Fatherhood Factor

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Fatherhood Factor Team

Warning Signs To Look Out for in a Used Car

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Getting a reliable used car for your soon-to-be drivers is a tricky process that requires prior knowledge of what to look for. While it isn’t realistic to expect to suddenly become a car expert overnight, there are ways to help prepare you beforehand. Every vehicle tells a story when it comes to its condition. These are some warning signs for a used car to keep your kid safe when they get their license.

Available Records

The records and history of the vehicle are normally freely available to the potential buyer who wants to look into what the car’s been through. While this detail might seem trivial to younger drivers, this is crucial information necessary to get a good idea of the car’s current condition. If an owner keeps the records to themselves or refuses to show them for any reason, that’s a good red flag to indicate that the car isn’t likely a trustworthy buy.

Unreported Damage

Despite having your hands on the vehicle history and not noticing anything in the photos, it’s important to inspect the car yourself carefully. This is supposed to be a more thorough method of discovering any damage that wasn’t visible in the photos. In the case that you do end up finding unreported damage, you’re free to either take your business elsewhere or inquire about it. Regardless, it’s a good idea not to get confrontational if something does end up discovered.

Bad Drive Shaft

The drive shaft is necessary to transfer energy from your engine to the tires to get them to spin properly. With this in mind, taking the car for a test drive is a good idea to determine if the acceleration sensitivity isn’t out of place. It helps to know some signs that a drive shaft has gone bad to have a clearer picture of what you’re looking for.

Going through the chore of finding a reliable car and a reliable seller is tough. However, when it comes to your kid’s safety, nothing is too much work to guarantee they come home unharmed. While they’re hopefully not common, there may be dishonest traders. Knowing some warning signs to look out for in a used car will help you avoid problems.

Summer Send-Off: How To Throw the Best Family Pizza Night

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It’s near the end of the season, and you’ve scratched what feels like a million activities off your summer bucket list. Whether you camped in the backyard for many weekends, visited a theme park, or hosted more pool parties than you can count, it’s safe to say that you’ve done it all!

However, the kids are planning their last hurrah of the break before returning to study nights and pop quizzes, and you want in! How about taking part in the summer send-off and learning how to throw the best family pizza night your young ones will experience? Continue reading below to learn more!

Just Dough It

Pizza night is the perfect opportunity to make your dough. Regardless of the recipe you use and the ingredients it requires, you never want to forget to proof your pizza dough.

As one of the most common pizza making mistakes, not allowing your dough to rest and rise for a final before pulling can result in a dense, rubbery, final product that your family may struggle to enjoy.

While most dough suggests a two- to three-day proofing process, a 24-hour minimum is acceptable if you’re under time constraints. You can involve your young ones in this step by allowing them to mix the ingredients.

Pro tip: If you don’t have the dough ingredients readily available or you’re really crunched for time, you can always make it a pizza bagel night and have kids pick out their favorite bagel.

The Sauce Is the Boss

Whether store-bought or homemade, it’s an essential first layer to your pizza festivity. If you would rather make it yourself, you can’t go wrong with quality canned tomatoes, oregano, salt, pepper, and basil.

On a separate note, kids are creative, fascinating people who can spice up recipes instantly. If your family prefers barbecue over red sauce, feel free to test it out! You can also use alfredo sauce as an alternative.

Make It Cheesy

Now that you have your dough and sauce, it’s time to consider your cheese options. While there is an overwhelming amount of cheese options on the market, a low-moisture mozzarella is typically the go-to for that epic cheese pull.

However, the decision is entirely up to you and the family! A sprinkle of parmesan is also a tried-and-true detail that is the genuine chef’s kiss to a perfect pie.

Top It Off With Finishing Touches

Now the best part: toppings! Traditional pepperoni slices for that instant classic, but if you’re using barbecue or alfredo sauce, consider grilled chicken slices, black olives, and pepperoncini as delicious options.

You can use a variety of leftover vegetables you have on hand and take a poll of everyone’s favorite toppings so you have them readily available during the final customization. Pair the meal with the kids’ favorite dessert to end the night on a sweet note!

Throwing the best family pizza night takes plenty of work, planning, and toppings! You don’t have to have an elaborate setup or state-of-the-art equipment to make it successful. All you’ll need are a few ingredients, patience, and the people you care about most to share the experience with.

Tips for Designing a Fun and Unique Kid’s Room

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Having bedrooms allows your little ones to enjoy a (mostly) adult-free zone. It’s a place where they can conjure up different imaginative scenarios and realms and go on adventures with their toys. A kid’s room also provides numerous practical benefits. It designates a certain space for play and storing toys in one place instead of scattered around various rooms in the home. Here are some tips for designing a fun and unique kid’s room that’ll enhance your child’s growing experience.

