3 Easy Ways to Get The Most Out of Quality Time With My Kids

3 Easy Ways to Get The Most Out of Quality Time With My Kids

Mike Cruse

Being a Dad in the modern world is one of the most rewarding things I’ve done. And since becoming a single parent, it’s become even more important to make the most of the time I spend with my kids. This means, I have had to seriously step up my planning game, as well as my level of being engaged. I dare say, getting divorced has actually helped me become a better father.

Bonding with your children is one of the most important things you can do, and it is so rewarding when it comes to developing the bond through shared interests, and fun activities. This is why parents need to make sure they do as much as they can to come up with great bonding ideas for spending time with their kids.

Look, I get it; hanging out with your kids isn’t always tops on your list of, “Fun Ideas for the Weekend.” And, I get there are days you just don’t have it to deal with them, but when I say, “Do as much as possible;” I’m honestly saying to just take a few minutes to cater your time together more towards them. It will make hanging out with your kids; at the very least…bearable.

Here are three ideas I have used to improve my bonding time with my kids, and make sure the times I’m with them are a bit less whining about being bored, and a little more enjoyable.

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Who Lifts You Up?

Who Lifts You Up?

Mike Cruse

“Love Many; trust few, and always paddle your own canoe.” ~ Unknown

The last year and a half has been; in a word, difficult. I’ve spent more time feeling down than feeling up. I’ve found myself in countless situations that I would have never imagined, on my worst day, that I put myself in.

I’ve invested in the wrong people, and invested little to none in myself. I’ve allowed people to take advantage of me; abuse me (literally and figuratively), and as a result of that, I’ve never felt more alone than I have over the past 18 months.

But that’s on me too. I feel alone, because I have been alone…by my own design. I pushed away those who I knew I could count on for support. Or quietly suffered; never telling them the truth about what was happening, because I didn’t want to admit I was allowing the wrong people in my life. I didn’t want to feel like I failed again.

But most of all, I didn’t want to hear, “What would your children think?”, as I had already many times before. It turns out, that’s exactly what I needed to hear.

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Too Busy To Think About Gifts? Check Out These 3 Life Saving Go-To Present Options

Mike Cruse

If you’re one of those people who doesn’t seem to have the best memory in the world; through no fault of your own, it can be difficult to remember birthdays, anniversaries and other significant events that require some form of gift giving. While you like to blame your foible on genetics, those people expecting a gift will blame it on your laziness, selfishness or lack of consideration. Before you do anything, you need to get on the phone with a reliable friend and family member and get them to reel off all of the birthdays you need to be remembering. Whack these in the calendar of your smartphone and set reminders with an adequate timescale in which to purchase a present.

This is half the battle. The fact that you are remembering these significant events is a good thing. Now you need to accompany your newfound consideration for others’ birthdays, christenings and bar mitzvahs with the ultimate gift. Don’t ever go generic – it looks lazy, and no one cares for a box of chocolates or flowers too much these days unless these are for your loved one on Valentine’s Day. That’s another date to put in the calendar!

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#TalkEarly and Often About Leadership; Your Kids Might Be Listening

#TalkEarly and Often About Leadership; Your Kids Might Be Listening

Mike Cruse

I am a #TalkEarly ambassador for Responsibility.org. I have received compensation for my work, but all opinions are my own

As parents, we one of our favorite go-to lines about our kids is – they never listen. We say it because it’s totally true.

If I had a nickle for every time I asked my 7yo, “Hey, did you hear what I just said?” I’d at least be able to buy a megaphone so he would really hear me.

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Even Champions Quit

Even Champions Quit

Mike Cruse

“Champions are willing to do anything necessary to be a champion. You’re a champion; do what it’s going to take to make you better.”

I’ve been called a lot of things in my life…I mean, A LOT…but I can’t recall a time I’ve ever been called a champion. Ok, maybe once or twice, but it was definitely laced in heavy sarcasm. You know, like when you screw up and some jerk calls out in a mocking tone, “Way to go champ,” followed by snickers and laughter. But that changed this week.

If you’ve been following me on Instagram or Facebook lately(and if not, fix that now!), you’ve probably seen I’m going through a bit of a rough patch again. Then again; when aren’t I going through a rough patch?

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An Open Letter to Square One

An Open Letter to Square One

Mike Cruse

Hello again,

We’ve become quite the pair over the years; you and I. It almost feels like I’ve spent more time with you than anyone else in my life. I’ve visited you again and again. Even when I didn’t want to, I did it; kicking and screaming a lot of that time.

I have to be honest – I don’t like you. No…that’s probably a bit too harsh, but I’m sure that’s the vibe I give off. I feel, saying I don’t enjoy our visits, is probably more appropriate. Because why should I?

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Surprising Your Kids While Not Breaking the Bank

Surprising Your Kids While Not Breaking the Bank

Mike Cruse

I can remember as kid, going to the store, was the highlight of the week – especially if it was a trip to a store like Target, or any other number of big box stores.

Oh, and don’t even get me started if it turned out to be a trip to the mall…I could barely contain myself. Why, you might be wondering; why would any kid ENJOY shopping…TOYS, duh!

And I wanted them all!

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Looking After Your Family; Both In The Present And The Future

Looking After Your Family; Both In The Present And The Future

Mike Cruse
Image Source

Looking after your family in the present day is one thing, but ensuring their future wellbeing is something else entirely. Obviously, you can’t predict or guarantee anything about the future, but you can give yourself safety nets to ensure that you and your loved ones are prepared for all possible eventualities. Still, where on earth do you get started? Well, in this article, we’re going to look at some smart ways to look after your family both in the present and the future with regards to finances and health.

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Hidden Gems Even Marie Kondo Shouldn’t Make You Throw Out Of Kids Bedrooms

Hidden Gems Even Marie Kondo Shouldn’t Make You Throw Out Of Kids Bedrooms

Mike Cruse

As any parent can tell you – walking into your child’s bedroom, is usually the last thing you ever want to do. To venture into your child’s room, is to put your own life at risk. Think of it like walking into Chernobyl, without a hazmat suit. In fact, if you have kids, you should own a hazmat suit…and boots, with extra padding; one never knows where the next minefield of arch-destroying legos will pop up.

To put it simply – kids are disgusting. And forget about them EVER cleaning up, or ever throwing away a toy; no matter how broken and never-played-with it may be. It’s just not a thing in there world. Parents, since the beginning of time, have been resigned to wait, until their spawn leave the home. Then…take a blowtorch and a bag of lye to their children’s former dwelling. That is, until recently.

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How To Appeal to Your Child’s Interests

How To Appeal to Your Child’s Interests

Mike Cruse

As a parent, you will become a living example of the saying wearing too many hats. Parents have a range of different roles; chauffeur, cook, prison warden, doctor, and none of them are every appreciated by your children.

Yes, I said doctor, and not nurse, because let’s be real, nurses do all the real work. Where my nurses at?!? HOLLA…(wink wink)…fist pound.

Sometimes, it’s hard to know which role to focus on at which time; especially when thy’re less defined than the service-oriented ones above.

Some elements of parenting will come naturally to some, and others will take much more work. I mean, not everyone can be perfect at everything like me. Maybe you’re the fun parent, or the creative one. or you’re the handy kind of parent that can teach your kid a skill.

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