I am not a person who usually wins things. Other people do that. So imagine my surprise when I opened a message from Angie to tell me that I have been chosen as a Minti Featured Member. I was so overwhelmed, but then a bit apprehensive when asked to write a blog about myself. Angie gave me a list of subjects to talk about, so I will give it a go !

My name is Janice Povey. I live at Woolgoolga on the East coast of Australia, roughly halfway between Sydney and Brisbane. I have two children, Jamie, who is 38 and Jane who is 40.

Jamie is a financial accountant, living in Sydney and Jane is a senior police constable, living in Griffith in Central New South Wales.

I didn’t find Minti, but Minti found me. I was browsing in Google and  found a link to Minti through a parenting site. It immediately intrigued me, and at that time I really didn’t understand the extent of the site. I was completely new to the world of computers, but I sensed the friendliness of the people and was attracted to them. Because I was still feeling my way with this strange thing called a computer, I used my real name to register, although I noticed that everyone else had created their own. I still think today that I am the only member using my real name.

I found so many mothers, who, like me are not literary authors, but who could offer help and advice to other mothers with problems. I found that I could be a sounding board for them, listen to their problems, and offer them support and encouragement. I can recall the times of Jamie’ teenage rebellion. He had suddenly grown into a young man and suddenly “ knew everything “. I had some very difficult times, trying to keep him on the straight and narrow, and I know that mothers face the same problems today. We got through those times, but they were hard, and I know how much more difficult it must be today.

We live in a society which has abandoned the fundamentals. Young people seem to lack the mentors who I relied upon for advice and guidance. Modern day children have been forced to live in a protective cocoon, which makes it hard for them to go out and have old fashioned fun. The world is a more dangerous place for children now and this adds to the pressures on parents. How does a parent balance the need to protect, with the need to allow freedom to learn ?  I think this is the biggest question and the most challenging.  I believe that parents should be their children’s primary teacher and role model, in terms of discipline, respect and manners. A child is a reflection of the parent.

My mother gave me the best advice I have ever received. “ go by your gut instinct – it will rarely let you down “   Over the years, I have learnt that she was right. You know, deep down inside you if something is right or wrong. 

I think that every new mum looks forward to hearing her baby’s first words, and secretly hope that the first word will be “MUM”

In my case, this was not to be. Jamie was a water baby; he loved his baths, so ‘BATH’ was the first word he ever uttered.

For me, the best thing about being a parent was watching my child experiencing things for the first time –learning from their mistakes and moving on. And now, at the age of 55, to have them visit, put their arms around me and say “I love you Mum “.  That is what parenting is to me.

Minti must be so many things to so many parents. It is a communication medium through which parents of all ages can provide support to others and in so doing, facilitate a genuine friendship between all those who

participate. I have made some enduring friendships on Minti  and I hope that I have provided some support to those in need.

None of us are too old to receive advice. I have read so many valuable contributions by so many members. I recently read some advice which really touched me. It was not specific to one subject, but talked about “Emotional Freedom” and how making changed from within can produce positive results through every aspect of our lives.

So now I have to confess to a Minti addiction. It has introduced me to so many genuine parents whose companionship on Minti I find to be inspiring. I am fortunate to have the time to listen and hopefully to contribute. If my contribution is worthwhile, then the addiction is justified.

My Minti addiction does not produce a competitive home environment. My husband, Steve, is supportive of my involvement and is not threatened by it. When I was ill and unable to type, he took over my blog and developed a knee cult ! Pretty ordinary knees, if you ask me, but it produced lots of laughs and funny comments.

I think that Minti can be more than just a computer link. It can develop relationships on a personal level and already I have met Amanda and her family and soon will be travelling to Canada to meet Ally, Jess and Marge. Everyone already knows how thrilled I am to be going to do this. The days are counting down.

I am thrilled and honoured to have been selected as a Minti Featured Member, and I thank Angie for all the work that she has put in to make Minti such an indispensible part of my life.