http://www.minti.com/members/chrysalis/advice/ Most Recent Advice on Minti by Chrysalis Copyright 2008 Minti en-uk Chrysalis  Obesity - an epidemic?We are hearing about it on the news all the time these days. The Western world is expanding; well our waistlines apparently!Its great that goverments are increasingly stepping up to the mark and encouraging and advertising a wide range of activities and programs to get people up and moving. The catch cry is participation...give it a go...get ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/8377/Obesity-Fat-Chance/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/8377/Obesity-Fat-Chance/ Sun, 02 Mar 2008 17:33:23 -0800 Chrysalis  A hospital admission is always a bit stressful. Even if its for something exciting like the arrival of a new baby, there is so much to think about, organise and prepare (and worry about!). When a child  is involved the stress levels tend to escalate. Our emotional involvement and our desire to protect and care for our little ones together ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/4063/So-your-child-is-going-into-hospital/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/4063/So-your-child-is-going-into-hospital/ Thu, 18 Jan 2007 05:32:42 -0800 Chrysalis Why be Sun Smart?When our first child was very young my Dh's parents came out to visit us here in Australia. They are from Scotland and as it was the middle of summer I was very concerned about their fair skin.I offered them 30+ sunblock  but they explained they had brought sunscreen with them. They dutifully applied their 'liquid sun ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/3486/Safe-in-the-sun/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/3486/Safe-in-the-sun/ Tue, 26 Dec 2006 19:27:25 -0800 Chrysalis Mum....can you leave the light on.All my children have asked this at one time or another. Thunderstorms, Strong winds, Very heavy rain, A family member being out late, Nightmares, Scary stories/movies etc, Feeling ill are just a few of the things that increase the need for a bit of extra light.I have a confession to make ; when our first ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2848/Let-there-be-light/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2848/Let-there-be-light/ Sun, 03 Dec 2006 03:29:00 -0800 Chrysalis Ask the 'experts'This morning I asked the boys (aged 8 and 6 ) what they thought were  things parents should know....They were enthusiastically fired half a dozen responses straight back. Interestingly the first three all related to food so I thought id share what they considered important!Food Food and...food.....NOW!At the top of the list- and the instant response- was "Learn ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2793/Learn-to-cook-fast-/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2793/Learn-to-cook-fast-/ Wed, 29 Nov 2006 22:41:21 -0800 Chrysalis The experts say....I have been doing a bit of research on the web regarding this issue, just out of curiosity and to find out if there is any claims for and against kids staying in their own bed at night or otherwise.What I did find was that there are very strong opinions both ways!Why would this create such heated debate ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2773/Bed-Hopping-Whose-Problem-is-it/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2773/Bed-Hopping-Whose-Problem-is-it/ Wed, 29 Nov 2006 04:43:50 -0800 Chrysalis The very first childs party we held was extremely easy. Our first born turned ONE ! and so we hosted a big bash in the back yard. We had a marquee and a barbeque. Guests brought the salads and sweets. My parents were there and the neighbours- and everyone we knew with and without children. There were about another dozen ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2637/Kids-parties-what-where-and-how-many/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2637/Kids-parties-what-where-and-how-many/ Mon, 20 Nov 2006 19:12:55 -0800 Chrysalis From the mouth of babes....When our daughter was four we travelled overseas for 3 months. We had a great time but the moment that remains unforgettable was when our little girl- riding on her daddys shoulders, spotted a man wearing a turban. "MUMMY!" she shrieked , laughing excitedly "Oh Mummy- look... there's a man with a NAPPY on his head!"Oh my.... ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2590/A-NAPPY-on-his-Head-Those-embarrassing-comments-kids-make/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2590/A-NAPPY-on-his-Head-Those-embarrassing-comments-kids-make/ Thu, 16 Nov 2006 05:32:34 -0800 Chrysalis Way back when....I used to LOVE driving, before I had kids.I could drive for hundreds of kilometres and enjoy every minute.Becoming a Mum changed the experience dramatically ; frequent stops usually at very inconvenient times became a necessity. MUM- I'm hungry MUMMMMM - I'm thirsty I FEEEEL SICK He/She is kicking/hitting me and being mean/spitting/pinching/making ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2575/Tantrums-in-the-Car/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2575/Tantrums-in-the-Car/ Wed, 15 Nov 2006 05:09:33 -0800 Chrysalis Do you remember.....Can you remember how you felt when you found out that bacon and sausages and meat pies and other yummy treats were in fact the nice cows and sheep and pigs. The same ones that we cuddle at the animal nursery at the show and that feature so strongly as cute adorable characters on children's stories? I can ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2567/I-dont-want-to-EAT-the-little-Animals-MUM/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2567/I-dont-want-to-EAT-the-little-Animals-MUM/ Tue, 14 Nov 2006 20:20:35 -0800 Chrysalis My teenage daughter introduced me to the word 'Pointful" (the opposite to Pointless) The background I must confess I have always found buying Christmas and birthday presents just for the sake of it , for people who don't really need anything - really irritating ; often little more than an unnecessary indulgent obligation.Anyway- when my Dad's birthday came round a ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2559/A-Pointful-Present/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2559/A-Pointful-Present/ Tue, 14 Nov 2006 16:47:30 -0800 Chrysalis Ok- quick poll- hands up who's afraid - or at least a little freaked out - by spiders?As parents we do pass on our fears to our children, sensible survival technique for the little ones after all - if Mum is scared of this it must be TERRIFYING- RUN!Unfortunately the message we are passing on is often irrational.Is Arachnaphobia sensible?Here ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2546/SPIDERS-and-Arachnaphobia/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2546/SPIDERS-and-Arachnaphobia/ Tue, 14 Nov 2006 00:56:30 -0800 Chrysalis Kids are prone to panic when they have something in their eye- they quickly get upset if it doesn't get sorted quickly and they tend to rub it immediately - vigorously.Not long ago I was at the park with the boys and some distance away I noticed a Dad with his child. They were playing in the sandpit. The little ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2523/Mum-Theres-something-in-my-Eye/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2523/Mum-Theres-something-in-my-Eye/ Mon, 13 Nov 2006 04:42:16 -0800 Chrysalis Now - before I am considered to be leaving out half the population......naturally these projects are perfectly suitable for girls too!!!!My daughter has never really been interested in sewing. In fact I cant remember her making anything this way although she is very creative in other areas. No wait- she did make something for a school project once- with a ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2490/Sewing-Class-for-boys/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2490/Sewing-Class-for-boys/ Sat, 11 Nov 2006 03:33:55 -0800 Chrysalis When DD was a baby I had no idea what to stock in my medicine cupboard so DH and I bought all kinds of things- many of which have never been used - or which could have been improvised.Just thought id share the items we consider 'essential' and which I try to never be without. Panadol (or Paracetamol) ; This ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2453/Basics-for-the-medicine-cupboard/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2453/Basics-for-the-medicine-cupboard/ Thu, 09 Nov 2006 19:35:14 -0800 Chrysalis Okay- this is long and detailed and it deals with poop. If you dont have a concern in this area it will probably not hold your attention -it will also be totally irrelevant to youIf you are dealing with this issue then I hope there is something here to help you as this is not something that is fixed overnight. ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2443/Chronic-Constipation/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2443/Chronic-Constipation/ Thu, 09 Nov 2006 23:15:37 -0800 Chrysalis You know that wonderful age that children get to when they start to talk and talk and talk and ...... ;-)When DD was about 4 she was well and truly into this stage. One day- as we were out walking the dogs and she was babbling non-stop. I was smiling and nodding and making little uh huh and mmmmm and ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2442/Make-your-own-Books/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2442/Make-your-own-Books/ Thu, 09 Nov 2006 02:08:16 -0800 Chrysalis When I was a little girl I can remember how much i LOVED to dress up in mum's clothes - wear her fur coat and high heels- totter around with sequined evening bag....So when we had a daughter of our own I decided a dress-up box was a top priority. An ongoing thingI started this for her when she was ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2427/Dress-up-box/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2427/Dress-up-box/ Wed, 08 Nov 2006 20:28:45 -0800 Chrysalis When our daughter was very young she went through a stage where she was very self concious, nervous, shy and had low self esteem. I couldnt get her to talk much and she often would have tantrums or cry. Im not completely sure what caused it all, she had just started school and there was a new baby in the ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2381/Mentoring-Tooth-Fairy/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2381/Mentoring-Tooth-Fairy/ Tue, 07 Nov 2006 06:16:16 -0800 Chrysalis This is just a simple little thing that I learnt from watching a friend of mine who is a Mum of 4 and a Doctor (GP)Kids tend to be hungry when they come home from school and from what ive observed with other families they often grab the first thing that comes to hand when they arrive home (packet of ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2380/Fruit-and-Veg-Made-Very-Simple/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2380/Fruit-and-Veg-Made-Very-Simple/ Tue, 07 Nov 2006 03:37:39 -0800 Chrysalis With my boys all hyped and busy in the evenings (now we have daylight saving here in south east Australia and the nights are light and bright....) Ive been thinking of a facinating