Tag Archives: parenting

8 Smart Ways Working Dads Can Bond with Their Children

05/29/2021 R.C. Liley 2 Comments

The demanding jobs and time spent away tend to toughen the relationship-building process between a father and a child. Dads have a different parenting style.; they cannot replace the other parent when the latter is not around. However, fathers need to take their time to bond with their children since this will build an even stronger relationship.

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Fathers play a significant role in their families, and good father involvement has been connected to improved social responsiveness, cognitive developments, freedoms, and gender role establishment in kids. So, the following are ways fathers can bond with their children and make a difference in their lives.

Focus on Daily Task

Some examples of daily tasks include washing, getting dressed, and playing. Most fathers tend to think that they have to figure out, at any cost, quality time or spend some special times with their children. But fathers usually spend less time with their kids when compared to mothers. So, don’t feel so much obliged to take them for a vacation on an exotic island.

Don’t get it wrong; it is totally okay to do so. However, what matters more is happening right under your nose, inside your home. You will be astonished to realize that you are good at many things.

Share Your Daddy Duties

Some specific jobs tend to be earmarked for fathers. But it never hurts to allow your children to join you in some of the chores. You can get your children to help you wash your car, build a structure, or even fix the plumbing.

Children tend to enjoy a lot of things that adults would otherwise consider dull or boring. Doing chores with your kids offers you an excellent way to bond with them while also teaching them how to do them.

Exercise Together

In many instances, parents tend to spend their time bonding with kids during stationary activities like watching a TV show. However, exercise offers a unique way for fathers to bond with their kids. Exercise allows your children to experience improved communication, and more importantly, develop and practice teamwork. These two skills are vital in your children’s development.

On the other hand, teamwork is the best way to teach your kids how to come together and work towards a primary goal. Also, as a working dad, you spend most of your time away from your kids, so exercising with them gives you the best opportunity to know your kids better. You will get to understand their weaknesses and strengths.

This will then help you identify what drives your child and encourage good behavior while cutting bad habits.

Bedtime Stories

This is one of the best ways to create a long-lasting memory with your kids. Bedtime stories are usually associated with mothers; however, a recent study has revealed that kids tend to develop more when their father reads them bedtime stories. In addition, dads have been found to initiate a more creative discussion and help improve their kid’s language development.

Dads are usually working late and are not home before the kids are asleep. They are typically exhausted and stresses to face the fifteen minutes of bedtime stories. But as a father, you must acknowledge the secrets mums have when it comes to bonding with their children; bedtime stories. Apart from strengthening your bond, bedtime stores can help you relax.

Communication is Important

From an early stage, fathers need to listen to their children without judging them or trying to fix things right away. The other parent might not be focusing too much on what the children are going through, so it is your duty as their father to establish a strong relationship and develop an effective communication strategy. Your child might want to tell you something that happens while you are at work, so listen. And before you take any action, learn more about the grounds for divorce.

To motivate your child to open up, pick opportunities where you can listen to what they have to say. For instance, you can take them fishing, go to a sports event or take a road trip. When with your children, give them your full attention, stop what you are doing and reflect on what they are trying to tell you.

Be Available

For a long time now, fathers have been the busy bees. The work pressure and fatigue pushes them to come home late and stay away from their children. But as a father, you need to make time for your kids. Kids tend to be more attached to the parent that is with them during their most challenging moments. Be with your children and give them a shoulder to lean on whenever they are down.

Not showing up to an important event in your child’s life can drastically affect their relationship. As hard as it might be, try to attend.

Have Meals Together

Meals are one of the best ways of bringing people closer together. This is particularly true for families with small children. Eating meals as a family has many mental, social, and nutritional benefits. Additionally, children and parents can share their experiences, hopes, dreams, and expectations. Besides, mealtime conversations can improve your children’s language skills hence enhancing their reading capabilities.

Respect your Children

Occasionally, parents talk to their children in the same tone they would speak to an adult. However, it is important to note that, just like adults, kids can feel emotions of hurt and embarrassment. Avoid brushing them off whenever they say something. Doing so only makes them feel sad, offended, and ignored.

So, try to listen to their ideas with attention and respect what they have to say. Regardless of your child’s age, it is essential to make them feel important. Be a good role model; speak to your children the way you expect them to talk to you, and the respect will be reciprocated. The bond between a father and his children can affect the outcome of a child’s life and the relationships that he or she will have. So, spending time together, reading them bedtime stories, establishing effective communication, being available, and eating meals together will help you become a better father. All your efforts will help your children form attitudes that enable them to grow into understanding people.

Life, Lifestyle, Parenting, Tips

Express Gratitude to your Dad this Father’s Day with these Smashing Activities

05/19/2021 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

Mommies carry children for nine long months, but why is it that the first word in every toddler’s mouth is dada or other dad variation?

Well, it’s the profound love kids’ get from their dads.

Fathers are friends’ forever, supporters, teachers, and role models- all at once. They’re the unsung heroes that are part and parcel of your lives’ stepping stones. But, what have you done to reciprocate their endless love and support? If nothing except love is your answer, then it’s time to express your gratitude. And, what better day than Father’s Day?

Don’t know how to make your father feel like a king on his special day? Buckle up to keep reading some activities to do together to make Father’s Day memorable. After all, it’s your company that matters to him the most:

Go Ziplining:

Is your dad fond of adventure? If so, then bring on the adrenaline rush zip lining. Know that this activity is not only exciting, but you’ll both get to enjoy some stunning nature views.

Zooming through the forest will make him experience the joy of being a free bird. He’ll be on the top of his world- an experience no one will ever forget. Also, remember to bring your camera to capture moments of life. Yes, the playful cheering, screaming, and paramount joy is what your camera holds.