Style With a Theme in Mind

Themes encapsulate a certain world. Some embody specific spaces, like jungles, the galaxy, or the beach. On the other hand, other themes showcase features of a fandom, from favorite sports teams to movie characters. Decorating and finding different ways to theme your child’s room helps them foster their likes and dislikes and brings to life something or someplace that makes them happy.

Provide Unique Interactive Features

As kids grow and explore the world around them, they rely heavily on their various senses to immerse themselves and learn. Little ones love to eat and touch anything that comes their way, for better and for worse. Adding unique interactive features to the design or practicality of your kid’s room fosters your child’s natural urge to learn through immersions. Plus, touching soft surfaces, solving puzzles, and clicking buttons bring many people joy. The more features you include, the more things to play with.

Think Like a Kid or Work Closely With One

A kid’s room is for a kid. It’s a place that’ll allow them to make the most of their child-like wonder and help them grow into who they desire to be. When setting up your kid’s room, thinking like a kid or at least working closely with one allows you to optimize the space for your child. The more comfortable and likable the space, the safer and happier your child will feel, creating ideal conditions for them to flourish.

As heartbreaking as it is, children don’t stay kids for long. Unless you secretly live in Neverland. Designing a fun and unique kid’s room helps your little one embrace their youth and make the most of their childhood. Keeping these three tips in mind as you renovate ensures you maximize the space to best benefit your child.

Top 5 Health Conditions Older Men Might Face

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Men might not like to admit it, but their health may start to decline as they age. They might notice more health problems or that previous health concerns are worsening.

These are some of the health conditions older men might face.

Heart Disease

One in six men will die from heart disease, making it the leading cause of death. Risk factors for developing heart disease include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, and diabetes. Symptoms of heart disease include chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue. To prevent your chances of developing heart disease, you should:

  • Exercise regularly
  • Eat a healthy diet
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Quit smoking
  • Manage stress

Heart disease can be treated and managed with lifestyle changes, medication, and surgery.

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. Symptoms of prostate cancer include difficulty urinating, weak or interrupted flow of urine, and pain during urination. The risk of developing prostate cancer increases with age. Men should eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly to prevent prostate cancer.

Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction is the inability to get or maintain an erection. It can be caused by physical conditions such as diabetes or heart disease, or psychological conditions such as anxiety or depression.

Symptoms of erectile dysfunction include difficulty getting an erection, trouble maintaining an erection, and reduced sexual desire. Treatment for erectile dysfunction includes medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes.

Incontinence

Incontinence is the inability to control urination. Incontinence symptoms include leakage of urine, frequent urination, and frequently waking up at night to urinate. An overactive bladder, weak muscles, or nerve damage can cause incontinence. Understanding the foods and drinks that trigger incontinence can help men manage the condition.

Depression

Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions in older men. Almost one in 10 men report they experience depression or anxiety daily. 

Symptoms of depression can include feelings of sadness, fatigue, irritability, insomnia, and loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed. Depression can also lead to physical health problems, such as reduced immunity and increased pain.

These are some of the health conditions older men might face. Heart disease, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, incontinence, and depression are all common health concerns for older men.

To reduce your risk of developing these conditions, exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, maintain a healthy weight, and manage stress. Fathers, grandfathers, and older brothers can play an essential role in promoting the health of their families by being proactive about their own health.

8 of the Most Common Childhood Food Allergies

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Food allergies are exceedingly common and often show up in early childhood. Knowing the most common childhood food allergies can help you catch and treat them early. Monitor your child after they eat these eight common trigger foods to rule out food allergies.

First, What’s an Allergy?

An allergy occurs when your child’s immune system wrongly views a food or drink item as an “invader” and rapidly produces antibodies to fight it off. This flood of antibodies causes symptoms that can make your child feel unwell. It’s important to note that allergies are different from sensitivities—both cause similar symptoms, but sensitivities are less severe and never deadly.

8 of the Most Common Childhood Allergies

Peanuts & Tree Nuts

Nuts, especially peanuts, are the most common childhood food allergen and one of the most dangerous.

Milk

Milk allergies are commonly caused by the S1-casein protein found in cow’s milk.

Eggs

This staple food is another common culprit of childhood allergies. Kids can be allergic to just whites, just yolks, or both parts of the egg.

Fish

Salmon, tuna, catfish, and cod are the most common types of fish reported to cause reactions.

Shellfish

Shrimp, lobster, and crab cause the most shellfish allergies. Interestingly, most kids with this allergy can still eat mollusks like oysters, clams, and mussels.

Soy

This umami sauce can also cause reactions.

Wheat

Kids who are allergic to wheat react to the protein gluten. Some may have celiac disease rather than a normal allergy.

Sesame

Commonly found on hamburger buns and other kid-friendly foods, sesame can sadly make your kid sick.

