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Home Improvement Projects That You Should Never DIY

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Dads often have big to-do lists for projects around their home, ranging from replacing a doorknob to replacing screening on a porch. Some projects are easy, and some are more complicated. Complex projects aren’t inherently dangerous and can often prove rewarding to complete. However, there are some home improvement projects that you should never DIY due to safety concerns.

Paint Removal

Many people think that painting is one of the easiest projects to DIY since it just involves some paint cans and brushes. However, before you can get to that fresh coat of paint, you may have to remove the old one. Most old paint is lead-based, and even after some remodels, forgotten areas like baseboards could still contain this poisonous product. Instead of removing old paint yourself, call a professional.

Bathroom Remodel

Bathrooms are one of the most used spaces in a house, so it makes sense that you want to make the area look better. Though it may seem like no big deal to change a light fixture or update a sink, doing so is sometimes dangerous. Plumbing and electricity are often very close together in bathrooms, so working on either by yourself can lead to flooding or even electrocution. It’s safer to leave the nitty-gritty of bathroom remodels to the professionals.

Insulation Removal

The right insulation can save you money on energy and keep your house more comfortable, so replacing it is just common sense. However, old insulation can contain asbestos, which may cause cancer when it’s re-exposed to air. Always call a professional to remove old insulation and keep them around for the new installation as well. While there are some differences between fiberglass and spray foam, both insulation options are great because they never require replacement when installed correctly. Let the professional finish their job so you never have to worry about it again.

Painting Kitchen Cabinets

You probably already know that you can’t tackle a whole kitchen remodel by yourself, but a paint job sounds easy. Redoing kitchen cabinets, though, isn’t just a paint job. Grease from cooking and the oil on our skin builds up on kitchen surfaces, including cabinets. Instead of just putting a new coat of paint on top of the existing grime, you’ll have to use a de-greaser and spray on an oil-based paint. For better, safer results, leave this job for the professionals too.

There can be a lot of pressure on dads to handle home improvement projects like painting, remodeling, and installing. However, there are some home improvement projects that you should never DIY. Instead, commit to projects that you know you can safely accomplish and call the professionals for everything else.

Easy Ways To Make Your Home More Private

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Making your family’s home more private doesn’t have to be difficult. There are many straightforward ways to make your home more secure from the public eye. These easy ways to make your home more private won’t make you spend much money or time. If you’re looking for some simple tips to keep your privacy intact, read on!

Add Plants

One of the easiest ways to make your home more private is by adding plants. Plants can help to obscure views into your home from the outside. You can place bushes in front of windows or plant along your fence line to create a visual border. Putting trees along your property line can also help muffle sounds from roads or local businesses, as trees reduce noise pollution. If you’re looking for a privacy solution that barely requires any effort on your part, adding plants is a great option.

Install Curtains

Another uncomplicated way to make your home more private is by installing curtains. Curtains can help obscure the view into your home from the outside. Curtains are a must-have for families with visual valuables, frequent package deliveries, or curious neighbors.

Use a Fence or Wall

A more permanent way to make your home more private is to install a fence or wall. A fence provides a physical and visual boundary for your property. There are many styles of fencing and walls to choose from, so you can still maintain your property’s aesthetic and home value while adding this touch of privacy.

Install Blinds or Shades

Much like curtains, blinds or shades allow you to make your home more private without spending a lot of money or time. Blinds and shades both allow you to decide how much sunlight or visibility, you allow into your home at a given moment. Different styles of blinds and shades also let homeowners achieve fantastic interior design as they work to increase their home’s privacy. You can also find stringless blinds that help you keep your kids safe!

Strategic Placement of Furniture

If you’re looking for a more creative way to make your home more private, consider the strategic placement of furniture. While you may not want to block off windows and limit your home’s natural light, you can place valuables like mounted TVs in locations that aren’t visible from outside your home. You can also use bookcases to restructure a room’s layout and keep your family’s activities away from windows.

Use any of these easy ways to make your home more private to protect your family and possessions. Whether you’re looking for a permanent or temporary solution, there are plenty of options to choose from. Your home’s privacy is worth taking seriously, but achieving it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg.

