it as storage space. You can also place a display table in between to showcase memorabilia or collector’s items.

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.