http://www.minti.com/members/exquisite-flower/advice/ Most Recent Advice on Minti by exquisite-flower Copyright 2008 Minti en-uk exquisite-flower In my article "Summer Holidays" I outlined some of the things we do in our holidays for little cost but to prevent boredom. The purpose of this article is to help you keep a track of things you may choose to do.My appointments diary is not big enough to allow for more than one entry per day really - and in ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/9205/Practical-Holiday-Planner/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/9205/Practical-Holiday-Planner/ Tue, 05 Aug 2008 10:15:10 -0700 exquisite-flower Here in the UK the summer holidays are just begun. So often I hear parents dreading the long summer weeks that drag on endlessly. Many times I hear children bickering and driving their parents up the wall.The thing that gets me is that I don't know why this happens. Maybe it is just me, but the holidays, whether they be half term holiday ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/9177/Summer-Holidays/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/9177/Summer-Holidays/ Mon, 04 Aug 2008 13:12:41 -0700 exquisite-flower Immunisations are a considerably necessary part of protecting our children from diseases that in the past caused epidemics, but currently in the western world are 'controlled' because people are protected from them.  In the UK there are a  series of immunisations given to infants over a period of months.  Then there is another given prior to starting school.  The information I ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/8128/Immunisations-good-or-bad/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/8128/Immunisations-good-or-bad/ Fri, 11 Jan 2008 14:37:38 -0800 exquisite-flower Check tracey's blog for the origin of the IDSR game.Now we all have routine drummed into us while we are pregnant, get your child into a routine, regular feeding, sleeping, play times etc.  But how hard is it to do?  I have had countless people judge and criticise me because i will not go to an evening meeting and drag her ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/4866/IDSR-Routines/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/4866/IDSR-Routines/ Sun, 25 Feb 2007 16:34:55 -0800 exquisite-flower Well,this is a new one on me, so I am gonna give it a bash.  I read tracey's blog post IDSR.  A new positive parenting game idea for those who blog.  So I thought i would give it a go.  Often I feel like i get it all wrong because I am a single mum and have to play good ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/4808/IDSR-I-can-listen/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/4808/IDSR-I-can-listen/ Wed, 21 Feb 2007 15:27:45 -0800 exquisite-flower Ever get fed up of your mother nagging you to "Stand up straight"?  Ever wish you felt more positive just in life generally?Well, Stand up straight, hold your head high and put a smile on.  You will immediately ooze more confidence, which will boost your self-esteem and no matter how bleak life seems to be, or truly is, you will ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/4807/Good-Posture/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/4807/Good-Posture/ Thu, 22 Feb 2007 04:27:16 -0800 exquisite-flower Sorry this is such a quickie, but I figured if I put it here it would reach the correct audience.  In my blog it will scroll in time and be lost to all.People always laugh at me cuz I keep small 'tester' plastic containers; you know - the ones from cosmetics and various other bathroom products.  My mother has wasted ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/4510/Travel-Tip/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/4510/Travel-Tip/ Thu, 08 Feb 2007 15:11:12 -0800 exquisite-flower This is written from my head with just memories to work from - if there is something you would like to add in the comments please do, and welcome.  Or if it is something that should be included in the article then please just let me know and I shall edit.Bubs is usually trying to explore more at this age, ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/4219/Age-related-Activities-6-12-months/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/4219/Age-related-Activities-6-12-months/ Fri, 02 Feb 2007 08:44:31 -0800 exquisite-flower This is written from my head with just memories to work from - if there is something you would like to add in the comments please do, and welcome.  Or if it is something that should be included in the article then please just let me know and I shall edit.Even in a very young baby there are things we ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/4218/Age-related-Activities-0-6-months/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/4218/Age-related-Activities-0-6-months/ Fri, 02 Feb 2007 08:09:14 -0800 exquisite-flower This is written from my head with just memories to work from - if there is something you would like to add in the comments please do, and welcome.  