1. Starting with name, location (dont be too specific), how many children (and ages). Ok So my real name is Helen, Nell has been my family nickname for years now, I live in Southern England and have 4 children aged 23, 20, 14 and 10. Which makes up 3 sons and 1 daughter.
   
2. How did you find Minti? I found Minti one desperate night in November 2006, I was being treated badly by the x and I was feeling lost and alone and being boxed into a corner over Christmas arrangements. My two sons wanted to spend Christmas with me but there dad was insisting otherwise, I wasn't strong enough to fight and didn't know what my rights were, I did a google search for help as a single parent, Minti came up as my first option, I hit that button and it has been my lifeline ever since
3. What's your favorite thing or feature at Minti? It has to be the certain knowledge that no matter what time of the day, there is someone online for you. The advice I have been given here has been second to none and the friends I have made, have taught me to once again start trusting humans
4. What's your favorite thing about being a parent? Hmmmm Having my children ???? LOL Being a Mother is the highest honour I have ever received, I love being a Mother, there is no favourite part there is just the one bundle of having children, whether it is a good moment or a bad moment. i love all aspects (apart from rejection !!!) Most of all I guess I love the spontaneous hugs and I love you's from my children, that seem to come from nowhere and brighten my moment
5. What has been your biggest parenting challenge? You would think its being a single parent, but to be honest I have always been a single parent as their dad never had time for them when he lived with us, my biggest challenge has to be coping with the realisation that my oldest son doesn't want me. That pain is intolerable at times,
   
6. What worries you most about parenting ? (education, health, mental development, physical development, teaching manners, etc ) Most of the time I am too busy stressing about the here and now then what could happen in the future LOL My biggest wish for the children is they find true contentment in all aspects of their lives. I do have a constant fear of losing another child. Naturally I worry about their health primarily, my beloved daughter has health issues that concern me and my youngest has his ADHD related issues. I also worry about the after effects of the abuse they have endured or witnessed
7. What's the best parenting advice you've ever gotten from someone? To always follow your gut instinct, no one knows your child like you. Enjoy your child.
8. What were your babies first words? Grrrrrr I believe they all said Dada !!!!!!!!!
9. What is your favorite song? I love Music so I love most songs, however the song I have asked to be sung at my funeral is the Mariah Carey and Boyz to Men version of One Sweet Day
   
10. What is the funniest thing you or your child or significant other has done or said? Children have this incredible knack of always saying funny things, usually at inopportune moments !!! if I had to choose one I would probably say that during one years Armistice Day at the 2 minute silence in church, I had my son balanced on my hip when at the quietest moment, my son LOUDLY whispered. Mum you are squashing my willy !!!!!
    
11. Using just one word sum up Minti. Lifesaving
    
12. What is the best piece of advice you have got from Minti? To stand up for myself !!!!! Still working on that one though LOL
    
13. How do you deal with your Minti addiction? I don't deal with it, I nurture it. I just can't stop myself, its an addiction that I am not looking to cure LOL
    
14. How does your family deal with your Minti addiction? The boys have their moments when they get cross but at that point its usually as they want to get on the computer themselves. on the whole they all know what Minti means to me so don't complain

Wow what a fantastic honour. I have always loved reading other peoples blogs on being featured member and now its me !!!! Hope I have put something new in there so that you don't get bored reading my responses.

Thankyou so much to everyone. Especially my dearest friends, too many to mention and I would hate to list my friends and offend someone with the order etc LOL You all know who you are and I thankyou from the bottom of my heart.

Thanks too to Rachel, Clay and Matt for coming up with this fantastic concept of this unique parenting site, there really is nothing like this. You have given so many of us a great lifeline to cling on to

thanks Angie for picking me, I'm really touched.

xxx