http://www.minti.com/members/sweezie/activity/ Latest activity by sweezie on Minti Copyright 2009 Minti en-uk sweezie http://www.minti.com/members/sweezie/photos/34962/garbage truck cake.jpg http://www.minti.com/members/sweezie/photos/34962/garbage truck cake.jpg Thu, 12 Jul 2007 13:01:58 -0700 sweezie http://www.minti.com/members/sweezie/photos/34961/Steve with cake.jpg http://www.minti.com/members/sweezie/photos/34961/Steve with cake.jpg Thu, 12 Jul 2007 13:01:57 -0700 sweezie A garbage truck cake?! My internal critique started immediately after my husband cast his vision for our son's birthday cake.     "There are entire books written about... My internal critique started immediately after my husband cast his vision for our son's birthday cake.
    "There are entire books written about...]]> http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/6741/always-let-your-partner-take-the-cake/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/6741/always-let-your-partner-take-the-cake/ Thu, 12 Jul 2007 13:08:16 -0700 sweezie Member avatar for sweezie http://www.minti.com/members/sweezie/photos/34960/susan & berto on bike.jpg http://www.minti.com/members/sweezie/photos/34960/susan & berto on bike.jpg Thu, 12 Jul 2007 12:23:45 -0700 sweezie http://www.minti.com/members/sweezie/photos/34958/steve & berto at parade.jpg http://www.minti.com/members/sweezie/photos/34958/steve & berto at parade.jpg Thu, 12 Jul 2007 11:46:16 -0700 sweezie December 2005 http://www.minti.com/members/sweezie/photos/34957/December 2005 http://www.minti.com/members/sweezie/photos/34957/December 2005 Thu, 12 Jul 2007 11:42:06 -0700 sweezie At 3 1/2, Alberto loves to be the leader, even if it's just to the car. After that simple free love give away, there's "Would you like to do the key?" He loves to unlock the door. Asking... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/4336/Free-Love-Give-Aways-For-your-Kids/#237152 http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/4336/Free-Love-Give-Aways-For-your-Kids/#237152 Wed, 31 Jan 2007 22:52:29 -0800 sweezie Excellent checklist. The only thing I would add is running these questions again with me in mind. I'm less able to handle normal kid energy and volume when I'm hungry, in unfamiliar circumstances... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2725/Mystery-Solved-A-Parent-Detectives-Checklist-for-Figuring-Out-Whats-Wrong-With-the-Kids/#227069 http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2725/Mystery-Solved-A-Parent-Detectives-Checklist-for-Figuring-Out-Whats-Wrong-With-the-Kids/#227069 Mon, 27 Nov 2006 21:53:52 -0800 sweezie Thanks for your note! Back before VCRs and DVDs allowed us to watch whatever we want whenever we want, we used to love watching Chitty Chitty Bang Bang on Thanksgiving afternoon. That's probably when... http://www.minti.com/members/sweezie/blog/192964/Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang-at-the-grocery-store/#192966 http://www.minti.com/members/sweezie/blog/192964/Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang-at-the-grocery-store/#192966 Sun, 26 Nov 2006 22:15:46 -0800 sweezie My first thought is that it's fine to start introducing a spoon to a one year old, but don't expect much to get in the mouth. I found that sometimes I was willing to let my son "use" a... http://www.minti.com/questions-and-answers/discussion/307959/omg-get-off-my-back/#307970 http://www.minti.com/questions-and-answers/discussion/307959/omg-get-off-my-back/#307970 Tue, 21 Nov 2006 22:01:04 -0800 sweezie Jen, thanks for these strategies. We also decided not to have a TV in the house and I think this helps enormously. My son's 3 and definitely has a hunger for STUFF. The only ideas I can add to those... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2624/The-Gimme-Monster-and-Other-Advice-For-Kids-Who-Want-More-More-More-UPDATED/#226507 http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2624/The-Gimme-Monster-and-Other-Advice-For-Kids-Who-Want-More-More-More-UPDATED/#226507 Sat, 18 Nov 2006 21:36:59 -0800 sweezie I really like this concept and look forward to thinking creatively about how to use it in our family. We made up a little song about our son in which we spelled his name and sang "we love our... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2278/Affirmations-For-Children/#224365 http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2278/Affirmations-For-Children/#224365 Mon, 13 Nov 2006 22:04:46 -0800 sweezie I can't tell you how many times I've said "hold on" to my son when I actually mean "let go." Figures of speech are hard habits to break and often don't make sense to youngsters.... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2299/Giving-Children-Instructions/#224497 http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2299/Giving-Children-Instructions/#224497 Sun, 12 Nov 2006 23:30:45 -0800 sweezie I thought I was the only one who served food in the back of a matchbox car dump truck! Another little strategy we use at our house is to capitalize on our 3 year old's natural territorialism. If his... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2451/Making-eating-just-a-little-more-fun/#225378 http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2451/Making-eating-just-a-little-more-fun/#225378 Thu, 09 Nov 2006 22:58:25 -0800 sweezie Tracey, thanks for this post. My mom loved me with little notes in my lunch throughout jr. high. They meant a lot to me. I kept the notes...forgot I had them...and then found them as a... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1897/Noteworthy/#222211 http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1897/Noteworthy/#222211 Mon, 06 Nov 2006 20:53:13 -0800 sweezie Jen, any ideas of how to encourage polite behavior from kids while mom talks on the phone? I have a business and need to take calls at times when I'm also on-duty as mom. Perhaps you've written on... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2005/Phone-Manners-101/#222758 http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2005/Phone-Manners-101/#222758 Fri, 03 Nov 2006 22:15:08 -0800 sweezie Jen, the last part about "when was the last time you yelled at an adult" made me laugh out loud. A good laugh is always welcome. Thank you! I really like the fact you asked your friend for... I really like the fact you asked your friend for...]]> http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1895/The-No-Hassle-Policy/#222192 http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1895/The-No-Hassle-Policy/#222192 Sun, 29 Oct 2006 00:44:48 -0700 sweezie I feel like I'm cheating because I'm the Susan in the story and this is the exact advice you gave me (sometimes a couple of times or in different ways). These mantras helped me enormously. Love you,... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2190/Six-Mantras-for-New-Moms/#223817 http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2190/Six-Mantras-for-New-Moms/#223817 Sat, 28 Oct 2006 22:40:38 -0700 sweezie This is my 4th Halloween as a parent and I've learned something valuable each year. I always enjoyed Halloween as a kid and so far I've enjoyed it as a parent too. Today our neighbors knocked on the... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2220/Carving-Pumpkins/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2220/Carving-Pumpkins/ Sat, 28 Oct 2006 22:27:31 -0700 sweezie I was incredulous last year when people told me after Halloween my 2 1/2 year old would forget about the candy. But, putting it out of sight was key in this blessed forgetfulness. We also ration... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2218/10-Sweet-Strategies-for-Halloween-Candy-UPDATED/#224001 http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2218/10-Sweet-Strategies-for-Halloween-Candy-UPDATED/#224001 Sat, 28 Oct 2006 21:53:34 -0700 sweezie http://www.minti.com/members/sweezie/photos/9467/Susan&Alberto_2.jpg http://www.minti.com/members/sweezie/photos/9467/Susan&Alberto_2.jpg Sat, 28 Oct 2006 21:47:55 -0700 sweezie December 2005 http://www.minti.com/members/sweezie/photos/9464/December 2005 http://www.minti.com/members/sweezie/photos/9464/December 2005 Sat, 28 Oct 2006 21:47:55 -0700