Fatherhood Factor

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Tips for Talking to an Umpire During a Game

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There are several thankless jobs in the world, but becoming a referee for children’s sports may be atop the throne. Officials may not have the patience to deal with a coach’s shenanigans. Spats can happen in a game, and using these tips for talking to an umpire during a game can come in handy if you feel like you’ve received the short end of the stick.

Get Acquainted

When you’re working with someone new on the job, the courteous thing to do is to introduce yourself properly. You don’t want to be barking orders at someone before they know you, so use that same logic regarding umpires.

You might not be working with the umpires; however, you want to be friendly toward them. If you act standoffish from the get-go, they will be less likely to even talk to you—let alone listen to your arguments.

Calm, Cool, and Collective

Going in guns a-blazing isn’t going to lead to anything positive. If anything, your aggression will only make matters worse. Instead, approach the umpire and use a neutral voice. As easy as it is to have your emotions get the best of you—especially if the other parents are fueling the fire—you must keep your cool. Do your best to respond respectfully and avoid raising your voice. Finding the right bat before the season is the only thing that’s more demanding than staying calm when bringing disputes to the umpire.

Don’t Overstay Your Welcome

Regardless of your demeanor and how considerate you’re being, an unofficial clock starts the second you start the conversation. Unless you become the first parent or manager in the history of organized sports that gets an official to change their call based on your argument, decisions are unlikely to change. Once you feel like you’re going in circles or feel the tension of the peanut gallery, it’s time to close shop and live to fight another day.

Somebody Is Watching Me

We’ve all seen wild videos of parents losing their minds at their kid’s youth sporting events. You don’t want to be a viral sensation because of a botched ball or strike. Always remember that everyone is watching how you react. This concept even applies to the adults who want to live out their dream of working for TMZ, but more importantly, the children who soak everything up like a sponge.

Lead by example because you don’t know how your kid will react when they see you lose their cool. Watching dad flip out is traumatizing, particularly if it’s outside the norm. Additionally, they could attribute their future questionable behaviors to your major blowup.

As the season approaches and you prepare to become a coach for your kiddo’s team, remember these tips for talking to an umpire during a game. People make mistakes, maybe none more so than umpires, but no one is perfect—including you.

The Differences Between Diesel and Gasoline Engines

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Understanding diesel and gasoline engines can be complicated and frustrating, but it doesn’t need to be. There are a few things that separate the two from one another, but they are similar in how they operate, which helps to understand them better. Here are the differences between diesel and gasoline engines.

Compression vs. Spark Ignition

Both diesel and gasoline engines work under the same umbrella to accomplish the same goal through internal combustion. This is when there are explosions inside the engine that create a force strong enough to push the engine parts to operate it. The main difference that many people talk about is the ignition styles.

The diesel engine works to ignite through a means of compression. The fuel will ignite with compressed air, causing an explosion. With gasoline-powered engines, the air and fuel enter the engine at the same time. Then, they come in contact with a spark of fire from the engine’s spark plug, igniting the mixture and causing the explosion.

The Fuel as a Major Component

Another huge difference is the fuel factor. Oil makes up both gasoline and diesel fuel, yet they have different properties. Gasoline is much lighter than diesel, and it burns much faster due to its lack of density. Diesel fuel can burn for exceptional periods due to its thick viscosity. This gives it a higher mileage than gasoline, and it drives much harder at RPMs higher than gasoline motors can reach.

Affordability of One Over the Other

Most people choose to buy gasoline-powered vehicles because they are more popular and sell well, but so do diesel engines. However, gasoline engines are more affordable because they’re cheaper to work on. There are various types of diesel truck engines, and some need more maintenance than others. Plus, those parts may be expensive if you need to replace them. You can get aftermarket parts for a gasoline-powered engine at inexpensive prices if you know where to look.

The Overall Life Expectancy of Each

The diesel engine works hard and helps the vehicle pull heavy loads for exceptionally long periods. You can optimize gasoline-powered engines to work hard, but they’re more for commuting. Based on their design, diesel engines can run for an impressive one million miles until they need replacement. A more common gasoline-fueled engine might run 200,000 to 400,000 miles when cared for and serviced on time throughout its life.

You should now have a firm idea of the differences between diesel and gasoline engines. Knowing the differences could save you money and your patience later on.

What To Remember for Parents Getting Divorced

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Divorce is often a difficult experience, especially if you have children. It creates stress for the parents, and the whole process can leave kids feeling sad, angry, and confused.

No matter how hard it is for you, it’s much harder for them, and they need someone nearby who understands. Here’s what to remember for parents getting divorced.

Don’t Argue in Front of Your Children

Parents have many conflicts during the divorce process. Legal proceedings, financial discussions, and personal issues often come to the forefront. These challenges can make it hard to keep things away from the kids.