Or if it is something that should be included in the article then please just let me know and I shall edit.It gets increasingly easier and harder to find interesting and ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/4217/Age-related-Activities-3-years/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/4217/Age-related-Activities-3-years/ Fri, 02 Feb 2007 11:27:00 -0800 exquisite-flower Well, I figured I might as well continue now that I am started.  This is written from my head with just memories to work from - if there is something you would like to add in the comments please do, and welcome.  Or if it is something that should be included in the article then please just let me know ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/4216/Age-related-activities-2-years/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/4216/Age-related-activities-2-years/ Fri, 02 Feb 2007 11:07:15 -0800 exquisite-flower (The Q&A that inspired this mini series that I am finally publishing!) I really miss playing games with my little man. He's becoming a bit more independent now that he's jut started walking and he's 'into everything'. He's 12 months old. Lunaeclips wrote a great article today asking 'how active is your family?' She gave so many ideas to get ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/4214/Age-related-activities-1-year/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/4214/Age-related-activities-1-year/ Fri, 02 Feb 2007 09:25:57 -0800 exquisite-flower Hand washing is an important skill to teach your child.  This is a brief overview but more information can easily be found on the link at the bottom.There are many reasons to do this properly not least proper hygiene and good health.  Especially as children grow older they pick up different germs on their hands, but by learning these simple ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/4108/Hand-Washing/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/4108/Hand-Washing/ Thu, 03 Jan 2008 13:14:03 -0800 exquisite-flower I was just struck by how E and I often teach each other things - and yet we do it from our own perspective and understanding, and when the other learns this thing we think it is from our perspective, but it isn't always.  This came to me anew today when we were having a bathtime.  We have a bath ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/3959/Teaching-and-Learning/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/3959/Teaching-and-Learning/ Sat, 13 Jan 2007 16:25:59 -0800 exquisite-flower A certainty? or an option?I dont know if this will help people whose children are getting to this stage or not, but it may help some avoid it.  When E got to this stage we didnt have tantrums or difficulties like I saw in the shops this past week, or like I sometimes read about in magazines and even on ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/3567/Terrible-Twos/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/3567/Terrible-Twos/ Tue, 20 Feb 2007 13:47:24 -0800 exquisite-flower Life after school - your grown up child is now an adult.Congratulations your child has now left school.  What is your role in their life now?  Some children stay home until they get married, be that at 18 or 48.  What are you going to do about that?  They are an adult now, so your relationship takes a major shift.  ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/3203/Life-after-school-your-grown-up-child-is-now-an-adult/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/3203/Life-after-school-your-grown-up-child-is-now-an-adult/ Fri, 15 Dec 2006 14:47:02 -0800 exquisite-flower Making choices/optionsThere comes a time in our schooling when we have to start making decisions about our future.  Some of us are blessed and know what we want to do with our lives from a young age - or have a fair idea where our talents lie by the time we take these options so that we can structure our ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/3202/Making-choicesoptions/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/3202/Making-choicesoptions/ Fri, 15 Dec 2006 14:34:19 -0800 exquisite-flower Gap YearYour teenager had finished high school and wants to take a gap year before starting life as a university student or in the real world of work and responsibility.So what is there for them to do?  They can get a job, or various jobs that give them experience in their chosen field. They ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/3201/Gap-Year/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/3201/Gap-Year/ Fri, 15 Dec 2006 14:27:17 -0800 exquisite-flower After examsParents - this is written for your teens; I found it easier to aim it at them in the first person instead of taddressing it to parents.  I hope this doesnt confuse people.Right.  