All posts by R.C. Liley

I'm an ex-mutual fund accountant who left the cubicle world to be a stay-at-home dad to my beautiful little girl, Avery, who entered our life on 11/15/13 and handsome little boy, Wes, who joined our family on 11/19/17. Also happily married to my wife, Kelley, as of 8/17/07. Sorry ladies... :) Fitness and nutrition is of the utmost importance in our family and we strive to reflect this in our daily life. I always prepare our meals at home and only go out if it's a special occasion, and even then I tend to not get much. Food should be fun and a joy to eat, not something quickly consumed from a fast food chain or scarf down before the next meeting. I have come from strictly logging high miles to train for the next marathon to keeping exercise varied and focusing more on strength. I still enjoy going for a run when I can, but nothing crazy, and I prefer hill sprints while pushing my daughter, Avery in the stroller. She loves it and I get a great workout! I want to show the world how to appreciate their body and feed it real, wholesome food while moving more throughout the day. In doing so, everyone would be healthier, happier, and we'd all live in a better place as a result. I blog mainly about my life as a stay-at-home dad and frequently include reviews, participate in campaigns, and share my thoughts on fitness and nutrition. If you ever have any questions or thoughts to share, please reach out as I'm always open to listening or helping others however possible. That is, when I have free time since Avery is and my wife are the number one priorities!

Going Healthy, Health, Life, Parenting

Health Concerns All Fathers Should Be Aware Of

04/02/2021 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

When you are a father, you need to make sure that you are doing all you can to take proper care of your own health. That is important not just for your own sake, but for the sake of your whole family. After all, they need their father to stick around as long as possible, and to be able to be the best father you can be. There are certain health concerns which men of a certain age need to be aware of, and these are going to be important for all fathers to know about. Let’s take a look at some of these right now.

health concerns, health, fatherhood, parenting, life, healthy — Image Credit – CCO Licence

Hearing

As you get a little older, you might start to notice that you are developing some problems with your hearing. This is a natural part of aging for many people, and you might find that it starts as young as 40 or so. As such, it’s a good thing to be aware of so that you can make sure you are keeping on top of it. If you fail to do that, you might find yourself having to pretend to your family you don’t have hearing loss – which never works – or having it looked into and receiving some kind of treatment.

Prostate

A major concern for all older men is the prostate. You need to have yours checked on a regular basis, and you also need to make sure that you are keeping your eye out for any of the signs of prostate cancer or prostatic hyperplasia. Once you reach 50, your chances of developing these are much higher. You might have difficulty or pain urinating, and find that you have to get up more at night to urinate. In the worst cases, this could be a tumor, so it is definitely something that you will need to be aware of and keep your eye on.

Depression
There is something of an epidemic at the moment of men with depression. There is an unfortunate, negative cycle at play here, which is that as a culture we often associate depression with a kind of weakness. As such, men are less likely to want to talk about their depression, and that means that the depression itself will usually actually get worse. In the worst-case scenarios, fathers can leave their families to fend for themselves. It’s important that you reach out to someone if you are feeling this way, sooner rather than later.

Heart

Your heart is obviously important at all times in your life. But it is often past 50 or so that many men start to really take it seriously, and that’s partly because you might have heard horror stories of other men you know of your age starting to have cardiac trouble. The thing to do is quite simple: eat healthily, get plenty of exercise, and get plenty of rest. Keep your stress to a minimum and avoid caffeine and alcohol as much as possible. Do all that, and you should be able to keep on top of your heart health much more easily.

Life, Tips

What to Expect When Students Sue?

04/02/2021 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

People the world over have heard of the woman who sued McDonald’s when she spilled hot coffee and burned her legs. She won and went home with a $460,000 settlement. Other people laughed when they heard a judge in Washington, D.C. sued a dry cleaner for losing his pants. He requested $67 million in damages, lost the case, and ended up being suspended. He spent over 15 years litigating the case before that happened. Today, several students are choosing to sue their universities for a variety of reasons. What should a school expect when a student sues?