technique my dear Mum used to settle me. Now I dont know if she deliberately did it- or if it was one of those chance little gems ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2365/Fly-away-to-Sleep-Kids/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2365/Fly-away-to-Sleep-Kids/ Mon, 06 Nov 2006 04:03:59 -0800 Chrysalis How to handle kids accessing porn.I noticed a question about this type of thing earlier and tried to post some sort of supportive somment. My first thought was- oh my! How does one deal with it?Then I did a search of the advice for 'porn' and found nothing - so I thought id write the thoughts that came to me ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2358/Porn-what-to-do-when-the-kids-access-it/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2358/Porn-what-to-do-when-the-kids-access-it/ Sun, 05 Nov 2006 19:12:06 -0800 Chrysalis Earrings are a fascinating subject - everyone has an opinion and a story to tell.My mum never had earrings when I was a child and she has the most beautiful delicate ears. I badly wanted mine done but she was reluctant - presumably because she didn't have them done herself. Mind you her sister had had hers done when she ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2355/The-Earring-if-when-and-who/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2355/The-Earring-if-when-and-who/ Thu, 18 Jan 2007 04:32:36 -0800 Chrysalis Although "finding your happy place" can be talked about as a bit of a joke - its actually a lovely thing to teach kids, helps them relax and focus on positive thoughts.To teach a child how to find their happy place ask them to sit or lie down in a comfy place (their bed is perfect, lol) . This is ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2350/Happy-Place/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2350/Happy-Place/ Sun, 05 Nov 2006 04:41:23 -0800 Chrysalis A great technique which can be used by all ages; a tangible method to find some positive within the negative.Kids often respond well to this simple exercise.The basic principle is that anything bad or negative is balanced by positive or good. Nothing bad lasts forever and if you look you will often find something good or something to be thankful for ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2348/Sad-to-Seed/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2348/Sad-to-Seed/ Tue, 14 Nov 2006 03:32:08 -0800 Chrysalis We have adapted a technique that i used a fair bit with adults during my work as a counsellor to deal with 'bad' dreams, problems, worries and so on. (For adults - they are encouraged to write out their problems and place them in a worry box overnight - getting things out of the endless worry cycle in your head ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2347/Bad-things-Box/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2347/Bad-things-Box/ Sun, 05 Nov 2006 03:45:49 -0800 Chrysalis  What would YOU do?Years ago I was in the middle of a training course for foster carers when one of our trainers came up with an interesting issue:She put to us the scenario that we were to attend a football match with a couple of our own kids, a friends child and a foster child. The weather is slightly cold ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2332/Kids-hair-and-clothes-When-is-it-not-your-problem/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2332/Kids-hair-and-clothes-When-is-it-not-your-problem/ Tue, 14 Nov 2006 00:34:51 -0800 Chrysalis The following is not intended to conclude what is best but it is an account of our experiences and the influence that others can have on our decisions. Every child is different and like anything toilet training should be sympathetic to the individual.Apparently - I have been told- I toilet trained very early. This great achievement has been related to ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2296/Toilet-Training-Pressure-to-be-early/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2296/Toilet-Training-Pressure-to-be-early/ Sat, 18 Nov 2006 18:25:56 -0800 Chrysalis Getting the family to help out around the house has been an ongoing problem - here are some solutions I have come up with which have helped us a lot.First each member of the family (even our 6 year old) was asked to pick a room in the house (cant be a bedroom!) They are then assigned the grand title of ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2289/Getting-Kids-to-help-Clean-up/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2289/Getting-Kids-to-help-Clean-up/ Thu, 02 Nov 2006 05:03:58 -0800 Chrysalis Flower PowerGetting kids out into the garden has loads of benefits- fresh air, healthy activity, a chance for a family activity, opportunity to grow food to eat, learning a useful skill and the joy and pride that comes of watching plants grow....Did it grow yet?!So what do kids need? It has to be fairly easy - and it has to ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2286/Kids-in-the-Garden/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2286/Kids-in-the-Garden/ Thu, 16 Nov 2006 02:51:29 -0800 Chrysalis You know what im talkin bout girls, what can I do to make him want me again? Its driving me insane! I need a sure fire way for him not to be able to say no. Any ideas? Male input would be really great too. Ta!Hi, This question struck a chord as it reminded me of a period we went ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2281/Depression-and-Counselling/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2281/Depression-and-Counselling/ Wed, 01 Nov 2006 18:46:33 -0800