Fatherhood Factor

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Top Benefits of Homeschooling

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It’s safe to say that you always want what’s best for your children. Whether it’s their health or development, you’ll always prioritize their well-being to promote growth. When it comes to education, there is no difference! Education provides children with essential skills that they’ll build upon throughout their lives.

However, some students struggle in a classroom setting and can benefit from learning at home with a familiar adult. In this article, we’ll explore some of the top benefits of homeschooling that will give you something to keep in mind when changing your child’s learning environment.

Educational Freedom

As a parent, you know your child better than anyone! You’ve watched them grow, so you’re aware of their strengths and weaknesses. As the teacher, you’ll have a direct role in your child’s learning so you can structure the curriculum to meet their needs. By setting the schedule, learning approach, and pace, you’ll accommodate their learning style.

Schedule Flexibility

Gone are the early morning hours and the commute to school. Though doing so can help simulate the hours of a typical school day to promote a structured routine, you have the freedom to cater to your own schedule. For instance, when homeschooling teenagers, you can plan for a late start, given that peak focus hours for many are later in the day.

Stronger Relationships

While homeschooling can be stressful, it allows for more bonding time with your children. Children will have the opportunity to grow in a close family and build stronger connections. They’ll develop problem-solving skills that will aid them in conflict resolution throughout their lives.

Positive Environment

Children and teenagers thrive in environments that foster positivity and safety. Homeschooling provides a safe space that favors mental health and learning amongst those who care. Your child has role models from whom they can seek guidance. Those who are homeschooled have less exposure to bullying and negative settings that can discourage learning and reduce self-esteem.

Improved Academic Performance

There’s less homework assigned while homeschooling since learning is an all-day affair. However, homeschooled children tend to perform better on tests and stand out on college applications by simply having a different learning experience than most.

Homeschooled children and teenagers grow to become independent and self-motivated, both fantastic and valuable skills to possess while pursuing higher studies.

While homeschooling your children can mean less time for yourself and more time toward family, you can view it from the bright side. It requires dedication, but it’s time well spent for the betterment of your child. These top benefits of homeschooling are only an introduction, but you’ll come to learn how valuable direct involvement in your child’s life can be over time.

Simplest Auto Repairs for Newbies

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Today, whenever something breaks or needs attention, it’s customary to seek out a professional who can help. However, this can be costly, time-consuming, and might not fix the problem at hand. For instance, visiting the mechanic for car repairs might leave you questioning if repairing your vehicle is really worth the cost and hassle. However, every father must consider these simplest auto repairs for newbies so they can learn to do some things themselves.

Change Your Own Oil

Approximately every 3,000 to 5,000 miles—depending on your vehicle and driving condition—your car requires an oil change. This might seem like a natural job for a mechanic but actually, every car owner can do it themselves. This fundamental repair might seem scary but handing motor oil is easy. All you need to do is remove the oil drain plug, unscrew and empty the oil filter, put them back, remove the oil filler hole cap, and pour in fresh oil. Research some articles or watching some DIY videos for reference.

Touch Up Your Own Paint

Buffing out scratches or touching up your car paint is another simple auto repair for newbies. Every vehicle is bound to get scratched so it’s important to know how to take care of the marks. Whether it got scratches from brushing against a bush or a person brushing against it, scratches pop up on cars all the time. Fortunately, many paint applicators exist to help buff out small scratches and make your car look good as new. These include aerosol spray cans, brushes, and pens for large, medium, and small details. Remember to find the right color that matches your vehicle.

Replace Your Own Head and Taillights

Finally, replace your own headlights or taillights to avoid a costly trip to the mechanic. More importantly, a broken headlight or taillight could lead to your vehicle getting pulled over. After you’ve bought a replacement light, simply remove the screws connecting the light frame to the bracket, disconnect the electrical connector, replace the old bulb with the new one, plug the connector back in, and replace the frame. Anyone can do these projects. However, you can visit your mechanic if you’re uncomfortable handling electrical components.

Ways To Tell if Your Child Has Scoliosis

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Watching out for your kids is about more than making sure they look both ways when they cross the street. As a parent, you have bigger picture issues to deal with too. As your child gets older, their personalities develop as well as possible health conditions. And one you should look out for is scoliosis. Here are the ways to tell if your child has scoliosis.

What Is Scoliosis?

Scoliosis is a condition of the spine that typically emerges in children and adolescents during growth spurts. The spine grows along with the body, but sometimes it doesn’t grow straight. It might bend to the side or twist: those with an S- or C-shaped spine typically receive a scoliosis diagnosis. About three million new cases occur in the US each year, affecting about 2 percent of kids.

