Fatherhood Factor

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Fatherhood Factor Team

Ways To Prepare Your Lawn for This Upcoming Winter

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With shorter days ahead of us, it’s time to put a pin in the lawn care season. Although, there are still several ideas and tasks to take into consideration. Here are a few ways to prepare your lawn for this upcoming winter.

Remove Leaves

Dealing with fallen leaves is one of the only negatives about autumn. It’s tempting to throw in the towel when the yard is full of leaves; however, that’s when the fun truly begins. Leftover leaves and other debris on your grass won’t be noticeable when it’s dead and covered in snow. But the side effects are apparent before those April showers come rolling in.

Snow mold can occur, which is a definite eyesore and a pain to eradicate. Furthermore, it’s not like the leaves are magically going to blow away, so it’s better to be proactive in November rather than reactive in April. Your lawn will thank you.

Cut It Short

To prevent that annoying snow mold, you’ll want to set your mower lower than usual. Putting the blades two inches shorter will protect your grass from attracting funguses and keep it greener longer. Be sure you check the blades to make sure they are sharp enough to get the best cut possible, or else all this preventative care will be for naught.

Pull Weeds

Few things are more unsightly than weeds, especially when they turn into dandelions. Their seeds will spread throughout the soil and took root, siphoning off precious water and nutrients. Like leaf removal, being proactive is the key, and pulling weeds and prepping the lawn for winter will minimize the growth of unwanted plants.

Fertilize Thoroughly

Generally, you want to ration off your fertilizing since too much will actually harm the grass during the summer. However, with winter coming, that is no longer a concern because it will die anyway. A few weeks after storing the lawnmower, you can get out the fertilizer. Your grass will thank you for feeding it during this trying time, rewarding you with luscious green topgrowth once it’s free from snow.

Aerate

If you’re a golfer, then you’ve seen those little holes on the fairway that left behind by groundskeepers to aerate the grass and soil. The purpose of aerating is to stimulate and protect roots, dimishing impacted soil around them. You can aerate your yard with a machine, or you can get some special aerating shoes with spikes on the soles and stomp the grass. Doing this task bright and early when a morning dew yields the best results, seeing as dry ground is harder to penetrate.

Following these ways to prepare your lawn for this upcoming winter gives you a head start on being the homeowner with the perfect property. Be the envy of the neighborhood!

Outdoor Adrenaline Activities To Do With Your Children

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Finding common interests for you and the whole family may be challenging, especially for your children. Kids’ attention spans don’t last very long, so you need to use some fun ideas to get and keep their excitement levels high. These are some outdoor adrenaline activities to do with your children that will keep them wanting more.

Go on a Fun Hike

When you explain hiking to your children, you may get some glary-eyed look questioning your reasoning. Otherwise, you might be on a long, winding walk with a giant whiner. Therefore, having a prize at the end of the rainbow is a fantastic way to get your kids interested. Pick a trail where you may see wildlife, a majestic waterfall, or an impressive cliff along the way. Knowing they will get to see something unique really helps get their adrenaline going while keeping them interested.

Ride Bikes Together

Teaching your child to ride a bike is one of the proudest moments a father can have. Thus, you can take their newfound skill and passion and show them the world. Well, if not the world, at least a pleasant and easy path or trail to ride on. Biking together gets the blood pumping a bit more than hiking does, so the odds are your children will respond positively to this adventure.

Kayaking

Kids love playing in the water—that’s a fact. Taking your kid to the pool will entertain them for hours, and it’s a lot cheaper than going to an amusement park. Ergo, combining the idea that children will do anything in the water with something exhilarating like kayaking is a guaranteed success.

You’ll want to follow some tips and tricks to keep your children safe and keep them engaged throughout your voyage down the river. But exploring new areas and seeing new things together will make for a memorable experience for everyone.

Scavenger Hunt

A simple yet effective activity that brings excitement to your child’s life is arranging a scavenger hunt. Once again, giving them an objective is something that helps invigorate them with a problem-solving goal. Geocaching is a more in-depth version of a scavenger hunt that gets your children excited to head outside, making those hikes and walks much more enjoyable.

These outdoor adrenaline activities to do with your children let you connect with your kids and do something you both enjoy. Even if these activities may not spike your adrenaline, seeing the excitement on their faces when they find an item on their hunt or see a magnificent waterfall is well worth it.