Parents getting divorced need to remember to keep their arguments between themselves and find a way to get along when they’re around their kids. Arguing around children, particularly young ones, can lead to emotional trauma if not correctly dealt with.

Validate Your Children’s Emotions

Feelings of loss, loneliness, and self-blame are all lasting negative emotions associated with divorce. It’s perfectly natural for your children to feel these. Whatever you think, you should take the time to validate them.

During a divorce, it’s easy to be emotionally distant, but that’s the last thing your children need. Instead, encourage them to talk and listen to them to get a real sense of how they’re handling everything.

Don’t Use Your Children To Deliver Messages

Some divorced parents can start using their children for their own convenience without realizing what they’re doing. Using your children to deliver messages or make a point can be detrimental to their emotional well-being.

Instead, take the time to work things out between yourselves as much as you can. Understanding your role in child support and planning visitations without friction will allow you to put your kids first. Remember that parenting is a partnership, and your children need all the support they can get.

Be the Parents They Need

Kids with divorced parents must be shown that it isn’t their fault. Parents going through a divorce should remember to talk to their children and ensure they’re clear about the situation.

Divorce is always messy, and not just for parents. No matter how old your children are, you need to support them through the process.

Sustainable Off-Roading: How To Respect the Environment

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Conquering the path less traveled in your trusty 4×4 is a fun and rewarding activity that’s even safe for the whole family! These all-terrain locations are often situated in or near protected, sensitive lands. As such, individuals must respect the environment when off-roading by practicing sustainable driving habits. Read on to learn how you can care for nature without sacrificing the enjoyment of your experience.

Leave No Trace

The “Leave No Trace”method is popular among all outdoor individuals, including campers, bikers, and mountain climbers. Whenever you enter the wilderness—whether on foot or in a vehicle —you mustdispose of any waste and/or disruptive mark of your presence. This ensures surrounding ecosystems are safe from pollution, displacement, and other harmful climate change complications. Motorized travelers should never leave behind damaged or replacement vehicle parts or other automotive waste.

Designated Land

Across the United States, most off-roading locations exist on designated public lands. Your movement is often limited to paths marked with appropriate signage. It’s crucial to remain on the designated trail in these environments at all times. Public land is typically separated by recreational and protected sections—the protected areas contain sensitive ecosystems and sometimes human communities that don’t want all-terrain tire marks throughout their land. Additionally, restricted zones are usually too hazardous for motorized activities and may result in an accident or something worse.

Repay the Trails

Without these spectacular public lands, many off-roading enthusiasts would lack the proper environments to conduct their favorite activities. Unfortunately, these off-roading trails are often under-protected and underfunded, leaving them at risk of disappearing completely. Moreover, certain off-roaders don’tpractice sustainable driving habits, further damaging these sensitive lands.

Aside from resisting the urge to spin mud vigorously, it’s recommended that you “pay back” your time spent on these lands by volunteering. Various local and national organizations are always looking for assistance in maintaining and restoring protected wildland locations. This type of work is educational and rewarding for the entire family, especially when teaching young children about the importance of the environment.

Preparing for an off-roading adventure is an amazing experience, but we must take responsibility for its impact on surrounding ecosystems. Practicing sustainable off-roading habits and understanding how to respect the environment ensures suitable trails for many more years to come!

5 Steps To Take When Planning a Backyard Remodel

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Your backyard is everything but an oasis. It’s a hodgepodge of kids’ toys, old lawn furniture, and uncontrollable plants. The backyard needs a major upgrade. Follow these five steps to take when planning a backyard remodel so you can create the ideal escape your family wants!

Understand the Backyard’s Preexisting Features

Every backyard has some preexisting features, from the size of the yard to the trees to the landscaping.

Establish which features you like and dislike. Some aspects are deep beneath the ground, but you can easily remove superficial features. Figure out how to work around these aspects while planning your dream backyard.

Develop a Budget

Just like any home remodel, you allot a certain amount of money for the project. The backyard is no different! Decide how much money you can spend on this remodel. A budget will help you stay on track and avoid overspending when you start the renovation process.

Create a Must-Have List

In addition to creating a budget, develop a must-have list. The must-haves are the items you need to update your backyard. Perhaps you want an inground pool or a new patio to accommodate guests.

Put every feature you want on the list with must-haves at the top and sort-of-wants at the bottom. Weed out the updates that aren’t as valuable to you and your family based on your budget. This step will help you create a clear vision for planning your backyard remodel.

Consider What Your Family Likes

Every family has different dreams for their backyard. This remodel isn’t only for yourself; it’s for the entire family. As you’re creating your must-have list, you also need to consider your family’s likes and dislikes.

Consider creating a space just for your kids. Perhaps they want a sandbox, a small trampoline, or even a personal playground! Maybe the adults want a comfortable lounge or a seating area around a firepit.

