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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With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility

With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility

Mike Cruse


It’s no secret I’m a nerd. I was nerd-cool before being a nerd was cool. Ok, no I wasn’t, but I was still a nerd. A TV nerd, a movie nerd, a drama nerd, and my personal favorite – a comic nerd.

That’s why growing up, and getting to experience the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as an adult, has been off the charts amazing. Unless you’re watching any of the X-Men movies (minus Logan), or anything with Ryan Reynolds in it, pre-Deadpool. Then, you’re probably looking to slit your wrists before the movie hits the halfway point.

But one thing, that has made experiencing these movies as an adult so much more enjoyable, is that the characters have gone from iconic gods with amazing powers, who I wish I could grow up and be like, to….well, iconic gods with amazing powers, who I wish I could grow up and be like, but who are also flawed human beings.

They’re all regular people, just like us…who just happen to be able to kick some major ass with super powers, and cool suits…again, unless you’re watching the X-Men films, or anything with Ryan Reynolds in it, pre-Deadpool.

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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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Don’t Make Your Kid’s Passion About You

Don’t Make Your Kid’s Passion About You

Mike Cruse

Watching your children grow, and discover their passions, is easily one of the greatest feelings a parent can experience; especially when it’s in something competitive, like sports. It’s almost electric when you hear your child express joy over their new passion. You can feel the energy and excitement it gives them; the flames of passion have been ignited, and the fire is just waiting to be stoked. And as a parent, you want that feeling for your children, and hope it never ends.

But some times, we parents want it a little too much for our children, and risk ruining that experience for our children. How? Well, let me ask you this…how many times have you been to a kids sporting event, and have seen that parent? You know who I’m talking about; the parent that is, usually, decked out from head to toe in team apparel; maybe even with their kid’s name on their back. They’re usually posted up as close to the sideline, dugout, team box, or home plate, as they can be. It’s kind of hard to miss them; mainly because they’re usually screaming the coach, the umpire, their kid or the other team’s kids at any given moment…and it typically lasts the entire length of the event.

That parent!

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