The Importance of Having a Family Emergency Plan

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As a father, you want to keep your family safe at all costs. A family emergency plan can help you protect them in the event of unforeseen circumstances. We all like to think that the stuff we see on TV—floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, and the like—will never happen to us, but the truth is, emergencies don’t discriminate, and it’s better to be prepared than unprepared.

The importance of having a family emergency plan is something we can’t understate. Here’s why creating a plan for your family is a must.

Emergencies Come in All Shapes and Sizes

When you hear the word “emergency,” you likely think of significant events, like a tornado ripping through a home or floodwater that reaches the rooftops. But not all emergencies are major. An emergency can be something as small as a temporary power outage or someone tripping down the stairs and hurting their leg.

These situations are scary and inconvenient, but as long as you’re prepared to handle them, they aren’t devastating. With an alternative food supply, you can keep your family fed while the power is off or when the fridge isn’t working, and with a first aid kit and quick access to emergency numbers, you can handle that hurt leg.

Keep Your Family Safe

The biggest reason having a family emergency plan is important is it will help you keep you and your family safe. An emergency plan gives you the peace of mind that, if an emergency strikes, you’re prepared for it.

With an emergency plan, everyone will know exactly what to do in the event of an emergency—where to go, how to act, and how to stay informed.

Be Prepared

The last thing you want to do in the event of an emergency is panic, scramble to get your family somewhere safe, and hastily scrounge together supplies. With an emergency plan in place, you don’t have to. You can get your family to safety and grab all the supplies you need in a matter of seconds—and in emergencies, seconds can make all the difference.

Want to create an emergency plan for your family? Ready, a government site, has all the information you need to make an emergency plan and kit.

5 Important Things Your New Driver Should Know

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Break out your helmets because it’s time to teach your teen how to drive. It’s scary to think about your child behind the wheel but watching them grow into young adults is rewarding. While this is a nerve-wracking time for parents, it can be an exciting experience for everyone if you set your kids up for success. Whether you’re teaching them yourself or sending them to driver’s ed, here are five important things your new driver should know.

Limit Distractions

Teenagers these days have a lot on their plates, so it’s easy for things to distract them. In high-stake situations like driving, they must know how to stay focused. Allowing them to drive with a bunch of friends in the car is probably not a great idea while they are starting. Also, they should never text and drive, so educating them on the consequences is a top priority.

Vehicle Maintenance

Part of being a grown-up is taking responsibility for your stuff. Your teenager needsto know how to take care of their vehicle correctly so that it lasts for a long time. It’s helpful to understand how to check the oil, change a tire, and recognize vehicle warning indicators. Driving courses probably won’t cover all of these things, so you need to teach them.

Safety First

The most important thing your new driver should know is that safety always comes first. So much can happen when they get behind the wheel that is out of their control. Teaching your teen about safety can make a huge difference in their driving habits. Your lessons should include:

  • Seatbelt importance
  • How to adjust mirrors
  • Observing speed limits and other safety laws

Inclement Weather

Every day can’t be sunny with a high of 75°F. Sometimes, your new driver will have to drive in some rocky weather, whether it’s through a storm or snow. Prepared drivers will know how to make adjustments during inclement weather, like:

  • Reducing speed
  • Creating more distance between vehicles
  • Correctly responding when fishtailing or hydro-plaining

Accidents Happen

Your teenager should understand that accidents happen and know what to do if one occurs. Remaining calm, documenting the scene, and gathering insurance information should be a part of their skillset. If physical harm comes to your child during an accident, personal injury lawyers can help process claims and fight for any compensation you and your child deserve.

Teaching your child how to drive is a rite of passage that every parent makes. These tips will ensure that they are safely and productively ready for this next stage of life.

Essential Things To Consider When Restoring an Old Car

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When bringing life to an automotive artifact, you want to ensure you do the car justice. For some, the restoration process is a hobby where the goal is to pass down a family heirloom. For others, it’s a full-time gig. Regardless of what best describes you, you should read this list of things to keep in mind.

Know Your Limits

One of the essential things to consider when restoring an old car is your limit regarding the project. Restoration requires more work than the regular maintenance of your everyday vehicle. There may come a time when you need to ask for help, and it’s best to make sure there’s a local mechanic who can provide it.

Choose the Right Vehicle for You

You should have a good grasp of your budget. This way, you’ll understand how to navigate costs when it’s time to buy pieces and parts. The first step in your project is choosing a vehicle. However, if your selection is difficult to shop for or too costly, your project won’t progress the way you want.