If you have pets, think about installing a new fence. You can choose from wood, vinyl, ornamental, and so many more materials! Knowing the types of residential fences will help you choose the right fence to keep your family safe.

Determine the Types of Plants You Need

Every backyard needs plants! While laying out your design, create a section for landscaping where you’ll add a few plants.

Before choosing the first plant you see at the nursery, you need to understand your home’s climate and the sunlight your backyard receives. Some backyards get full sunlight all day long, while others are mostly shaded.

Plants may not seem like a big deal, but the amount of sunlight will determine the type of plants that thrive in your yard. The goal is to have lovely plants you can easily care for so your backyard looks beautiful all season long.

Let’s get the planning going so you can have your dream backyard by the summertime!

What To Bring When Exploring on an Airboat Tour

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When people think of Florida, they may think of the beach, luxury retirement homes, nightclubs, theme parks, and spring breakers. However, Florida has many fun and educational things for the family. Learn about early civilization in St. Augustine, explore the natural springs in North Florida, or enjoy a quiet hunting trip in the Everglades.

Florida also offers many activities for thrill seekers to indulge in, including airboat rides. Get up close and personal with Florida’s wildlife and go on a tour through swampy waters. Feel the wind in your hair while you wave hello to gators, toads, and turtles. You may even see a bald eagle! But before securing your booking, here’s what to bring when exploring on an airboat tour.

Bug Spray Is Essential

It’s essential you bring bug spray when touring Florida’s swampy waters. The mosquitos are ruthless and will find a way to bite you if you’re not careful. Although you won’t face many bugs when on the airboat, you may encounter them when getting on and off. So, bring some bug spray and apply it before heading on the boat to be safe.

Comfort Over Fashion

When visiting Florida, it’s tempting to wear your best shorts and tank tops, but when attending an airboat tour, it’s best to wear comfortable clothing that you don’t mind getting a little wet. We recommend wearing athletic pants and a light jacket due to the boat’s high speeds. The wind and mist can be chilly!

Sunscreen Is a Must

The Florida sun shows no mercy, especially when you don’t wear sunscreen. Boat tours can last up to two hours, and if you’re in the sun, in the middle of the water, it can get hot and humid. While it’s entertaining to see the gators sunbathe, it would be a shame for you to get sunburned.

Wear Close-Toed Shoes

Florida is known for their surprise rain showers; it’s sunny one minute and rainy the next. These surprise showers can happen during your tour, so it’s best to wear close-toed shoes. Doing so will keep your feet dry and safe from blisters—because who wants to walk around with wet feet? We recommend wearing old sneakers or water shoes.

Don’t Forget To Pack a Poncho

There’s a chance you will feel a slight mist from the high speeds during your tour. If you don’t want to get hit with the mist or caught in a surprise rain shower, bring a poncho when exploring the everglades on an airboat tour. If you don’t have a poncho, we recommend wearing a heavy-duty rain jacket.

How To Prepare Your Home for a Flash Flood

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If you live in a flood-prone region, creating an emergency plan is important to ensure you and your family are safe. Disaster can strike at any moment, even if the weather is just right and the sun is shining. Keep your family protected and secure using our tips to prepare your home for a flash flood.

Create an Emergency Kit

One of your most important duties as a father is ensuring your family is safe. Always store an emergency kit in your home. This emergency kit should be readily available and easily accessible. This kit should have at least three to four days’ worth of water and food—about one gallon of water a day—along with the following items.

  • Medication
  • Batteries
  • Flashlights
  • Copies of personal documents
  • An extra cell phone
  • Warming blankets
  • A change of clothes for every family member
  • Extra shoes

Take Preventative Measures Beforehand

It’s always better to be safe than sorry. Taking a few preventative measures before disaster strikes is the best way to prepare your house for a flash flood. Whether you own a home or rent, you should add flood coverage to your insurance policy. It’s important to know what your home or rental insurance covers in its terms and conditions about natural disasters.

You should also know your flood risk to understand how much coverage you will need and whether your area is prone to flooding. It would also be wise to take inventory of the valuable items in your house in case a disaster strikes.

Pro Tip: You should also take time to create a budget for your home improvements in case of substantial damage. It would be best if you also looked for loans or grants to use for repairs.

Elevate Your Electrical Components

Your electrical sockets and wiring should be elevated a foot above estimated flood levels. This will prevent your home from becoming a safety hazard and reduce the damage flooding can cause. If you have a basement, you should waterproof the floors and anchor your fuel tank, if you have one.

Don’t Disregard Flood Alerts

Pay attention to the weather, news, and flood alerts. Even if you haven’t prepared your home, you may still have time before a flood strikes. A flood watch is typically issued to an area’s residents when there are signs of flooding. When you get the alert, it is time to protect your furniture, valuables, and important documents.

However, if there’s a flood warning, the flood is happening or going to take place soon. If you receive a warning alert, consider relocating to a safe space.