parents

Bonding With Your Kids Through Toys

Bonding With Your Kids Through Toys

Mike Cruse

If you’re a parent – and you probably are if you’re reading this, then you’ve become well-acquainted with clutter. And depending the amount of monsters…er, kids, you having living in your home, the stress from clutter can feel like a mild annoyance, to the lost chapters of Dante’s Inferno, where you’re sentenced to an eternity of never-ending, soul-sucking labor; cleaning up after all of Hades children, and you’re forced to walk barefoot over legos and listen to Caillou on a loop.

Something like that…

Organizing is all the rage right now, due to a sweet woman named Marie Kondo, and her show on Netflix, Tiding Up. In the show, Marie simply asks you to ask yourself, Does this bring me joy? And if the answer is not an instant YES, you throw it away. I have to be honest, I haven’t been able to fully commit to this process; mainly because throwing your children out is generally frowned upon here in America, so….

Calm down! I’m only kidding…you can totally throw them away.

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It’s Never Too Early to Talk to Your Kids About Alcohol

It’s Never Too Early to Talk to Your Kids About Alcohol

Mike Cruse

I’m an alcoholic.

That’s the first time I’ve ever said, written, or even acknowledged that fact about myself.

I’ve never been to rehab, although; I probably should have at a couple points in my life. I’ve never been to AA or any recovery program, for me, but I’ve attended a lot for other people. And, I’ve never gotten a single DUI…sadly, not from a lack of trying in my younger days.

But, I have done a lot of damage to other people in my life, including my former marriage, and worse, to myself, because of my issues with alcohol. My ex-wife and I may not agree on much, and we may never see eye-to-eye on most things, but one thing I will never deny, is that I should have gotten help a long time ago, and because I used alcohol to self-medicate a lot of issues from my mental illness; irreparable harm was done…and that’s on me.

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Dad AF Podcast Episode 12: This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things

Dad AF Podcast Episode 12: This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things

Mike Cruse

I’ve finally returned with a brand new episode. In this episode I talk with my good friend, Mike Reynolds, from Everyday Girl Dad, on a whole range of topics. Come check it out.

And don’t forget; if you want to hear past episodes, visit the Dad AF Podcast tab

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My Home, My Sanctuary, My Responsibility

My Home, My Sanctuary, My Responsibility

Mike Cruse

Our homes tend to be the biggest investment that we make throughout our lives, so it’s not all too surprising that the majority of us are houseproud and focus a whole lot of our attention on interior design. We want everything to look as perfect as it should be. But when it comes to home design and home improvement, there are many areas that fall by the wayside and end up relatively neglected.

I should know; I was recently cited by my HOA, with a list of about 14 things they want fixed by April 2019.

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Helping Your Kids Develop Healthy Habits Early On

Helping Your Kids Develop Healthy Habits Early On

Mike Cruse

Being a parent; especially to young children, feels like it can be boiled down to one simple phrase – “Don’t do that!”…and of course, it’s yelled over and over, multiple times a day.

And do our kids listen…HELL NO!

Now some know-it-all is going to read this and be that jerk who pipes up with, “Well, maybe if you didn’t yell at your kids, but instead talk to them like an equal, they would listen.” To that person, I say, “Hey pal…shut up. About face and pound sand with that hippy logic. I’m sure you’re having a bang up time with your hipster babies Shilo and Rufus, but why don’t you head back to your craft beer tasting, with your non-prescription glasses and corncob pipe, and leave the normal parents alone.”

Sure, I yell, and it’s a bad habit. But, it’s also kind of my birthright to yell at my kids. That’s right, I said birthright; deal with it. But that right there; habits, is really where the success of getting through to your kids lives.

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New Year; New You…Same Old Headache

New Year; New You…Same Old Headache

Mike Cruse

Well, this is it. We’re still alive, and we’ve reached a place not many thought we would…the end of the 2018.

I’ve had a very…interesting 2018. I’ve experienced many of my highest highs, and lowest lows in 2018; it’s been no smooth ride, I can tell you that. In fact; if I could described my 2018 in one word, it would be – headache.

That’s right; headache. Raising two kids under 7, trying to hold together, and eventually failing at, a dying marriage, turning 40 this year…alone. My year has felt like one big, roller coaster, with every dip, drop and loop imaginable. Stuff like that gives me motion sickness, and just thinking about it is bringing on an anxiety migraine.

That’s why you need to take of yourself in the new year. And nooooo! This isn’t going to be some corny, Eat, Pray, Love yourself in 2019 post you see all over the internet right now.

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