After doing adequate research on cars, consider the type of restoration you’re willing to embark on. Evaluate your level of commitment and decide if this project car requires a total overhaul or will provide a fun Sunday diversion to work on slowly.

Store the Vehicle Properly

A crucial factor is ensuring your project stays safe. This means you must store it properly and securely. Because of the time and money that you’re putting into the car, you don’t want to risk a stranger having access to it and damaging all the work you’ve done. As a result, following proper storage steps is vital to the project’s success, especially in the winter when the weather is harsh.

Don’t Expect a Profit in the End

Unfortunately, an essential thing to consider when restoring an old car is that it likely won’t make you a bunch of money. A project car necessitates an investment of your time and disposable income, and the chances of it selling for more than you put into it are slim.

This list may feel burdensome when considering your beginning steps for a restoration project. But each point is worthwhile to remember when you weigh the investments you put into car restoration. If you get lost in the process along the way, remember that it’s just for fun, no matter what level of restoration you choose.

Why You Should Take Your Child to a Dentist Early

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Many parents have trouble figuring out the right time to take their child to the dentist for the first time, whether it’s because they believe their child is too young or because they don’t think temporary baby teeth need the attention that adult teeth do. However, taking your child to the dentist earlier will set them up for success later in life. Here is why you should take your child to a dentist early.

Preventative Dentistry

While the baby teeth are temporary, dental diseases can last much longer. Taking your child in early can prevent plaque buildup and tooth decay while they’re still learning good dental hygiene habits. This preventative care can save your child a lot of pain from sensitive teeth and help ensure their adult teeth grow in without problems. A dentist can provide many forms of preventative dentistry to your child, and they’ll be your best resource for ensuring that your child maintains good dental health every step of the way.

In fact, those temporary baby teeth serve a vital role in helping your child develop proper speech development—unhealthy teeth can impede that process and lead to frustrating issues you’ll need to adjust down the road.

Monitoring Developments

In a similar vein, consistent dentistry starting at a young age will give the dentist plenty of time to monitor your child’s dental health. They’ll be able to get an idea of how well your child’s development is proceeding and catch problems early on before they become more troublesome. If they notice something strange with the development of your child’s mouth, they can even attempt to course-correct early, easing your child’s experience with the orthodontist later on.

Familiarizing Your Child

Many children also fear the dentist, so a good reason you should take your child to a dentist early is so that they become more familiar and comfortable with the process. They’ll establish trust with the dentist and get used to the environment so that they never feel like they’re trapped somewhere strange. With luck, your child will never develop any anxiety surrounding the dentist, but you can certainly expect them to be far less afraid of the dentist than if they were to start later in life.

Tips on Planning an Off-Roading Adventure

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Half the fun of off-road excursions is planning the experience, and it can be a great way to spend time with your kids. A spur-of-the-moment trip is great, but planning a trip ahead of time ensures that it will go much smoother, especially with the little ones.

Explore these tips for planning an off-roading adventure to get the most of your trip.

Choosing a Trail

If you’re a seasoned off-roader, you probably already have a few favorite off-roading trials. And those are great, but if you’re looking for a new trail to explore, you’ll want to learn a little about it. There might be some interesting features you wouldn’t want to miss, like canyons, a waterfall, or a site with historical significance.

Some national parks have amazing off-roading trails. Check out some famous spots like the Joshua Tree National Park or Big Bend National Park along Old Ore Road, which takes you to abandoned ghost towns and gravestones.

Map Your Route

Once you’ve settled on a trail for you and your family, it’s time to plot your route. Google Maps is useful, giving you the ability to create your own map of the area. Google Earths, too, is helpful to survey the topography so that you know what kind of terrain you’ll be covering.

Be sure to take note of camping sites, gas stations, and ranger stations in the area. Planning your route ahead of time will help plan stops for bathroom breaks, meals, or even unexpected situations that could arise.

Pack Appropriately

Packing for the mountains will be different from packing for a romp in the desert. The length of your stay will determine the amount of gear you’ll need to bring, of course, but the different terrains will also dictate the type of supplies you’ll need for your family and your truck. A day trip means a small tool bag, but a weeklong foray means you might need to bring your full toolbox so that you’re ready for any kind of repair. No matter how long your trip is, you should always have tools in case of a breakdown.

Implementing these tips for planning an off-roading adventure will keep you and your family safe during a great time exploring amazing off-roading trails all over the country!