Notable Cases

The University of Winnipeg in Canada faced a lawsuit when a professor gave a student a B+ as opposed to an A. The B.C. The Ministry of Advanced Education ended up in court when a student sued after the university stopped payment on his student loan. He sued for $1.5 million when he dropped out of Dalhousie University and failed to let anyone know he had done so. People might assume the lawsuits are rare, but nothing remains further from the truth.

The University of British Columbia came out on top when a woman pursuing her master’s degree in English sued for religious discrimination. She requested $18 million only to have a Supreme Court of B.C. judge dismiss the case, saying there was no evidence to support her claim. The judge also awarded costs to the university. Students may wonder if they should pursue a claim with so many coming out on the losing end. Schools lose regardless of whether they win or lose the suit. It’s best to speak to an attorney at feldman.law to determine the best course of action when a school finds they are being sued.

Legitimate Claims

Many students sue their school and win. The problem lies in knowing which cases have merit and which are frivolous. Men and women who read the headlines need to dig deeper, as the newspaper cannot show the complexity of the case in a few words. Certain cases need to go to court, as when the student was a victim of discrimination or wrongdoing. This doesn’t consider intellectual property ownership cases that often end up being decided in the student’s favor. Nevertheless, schools often find they are being sued without a valid basis for the legal action.

Speaking to an attorney serves as the best option, as many schools choose to settle when a case has substance. Furthermore, a successful lawsuit often leads to changes in the school’s policies and procedures. This ensures the school doesn’t face similar challenges in the future. The reason it seems so many frivolous cases make it to court lies in the fact schools refuse to settle when they realize the student is trying to get money with no basis. These cases make it into the newspaper, where they draw a great deal of attention. Nevertheless, schools don’t find these cases amusing.

The Problem Behind These Lawsuits

Attorneys representing schools today rarely want to speak to the press, as they worry about being sued for slander, breaching the confidentiality of their clients, or encouraging others to file similar suits. The United States has a reputation for being a litigious society, and other nations continue to see an increase in lawsuits. People in those countries watch what happens in America and want to see if they get similar results.

Schools dread lawsuits, as do their attorneys. These legal cases take time and disrupt operations for the legal team and the academic staff. The school spends large amounts of money to fight the suit, which may take years before reaching a conclusion. This wastes resources. However, certain suits have merit and need to be heard in a court of law. For this reason, people must take every claim seriously until authorities finish an investigation. This ensures schools and courts address legitimate suits, as they bring to light necessary reforms.

A Place to Turn

Lawyers in Canada recognized this was a problem decades ago. They opted to come together as a group to share information. This group, known as CAUS, often looks to case law coming from the United States, as they recognize many trends start south of their border. What they have noticed over the years is some claims have merit, but the plaintiff requests an outrageous sum of money. This leads to the case being deemed frivolous when the facts call for legal action.

The problem lies in the costs associated with fighting a charge, even one that has no merit. A school has no choice but to fight the claim, even when doing so can take years before the matter is settled. The Maughan case serves as a good example of the damage that occurs when a frivolous lawsuit makes its way into the legal system.

The Maughan Case

In November of 2000, a student sent out an email to graduate students in the English department. This email joked about how he recalled with fondness a time when the stoning of Christians was acceptable. He followed this statement with a smiley emoticon, but not everyone took it as a joke. Cynthia Maughan, an Anglican Christian graduate student, became offended and shared her opinion with those who received the email.

Months later, the student held a meeting at his home for students in a graduate-level seminar. Ms. Maughan refused to attend, although she was in the class. She didn’t bring up religion in relation to her reason for not attending the meeting. Time passed and the professor gave Ms. Maughan unsatisfactory marks on some coursework. The bad marks, along with the e-mail and meeting, led her to conclude atheism was being encouraged and that the school denied her academic and religious freedom.

