Fatherhood Factor

For all the "dealings" of dads...

Single Dads

6 Kid-Friendly Home Renovation Projects for Single Dads

By Leave a Comment

Renovating is always a good idea, but especially so if you’re a single parent. Not only do you have the opportunity to upgrade your residence and give it a fresh new look, but you can also rethink the whole concept and make your home more kid-friendly. On the plus side, all renovations increase property value so this is really a win-win situation. Here are some projects single dads can have fun with while making their home both beautiful and safe for their loved ones.

Let’s start with outdoor space

Your backyard is the healthiest fun zone for the kids. Of course, you have to establish some safety rules when it comes to playing outside, but there are lots of other safety measures you can take so your kids can have fun, and you can have that peace of mind while they’re out playing. If you have a pool or are thinking of getting one, pool safety should be the very first issue to address. Even though nothing can replace adult supervision, it is advisable to keep doors leading to the pool locked at all times. You might even want to add a door and window sensor for some extra protection, as well as a strong but stylish pool fence. When it comes to desirable property features that can increase the value of your home, pools are definitely in the lead, so the investment is bound to pay off. Additionally, fences are not only meant for pools. Your backyard will certainly get that much-needed facelift with a stylish new fence, which will also prevent both kids and pets from running out into the street and potentially getting themselves hurt.

No Sharp Corners

Kids are always running around – and bumping into corners more often than not. If you feel you could do with some new furniture, choose pieces with round corners that would definitely lower the risk of injuries caused by running into sharp edges. Take some time to browse and you’ll certainly find something that you like and that fits the general design of your home. Bean bags are always a fun choice, the bigger the better. Your kids can sink into this cozy marshmallow without you worrying about them falling, or bumping into it for that matter. Cube storage is also a very practical idea. No heavy drawers to pinch fingers or hit heads when opened – just soft bins that the kids can safely manage themselves and you can easily carry around while tidying up. There are hundreds of designs to choose from since they are ubiquitous and one size fits all. A true time-saver for a busy single dad.

A Safe Bathroom

As children grow, so does their curiosity and desire for independence. Since the bathroom is that slippery place they can easily get hurt at, make it as safe as possible so they can actually do certain things without your assistance. Step stools will help your kids reach the sink so they can wash and brush without standing on their toes or trying to climb it in any other creative way. Secondly, bathing time will be less stressful with some grab and assist bars, so the kids can get in and out of the tub on their own without slipping and falling. However, it wouldn’t hurt to throw on some spout covers to prevent burns and bumps. Keep your medicine cabinet and all other potentially dangerous substances under lock and key to prevent poisoning and injury. If you’re up for some major bathroom renovations and have more than one child, prevent the morning chaos of who gets to brush their teeth first by installing two vanity stations. Double vanities save time so your kids will get ready sooner, which means you won’t be late for work either.

Flooring

Being a single parent means more than just having to manage your kids by yourself. It also means that the financial responsibility is entirely down to you, the father. Without two incomes contributing to the household, there needs to be a more considered approach when it comes to dealing with financial matters.

A potentially significant outlay for any renovation would be the addition of a new floor. As a great budget alternative, good quality vinyl flooring is virtually impossible to destroy, and it makes an excellent long-term investment. It will endure all the furniture dragged across it and last through the kids running around, dragging various things too heavy for them to lift. These types of floors look incredibly realistic and are a much better option than watching your hardwood floor getting worn out throughout the years. 

The Hall

Make your hallway kid-friendly by installing coat hooks the little guys can actually reach. It primarily increases safety since the kids won’t be climbing or jumping, risking an injury just to get a coat on a hook. A bench or two with a fixed cushion wouldn’t be a bad idea, as well as some easily manageable storage for backpacks and boots. If you’re a single parent, you’ll definitely benefit from all the renovations which add to your child’s independence, since you can’t keep an eye on them every single second.

The Kitchen  

Going over some ground rules in the kitchen is essential, but while the kids are too small to compromise, the safest thing to do is kid-proof sharp edges and make sure the little ones don’t have the appropriate footing to climb the kitchen cupboards. Replace standard drawer handles with rounded pulls – they might be easier to grab, but they are much harder to use as a ladder. A stepping stool or two will come in handy if you’d like some peace while you’re cooking. Kids like to stay close to their parents and help out, so this is a good choice since you’ll be able to keep an eye on them while getting the meals ready.

Being a single dad is hard work; however, a safer home means less stress and more space to spend some quality time with the kids. Furthermore, renovations are always a good investment since they ultimately work towards increasing the value of your property. With each considered renovation project you will be guaranteeing that should you decide to move and upgrade, your family will be that much more financially capable to do so.

