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Tips for Taking a Trip With the Family to the Hoover Dam

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The Hoover Dam is a spectacle of engineering and a breathtaking sight to behold. Nestled between the borders of Nevada and Arizona, this monumental structure is a popular destination for family vacations. Naturally, as a parent, you would like to take your kids to see this landmark. But before you go, review these tips for taking a trip with the family to the Hoover Dam to ensure everyone has a fun, comfortable, and safe experience.

Dress Appropriately for the Weather

The Hoover Dam is a must-see destination, but the weather around it isn’t always so agreeable. It can range from scorching hot temperatures in the summer to chillier in the winter. Therefore, it’s essential to check the local weather forecast before embarking on your trip and dress the entire family accordingly.

In the heat, breathable, light-colored clothing and wide-brimmed hats are ideal. For cooler months, layering is key, so be sure to pack some jackets and sweaters for everyone.

Take Water With You

The Nevada and Arizona deserts have dry conditions, and dehydration can be a significant concern, especially for young children. Remember to keep the family well-hydrated on your trip to the Hoover Dam by bringing plenty of water for everyone. Opt for insulated water bottles to keep your drinks refreshingly cool during the hot summer months, and encourage your kids to drink regularly throughout the day.

Wear Comfortable Shoes

Visiting the Hoover Dam often involves a fair amount of walking. Having comfortable, supportive footwear for the whole family is crucial for avoiding sore and tired feet. Choose sneakers or hiking shoes with good traction, and avoid sandals or flip-flops, as they don’t provide enough support.

Make Sure to Use Sunscreen

Direct exposure to the sun is a hazard, particularly in desert landscapes. You won’t find much cover at the dam, so protect yourself and your family from harmful UV rays by applying a high-SPF sunscreen. Sunglasses will also help protect your eyes from sun glare, and it might be a good idea to bring sun protection for your children’s delicate skin, such as rash guards or sun hats.

Leave Your Pets at Home

While exploring the Hoover Dam with your furry companions may seem like a fun idea, the landmark doesn’t allow pets, except for service animals. You’ll have to leave Fido at home for this one.

Following these tips can make your family’s trip a more enjoyable and enriching experience. When you plan your visit with these precautions in mind, you will guarantee a better trip for your kids, who someday may want to take their own children to see the Hoover Dam.

Fun and Simple Things for Dads To Do With Kids

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Being a dad can be a lot of work, and it’s nice to get out and have fun now and again. Luckily, the warm weather gives you a chance to do something you can all enjoy.

Don’t waste your time deciding what to do this year. There’s no shortage of fun activities for you to try. Here are some fun and simple things for dads to do with kids.

Play a Game

If you just want to stay home this summer, but still want some exciting activities, you can play a game to liven things up. Board games, cards, or even video games can be a lot of fun when getting together with other players.

Outdoor games and activities are great if the weather is nice. Baseball, basketball, and soccer are common sports anyone can participate in. You can also try frisbee golf, cornhole, or croquet for a more laid-back experience.

Go Out to Dinner

Another thing you can do with your kids while keeping things simple is go out to your favorite restaurant for dinner. Going out with family and friends to socialize and have a nice meal can make the day stand out. You can even go to a movie or other event afterward.

Restaurants make a nice location for a small party or get-together. Just remember to make reservations ahead of time in case it gets busy. If you want to give your kids something nice, learning how to prevent poor gift presentation will ensure they appreciate the sentiment.

Plan a Camping Trip

If you want to do something a bit more exciting, planning a simple camping trip could be just the ticket. Getting out for a few days of rest and relaxation during the summer months might be just what you need to get close to your kids.

A camping trip can be a lot of fun for those who enjoy outdoor activities. You can get some fresh air while spending your time swimming, fishing, canoeing, and hiking. However, many of the most popular sites are booked well in advance between Memorial Day and Labor Day, so make plans as soon as possible.

Make the Most of Your Time Together

Spending time with your kids is important. While it can be easy to let the days slip by, getting out and having fun will make them more memorable.

With so many fun and simple things for dads to do with kids, finding something you all enjoy should be easy.

3 Reasons Why Your Child Won’t Drink Water

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Water is a drink that boosts your mood, provides abundant energy, and prevents dehydration. Water is universally the best beverage you can drink to improve your health.

As a parent, you want the best for your children, but you may struggle to encourage them to drink water. You understand its value, but your children still refuse. Continue reading about the reasons why your child won’t drink water, so you can find solutions.

