The importance of books in the lives of children

One of the most fruitful habits children can pick up early on is reading, where they can open doors to new worlds. It’s important that parents know just how beneficial it can be to get their kids to enjoy reading books.

Image source: Evbuc.com

Let’s face it, parents don’t know everything there is to know about the world. In fact, most of what children will learn, they will learn independently, depending on the medium to which they’re exposed. Having a substantial library of good, updated, and informative books will give kids the foundation of knowledge and wisdom, which they can rely on to move forward in life later on.

Image source: Homelyhammock.com

Reading books also helps boost the vocabulary of children and teaches them to relate words to everything around them. It also helps them communicate more effectively.

But the trick is to get them to start loving books. This can be done early on, when a parent reads a bedtime story to their kids. As time goes on, these children will be curious enough to try and read the stories by themselves.

Books as gifts can also ease children into the new hobby, which is a lot better than say, being hypnotized watching other kids unwrap presents on YouTube.



Hi there! My name is Alpman Ilker. I work as a general contractor from Denver, CO, but my main responsibility is my family. My passion lies in classic cars. To know more about what I do, visit this blog.

Beauty or a bad decision: The pros and cons of owning a classic car

Image source: thefiscaltimes.com

A lot of people have mixed feelings when it comes to owning a classic car.  Some think that it’s a great investment or a worthwhile pursuit while other people think that it’s not worth all the trouble keeping and maintaining outdated models.  While both arguments are solid, it is important for us to know other reasons why people choose or reject owning a classic car.

Image source: thornews.com

Let’s begin with the negative aspect of owning a classic car.  Maintaining it can be difficult and costly as authentic parts are rare and expensive.  If you are regularly using your classic car, all the money you spend on repairs and restoration could as well buy you a second-hand car.

There’s also the question of performance and reliability.  Classic cars may not perform as well as regular cars today.  You’d have to adjust to the steering and the cruising speed as not to wear down your vehicle.

Now, there are a lot of reasons why people choose to buy or restore classic cars.  One of the biggest reasons is that classic cars have character and style, something that very few modern cars can match.  Not only this but driving a classic car is a unique experience altogether.

Financially, there are benefits of having a classic car as well.  For instance, cars built before 1974 are now eligible for a zero-rated tax disc.  Another financial benefit for owners is that the value of classic cars doesn’t depreciate as fast as regular vehicles today.  If you have a rare model, you may even sell it for a higher price. 

Hi! I’m Alpman Ilker, a general contractor from Denver, Colorado. I oversee construction sites, where I delegate tasks and coordinate with all manpower and stakeholders. I also manage the supplies. My real passion, however, lies in classic cars. For more reads on my love affair with vintage rides, visit this blog. 

Restoration: The next step in your classic car journey

So, you love classic cars.  You own one.  You meet up with a classic car group in town on a regular basis.  You join conventions twice or thrice a year.  Your favorite TV shows feature classic cars.  Your favorite movies feature classic vehicles.  Basically, your life revolves around classic cars.  And though you may think you may have it all when it comes to classic cars, there’s still a long way to go on your classic car journey.  

It's now time to learn all about restoration.  That’s right son, a true classic car lover knows his cars from the inside out, and we’re guessing you do, too, which is good, because you’re already halfway to restoration heaven.

More and more people have been learning and dabbling in classic car restoration.  If you’re truly passionate about classic cars, you should try it, too.  Not only will it keep you close to the machines you adore, but you can also even earn a pretty from it.  Seriously.

The fact that you have a fire burning inside you means that you are willing to commit yourself to restoring a classic car.  While it may be quite of an investment since you’ll need to shell out a bit of cash to acquire the old body, parts, and paint, and so on, the end product will blow you away, mind and soul.  And if you’re restoring classic cars for interested buyers, you’ll get your investment back, with interest.

So, what are you waiting for? Hi there! My name is Alpman Ilker. I work as a general contractor from Denver, CO, but my main responsibility is my family. My passion lies in classic cars. To know more about what I do, visit this blog.

Can Pets Bring More Happiness To Your Home Life?