5 Things Dads Must do for Their Daughters

By Leave a Comment

Raising a daughter comes with a whole world of complications – especially if you’re a single dad. You have no one there to help you when it comes to finding the perfect dress for the first day of school, or to teach you how to teach her to navigate through her changing hormones. There’s no one there to tell you to calm down when she brings home her first date, or to prepare you for the realization that your little girl isn’t so little anymore. However there are several things you can do as a single dad to help prepare your daughter for the real world.

These five things will help her be more equipped to face the world on her own when the time comes:

1. Get her a toolbox and teach her how to use it. Some girls can use tools more efficiently than their male counterparts, and others have as much interest learning about tools as they do about slugs. However even if she has zero interest in being a handy(wo)man, teaching her how to navigate through a toolbox and fix things on her own is an invaluable skill that you can give her.

2. Find a hobby you both enjoy. It’s not uncommon for dads to share similar interests with their sons and for moms to share similar interests with their daughters, but if you’re a single dad raising a little girl then you have the unique opportunity to share a hobby with your little girl. Enroll her in the swim team and practice her strokes with her during the week; let her pick a sport and then attend all the major league games in your area; spend weekends getting up early and going fishing together. These are the types of things that she’ll look back on and cherish.

3. Say no. Dads are notorious for being pushovers with their little girls, and little girls learn quickly when they have dad wrapped around their little fingers…meaning that they can coerce him into whatever they want. Say no sometimes. She’ll be better off not thinking that everything should go her away 100% of the time.

4. Teach her how to change a flat tire. While you may love coming to her rescue the first few times she has a flat tire, at a certain point she needs to be able to handle that situation on her own. Most boys learn at a young age how to quickly change a tire, while the majority of girls don’t. Don’t only teach your sons this trick, your daughter needs to know how to also.

5. Build up her self-esteem. Pay attention to her. Comfort her when she’s crying. Tell her she’s beautiful. Dance with her at weddings. Remind her that she can conquer anything if she puts her mind to it. Daughters need their dads to be heroes for them, but they also need their dads to be their biggest fans. She’ll soar knowing that she has you backing her up.

Single dads may have it a little tougher when it comes to raising girls, but they can still succeed with flying colors when it comes to raising her. Be her dad, be her hero, be her best friend.

6 Tips for Single Dads of Girls

By 13 Comments

Growing up my father was a single dad of two twin daughters. He flew solo for a long and brutal five years; there were lots of laughs, tears, mistakes and wonderful memories. If I could go back in time and tell him what I needed from him back then, I would. I think he would have less wrinkles and gray hair if I could have done so. But we can’t, so here’s my advice for single dads of girls:

Adult Female: Make friends fast with an adult female that you are not romantically involved with. My father made friends with our teacher each year to help him when he needed it. There were days here and there throughout the year that my dad would call up our teacher and ask for advice. I specifically remember my dad sending us to school earlier than the other kids before ‘picture day’ so that my teacher could curl our hair. It’s the little things dads. Your girls need a strong and trusting female figure, whether that is a teacher, grandmother or aunt, find one and keep them on speed dial.

Hair: Whatever you do, do not pick up the curling iron unless you are a professional hair stylist. Curled bangs were big back then and so were burnt foreheads. If your daughters are too young to do their own hair, I suggest you learn three hair tricks. Headbands are instant and easy. You can never go wrong with a ponytail. And learn to braid. Be sure that they wash and towel dry their hair every night and run a comb through it. Remember that your little girl’s head is sensitive so avoid pulling the pony to tight, headaches dad, headaches.

Clothes: It’s really a no win here. Your goal is to get them clothed in something appropriate and preferably pink. Typically that is the color little girls are drawn too. Try a trick of setting out their clothes the night before and don’t make it a big fuss. It doesn’t have to match but at least try. Skip mixing patterns and trying to match colors. A simple bottom with a simple top.

Fights: Little girls will fight with their sisters and other little girls until the cows come home. Boys fight, hit and then get over it. With little girls, there will be tears, buckets of tears and emotional breakdowns. Whatever you do, don’t say ‘I don’t know why you are crying’ or ‘honey, it’s no big deal’ if don’t want to hear screaming. During a fight or post fight tears session, be calm and just hug them. That is all. Let them cry it out and tell them your fatherly advice AFTER they are done crying.

Boys: Little girls don’t typically get interested in boys until middle school. So rest assured if your daughters have little boy friends, they are safe. Obviously, always monitor any play sessions but have no worries. Girls will get crushes and once pre-teens role around, that’s when you need to watch for the boys. It’s all rainbows and butterflies with boys until they hit middle school, then step up the security and lectures.

Hugs: When in doubt, just give them a hug. Girls are very emotional and physical beings; it may feel uncomfortable and out of your realm but a simple hug can go a long way. If she is happy, sad, scared or tired, a hug does wonders. Plus, there’s nothing like a good old bear hug from dad to start the day off right.