How To Rehab Your Home and Preserve Its Charm

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Undertaking the project of remodeling an older home is a labor of love. You’re bound to find hidden issues and attempt to stick to the budget. You want to protect the cozy charm that comes with owning a home with a history. Let’s explore how to rehab your home and preserve its charm.

Conservative Structural Changes

When you’re working with an older home, it’s common to come across structural issues. These issues could be rotting wood, a leaky roof, or termite damage. Weigh out the pros and cons of gutting the wall versus eliminating it.

Open floor plans are the trend right now, but most homes built in the 1900s don’t offer open floor plans. Some of the charms of older homes come from individual rooms that served a purpose.

Modernize With Caution

The most popular areas of a home to modernize are the kitchen and bathrooms. Before you begin a remodel, take a look and decide what items from these rooms you’d like to preserve. Take a peek at other homes built during the same period to discover the popular style and find historical features you appreciate.

Properly Upgrade Electric and Plumbing

Most older homes will not have updated electrical and plumbing. This issue can be a safety hazard for your family and your home. Hire a professional to ensure all plumbing and electrical wiring are up to code.

Repair Windows and Doors

Windows and doors get a bad rap the older they get because they weren’t properly maintained and let in drafts. You risk losing the home’s historical value if you add new doors and windows to your home. Instead, try weather stripping the windows to make them more effective. If you have to replace the windows, try storm windows that adhere to the home’s era.

Take time to restore the old wooden interior doors and keep those glass handles too.

Keep the Cabinets

Most times, the cabinets only need a bit of love to rejuvenate them. Strip and refinish the wooden cabinets instead of replacing them. You’ll usually find older cabinets created from natural wood instead of the medium-density fiberboard we see today. The older cabinets are going to last longer and help keep the original charm of the home.

Refinish Tubs and Sinks

Typically, homeowners will replace old tubs and sinks with modern ones. This swap is costly and also takes away from the charm of the home. You can refinish a porcelain tub for less than the price of purchasing and installing a new one.

Repair Wood Floors

Another way to rehab your home and preserve its charm is to avoid covering up the original wooden floors. Hire a professional to sand, fix, and restain the majestic floors that were hiding underneath tile or carpet.

Implementing these strategies and adding some contemporary touches that you and the family will enjoy is a great way to create a livable home while retaining its original style. It’s the perfect combination of old-school charm and modern living.

Different Ways To Prep Your Home Before Vacation

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Being a hardworking father is, well, hard. That’s why everyone needs some time away from their work and home, regardless of their profession. A family vacation is a great way to sightsee new places or visit friends or family in other parts of the country. Time off also rejuvenates you for when you come back. Still, there are different ways to prep your home before vacation that you must do to protect your house and your sanity.

Clean

The most obvious way to prep your house before leaving for vacation is to clean it. A clean house is a nice house. Cleaning doesn’t mean a basic sweep around the house either. Thoroughly clean your home before you leave to reduce pests, grime, dirt, and dust. Take out trash and recycling, wipe the floors, sweep dust, and perform deep cleans in your rooms. The last thing you want to come home to is a house full of mold and vermin. Additionally, clear out any foods that might spoil during your trip. Eat or toss the foods that might rot.

Lock All Entryways

It’s also important that you lock all entryways into the home, especially windows and doors. Even if you live in a safe neighborhood, you never want to leave windows partially open, as it makes it easier for thieves to get inside. Not to mention, bugs can chew through screen doors and nest in your house while you’re away. Lock all doors—even those in the home leading to the garage or basement. You never know if someone could gain access to your home. Securing all possible entryways reduces their opportunity to get inside the house. It may also help to program the house’s lights on a timed schedule to make it seem like someone is still inside.

Prep Your HVAC System

Your HVAC system is an essential component of your house. There are many ways to prep your HVAC system before an extended vacation. You must consider these to save money while reducing your energy bill. Set the thermostat to a routine system to preserve energy. Additionally, install a surge protector in case of thunderstorms. You’ll spend considerably more money replacing or repairing busted electronics if you overlook these things.

Get Help With Mail and Pets

The last way to prep your home before vacation is to have a trusted individual look after your mail and pets while you’re away. Having mail and packages pile up in your mailbox or outside your door is a clear sign no one is home. Someone could use that information to steal your mail and break into the house. It helps to have a trustworthy person, such as a friend, family member, or neighbor, collect your mail. You should also enlist that person’s help to feed, maintain, and care for pets if you have any. This way, you won’t need to stress about them later.

