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JUNE 2024
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What I Wish I Knew Before the Baby Arrived
I had known then how important it was to be present in those precious childhood moments. Give yourself as much time as possible for silly kid stuff, playtime, and their learning moments. Before you know it, your kids will be driving to school and graduating college. Slow down and soak in the minutes with your child. Feeding Feeding time is a frenzy of emotions, trust me. We have a vast industry of consultants, products, and specialists focused on this childcare element for a reason. From mothers struggling to breastfeed to picky toddlers who refuse anything green, this situation can often be stressful. As a dad, you sometimes feel powerless in this process, but you’re an essential part of the team. If your partner is breastfeeding, support her by doing extra chores around the house or being by her side. If you opt for formula, take turns at mealtime. Spending Children are a significant emotional and financial investment. Kids go through their clothes fast, growing quickly and destroying garments through spirited play. If you have someone in your life offering you hand- me-downs, take them. I also found that spending a little extra on “frequent use” items — like high chairs, strollers, and cribs — was worth it. You’ll get better quality and more wear out of them and have a good chance of reselling them later. Fatherhood is beautiful, crazy, and rewarding in so many ways. While I had to learn many lessons on the fly, I wouldn’t trade my parenting path for anything. To all the dads out there, embrace the journey, cherish every moment, and remember you are doing a fantastic job, even on the tough days.
Becoming a dad is one of life’s most transformative experiences. Nothing is ever quite the same after you hold your baby in your arms for the first time. I’ve loved the journey of fatherhood, and now that I’ve got parental experience under my belt, I can’t help but think about the things I wish I had known before stepping into the most important role in my life. So, to all the soon-to-be dads out there and those already knee-deep in dirty diapers and sleepless nights, you are not alone. Here are four things I wish I had known before becoming a dad. Bonding All new parents have expectations of what the experience will be like, and it’s easy to assume the connection we feel with our newborn will happen instantly. While that’s the case for many men, it doesn’t happen for everyone. If that bond with your baby doesn’t form immediately, it doesn’t make you a bad person or father. It just takes time. Parenthood is challenging, and both parents can feel anxious or depressed after the baby is born. Communicating your feelings and giving the new relationship the time it needs is essential. Timing Time moves incredibly fast when you’re a father. I felt like my little ones would stay that age forever, and I wish
–Zachary Ashby
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Whether it’s blocking pucks during a street hockey game or checkmating chess hustlers at the park, traditionally indoor activities take on an entirely new feel and flavor when taken outside. While a rare sight these days, movie-goers worldwide used to enjoy cinema from the comfort of their cars at drive-in theaters. These made a brief Hosting the Ultimate O
resurgence during the pandemic, but now that movies are rolling in theaters again, the fad has begun to die off.
These days, if you want to
watch a movie, it seems like you are limited to three options: Watching it at
MOONLIT MOVIE MAGIC
the theater, on your TV, or on your phone or tablet. Now, I think we can all agree that
watching a movie outside on your phone does not make for a great cinematic experience. Debtrette, a TikTok influencer and mom, has a suggestion. She
while a trust is a private agreement. You can also name your trust something different than your legal name so your name and the assets associated with it are not in the public sphere. A trust gives you more control. Trusts give you more flexibility in your estate plan and allow you to benefit even before you pass away. You can, for example, designate conditions like the age at which a minor can access their inheritance, or you can decide to award assets or funds incrementally if a family member needs money management help. Additionally, a will only goes into effect upon your death, but your trustee can access a revocable trust while you are alive to help your family if you fall ill.
You can’t take it with you. When you pass, your money and prized possessions stay behind, and if you don’t put your wishes down in writing, they might not go to the person you intend them to. While a traditional will might be the first thing that comes to mind to protect your assets, a revocable living trust offers several significant advantages. A trust allows you to avoid probate. When dealing with the death of a loved one, making the process as smooth and quick as possible is ideal. Assets controlled by a will must go through probate to be confirmed and distributed to your heirs and other beneficiaries. This process can be lengthy, costly, and far more complicated. When you create a trust, you only need to deal with your attorney and trustee to distribute your assets.
Preparing for the future will save your
loved ones the headaches and tension of determining what will happen to your assets after you are gone. By establishing a trust, you can provide more straightforward
A trust grants you more privacy. Establishing a trust keeps your family’s private financial affairs off the public record. Once you pass away and your will goes into probate, it becomes a court record anyone can view,
guidance on your wishes without the time-suck of
probate court and keep your affairs strictly a family matter.
