Fatherhood Factor

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Fatherhood Factor Team

Buying a Home as a Single Father: What to Consider

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They always say home is where the heart is, and maybe your heart is longing to finally be a homeowner. While renting may have cut it for a while, it’s time to start looking for something with a bit more space. There’s a lot to consider when making the leap to purchase a new home, especially if you’re a single father. Deciding when, where and how to even start the home buying process can be taxing when you have work, errands and a family to take care of and provide for. While everyone’s situation is different, here are just a few ways you can decide if purchasing a home is right for you.

How to Buy

Before you even begin looking for a home, you have to have a sense of what you can realistically afford. This is where a mortgage preapproval comes in handy. A mortgage preapproval from a lender will ideally tell you an estimated home value you can afford and what you’ll actually be approved to borrow. Once you have the preapproval letter, you’ll be able to actually budget out your finances and eliminate any options out of your price range. Speaking of finances, not only is buying a home difficult, but it’s also expensive! However there are a slew of government backed assistance programs out there specifically for single family homes. Utilizing these programs will help lift a large part of the financial burden off your shoulders that comes with the home buying process.

Being a single father is tough as it is, add in the moving process to that and it becomes even more daunting. This is why it is crucial to invest in some help when you ultimately decide it’s the right time to buy. Finding a real estate agent you can trust and rely on will make your move so much more effortless. When looking for a reliable agent be sure that they offer favorable contract terms, which can vary based on location as well as commission fees. A standard commission fee is typically around the 5%-6% range of the home’s sales price so be wary of anything higher than that. Additionally if you’re looking strictly to purchase, make sure you’re trying to locate a buyer agent whose job is to represent you when purchasing a home as opposed to a listing agent who represents you if you’re looking to sell.

When to Buy

For anyone looking to purchase their own home, it often comes down to one big thing; timing. There are a variety of factors that play into when the right time to move is and for single parents, there are additional factors that come into effect. If you’re a recently-single father, you may be in the middle of selling your old home or working through custody disputes which could drastically alter your plans. If there are still some things up in the air, despite rent prices being at a record high, it might be advantageous to continue to rent while you’re in a transitional period. They may not be as common, but look for a lease that is month to month, so once you’re ready you can start right away. While rent prices are currently at record highs, so are home prices. The supply is not currently meeting the demand, which means houses are going quick and for above the asking prices. Knowing what the market is doing and paying attention to market trends will help you plan for the future and decide when the right time to buy is.

It’s important to not only consider what’s best for you, but what your child’s wants and needs are as well. Think about if a move is what’s going to be the best situation to help your child succeed. Studies have shown that frequent moves at a young age can affect childhood development and social skills. Being conscious of this fact will help ensure that you’re making the best decisions for your entire family.

Where to Buy

Another factor that goes hand in hand with deciding when to buy is determining where you should buy.  Studies show that what city your child is raised in may also have some bearing on their upbringing as some cities are better to raise a family in than others. Going back to market trends, as always, it’s going to be vital to do your research in order to figure out where in the country is a feasible place to live based on your financial means. While living in a larger city may sound nice, housing prices in cities like San Francisco or Manhattan are much higher than the average cost of living in the rest of the country. And while what you’re able to afford will play a pivotal role in your decision, it may just not be feasible depending on your situation. Again, if you’re currently in the middle of a separation and going through various custody disputes, those can typically take six months to a year and even longer in some cases. If you end up having to split time, moving halfway across the country might simply not be in the cards for you.

On top of anything that may be going on in your personal life, work is going to play into your decision heavily as well. While some employers are now offering the flexibility of remote work or hybrid work, many are not, and your living situation may be dependent on your work status. If you don’t see yourself in one location for the next few years, it may be better to hold off or devise a 5-10 year plan to figure out where you may end up and where to start looking. While there may not be an exact science to it, as a single father there are some things well within your control that can help you and your family live a better life. By doing your research, asking for help from a support system and taking important aspects of your child’s life into consideration, you can make smart and strategic decisions to effectively plan for your family’s future. And while it may seem like a lot of work, seeing your children grow up in a home you worked so hard to provide for them will be well worth it.

Meaningful Gifts To Leave for Your Children

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In a world that moves so quickly and thrives on new advancements without respect for the past, finding a way to create meaningful gifts to leave for your children can be difficult. However, so long as it shows them how much you love them and how much you’ve thought about their future, they’re sure to appreciate your gift.

Handmade Heirlooms

Giving your child something that represents you and your love for them allows them to take that piece of you everywhere they go. Hard days in a college dorm across the country can be easier with a letter from Dad. Having a piece of your art or a craft that you’ve made for them will remind your child to stay creative and ambitious without forgetting home.

You can even make a gift with your children’s children in mind—give them a handcrafted crib, a rocking chair, or hand-sewn baby’s toys for them to pass down to your grandchildren one day.

Childhood Memories

Collecting bits and pieces of your child’s life throughout their early years can yield a truly heartwarming gift for them as adults. You only recognize how quickly the years went by once you’re older, so give them a framed photo montage or album that shows how much they’ve grown.