Go on a Road Trip:

Did you take a lot of family vacations as a kid? Well, if you did, then understand that your dad was fond of travelling. But does his busy schedule permit those short vacations now? Maybe not.

The best thing you can do is reminisce about those golden days by planning an Ocean City, NJ road trip. Yes, let your dad ride shotgun driving him to this exotic place. Book one of the best Ocean City, NJ vacation rentals to treat him to a short vacay! Cater to your dad’s hobbies. If your dad is a history buff, create an itinerary for visiting the best museums, savour the taste of his favourite cuisine, and buy tickets to his favourite event. Also, ensure that the vacation rental you book has all the facilities you need. Amenities such as bedrooms, bathrooms, air conditioning, Wi-Fi are a must. After all, the happy duo need a good night’s sleep at the end of a tiring day!

Ohh.. did picnics and kayaking miss the list? Add that too!

Get him a Soothing Massage:

Does your dad seem to have a list of never-ending chores? Well, your dad spent years cleaning up your mess. Thus, it’s the payback time. Consider giving your dad a day off and tackle all his chores on your own. You can spoil him further by booking a professional massage to de-stress himself.

The gift becomes even sweeter when all his work gets done while he’s gone. Thus, what’s better than him having a relaxed comeback. Now spend some time with your dad– go out for a walk together, grab his favourite snack to bite, and watch a movie together. Ask your dad what he likes to do and put in efforts to make the wish come true.

The Verdict- Dads are the Best

With these activities, plan the most memorable day for your dad. And, no matter what you do or decide to give, your dad knows the amount of love you have for him. That’s the greatest gift of all, in the end!

Life, Lifestyle, Parenting, Tips

Choosing The Ideal First Car For Your Teen

05/14/2021 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

Are you thinking about buying a car for your teen? This is essentially a rite of passage for children and their parents alike once they are old enough to drive. This can be quite a complicated decision and it’s natural to worry that you have made the wrong choice here. So, let’s look at some of the key factors that you must keep in mind.

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Should You Buy A Pre-Owned Vehicle?

First, you should make sure that you consider whether or not to buy a pre-owned car. The big benefit of buying a pre-owned car is that you can get a great vehicle at a fraction of the price. You could even buy your teen a higher-end model than they would be able to afford if you purchased one straight out of the factory.

However, there are issues that you need to skirt around when you buy a pre-owned vehicle. First, you need to make sure that there are no serious problems. There are a few red lights to check for here. For instance, you might find that a vehicle has had countless owners over a short period. If this is the case, then it does suggest that there is a serious or expensive problem with the car that the owners couldn’t fix.

Mileage can also be a telltale sign of something going on as well. For instance, you might find that a car has a mileage that is significantly less than about 10,000 a year. Anything less than this might be a cause for concern because there could be a reason why a driver is keeping the car off the road. The exception would be a convertible because this can be used purely as a summer car.

Another factor to watch out for would be the parts of the car that have been replaced. For instance, you might need to think about whether the pedals and the gear stick have been switched or upgraded. This suggests heavy use as does anything connected to increased levels of performance for the vehicle.

Options To Consider

There are numerous great options that you can consider for your teen’s first car. For instance, you might want to explore a Nissan Micra. These are well known for being easy to handle and are an affordable choice in a mart where things can get quite expensive. Something to be aware of is that even the new Micras don’t provide a lot of room but that might be okay for a car that your teen can just run around in.

Alternatively, you could choose something like a Volkswagen Golf or Polo. Both are popular choices amongst teens and your teen will likely be very satisfied with this choice. A big benefit of this car is that they are often cheap to ensure – more on this further down – and they are easy to maintain. You won’t have to worry about being hit by a massive bill each year when you take the car to be serviced if you opt for this choice.

It’s important that you don’t go overboard in terms of power when buying a car for your teen. Do note that a lot of people tend to crash within their first year on the road. Part of the reason for that might be because they are simply harnessing far too much power straight out the gate. A Mitsubishi Colt is a great way to avoid this issue while ensuring that your teen does have a reliable car.

Safety First

It is worth putting safety features first when you choose a car for your teen. You should always make sure that you are checking the safety rating that the car has been awarded on the market. It’s also worth checking out the latest safety features that can be included in vehicles like this. For instance, you might want to think about getting a car for your teen with driver-assist technology. While this is going to be more expensive, it can ensure that they are safer on the road. The car will help ensure that they are making the right decisions with their driving behavior and not falling into any bad habits.

You could also opt to buy a larger car if you have the cash. Generally speaking, larger cars will be safer and are designed to protect both the driver and the passenger more than a smaller vehicle in the event of a collision.

The Cost

Of course, you will likely be eager to take steps to keep the cost down when buying a car for your teen. There are a few ways to do this. For instance, you should look at the MPG. This is going to provide you with an accurate way to predict how much the car is going to cost in fuel. Anything over 50MPG is a great starting point although you might even want to opt for a hybrid. While a little more costly, they are going to save you money in the long run.

You should also look at the insurance costs. It’s important to check the cost of insurance before committing to the purchase of a vehicle. Lots of things can impact the insurance including the color of the car. Believe it or not, red cars are often more expensive to ensure because they are connected to the concept of speed. As such, you need to tread carefully here. The good news is that cheap car insurance for young drivers is available from certain companies.

You should also make sure that you’re not overspending on the initial vehicle purchase. Regardless of whether you are buying the car new or second-hand, you should be ready for a haggle and make sure you go with your team when it’s time to put the money on the table.

We hope this helps you choose the right car for your teen. This is always going to be an important decision and you shouldn’t take it lightly. After all, the right car will keep them safe on the road while cutting the costs down to size and provide you with the peace of mind that you need when they are out and about without you.