Ms. Maughan complained to the university. This complaint went through the internal appeal process to the Senate Appeal Committee and Ms. Maughan lost. Besides complaining to the university, she did the same under the Human Rights Code. Finally, Ms. Maughan took her case before the Supreme Court of British Columbia, naming the university and four English professors in the suit. Three of these professors did nothing more than write letters of support for Dr. Weir during the internal investigation.

UBC claimed the lawsuit was frivolous when it reached the Supreme Court in March 2003. Attorneys for the school argued it was without merit and offered to pay Ms. Maughan $1 to end the case. She rejected the offer, and it was another four years before the case ended. By then, Ms. Maughan was representing herself and even gave six weeks of personal testimony in 2007 in the courtroom.

The court ordered Ms. Maughan to pay legal costs, but the attorney for UBC states she will only end up paying approximately 60 percent of what the school spent defending itself. In the past, students wouldn’t question the judgment of a professor, and lawsuits were unheard of. Today, students contradict their instructors, but this serves as only one reason schools have seen an increase in legal suits.

Additional Factors Contributing to Lawsuits Against Schools

Students believe schools have large amounts of money, due in part to the rising cost of tuition. Furthermore, liberal values continue to be promoted, ones that emphasize individual rights and personal freedom. Men and women see these schools as soft targets and choose to sue. This doesn’t consider how students feel about their school records and how it will impact their future.

Students worry bad grades will prevent them from getting into their school of choice or their desired job. They have a sense of entitlement and blame others when they don’t get the grade they feel they desire, for example. This doesn’t mean a student should sit quietly when treated unfairly. Lawsuits have a role in society, as a lawsuit provides individuals with a place to turn when they receive unfair treatment. For this reason, each case needs to be examined independently. Additionally, schools need to put measures in place that allow students to be part of the decision-making process in school matters. Internal reviews and investigations provide students with a means to have their voices heard.

The reviews and investigations become of great help when there is a complaint, a dispute, or a student is disciplined. A clear and fair process helps to prevent lawsuits. Students may present their case, much as they would in a legal setting. Until every school has this type of system, however, students need to learn from Ms. Maughan’s case. She is looking at years to pay off the legal costs incurred by the school. This may be enough to deter other students from filing lawsuits that have no merit. When these cases stop, everyone wins.

Any school facing a lawsuit from a student needs to seek legal advice immediately. This ensures the rights of the educational institute remain protected at all times. Nobody wants to learn when a student is suing, as schools are there to help people grow and learn. Sadly, this does happen, and every school needs to be prepared. A good attorney handles these cases regularly and knows how best to proceed to get the matter resolved. Get help right away to allow the school to move past the suit and continue with its purpose of educating students for a better future.

Going Healthy, Going Strong, Health, Life, Parenting

8 Tried And Tested Fitness Rules For Busy Dads

03/31/2021 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

Life isn’t a piece of cake for busy dads who have lots of things to manage. You have to earn money to support the family, help your partner with your share of household responsibilities, and give time to your kids. It is easy to lose track of your fitness plan amid everything, but you must invest in one to stay in top shape. Moreover, you may not afford a self-care plan due to budget constraints.

Fortunately, you need not spend a lot of time and money on an expensive gym membership or fitness equipment to stay fit and healthy. Just the right mindset and a few lifestyle changes get you on the right track without massive efforts. Here are some tried and tested fitness rules for busy dads.

Focus on the right mindset

Surprisingly, your journey to holistic fitness starts with the right mindset. No matter how challenging life seems, a positive mindset can help you deal with the physical workload and mental stress. Start the day with meditation and deep breathing to purge the negative emotions and encourage focus and mindfulness. You will feel better through the entire day and handle all the tasks without feeling tired or anxious. Meditating before bedtime is a good idea as it helps you close the day on a positive note and set up for a restful night ahead.