The first time they wrote their name, photographs of the family together, one of their favorite toys that they grew out of, and many other sentimental items tell their story and are perfect for this kind of gift.

Tools for the Future

Preparing your child for life as an independent young adult can begin before they’re even born. Dedicated savings accounts can make a huge impact by providing your child the foundation to get their life started, but there are other ways to provide for them down the road besides putting money away.

Opting to bank cord blood, for example, preserves your child’s stem cells in case they ever face cancer or other diseases in the future and require a match for stem cell therapy. Though it’s hard to imagine, writing a will as early as possible can give your child direction and answers even after you’re gone.

The most meaningful gifts to leave for your children center around the idea of making an impact farther down the road. If you choose to leave your gift as a surprise until after they graduate high school or college, it can help define their milestone and serve as the perfect transition into independence.

Best Tips for Organizing Your Home Garage

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Some spaces of the home tend to accumulate more clutter and junk, often leading us to ignore and neglect them because we just don’t want to deal with it. In many homes, one such space is the garage. If you would like to spend more time in your garage but find it difficult because of how cluttered it is, try out these best tips for organizing your home garage.

Clear the Clutter

The first step to an organized garage is to clear the clutter. The garage can end up being a bit of a catch-all when it comes to storage, so it often ends up housing bikes, yard equipment, tools, and all manner of other items. These items can crowd up your space and make it look like a mess. The best way to start organizing is to determine what you don’t need and what you want to keep. Once you have your keep vs. toss piles, you can figure out how to organize what you’re keeping and donate the rest.

Storage Solutions

One way to organize your garage and help it stay organized is to implement several types of storage. There are multiple storage options to choose from, such as shelves, overhead cabinets, hooks, bike racks, and more. Shelves can help your garage space feel bigger and more organized by keeping clutter off the floor and out of view. If you have enough wall space, you could even utilize multiple storage options. Clearing your garage’s floor space will give the appearance of a larger space and give you more room for the things that matter, like your vehicle.

Invest in a Workbench

If you don’t already have one stationed in your garage, consider investing in a workbench. A workbench is a great spot to organize and store your tools and automotive accessories. You could also hang a pegboard above or nearby to hang your tools as another organizational strategy. If you use a lot of hand or power tools, consider investing in a tool chest. Tools chests help keep your smaller equipment organized and safe from adverse weather conditions and dust buildup.

Have any of these best tips for organizing your home garage inspired you? Hopefully, after checking out these tips, you now have a better vision for how you can update your own garage to create a more functional space.

How To Make Your Next Family Camping Trip a Memorable One

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A lot goes into planning a camping trip for the whole family, and if you want it to be one that you’ll remember for years to come, there are certain things you’ll want to do. Of course, some of them are more basic than others, but continue reading to learn how to make your next family camping trip a memorable one.

Go Somewhere New

If your family is the outdoorsy type, this likely isn’t your first rodeo. That means you’re all ready for the camping trip and have a good idea of how things will go. However, that complacency is the very thing that makes a trip forgettable. You need to change things up, and the best way to do that is by going somewhere you’ve never been before.

That doesn’t mean you need to travel halfway across the country, but you can go someplace nearby that you’ve never experienced during a past trip. You’ll have all-new sights and encounters to take in, giving you and your family hours of fun.

Bring Some Fun Toys Along

In the same way that an old location keeps things forgettable, so does the stuff you take with you. If you bring the toys that your kids play with every day, it’s going to feel like any other day playing outside at home.

Get creative. Toys like marshmallow shooters, glow-in-the-dark frisbees, and a Spikeball set are excellent options for some family fun. If your kids are older, maybe a telescope or a bow and arrow will be better options for making it an unforgettable trip. You know your children best, so be sure to make your decision with them in mind.

Leave the Camera at Home

Yes, your camera is a part of your phone, so you have to bring it—we meant this metaphorically. People who spend most of their time taking pictures to help them remember the trip often spend less time experiencing the sites. The best memories are the ones you actually recall anyway because a photo can only show so much. Obviously, it’s okay to take a few. Just don’t overuse it.

Take Safety Into Consideration

When figuring out how to make your next family camping trip a memorable one, the goal is to fill the trip with good memories. If little Jimmy burns himself by touching the campfire, it doesn’t matter how much fun you had; everyone will want to try to forget the whole trip. That’s why you need to set up some guidelines for your kids to follow to prevent accidents whenever possible.

Forget Your Worries for the Weekend

It’s impossible to enjoy where you are and what you’re doing if you’re worried about work or any other stressors in your life. Leave all of that back at home and focus on what’s in front of you. Sure, it’ll all be there when you get back, but during this camping trip, you should focus on having a great time with your family.

Top 5 Tips for Parents With Picky Eaters

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As you get older and set off to live a life away from your parents, you start to appreciate the value of a homecooked meal. Toddlers, unfortunately, have no grasp of this concept. Young children are known for being picky eaters, and it can be an incredibly difficult habit to break. For help with this, check out this list of the top five tips for parents with picky eaters.