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.

Causes of Aggressive Behavior in Children

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Usually, aggression in kids comes and goes. Nearly all kids go through a phase of determining and then surpassing their social boundaries. While most children learn that these verbal and physical behaviors aren’t acceptable, some continue to break these rules, which can impair functioning and lead to trouble at home and in school. Consider the following causes of aggressive behavior in children.

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Not all children on the autism spectrum demonstrate aggression. The autism community has an axiom speaking to the uniqueness and idiosyncrasies of the spectrum: “If you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism.” However, some children on the autism spectrum are more prone to aggressive behavior, and if you believe your child may be on the spectrum, you should seek a diagnosis to begin pursuing intervention strategies.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

An all-too-common diagnosis in young children, the impulsive behaviors and lack of self-control stemming from ADHD often manifest in acts of verbal and physical aggression, such as shouting at parents or teachers or unintentionally injuring peers. Insufficient sleep can exacerbate or increase the likelihood of aggression, and other issues outlined here can also have a combined effect on behavior.

Trouble at Home

Issues between parents often trickle down to their kids as causes of aggressive behavior in children. Children who struggle with their parents going through divorce often have no socially sanctioned outlet for their feelings, and in lieu of healthy sublimation avenues, they lash out verbally and physically. Domestic violence between spouses can also unintentionally model aggressive behaviors that kids take with them out of the house.

Difficulty at School

School, the place where kids spend most of their week, can cause tensions and frustrations that lead to aggressive behavior. Undiagnosed learning disorders can result in poor academic performance that catalyzes violent outbursts. Bullying—still an issue in some schools despite years of anti-bullying initiatives—could lead victims to become bullies themselves, taking their victimhood out on others.

Violence in Media

Objectionable content in media has been a cultural flashpoint in America for years. While some cultural critics ridicule the real-world influence of violent children’s programming, if you suspect that TV shows or YouTube videos are influencing your child’s behavior, it’s best to intercede and limit exposure to this content.

Quality and Quantity

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Over the last couple of weeks I have spent a good deal of “alone time” with my daughters.  Between family flying in to visit and an overnight trip out of town, my wife has taken some extra, much too infrequent, time away from the kids.  While I am still convinced that my wife is especially gifted in taking on the world all at once, our trips were pretty low-key and a lot of fun for the four of us.  Now, just to clarify, when I say “out” I mean multi-hour, multi-stop, and large crowds.  I am not talking about a quick run to the store or a single stop at McDonald’s.

Okay mom’s, restrain your eye rolls for just a minute!  I know this is a regular day at the office for you but the dad’s out there can attest to the fact that not often do we venture out unaccompanied like this.  The striking thing for me was how baffled people were that I had the moxy to run around with three little girls, four years and under.  Now I understand that this is not a common occurrence for me, but I really didn’t think too much of it until I started to get the comments.  Between my wife’s bewildered gasps and the comments of a high school acquaintance who asked me, “Are you here alone with three girls”, and then turns to my daughters and says, “Wow you have a really good daddy”, it became apparent that I may have shaken the earth to its very core!  To everyone’s amazement, not a single life was lost.  In fact, there weren’t even any mystery wounds that I could not explain!

Now, I do have to come clean and say that not every second was stress free and I did have to subdue the urge to bang my head on the wall a couple of times.  However, in all seriousness, it was a great time for us!

The tragedy here is what this says about the expectation that many have regarding fatherhood.  We have run wild with this concept of quality over quantity, and let me attest to the fact that I have certainly fallen prey to this as well.  This little unexpected conquest of mine has driven home the fact that the frequency of my time spent with my daughters is equally important to the quality of time.  I want my girls to remember the special things that we do together because they were the norm, not because its easy to remember something when it happens only once or twice.

I just hope that my girls allow me to spend this kind of time with them in the years to come, even when “dad isn’t as funny or as cool as he used to be.”  I guess I also hope that they aren’t too embarrassed at the arsenal of weapons that I will be carrying with me when they get to be dating age!

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