So you did your exams in the summer. There are two sets of exams that I am thinking of here, in the UK they are called ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/3200/After-exams/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/3200/After-exams/ Fri, 15 Dec 2006 14:25:28 -0800 exquisite-flower I seem to be always telling Amy off (don't bounce on the sofa, get down from there and No you can't!) Is this a normal thing to be saying to a two year old or am I too strict? Am I stopping her from being a child? Do you do the same thing all day every day? I think that we ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/3083/No-No-No-No/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/3083/No-No-No-No/ Mon, 11 Dec 2006 13:38:48 -0800 exquisite-flower This is by no means a comprehensive guide, but it is all that I have done or plan to do, plus a few handy websites for those who have different ideas of what to do on their days out. 1)      Places to go in the UK: Whether you be visiting the UK or living here and looking for a day ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2696/Going-out-in-the-UK/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2696/Going-out-in-the-UK/ Sat, 25 Nov 2006 17:20:35 -0800 exquisite-flower This is aimed at new parents as many people dont realise the value of these little books.  It seems that in most countries these days we (parents) are provided with a little book in which to record all the details of our childs physical development and other milestones that can be measured.  I am in the UK, so details may ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2695/Child-Health-Book/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2695/Child-Health-Book/ Sat, 25 Nov 2006 12:06:35 -0800 exquisite-flower My baby is 6 months old now, and ever since she was born she cries whenever she sees someone with dark skin. I find it really odd, because she's been around people of different ethnicity ever since she was born. I thought that maybe it was just a faze, but it seems to be getting worse! Has anyone else had ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2591/Coloured-people/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2591/Coloured-people/ Thu, 16 Nov 2006 04:50:59 -0800 exquisite-flower Congratulations to those who are in this honoured position.  You are about to see the fruits of your labour.Preparation for this day starts from when you first think about having children really.  And as you bring them up, discipline them and teach them how to be responsible citizens it is all to this one day when we have to allow ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2576/My-daughters-turning-sweet-16-losing-my-baby-or-gaining-a-young-lady/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2576/My-daughters-turning-sweet-16-losing-my-baby-or-gaining-a-young-lady/ Wed, 15 Nov 2006 06:57:48 -0800 exquisite-flower My Dad keeps teasing me because I give E options often.  To me it is the difference between always saying "No!" to her and always telling her what to do, wear etc and giving her total freedom where all routine goes to pot!  However, I got conscious about it and realised that there were times when it was the wrong ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2449/Giving-Options/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2449/Giving-Options/ Thu, 09 Nov 2006 13:24:42 -0800 exquisite-flower We are quite creative in our home (apparently).  When E was very young we would do play afternoon on mondays.  This was a special activity time where we might play with water, bake, do something that ultimately meant loads of cleaning up for me.  I allocated on afternoon for this as it meant that i could justify to myself not ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2287/Tips-for-Creative-Making/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2287/Tips-for-Creative-Making/ Thu, 02 Nov 2006 06:16:24 -0800 exquisite-flower This is just about how TV programmes may assist us when we trying to find ways to help our children.  I am not saying it is a must, but it can help.  I frequently watch her programmes with her cuz I get loads of ideas for how to tackel things with her.  And if someone is naughty and stuff we ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2253/Beauty-is-in-the-eye-of-the-beholder/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2253/Beauty-is-in-the-eye-of-the-beholder/ Sat, 25 Nov 2006 17:58:08 -0800 exquisite-flower I have just started a new practice for getting E dry at night time.She has been asking for a while now to have no nappy at night, and understands that she needs to be cry before we go without the nappy and although the chart is waiting for the stars to go on it it is still empty.  So when ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2233/Dry-Nights/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2233/Dry-Nights/ Sun, 29 Oct 2006 11:36:42 -0800 exquisite-flower When we came to live in the UK we started 'doing' christmas.  Previously we had been with relatives for christmas, so never did anything in our own home.  Mum made a load of christmas decs to hang around the house.  Wreaths, streamers, christmas tree bits and bobs.Long green streamers were decorated every meter with red bows or clusters of gold ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2229/DIY-Christmas-Decs/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2229/DIY-Christmas-Decs/ Sun, 29 Oct 2006 06:55:41 -0800 exquisite-flower When you have a medicine prescribed or bought over the counter they will usually provide you with a spoon or little cup thing to administer it.  