Fatherhood Factor

For all the "dealings" of dads...

Fatherhood Factor Team

Best Hobbies for Fathers and Sons To Do Together

By Leave a Comment

Nothing is more important to a father than his bond with his son. While there are many ways to deepen that connection, one of the best and most fun ways is by partaking in an activity together. If you are unsure as to which activities you both should try out, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve listed our picks for the best hobbies for fathers and sons to do together. Hopefully, one or two of them sound like activities you’ll want to try.

Get Involved in Sports

If you want to go with a classic, you and your boy should get involved in a few sports together. Whether it’s a friendly game of catch or you join a father-son golf tournament, these games are some of the best ways to strengthen a bond. Plus, it gives you something to do together that keeps you both active.

Of course, due to various circumstances, playing a sport together isn’t always an option. That’s why you should also try watching sports with your son. Catching a game on TV is a solid option, but actually going to one is even better. Even if neither of you likes the game that you’re going to see, you can’t beat the experience of watching it live.

Go on a Hunting Trip

If sports just aren’t your idea of a good time but you still want to do something outdoorsy with your son, planning a weekend hunting trip is the next best thing. The options of what you can do are near limitless. Obviously, you can hunt, but you can also fish or go on a nature hike together. When you’re camping in the woods, anything is possible.

If your main goal is hunting, this will be the perfect time to teach your son responsibility. Handling a firearm is a serious matter, and in order to ensure everyone’s safety, you’ll want to make sure that he understands the basics of how to use one. Of course, not just any shotgun will do; you need to get your boy the right kind to ensure that there will be no unnecessary complications.

Play Some Video Games

Even though we believe that your kid will genuinely enjoy what we consider to be some of the best hobbies for a father and son to do together, you need to keep his interests in mind when deciding what to do together. That’s why our last suggestion is to partake in one of his favorite activities, such as playing video games.

Even if you don’t like them or know how to play, it’ll put him over the moon to hear that you want to play with him. Just be patient and let him teach you in the same way that you’ve taught him for all these years. Once you get the hang of it, playing these games will be much easier than you realize. Then, instead of getting mad at him for spending too much time gaming, you could join him every once and a while and have some fun with each other.

Identifying Your Vehicle’s Fluids and Leaks

By Leave a Comment

There’s nothing quite like that sinking sensation you get when you pull out of a parking space to notice a big puddle where your car was parked. Your mind races through the possibilities—is it brake fluid? Oil? Maybe it’s just water? We’re here to help you identify your vehicle’s fluids and leaks to help determine whether you need to visit an auto shop pronto!

Brown to Black

A fluid anywhere from amber to black is most likely motor oil. Fresh oil has a lighter hue, while older oil takes on a dark brown or black color. Another way to help determine that it’s motor oil is to note what part of your car was above the leak—if the fluid is directly under the engine, that’s a good sign of a motor oil leak.

While this issue isn’t as dire as some others, you should still bring your car to the shop to avoid a more significant problem down the road.

Bright Colors

Coolant leaks are the most obvious to identify, since your coolant likely comes in a bright color, from green to orange to pink. Coolant leaks aren’t dangerous, but they can result in expensive repairs if left untreated.

Yellow to Brown

If you haven’t changed your brake fluid in a while, you may notice brown liquid when your brakes are leaking. For freshly changed brake fluid, instead look for a yellow, almost clear color. A smart way to tell this fluid apart from others is to look for slipperiness—brake fluid is very slick. Finally, check your brake fluid reservoir. If it’s low, you’ve probably identified the problem.

We recommend having your car towed to the nearest repair shop—you don’t want to drive if your brakes are failing.

A leaky exhaust downpipe is never good, but it’s easier to spot than some of these other cracks in your system. There are several signs to look out for, but one of the most obvious are droplets falling from the connector between the exhaust manifold and cylinder head.

Now that you have a sense of how to identify your vehicle’s fluids and leaks, keep your car in tip-top shape and take it in, just to be safe.

How COVID-19 Changed Life for Divorced Parents

By Leave a Comment

The COVID-19 pandemic is still impacting our lives almost two years later. Numbers are surging due to the omicron variant, and there’s a strong possibility that school will shut down again. What’s more, children of divorce must continue to adapt to the changes brought on by the pandemic. This piece will discuss some of those changes while simultaneously examining how COVID-19 has changed life for divorced parents.