Preference for Sugary Drinks

Sweet drinks like juice are enticing for people of all ages—especially children. Water, however, can taste somewhat bland. Kids don’t think about the health benefits of water. All they want is something they can sip on those tastes good. When water doesn’t taste like much, your children may quickly deem it undesirable.

Try cutting up slices of fruit and adding them to your kids’ water. The many health benefits of fruit-infused water will improve the flavor and provide your children with additional beneficial nutrients.

Another method to improve the taste is to add sugar-free drink mixes to their water. Instead of drinking sweet beverages made of pure sugar, your child can consume the water they need while savoring the flavors they adore.

Forgetfulness

Another reason why your child won’t drink water is they simply forget to. Children are frequently active, whether running around outside or playing with toys. Even when eating a meal that they love, TV sounds or their favorite toy in the living room may distract them. And since water isn’t the most appealing beverage for kids, they often get distracted and forget to drink it.

Not Understanding Water’s Benefits

Your kids may not drink water because they don’t understand how much they need it. Fortunately, kids are curious and ask their parents questions all day! Take advantage of this curiosity by teaching them the importance of water.

Talk to them about how water makes them healthy and strong. Use visual aids like books and videos to make the learning process even more interesting. You can also conduct an interactive game that challenges your children to drink water.

Encouraging your child to drink water and finding which solutions work best will take some time. But with experimentation and patience, your kids will drink water every day before you know it!

How Often Should You Inspect Commercial Mower Blades?

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Commercial mowers are efficient, effective tools that many businesses use to care for professional landscapes, lawns, and farms. One of the keys to their effectiveness is their blades. Keeping your mower blades sharp and in good condition will help you continue to landscape and cut as needed. Keep reading to learn about how often you should inspect your commercial mower blades and how to care for them in general.

Inspection Frequency

The frequency of mower blade inspection partially depends on the quality of the blades you use and how frequently you use them. If you have medium- or low-quality blades that you use frequently, you’ll want to inspect them every 10-20 hours of use, as they could have dulled or been damaged in that amount of time. If you have higher-quality blades that you don’t frequently use, you can wait to inspect them after about 50-70 hours of work.

Replacement Frequency

If you notice your blades are dull or damaged during your inspection, then you need to either sharpen or replace them. Professional landscapers and those with plenty of lawn care experience should have the means and ability to sharpen and replace blades themselves. For those who’ve only recently invested in a commercial mower for their business, you may not know how to sharpen and replace blades yet, and that’s okay. Take your mower to a professional who can perform this service for you until you can learn how to handle the job and feel confident doing it yourself.

Additional Blade Care

Before someone reinstalls your sharpened blades or you do so yourself, make sure to check the balance. Failing to properly inspect, replace, and balance your blades are common mowing mistakes you need to avoid so you can focus on getting the job done instead of worrying about the equipment. You can easily check that a blade is balanced by placing a screwdriver through the center hole and letting the blade go. If the blade doesn’t stay level, you’ve accidentally sharpened one side more than the other. Shave off the heavier side, which is the one closest to the ground, and check the balance again before reinstalling.

Knowing how often you should inspect commercial mower blades, as well as how to replace and care for them, is an important part of owning a lawnmower. No one can know everything, though, so be willing to learn more about lawnmower maintenance and care from other professionals who can help you learn more about caring for your tools.

Top Father’s Day Tips for Divorced Parents

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After a divorce settlement is final, the work of managing child custody and support arrangements begins. Holidays can still feel strained, even if your divorce settlement spelled the matter out in detail.

Holidays that celebrate parenthood are especially fraught. It might feel like something is missing or diminished. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Consider these top Father’s Day tips for divorced parents.

It’s Not About You

Parent holidays are not actually about parents. They’re about kids. These observances are a chance for your kids to show you how much they love and appreciate you and to celebrate their connection with you, despite your divorce.

Make a big fuss over homemade cards and gifts. Your kids worked hard on them, and their hearts are invested in what they’ve made for you. Regardless of whether your ex was involved, let your child know how much you appreciate their effort.

Communicate Ahead of Time

Perhaps the top Father’s Day tip for divorced parents is communication and planning. If you have an every-other-weekend arrangement and Father’s Day falls on your partner’s weekend, see if you can agree ahead of time to trade weekends so that you can spend Father’s Day with your kids.

If it doesn’t work out, be generous about it. When you’re a Dad, every day is Father’s Day, so reassure your kids that you’ll have a great celebration when it’s your turn for the kids to stay with you.