Examine Your Child for Scoliosis

You should examine your child for scoliosis. Their school may perform a test, but early detection is key to treating the condition and preventing it from worsening. To check your child for scoliosis, have them bend over—either without a shirt or in a sports bra—so you can see the curve of their spine. Ask your child to stay in a forward fold while you examine their spine from all angles.

Signs of Scoliosis

Upon examination, you may notice that your child’s spine curves like it is supposed to. But if something looks out of place, it is possibly an indication of a larger issue. Further, you might notice signs of scoliosis without an examination. Signs to watch out for include:

  • Uneven shoulder blades and shoulders
  • Crooked hips
  • Uneven skin folds around the waist or other areas of the back
  • Bulging muscles or ribs
  • Unequal distance between the body and arms

Treatment for Scoliosis

Early detection is key to treating scoliosis. If you think your child may have this condition, you should consult with a doctor right away. In addition to an obvious spinal deformity, your child may experience back pain or heart and lung problems that could decrease their quality of life. Know that surgery isn’t your only option. Scoliosis braces for kids are typically the first solution before invasive procedures.

You should know the ways to tell if your child has scoliosis. Leaving it up to your school may mean waiting too long. If you notice any signs of a crooked spine or hips in your child, consult with a doctor right away to avoid further misalignment.

Safety Tips for Beginner Woodworkers

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Whether you are making custom sculptures, charcuterie boards, or hand-made furniture, creating a piece from scratch is an immensely rewarding activity. While woodworking is a gratifying hobby, it can be dangerous if you don’t take the proper precautions to ensure that you stay safe and out of harm’s way. Below are some safety tips for beginner woodworkers.

Wear Safety Gear

Because woodworking involves the use of power tools and saws, it is crucial to wear safety gear while you’re working on a project to avoid injury. Wearing safety goggles will protect your eyes from sawdust and flying splinters. Always wear latex gloves when applying finishes or stains to your projects to protect your skin from chemical burns. Lastly, wear earplugs to avoid ear damage from noisy saws and power tools.

Dress Appropriately

One of the simplest ways to stay safe while woodworking is to dress appropriately. Although this may seem like common sense, if you are working from a place that is particularly comfortable for you, like your home garage, it can be easy to forget what is appropriate. Long-sleeved t-shirts, denim, and closed-toed shoes work best as woodworking attire. The thick fabrics and extra coverage will protect your skin from being hit with debris or chunks of wood.

Do Not Reach Over Running Blades

Even more crucial than the clothing and gear that you wear is knowing what precautions to take when using tools and powering them on and off. When working with power saws, it is essential that you never reach over a running blade, ever. If you absolutely must reach over your blade, unplug it, and wait until it comes to a complete stop before proceeding. Being patient in this situation is quite literally a lifesaver.

Power Down Your Tools

Most woodworking tools have removable parts that need to be cleaned, replaced, or otherwise maintained. So, it’s important to always power down your tools before modifying them in any way. Even if the tool itself is only plugged into a power source and not actively running, it still needs to be powered down completely and switched off before you perform any maintenance. It’s also wise to double-check that no residual electricity runs through the tool, as switches can easily malfunction, and the remaining electricity might cause the tool to turn on unexpectedly.

Woodworking is one of the most rewarding hobbies out there. That said, it can be potentially hazardous, so it requires that you follow certain guidelines to keep yourself safe. With these safety tips for beginner woodworkers, you can enjoy your new hobby with a little more peace of mind.

Tips and Tricks for Childproofing Your Home

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Covering up open outlets, placing corner guards on sharp points, and baby-gating stairs were probably the first steps you took to make your home safer for your young children. If you’re wondering what more you can do to make your home as safe as possible for your kids, check out these tips and tricks for childproofing your home.

Add Kitchen Locks

The kitchen is arguably the single most dangerous room in any home for a child. It’s full of sharp and hot things that could easily harm your child should they get their hands on these items. Knives, blenders, toasters, and ovens are just a few of these hazards. One step you can take to prevent injuries is to place safety locks on cabinets and drawers that contain potentially dangerous objects. To keep kids safe around the oven, you can use a stove guard, be sure to use only the back burners for cooking, and turn pot and pan handles toward the counter.

Secure Your Furniture

Large furniture can be especially dangerous if left standing on its own. A curious child climbing around can take down bookcases, cabinets, and shelves. To keep these from toppling over onto your child, get some fasteners and secure the furniture flush against the wall. Screws will be the best method of securing the furniture. Many parents often forget this aspect of childproofing, making this an essential tip for childproofing your home.