Don’t skimp on exercise

Even the busiest dads should find time for exercise because it keeps you fit and active. Consider waking up an hour early if you cannot include physical activity in your current schedule. If you cannot spend on a gym membership, you can try other forms of exercise like running, cycling, or walking. Regular exercise prevents obesity and reduces the risk of a host of diseases. It curbs mental stress and makes you feel relaxed and happy. Apart from following a regular exercise plan, small measures like walking to the market and taking stairs instead of the lift can make you fitter.

Eat a balanced diet

When it comes to staying healthy, nothing matters more than eating a balanced diet. Everyone knows what healthy eating is all about and you can get some helpful information from the internet. Work on a diet plan with your partner or even seek a nutritionist’s advice if you need to. Prioritize fresh fruits and veggies, whole grains, low-fat dairy, nuts, and seeds, and steer clear of sugar, unhealthy fats, and processed foods. You can rely on natural supplements to make up for the dietary gaps. A little work on balancing your diet can make all the difference to your fitness levels despite your jam-packed lifestyle, so it is worth the effort.

Have a detox routine

While eating mindfully is a rule that every busy daddy must follow, you must also have a detox routine. It isn’t difficult to detox twice a month, provided that you understand what the process is all about. It cleanses your gut by eliminating the toxins from exposure to unhealthy foods, alcohol, and environmental pollutants. All you need to do is skip sugar and alcohol, and load on detox foods like leafy greens, berries, and probiotics. It makes you feel light and healthy and relieves a host of health issues like digestive ailments, aches and pains, anxiety, and fatigue. You feel rejuvenated and relaxed and ready to take the daddy duties with refreshed energy.

Go the extra mile with hydration

Drinking lots of water is another rule that everyone should follow, even more so if you are a busy dad. It keeps your energy levels high and removes toxins from your body every day. Water curbs cravings and help you maintain a healthy weight as well. Although staying hydrated doesn’t seem like a lot of work, it can go wrong just because you forget to drink enough water due to a tight schedule at home and work. Making conscious efforts to drink at least 8-10 glasses daily can help you address the hydration gaps. Carry your water bottle to work and keep sipping all through the day. Limit the intake of caffeine, colas, and alcohol, and stick to water.

Annual physical check-up

Visiting a doctor and having physical tests without any health issues doesn’t make sense. But it is something every busy dad must do once a year, even if you feel fit and healthy. Annual check-ups and exams cover things such as weight, cholesterol levels, and blood pressure. If something is amiss, your practitioner will have a diagnosis and treatment plan right away. Addressing health issues early can save you from a lot of trouble and ensure longevity.

Address any health issues

First and foremost, you will need to address any injuries that may be impacting your physical performance during exercise. However, this isn’t the only aspect of your physical wellness that needs attention. Finding a trusted dentist to combat your recurring toothache will make a huge difference. After all, it’s difficult to find the energy and motivation for physical activity when your mouth is in pain. Similarly, headaches and any other issues that leave you unable to exercise must be corrected ASAP. It won’t just encourage better fitness. It will improve your quality of life.

Prioritize good sleep

Good sleep is vital to be fit and healthy, but it is something that time-pressed people struggle with. Make sure that you get at least 7-8 hours of sleep every night. Not having adequate sleep makes you feel tired and increases stress levels. You may feel lethargic, and your concentration levels at work suffer. Getting proper sleep may mean cutting down your screen time and social outings on weekdays, but the effort is worthwhile. Reading a book, meditating, and having a cup of herbal tea at bedtime are other measures to address restlessness and insomnia.

Get connected

It is easy to lose touch with your loved ones when life becomes busy and mechanical. But getting connected keeps you happy and relaxed. Moreover, it can do wonders for your relationship with your partner, kids, parents, and friends. Spend time with your spouse and kids every evening and visit your parents every weekend. Plan vacations and weekend trips to have quality time together. Meeting your friends once a month takes you an extra mile with self-care.

Staying healthy and fit doesn’t need to be a massive effort, but it can definitely make you a better person and dad. You only have to be a bit more conscious about your physical and mental well-being, and you are good to go. Just follow these simple rules, and you can easily be a fitter and smarter father.