Image source: Pexels.com

If you spend your time scrolling through Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, I'm sure you've seen heartwarming stories about pets. It seems as if they're the perfect companions for kids and adults. But can pets really bring more happiness to your home life?

As a person who considers himself a veteran pet parent, my answer is yes. For my family, our golden retriever Doug is a source of joy and laughter. While having a pet is a huge responsibility, we enjoy training and taking care of him. To be honest, the adults usually bear most of the burden and the expenses. But seeing the kids grow up to be loving, patient, and caring is always rewarding.

I've read some studies that having pets in the home can help members connect with each other better. These furry friends also ease stress and the tension, while encouraging people to open up. However, this is mostly true for trained animals. When the pet is neglected or spoiled, it could even cause problems for the household.

Image source: Pexels.com

It's true that welcoming pets in the home will affect the family dynamic. But in our case, it was for the better. It also helps that our dog isn't too frisky and knows how to behave around humans. Instead of spending our after-dinner hours doing separate things, everyone ends up hanging out in the living room to play with our dog. In this age of gadgets replacing face-to-face communication, my wife and I are grateful that we get to talk and bond with the kids before their bedtime.

Hi there! My name is Alpman Ilker and I'm a general contractor for a construction company. I'm also a husband, father, and pet-lover. For more on parenting, visit this page for updates.

How To Keep Your Car Engine In Tip-Top Shape

Image source: tcservicecenter.com

The engine is the heart of the car. It’s what keeps the car going. It’s connected to a lot of other essential parts of the vehicle. Just like people, if the heart isn’t well-maintained, bad things can happen. And when they do, it may take a lot of money to have the engine fixed.

Here are some helpful tips to make sure your car engine stays healthy.

1. Change your oil regularly.

Every time you use your car, the oil goes through several processes, and its level goes lower. Extremely high temperatures cause the oil to lose its lubrication properties. Car owners who ignore oil changes run the risk of having their oil turn to sludge.

2. Replenish oil supplies.

Whereas oil change keeps the oil from turning into sludge, a healthy supply of oil in the engine can keep things lubricated and avoid friction that can lead to immediate wear and tear. Too much friction in the engine parts can cause a complete breakdown and subsequently, expensive repairs.

Image source: partservice.co.uk

3. Have your engine checked frequently.

It’s not enough to have your oil clean and abundant. Engine checks by professionals are also very important. Through routine checks, mechanics and specialists can tell you if there are parts that need replacing.

I’m Alpman Ilker. I’m a general contractor and a car enthusiast from Denver, CO. I’m on my way to fully restoring my ’67 Ford Falcon. Learn more about my interests by checking out this blog.

What To Consider Before Getting a Golden Retriever

Are you thinking of raising a golden retriever?  If so, there are plenty of things to consider because taking care of this dog breed is a responsibility as it is a privilege.  Examples of what you should know about golden retrieves are listed below:

• They require companionship.  They are, literally, social animals and cannot be left without human touch for more than five hours in a day.  If they are alone for too long, they can develop separation anxiety, and in rare cases, destructive behavior.  

• They need exercise.  Golden retrievers have boundless energy, and if they are not allowed to exercise, such as running, fetching, hiking, or swimming, they release the pent-up energy through bad behaviors or bad habits.  These dogs also love food, thus, in addition to exercise, they also need to be trained in self-control.

Image source: goldenmeadowsretrievers.com

• They shed massive amounts of hair, particularly during spring and autumn.  A schedule should be set aside for cleaning of fur. Otherwise, it would build upon the carpet and furniture.  Fur loss can be minimized by brushing the golden retriever three to five times a week for more than 15 minutes each instance.  Bathing also helps.

• They are likely to mess around inside and outside the house.  Because of their playful nature and unawareness of how big and heavy they are, golden retrievers are prone to knocking down furniture, chewing on things they are not supposed to, and ruining the garden.

Image source: animalso.com

Raising a golden retriever may be a handful, but our pet, Doug, sure is a bundle of joy. He has also helped instill responsibility and compassion in our children. If you want to read more about keeping the dog breed as a pet, follow me, Alpman Ilker, on Facebook.