Alimony Payments

Typically, judges order the parent who makes more money to make alimony payments. But as we all know, many individuals lost their job during the pandemic. The parent who made the payments before may not be able to do so anymore. Courts might be able to accommodate these changes by decreasing the amount due. Also, people behind in alimony payments won’t receive government stimulus checks. Instead, this money will go toward the payments laid out by the courts.

Supervised Visitation

Supervised visitation during the COVID-19 pandemic is different compared to the time before the virus. Courts still approve traditional visits, where a professional watches as a parent and child spend time together. However, the current surge in cases has resulted in these visits taking place virtually. Though this isn’t ideal; parents should make the most of it. Individuals must ensure their internet works and that they have video technology available. It’s unconventional but necessary.

Flexibility Is a Must

Usually, divorced parents stick to the co-parenting plan they developed to avoid problems. However, this isn’t always possible. Parents must work together in a new way because circumstances have changed. For example, if schools shut down again, where will the children spend their time? Will the kids wear masks at both residencies? These are things that people must discuss and ultimately compromise on.

This piece has demonstrated how COVID-19 has changed life for divorced parents. Whether they like it or not, divorced parents must remain in contact for the best interest of their children. Communication has become even more essential during the pandemic. Parents can get through this and handle these changes if they work together.

How Parents Can Prevent Arm Injuries in Baseball

By Leave a Comment

It can be easy to ignore all the wear and tear your child’s arm goes through when you are a spectator in the crowd. No pitcher wants to hear the words “Tommy John surgery,” and they especially don’t want to tear their UCL before entering high school. Here is a guide on how parents can prevent arm injuries in baseball.

Follow a Pitch Count

Unfortunately, it’s not unusual for Little League coaches to push their players the extra mile when winning. Before instituting new rules and regulations, the best pitcher on the team might throw over 200 pitches in a week, which is something the finest players in the world don’t even do. Therefore, always keep track of your child’s pitch count. Overusing their arm might cause damage before it fully develops.

Strengthen Their Core and Lower Body

Most pitchers get their power from their lower body and their legs. It’s hard to gain velocity if you don’t have a strong core and lower body, making it essential to focus their workouts on those muscle groups. Concentrate solely on repetitions rather than weight to improve your child’s strength and conditioning. You don’t want them straining themselves, and no child needs to have a max lift because they are still growing.

Learn the Mechanics

Learning to lift a heavy object with your legs is a positive life lesson to prevent severe injuries. No matter what you’re doing, following the proper mechanics is a preventative measure to keep your muscles healthy and intact. Hence, teaching your child the appropriate mechanics will make their throwing motion feel fluid and effortless. This bypasses the violent torquing of the body that some children emulate when trying to throw the ball as hard as they can.

Essential off Days

Every professional baseball player requires some time off between games to rest their arm, so you can afford to do the same once your child completes a contest. If they are a true “seamhead” and want to play the game every day, take some batting practice or practice on defense instead. Making them a five-tool player will be more beneficial in the long run. Also, having a good quality baseball bat can help.

Have an Off-Season

It’s tempting to register your child in various leagues throughout the year. However, that’s not a sound strategy if you want to prevent burnout or protect against an injury. There needs to be an off-season for every player, meaning they don’t do baseball-related activities for multiple months. That doesn’t mean they cannot be active in other sports. In fact, that’s an excellent idea to keep their conditioning on point. But it helps when they rest their arm and elbow for an extended period.

Children can be stubborn. And even if their arm is hurting, they may tough it out to keep playing the game they love. That’s why it’s crucial to know how parents can prevent arm injuries in baseball because it’s best for their well-being.

How To Make Your Teen More Comfortable With Braces

By Leave a Comment

Braces and other orthodontic procedures are often an inevitable fact of life, but that doesn’t mean the worries and concerns your teen may have about the prospect of braces should be dismissed. If your child is getting ready to get their own braces or is concerned about getting them in the future, then here’s how to make your teen more comfortable with braces.