If You Can’t Be There Physically, Be There Virtually

When it comes to relationships, technology leaves much to be desired. But if it is your only option, make the best of it. Schedule a time to meet online via your preferred app, and plan some online games you can share with your kids. The web is full of sites that provide free games you can share, from trivia to word games to charades.

Try Something New

Accept that you can’t recreate what Father’s Day used to be. Create a new tradition with your kids. Go to a movie, take a hike, visit a zoo, play a board game, or take in a kid-friendly exhibit at a museum. Make a meal together, listen to their kind of music, teach them a new skill, or share a hobby with them.

Money Is Not the Point

Don’t fret if your budget is tight, as it is for most divorced parents. What your kids want is time with you. Maximize your time with your kids in a way that has nothing to do with expensive toys or gadgets.

Be Flexible

Whatever you’ve planned, keep it age appropriate. If you’ve got a teenager, factor some eye-rolling into the day. Don’t disrupt care routines for toddlers. They’ll love you no matter what, but it won’t seem that way if they miss a nap.

If your kids are not thrilled with your ideas for the day, don’t sulk—pivot. Find some other way to spend the day that gives them the time with you they want and lets you be the Dad you want to be.

3 Unique Birthday Presents for Outdoorsy Kids

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Celebrating your kid’s birthday is so much fun. Children still love their birthdays when they’re little. Adults know this excitement dissipates as you get older. So make the most of these years while you can! Read about these unique birthday presents for outdoorsy kids if your little one can’t stand being inside.

An Electric Bike

Your kids will love you if you get them an electric bike for their birthday. These take traditional biking to the next level. They can speed across the neighborhood and learn about all the technology has to offer. Know that there may be an age requirement in your area and that safety gear is a must. So if you decide to get an e-bike for your kid’s birthday, you should also get a helmet and pads. They need to be safe while having fun.

A Microscope

Outdoorsy kids might love the outdoors because there are a bunch of creatures out there. If your kid loves looking at creepy crawlers, then a microscope is the perfect gift for them. They can use the tool to look at bugs and other animals that fascinate them. Be careful; you may have a future geologist on your hands!

Rollerblades

Another unique birthday present for outdoorsy kids is a pair of rollerblades. Rollerblading is a blast because you can glide across the neighborhood with your friends. Additionally, it’s a great workout! You can trick the kiddos into breaking a sweat by purchasing skates. As is the case with e-bikes, you’ll need to get safety gear with this gift.

Celebrate your kid’s birthday as they grow up. As they age, the excitement surrounding the day will go away. For this reason, it’s vital to make the day as special as you can while they’re still living with you. These gifts are perfect for kids to get out and explore.

The Best Dog Breeds for a Family With Young Children

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When you’re ready to add a four-legged family member, you may wonder which breed will be best. When you have kids, that adds to the complexity of your decision. There are many beautiful dogs to choose from, including beagles, Irish setters, and collies. These are the best dog breeds for a family with young children.

Labrador Retriever

There is a reason that the Labrador retriever is the most popular dog breed in the United States. They are extremely friendly, highly trainable, and patient. The Labrador retriever is also a versatile breed. They enjoy dock diving, hunting, tracking, and obedience.

Labs are regular shedders and need weekly brushing. They are great with kids and love being active. Labrador retrievers also play reasonably well with other dogs as long as there’s supervision.

Beagle

Beagles make excellent family dogs because of their small size, easy-to-maintain coats, and intelligence. Personality-wise, beagles are curious, merry, and friendly. They are great with kids and get along with other dogs.

Beagles need plenty of exercise, so they’re an excellent dog choice for you if you have an active family.

Irish Setter

The Irish setter gained popularity in the 18th century. Another breed that’s great for active families, the Irish setter loves spending time outdoors and is full of energy.

They’re seasonal shedders and need weekly grooming. Find a local professional groomer to help keep your dog’s coat clean and shiny. Irish setters are excellent with kids and other pups. They also respond well to training and are wonderfully sweet-natured.

French Bulldog

The French bulldog is one of the world’s most popular dog breeds. They’re an easy-going breed, perfect for families, and they respond well to training. French bulldogs love to play with other dogs, kids, and adults.

They don’t require a lot of exercise, and a brisk walk will help keep them trim. They require occasional grooming and respond well to training.

Collies

Collies are affectionate, loyal, and known for their legendary herding skills. If your family loves being outside, the high-energy collie will make a great addition to your family. When they aren’t moving around, they enjoy being chill. Collies are lovely with kids and require occasional grooming.

Many dogs are out there ready and waiting to find their forever families. Understanding the best dog breeds for a family with young children will help you make an educated decision. Refer back to this article if you need to.