Check Your Attic

If your home has an attic, make sure you’ve taken the steps to make this area childproof as well. Check the ladder for any loose or protruding nails. These are super easy to remove, but they can do a lot of damage if your child is playing near the ladder or climbing on it. If your child is able to access the attic, check to see if you can address any other potential problem areas. Attic safety is widely disregarded, but the safer your kids can be, the better.

No matter what, your child’s safety should be your top priority. Much of what they’re experiencing is so new and fresh to them that they’re not always thinking about safety themselves. Locking up hazardous areas, making sure your furniture is secure, and checking every space of your home are the keys to making sure your children are as safe as they can be in your home.

Ways To Show Your Dad Appreciation on Father’s Day

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Father’s Day is a day that every father awaits. There’s nothing more heartwarming than receiving handmade cards and gifts from your kids (they’re crudely made, but they’re full of love) and having them excitedly tell you how much you mean to them and how proud they are to have you as their dad. Parenting is often thankless work, so it can be nice to hear that you’re doing a wonderful job.

As a father, you’ll probably spend the day with your own family. But that leaves one very important person alone on this special day—the father who raised you. Instead of leaving your old man out of the celebrations, make this year special with these creative ways to show your dad appreciation on Father’s Day.

Write a Letter

Do your parents live miles away from you? You probably don’t want to go through the trouble of packing your luggage and hopping on a plane for a single day of celebration. What should you do, then?

If you can’t see your father in person on Father’s Day, take the time to pen a heartfelt letter instead. Tell your dad how much you appreciate him. Whether you send him this message through text or snail mail, he’s sure to flash a smile when reading it.

Make It Fun

Maybe you think Father’s Day should be an exciting event. Your family takes you to the beach, an expensive restaurant, or the local golf course each year to celebrate. Why not do the same for your own dad? The next way to show your dad appreciation on Father’s Day is to plan a fun activity or outing.

It doesn’t have to be on Father’s Day, but during that same week, invite your dad to spend a day with his favorite kid. There are countless things you can do and places you can go. Just make sure that whatever you’re doing is something you know that your dad will enjoy.

Celebrate Together

This momentous day in June is a time to celebrate fathers of all kinds. Instead of letting your dad celebrate on his lonesome, invite him to join your family festivities. What was that one saying? The more, the merrier.

Father’s Day is more about family than anything else. The more family you include, the livelier and more joyous it will be.

Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Give Your Child a Smartphone

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While the best age for a child to receive their first phone is a topic of wide debate, there are still some ages that most people consider too young. We’re not here to debate what those ages are, but we do want to give you some reasons why you shouldn’t give your child a smartphone. Unfortunately, telling them that you didn’t have a phone at their age isn’t going to cut it anymore.

Phones Are Too Expensive

Have you seen the prices of smartphones recently? A thousand dollars is starting to become the norm in the industry. Granted, we’re aware that most parents will buy their kids a cheaper one, but even on the bargain side of the market, they can easily go for $200 to $300. It’s hard to trust a small child with a “toy” that carries such a hefty price tag. Plus, phone plans themselves can be fairly expensive.

There are much better options for kids on the market, such as child-safe tablets and smartwatches. These watches, in particular, can give parents all the benefits of a smartphone for their child but at a fraction of the cost. On top of that, they’re attached to a wrist, which means they’re less susceptible to drops, spills, and broken screens.

They Could Abuse In-App Purchases

Even though parental features are common these days on smartphones, kids always seem to find a way around them. Then suddenly, before you even know what’s happening, they’ve spent$100 in a game. Since young kids don’t have a fundamental concept of money yet, you can’t even blame them for it. The best way to avoid the situation altogether is not to let them have a phone in the first place.

They Might Become Dependent on Them

While there are ongoing studies on this topic, it’s hard to argue that people don’t have some level of dependence on their devices. If you don’t think that’s the case, try going for a week without your phone and see how you feel afterward. If it didn’t have much of an effect on you, congratulations—you’re stronger than the majority of us.

Regardless of your view on the subject, developing a deep dependence on technology is a big reason why you shouldn’t give your child a smartphone at a young age. Kids’ brains are still developing and don’t need an all-powerful smart device to be at the center of that development.

It’s Good To Tell Them “No”

It can be challenging to keep denying your kid when they continuously ask you for a phone. However, contrary to what you might read on Facebook, saying “no” and setting boundaries with your children is a good thing for them. If they never hear the word “no,” they will go the rest of their life expecting everything to get everything they want when they want it.

Standing your ground and not letting them have a cellphone until you believe they’re ready is one of the best ways to instill a more realistic behavior in them. Plus, your kid will be even more grateful on the day they finally do get a phone than they would have been if you just broke down and gave them one when they asked.