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put a spin on an old classic — family movie night — by holding it in her backyard with all the conveniences you would expect at a movie theater — like an air mattress, pillows, and blankets! If you are looking for a fun way to spruce up a traditional movie night, what better way than to bring it outside under the stars? Here are some necessities to make your moonlight movie night truly magical: • A portable projector screen, like a sheet on a clothesline • Portable movie projector • Candy, popcorn, and beverages • Some outdoor seating and cushions • Lamps, lanterns, or candles • Warm blankets • The perfect movie to bring it all together You can find screens and projectors to fit any budget, and your movie selection will depend on the crowd. Just make it fun: Lie back on the grass and watch “Antz” or lounge in the pool while watching “Jaws”! The key is to make the experience unforgettable, and all who share in it will be thankful for your effort to make it all possible. Outdoor Movie Night
Vitamin D, best known as the “sunshine vitamin,” is uniquely both a nutrient we eat and a hormone our body makes when exposed to sunlight. While our bodies need vitamin D to absorb calcium, allowing us to build and fortify our bones, it does far more than that. The fat-soluble vitamin is also an anti-inflammatory and helps our brains and immune systems function. According to the Mayo Clinic, the daily recommendation for vitamin D intake for the vast majority of the population is around 600 international units or IU. However, unlike many other nutrients, not many foods naturally contain a large amount of vitamin D. Whether natural or fortified, here are the best foods to add to your diet to help you hit the recommended daily vitamin D intake. Natural Sources of Vitamin D If you are searching for a natural vitamin D source, you will likely have to get your feet wet. Some of the best natural sources of vitamin D are fatty fish like salmon, herring, sardines, and tuna. While a 3.5-ounce serving of farmed salmon contains about 526 IU, a serving of wild-caught salmon may contain significantly more and may even exceed the daily recommendation. A 3.5-ounce serving of herring or sardines will net you around 200 IU, or about a third of your daily recommended vitamin D. You can also obtain trace amounts of vitamin D from foods such as egg yolks, cheese, and beef liver. Artificial Sources of Vitamin D If you do not mind using artificial sources to hit your daily recommended dose of vitamin D, then your best bet is a supplement. A great source is cod liver oil, which contains 450 IU of vitamin D per teaspoon. For those who don’t enjoy seafood, fortified milk is a great way to hit your daily recommended intake. No matter how you acquire your vitamin D, the benefits are worth the effort. From helping revitalize cell growth to keeping your bones strong and healthy, vitamin D is a nutrient you should consider incorporating more of into your diet. The Importance of a Vitamin D-Rich Diet Food for Thought
TAKE A BREAK
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1 | Essential Insights for First-Time Fathers
2 | Host a Movie Night Under the Stars
Why Trusts Reign Supreme in Estate Planning
3 | A Guide to Vitamin D-Rich Foods
4 | 3 Easy Father’s Day Ideas
IT’S FATHER’S DAY! CHILDREN CREATE UNIQUE DAD’S DAY GIFTS
record their answers on notecards. Things like, “How old do you think Daddy is? 100? What is one thing Daddy says? What does Daddy do for work? Why do you love Daddy?” The simplicity and innocence of your children’s answers will warm Dad’s heart more than any store-bought gift ever could. Shopping Spree Give each child $10 to pick out something for Dad, all by themselves, then take them to the nearest big-box store. Walker’s youngsters came up with a mirror, a pair of swim trunks, and crib sheets, and they clearly loved being empowered to make choices. Photos From a Kid’s Perspective You may be surprised at some of the angles children choose and the tender moments they capture, “even if they’re not wow-worthy,” Walker says. Her daughter caught a captivating shot of her husband, Ross, napping with their preschool son resting on his shoulder.
Recently, people have been spending big on Father’s Day, and many wait until the very last minute. Last year, Americans spent a record $22.9 billion on Father’s Day, up nearly 10% from the previous year, according to an industry survey. And more than half of consumers don’t start shopping until the week before Father’s Day, while 3.5% wait until the very last day before the holiday, according to another survey. The second survey also revealed that over 75% of shoppers struggle to think of good Father’s Day ideas. Most settle on outings, clothing, gift cards, personal care items, or electronics. Here are three low-budget ideas you can do with your kids that are sure to charm any dad, offered by What’s Up Moms, a top parenting site on YouTube co-founded by vlogger Elle Walker. Interview Cards If your kids are preschoolers, have them answer questions about their father and
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