Depending on your childs age and ability to take things orally you may wish to get a syringe too.  They do them in 1ml, 2ml, 5ml and so on up the scale.  There are ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2227/Medicine-Administration/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2227/Medicine-Administration/ Sun, 29 Oct 2006 05:28:09 -0800 exquisite-flower Last year we made a christmas calendar to mark E's achievements in artistry through out the year.  It was such a hit that I decided to do it again this year and make it a tradition.  It is a way to sort the good stuff from the pieces that can be discarded.  Saves space and means we contain a years worth ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2207/Christmas-Calendar/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2207/Christmas-Calendar/ Sat, 28 Oct 2006 11:53:06 -0700 exquisite-flower My baby is 8 weeks old and fussing a lot between feeds, he won't sleep peacefully by himself on his own cot. Instead, if I pick him up and cuddling him, he stops crying immediately and falls asleep on me. The local nurse told me I should let him cry and avoild eye contact so he learns the self-settling skills. And many sleeping lessons seems ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2025/Self-settle-or-spoil/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2025/Self-settle-or-spoil/ Tue, 17 Oct 2006 09:56:09 -0700 exquisite-flower Getting into the habit of doing homework is a great one to instill in your child.  As some people may know E and I have a half hour of 'schooltime' every day.  Usually it is from 1-1:30pm though some days we do different things so it can change.  It started as a result of E being at home with me ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1964/Early-Homework-Habits/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1964/Early-Homework-Habits/ Fri, 08 Dec 2006 05:50:07 -0800 exquisite-flower Apparently children are at their most intelligent they will ever be in their lives at 18 months old**.  When E was 18 months we were travelling, so I exposed her to as much as I could.  Nowadays I tell E all sorts, figure that if she doesnt understand now, she will one day and she soaks up a lot more than i realise.  ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1952/Intelligent-Toddlers/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1952/Intelligent-Toddlers/ Thu, 12 Oct 2006 14:26:04 -0700 exquisite-flower E got a magazine this morning.  It was a treat because she went for a walk with a friend so I could have a half hour 'to myself'.  She loves her magazines. They are a real treat for her as we rarely get them.  But they are filled with so many goodies.  Often they also have gifts attached to the ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1951/Intelligent-Toddlers-Magazines/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1951/Intelligent-Toddlers-Magazines/ Sat, 11 Nov 2006 16:19:55 -0800 exquisite-flower Is there a website/s for children's activities where I can print them out for my child to do please? Any and all sites will be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Hi. I have collected a few sites that I had in my favorites as well as some I looked up especially.  It is nowhere near complete obviously.  I am in the Uk so ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1917/Websites-for-childrens-activities/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1917/Websites-for-childrens-activities/ Tue, 10 Oct 2006 15:11:24 -0700 exquisite-flower These are the times that we have where we are 100% devoted to each other in our day.  And this is off the top of my head in five seconds - I am due out the door in two minutes.1) wake up time.  We have a time of talking about our good night sleep and kisses and cuddles before we ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1818/Practical-ideas-for-Attention-Challenge/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1818/Practical-ideas-for-Attention-Challenge/ Sun, 17 Dec 2006 16:22:26 -0800 exquisite-flower Here is a site that I find incredibly handy, but only use it when I have loads of time as I often get side-tracked while I am searching it.  Also I write down what I am looking for so that I actually find it.  http://www.care2.com/It is useful for: healthy living http://www.care2.com/healthyliving/ recipes http://www.care2.com/channels/lifestyle/food household ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1735/Useful-environmentally-friendly-website/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1735/Useful-environmentally-friendly-website/ Sun, 01 Oct 2006 12:25:45 -0700 exquisite-flower Speaking to my pediatrician the other day she tells me that there is a woldwide shortage of BCG vaccine.  It is the one that teenagers usually have and vaccinates people against TB.  