Don’t Fight Them

If your child refuses to eat, don’t make a big deal about it. It’s beneficial for children to learn to pay attention to how hungry they are and to use it as a guideline. Eating substantial meals in the morning or afternoon may reduce their desire to eat much more later on. A parent’s duty is to supply food, and a child’s decision to eat is entirely their own. If you pressure or punish your kids for not eating, they will begin to aggressively detest items they previously liked.

Introduce Spices

You should offer a wide range of nourishing options and encourage your child to discover different tastes and textures in food. Introduce various spices and herbs to regular dishes to make them more interesting. Making the bland flavors of some vegetables more enticing by adding a wider variety of flavors is a great tip for parents with picky eaters.

Pair Flavors

Use complementary foods to balance out new and unusual sensations in your child’s meals. Begin with flavors they don’t appreciate and then serve them their favorite flavors to follow. For young palates, using bitter broccoli with salty grated cheese is an example of a fantastic pair.

Try Again Later

Giving up on a kid because they refuse a food once would be a mistake. If your youngster didn’t enjoy a certain cuisine, you should try again by providing them a completely different item. Young children may need as many as 10 or more attempts at tasting a dish before their taste buds start to accept it. Make sure your youngster becomes hungry before feeding them new foods by scheduling meals and restricting snacks.

Make Dinner Family Time

Eating together is a great opportunity to bond with your family. This means no television or cell phone use during mealtime. Take this opportunity to demonstrate healthy eating habits. Even if your youngster doesn’t like what you’ve made, resist the temptation to create a new meal; it just encourages being picky. Ensure you serve a balanced meal that also includes at least one item your child likes.

Tips for Supporting Your Children in College

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Sometimes, it’s challenging to watch your children attend college. You want to help them succeed, but you also don’t want to act too overbearingly. To help your children succeed, you can use these tips for supporting your children in college.

Show Your Support

Showing your support is one of the best ways to show your child that you care about their lives. Even though they may not live at home, children love to know that their parents are proud of their accomplishments. One way you can show support is through sporting their school’s logo. There are many ways to show your school spirit everywhere you go, including college-themed banners, flags, car stickers, decorations, and more.

Communicate Often

One of the best tips for supporting your children in college is communicating with them. Even though your children are now adults, you shouldn’t stop communicating with them. Now, keep in mind that you shouldn’t overdo it and call them three times a day. Your children are busy and may not have a lot of time to talk. Check in on them every week or two by giving them a call and showing an interest in their lives.

Avoid Solving Their Problems for Them

As soon as your children ask for help, you probably want to jump right in and fix their problems. However, keep in mind that your college children are now adults, and while you can provide valuable advice, you should avoid solving their problems for them. Your children will face many tough decisions and may encounter some problems in college, but they will learn how to solve these issues with time and experience.

Use College Resources

Colleges know that your children will come to you first for advice. This is why they provide parent handbooks and guides with plenty of useful information. So, to prepare for when your children call you for guidance, make sure that you keep these resources handy.

Important Household Chores You May Be Forgetting

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Chances are, you aren’t looking to add more chores to your to-do list. However, these important household chores you may be forgetting or delaying can impact your health and safety and that of your family. Try to make a habit of checking and cleaning these areas of the home to protect your children from allergens, stop fire hazards early, and even reduce your electricity bill.

Removing Lint Behind the Dryer

If you peak over your washer and dryer and notice a dense collection of lint, dust, and dirt, it’s time to make a habit of cleaning back there. This in-home allergen is also a significant safety hazard if you don’t sweep it regularly, as dryer lint is an effective fire starter. Typically, if you notice an excessive amount of dryer lint buildup, the indoor or outdoor dryer vent also needs cleaning or replacement.

Washing the Shower Walls

Cleaning your shower walls may seem weird, but it’s crucial to preventing mold growth in the frequently damp bathroom environment. Leaking faucets, poor drainage, and hard water can all mar your shower’s aesthetic with black mold or scaling. Taking the time to wash the shower on a weekly or monthly basis can stop mold growth in its tracks. Some people even use a daily shower spray on the walls, curtains, and handles to make deep cleanings less frequent.

If you only see a small amount of mold, don’t brush it off for tomorrow. Mold can also grow beneath tile or in areas with unseen leaks. Do some investigating in your shower to decide if a mold remediation specialist is necessary to keep you and your family safe.

Cleaning Your Fridge, Inside and Out

Admittedly, cleaning the fridge is always a hassle. It’s part of why we tend to save that chore for tomorrow—or the next day, or never. However, if you’re looking for the motivation to finally get it done, here it is: a clean fridge saves you money. Dust and dirt often build up on the difficult-to-reach coils, limiting their ability to release heat and making your fridge work overtime to keep the contents cool. While you’re in there, don’t forget to wash out your ice cube trays and vegetable crisping drawers to get rid of any stagnant water, bacteria buildup, or even mold.

Luckily, many of the important household chores you may be forgetting aren’t necessary every week. If you prefer to schedule a big family extravaganza cleaning day once a month, just be sure to include these three tasks on your list and check in on them as you go. Ensuring that these safety hazards aren’t present in your home is certain to give you some peace of mind.