Kids can be allergic to any kind of food or drink, but the items on this list account for a shocking 90 percent of reactions.

How To Tell if Your Child Has Allergies

Common symptoms of an allergic reaction include:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Coughing
  • Stomach pain
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Itchy, watery eyes
  • Hives
  • Red spots
  • Swelling
  • Dizziness

Not all allergies are severe, which can make pinpointing them difficult. If you’re unsure whether your child has allergies, consider asking their pediatrician to perform an in-office allergen test or ordering an at-home test. If your child has severe symptoms, take them to the ER immediately—they could be suffering from a form of extreme allergy called anaphylaxis, which can be deadly.

Allergies may seem scary, but fortunately, they’re easy to manage once discovered. If you think your kid may have an allergy, get in touch with their doctor at your earliest convenience to discuss testing options.

Amazing Baby Must-Haves You Probably Overlooked

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Having a baby is exciting—and exhausting. There are so many things to remember and so many lists to check off, and it’s hard to keep track of which friends and family you’ve asked for which gifts. We know that bringing home a new little one is a hectic time, so we’ve compiled a list of must-have baby items you probably overlooked.

Diaper Bag

Contrary to the name, a diaper bag isn’t just for diapers. Depending on how well you organize it, diaper bags are useful for carrying ointment, spare outfits and bibs, blankets, and just about anything else you might need while you’re away from home with your baby. Some families even leave a backup diaper bag in the car trunk in case someone forgets the primary bag.

Car Seat Arm Pad

When you leave the house on errands or outings with your new baby, you’re going to end up carrying that car seat quite a bit. In order to make things less stressful, invest in an arm pad to give you extra comfort while lugging the car seat around.

Newborn Socks

Everyone loves buying onesies for babies, and who wouldn’t? They’re adorable. However, people may forget to gift you socks, which you’re going to need to keep your baby’s feet warm. Baby socks are important for many other reasons as well, like protecting fragile newborn skin from UV rays and preventing injuries.

Stroller Mittens

If you live somewhere that gets cold, you’re going to want your hands covered while pushing the stroller around. However, most regular gloves make it harder to use your cellphone and do other tasks. So what’s the solution? Stroller mittens! They’re like muffs that attach to the stroller handle, letting you slip them on and off with ease.

Parent Organizer

The last baby must-have that you probably overlooked is an organizer for your stroller. These organizers hang from the top handle, letting you store your phone, wallet, wipes, and other handy items all without needing to carry a bag.

It’s important to make sure you have everything you need when bringing home a new baby. Hopefully, this list will help you remember those items you forgot!

Is Tying Your Own Fly-Fishing Flies Worth It?

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There’s a lot to love about fly fishing, but for many anglers, their favorite part comes before they even get to the fishing hole—fly tying. Plenty of anglers tie their own fly-fishing flies, but is it worth it?

If you ask us, of course! We’ll go over the benefits of tying your own flies and what you’ll need to get started.

Benefits of Tying Your Own Flies

There are many benefits of tying your own flies—both practical and emotional. Let us explain why so many anglers craft their own flies!

Greater Satisfaction

Ask any angler who takes the time and energy to tie their own flies, and they’ll tell you that the reward at the end is simply sweeter. You get the satisfaction of crafting something with your own two hands, and then you get to see it put to use and help you catch your next trophy fish.

Do you know what’s more satisfying than hooking a great, big trophy fish? Catching a trophy fish courtesy of a fly you tied yourself! It adds another level of satisfaction to fishing that makes tying your fly-fishing flies worth it!

Unleash Your Creative Side

We all have our creative, artistic side, and tying your flies introduces that side of ourselves to fly fishing. When tying flies, there’s no limit to the flies you can come up with of all different shapes, patterns, sizes, etc.

If you only buy your flies from a store, you’re constrained by what they have in stock and by what they recommend instead of what you want. Get creative and experiment to find the ideal fly for you and your fishing hole!

Competitive Advantage

A practical benefit to crafting flies is that it gives anglers a competitive advantage. Instead of using the same fly from the store everyone uses and that the fish have seen 100 times, you can create something new and different. That fly will have a better chance of piquing their interest.

Fish aren’t that different from us—they get tired of eating the same thing repeatedly, so offer them something new!

Fly-Tying: Getting Started

Are you ready to start tying flies? Great! You’ll need some basic fly-tying supplies to get started first. Some tools that every fly crafter needs include:

  • Vise (stationary or rotary)
  • Whip finisher
  • Bobbin
  • Hackle pliers
  • Bodkin needle
  • Scissors

You can get all these separately, or many fly-fishing shops sell beginners kits with all the essential tools you’ll need to get started. Get your supplies, get tying, and begin enjoying fly fishing even more!