I have found the NHS website for the UK should anyone wish to get more information regarding immunisations due to their child(ren) and the changes that are happening.  ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1705/Changes-in-Immunisations/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1705/Changes-in-Immunisations/ Fri, 29 Sep 2006 12:38:38 -0700 exquisite-flower Whether you have pre-school, kindy, or nursery I believe it is necessary for a childs social development for them to go at least from the age of three.  I was desperately bored after the birth of my daughter, and decided (as a single mother), to go back to work 2 days a week in order to relieve that.  E was ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1704/Social-life-for-under-5s/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1704/Social-life-for-under-5s/ Fri, 29 Sep 2006 12:00:06 -0700 exquisite-flower Choosing fruit and veges that you like to eat can be hard.  Especially if you have a fussy child.  However, there are many out there to choose from.  Fresh fruit is great.  The down side of 5 a day is that only one portion counts of each item because each thing provides different goodness.  And when you body has the ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1591/5-a-day-keeps-the-Dr-away/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1591/5-a-day-keeps-the-Dr-away/ Tue, 20 Feb 2007 14:32:28 -0800 exquisite-flower There are always ways to make learning fun for people.  It is just a matter of finding what clicks for that person.  Sometimes it is rhyming their learning, for others it is making spider diagrams, using the internet, putting it to music, or even dance!, books with big pictures, or maybe even reading encyclopedias!!!  Once you have found what makes ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1563/Make-learning-fun/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1563/Make-learning-fun/ Thu, 21 Sep 2006 14:30:18 -0700 exquisite-flower At the moment I am spending half an hour each day with my daughter working on 'school' things.  Alphabet, Numbers, Date, Time, Seasons, Month, Day of the week for starters.  So we started with her name two weeks ago.  She has cracked it already!  She loves her school time and each day we try to do something different.  She is ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1482/School-aged-3/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1482/School-aged-3/ Sat, 16 Sep 2006 15:38:38 -0700 exquisite-flower I'm in a wheel chair,  and I have grown  daughter. I woul'd like advice on getting her to help me clean. she says she woul'd but has very little time   help    what can I do?She said to buy a robot to cook and clean    very funny huh Hi.  I know how frustrating it can be.  I cared for my brother ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1481/Disabled-and-needing-assistance/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1481/Disabled-and-needing-assistance/ Sun, 17 Dec 2006 16:42:24 -0800 exquisite-flower "AAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhh!!!"  *PitterPatter* *PitterPatter*  "no!  No!  NO!"  *slience*  *muffled from under the cushions on the sofa*  "Mummy.  NO!  Please mummy, not my haaaair"  How many people are serenaded every morning with the 'don't wanna brish my hair cuz it hurts' song?  And if the hair is curly it is worse!  Last weekend one of my youth group said she wanted my ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1365/Curly-hair/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1365/Curly-hair/ Tue, 19 Sep 2006 03:07:26 -0700 exquisite-flower Just wondering at what age should you make that first dentist appointment for your kids????Awww, I took my daughter after her third birthday due to lack of dentists.  (It was an NHS childrens dentist, specifically to ensure that children have their checkups - so people in the UK  may like to look into this in their local area and see ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1364/First-Dental-appts/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1364/First-Dental-appts/ Tue, 05 Sep 2006 13:00:19 -0700 exquisite-flower At 10 and a half months my usually good sleeping daughter started waking up at night for hours at a time.  She is not screaming but trying to go back to sleep but very restless even when Im cuddling her.  I have tried medication for colic, constripation and panadol but nothing seems to work.  She is like this for a ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1361/Night-time-Restlessness/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1361/Night-time-Restlessness/ Sun, 17 Dec 2006 16:29:17 -0800 exquisite-flower I have a friend whose child has just gone through major surgery on her brain to cure a rare form of epilepsy. What should I get her as a "get well soon" gift? I don't want to get her food as I know she probably won't be able to enjoy it much amidst the pain. Any suggestions on what I ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1353/Ill-10-year-old-child/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1353/Ill-10-year-old-child/ Mon, 04 Sep 2006 15:32:31 -0700