Keep Them Informed

Because braces are so common, it’s easy to assume the process is just as common knowledge. In reality, your child may have no idea what to expect and may become more distressed as their imagination runs wild and they receive conflicting information from myths and misconceptions about braces. When your teen is preparing to receive braces, make sure you help walk them through the process and address any fears they may have. Your child’s orthodontist will be a powerful tool for you to make use of, as they’ll be able to clearly explain each step of the process and provide trustworthy information as to what your teen can expect.

Explore All Their Options

A good way to make your teen more comfortable with braces is to thoroughly explore and make available all your child’s options. This will help them feel less “trapped” by the inevitable need for braces and potentially help them find an alternative that they are more comfortable with. For example, clear aligners are becoming a more viable alternative to traditional wire and bracket braces and may be worth considering if your child desires something more subtle and less intrusive.

Focus on the End Goal

Because braces are such an immediate change in one’s lifestyle, it’s easy for teens to get caught up in the moment of how uncomfortable and even painful their braces can be. Help your teen keep their eyes on the prize by ensuring their focus remains on the end goal of the process—a healthy and attractive smile. While braces may not seem worth the trouble now, crooked and unhealthy teeth often lead to difficulties like self-esteem issues or pain and infection later in life. Going through the process of braces will lead to a permanent improvement of their lifestyle and future, so it is well worth enduring for the relatively short period of time their teeth need to be treated.

What To Do if You Receive a Defective Gift for the Holidays

By Leave a Comment

The holidays are an exciting time for your children to receive unique gifts from loved ones and friends. But sometimes, they can remove the gift from the packaging only to find out it’s malfunctioning. Let’s look at what to do if you receive a defective gift for the holidays—and hope this doesn’t happen to you or your little ones.

Ask for the Receipt

While it’s a good rule of thumb to include the receipt with any gift, it’s also worth noting that sometimes people throw them away or misplace them. If you open the gift and find it’s defective, reach out to the giver or purchaser of the gift and see if they can locate the receipt.

This is also an excellent time to consider e-receipts, as they’re easily accessible when the holidays wind down. You never know what can happen to a gift you receive or give.

Attempt To Return the Gift

Should you get the receipt, this is a good time to take the gift back to the store. Let them know you received this item as a gift and explain the problem to them.

They should consider your concerns since a defective item can sometimes lead to injuries or accidents. If injury or accident did occur, seek legal advice to see if you have a case.

Consider a Replacement Item

The disappointment when you inform your children you need to take their gifts back to the store can be traumatizing. But remind them that the one they have is bad and you’ll do your best to replace it.

If you’re still concerned with the product, maybe it’s best to consider replacing the gift altogether with something similar or allowing your little one to choose something else they may like.

In a perfect world, every gift would be flawless. But knowing what to do if you receive a defective gift for the holidays can help you navigate the situation should it come and help your children process the circumstances better.

3 Tips for Modifying a Classic Muscle Car

By Leave a Comment

Restoring a classic car is a commitment and beginners can sometimes underestimate the time and money required. Even though it might be a labor of love, you’ll need space, an understanding of the techniques, and the right tools to properly restore the car.

Check out these tips for modifying a classic muscle car.

Time and Money

First, you’ll have to ask yourself if you have enough time and money to tackle this project. A classic car restoration done properly can cost thousands of dollars. One of the worst mistakes you can make with a car restoration is to cut corners. And even if you do have the funds, it’ll be a struggle between work and spending time with the family if you can’t commit completely to the project. But if you’re excited about it and it doesn’t unhinge your budget or family time, it’s a great way to spend a weekend.

Essential Equipment

You’ll need a proper space and equipment to modify any classic car, which means another car might need to live on the driveway for a few months. The usual suspects found in your tool chest will be needed, as well as other items like a floor jack, air compressor, welder, and voltage checker, just to name a few. Some of these tools will need specialist skills so you might need to enlist the help of a mechanic friend or a training course for yourself.

Learning Bodywork

Almost older cars will need their body restored, and the best way to handle it is to dive headfirst into it. Learning how to hammer out dents and build body panels from scratch takes practice. Again, you can enroll in a course to learn how to master the art of body work. Otherwise, you can outsource the vehicle to a body shop, but tackling the bodywork yourself can be satisfying.

Understanding car restoration techniques is one of the most helpful tips for modifying a classic muscle car, because it’ll not only look great, but you will also have accomplished it all by yourself.