Papa Does Preach

It’s Starting to Look A Lot Like Stress-mas

December 11, 2019Mike Cruse

For many, Christmas is, as the saying goes, The Most Wonderful Time of the Year. And while most of the people who celebrate Christmas are using the remaining days of this holiday season to trim the trees, buy the presents, hang all the decorations, carol all the carols, and force you to listen to endless loops of Christmas songs; to the point that if you hear one more, you’re going to Pa rum pum pum pum someone in the neck…

…wait, what was I saying? Oh right!

While all of the aforementioned festive fun, brings joy to many during this holiday season; there are some that are, right now, experiencing the most stressful time of their year, and their holidays feeling like anything but festive.

How do I know this? Well, I’m one of those people.

How to Get Your Kids to Care About the Environment

November 12, 2019November 12, 2019Mike Cruse

With climate change, political turmoil, and the seemingly endless list of problems in the world today, many parents hope to raise a younger generation who will eventually lead with more compassion and responsibility. Ultimately, that starts with getting children to care first.

Some parents might opt to shelter their kids instead and raise them in some Peppa Pig Fantasy world, but what good would that do? From a young age, it’s important that they are aware of the realities of the world. That way, they will grow up to be the human beings that the world actually needs.

As responsible parents and guardians, it’s also our duty to ensure that the world is left in better hands. It’s a tough mess to clean up, but it’s the least that we can do. Here are some tips to get started.

Teaching My Son The Value of Relationships in The Digital Age

October 23, 2019Mike Cruse

Recently, I took a quick trip to my hometown of San Diego, CA, for some much needed rest and relaxation. If you’ve been following along at this year; even just at a minimal level, you’ve probably noticed this year has been pretty tough for me. That’s why this trip was so important; I needed to recharge. I needed to see friends and loved one face to face, or IRL (in real life) as we tend to say on social media.

While there, I had a couple of opportunities to video chat with my two monsters, and since I was staying with their uncles, they got a chance to see them too. While chatting with my son, he expressed his sadness over me being so far away, and told me about some issues at school, and how excited he was his grandmother was visiting to help out his mom while I was gone.

It was a normal conversation for me, but as soon as I hung up both my brothers expressed amazement, as well joy that my son expressed his feelings so easily, and clearly. I sometimes forget how amazing my son is when it comes to expressing his feelings; it’s something I admire in him, and dread for the future holds for him.

Say Goodbye to Lice and Nits with These 4 Simple Tools

October 21, 2019Mike Cruse

Did your child come home from school with the lice letter? Don’t worry. We’ll get you through this! In fact, eliminating a lice infestation is a lot less dramatic than you probably think. Why? Because all you need to do to rid your child’s head of lice and nits (lice eggs) is to physically remove them with the wet combing method.

When you visit the lice removal aisle at the store, you’ll see many products that claim to kill lice. And they do! But they don’t kill nits, and that’s why they don’t work. Nits are lice eggs and as long as they remain on the head, they will continue to hatch and produce more lice. That’s why physically removing the nits from the head with the wet combing method is the only way to eliminate a lice infestation!

Here’s what you need to say goodbye to lice and nits once-and-for-all:

Learning to Let Go

September 18, 2019Mike Cruse

All too often, parenting blog posts start with some type of statement; from the author, on how they’re failing as a parent, or how they are failing their kids, or how they’re just not cut out for this parenting thing. Look no further than my catalog of post over the past 7 years.

To say I’ve grown tired of that mentality, and constant trip to the old well of self-deprecation for cheap laughs, would be putting it lightly.

I’m a damn good father, and not just by the lame/tired societal standard that all you have to do to be a good dad, is not abandon your kids. I kill it at being a dad. And one of the ways I do that, is by showing my kids that I’m flawed, just like them. I make poor decisions all the time…again, look no further than my catalog of writing.

Spicing Up Your Fishing Hobby

August 7, 2019Mike Cruse

Most of those who fish as a hobby know just how relaxing it can be. Sitting there on the golden banks of a beautiful riverbed, watching the sun and clouds trail across the sky, getting to breathe pure fresh air and sitting in silence can be as freeing a feeling as you might ever feel. In fact, fishing is such a great hobby that you needn’t actually catch anything for a day spent practicing it to still feel worthwhile and healthy. Perhaps catching and throwing back your haul is something that you’re happy to do, or a lucky catch can lead to a great mealtime for your family, if properly preserved.

But if you feel as though your fishing interest is getting a little repetitive, you needn’t consign yourself to this routine. It’s possible to explore new routes of fishing, or to add little additions that make all the difference in the long term.This can be achieved in a range of formats, so let us explore what those might be:

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

July 12, 2019Mike 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.

Who Lifts You Up?

June 26, 2019June 26, 2019Mike 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.

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

May 10, 2019May 10, 2019Mike 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!

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

April 13, 2019April 13, 2019Mike 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.

Sharing Is Caring

Sharing Is Caring

Sharing Is Caring

Sharing Is Caring

Sharing Is Caring

Sharing Is Caring

Sharing Is Caring

Sharing Is Caring

Sharing Is Caring

Sharing Is Caring