http://www.minti.com/members/thementormom/advice/ Most Recent Advice on Minti by TheMentorMom Copyright 2008 Minti en-uk TheMentorMom I was having a conversation the other day with a parent who struggling with a particularly strong willed child.  This little guy fought his mother on EVERYTHING!  It was driving her nuts.  Thinking back to the early years with my son, I could totally relate with her situation.  She needed a tool for her parenting toolbox that she could start ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/8896/Shared-Control--More-Compliant-Kids/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/8896/Shared-Control--More-Compliant-Kids/ Fri, 23 May 2008 11:10:12 -0700 TheMentorMom Continuing the discussion on learning tips, todays might seem a bit unorthodox.  Tip number two is chew gum or suck on mints while studying.  I know, I know, it seems a bit crazy doesn't it?  I mean when I was in school gum chewing was a taboo.  We were told to take gum out before tests and during class. Well, ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/8741/Learning-Tip-Number-Two-Chew-some-gum/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/8741/Learning-Tip-Number-Two-Chew-some-gum/ Sun, 27 Apr 2008 18:20:29 -0700 TheMentorMom  Some of the most frequent questions I get from parents are about homework, attention/concentration and school performance, e.g., "how do I get my child to turn in/do his homework," "how can I help my child get better grades," etc.  As parents, we want our kids to do well in school because we understand that hard work and academic success can ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/8604/Helping-Enhance-Learning-Tip-Number-One/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/8604/Helping-Enhance-Learning-Tip-Number-One/ Sun, 13 Apr 2008 14:02:40 -0700 TheMentorMom Ya know, when my kids were younger I kept looking forward to the time that they would be elementary aged thinking that somehow things would get a bit easier.  While they have gotten easier from a disciplinarian standpoint, it has gotten much harder to watch them struggle with making good choices for themselves when it comes to peers and school.As ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/8584/Guiding-Kids-to-Make-Good-Choices/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/8584/Guiding-Kids-to-Make-Good-Choices/ Thu, 10 Apr 2008 10:18:02 -0700 TheMentorMom Kids are complex, curious entities aren't they?  I never cease to be amazed by their ingenuity, creativity and determination.  I was talking with a parent a few weeks back and she was describing how her child was acting unusually clingy, whiny, and just generally out of sorts.  At that moment, I had a flashback to when my son was three.  ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/8167/Funk-Moods-What-Parents-Need-to-Know/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/8167/Funk-Moods-What-Parents-Need-to-Know/ Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:27:09 -0800 TheMentorMom I get asked frequently by parents whether or not they should bribe their children.  I'm guessing you know my answer on that one.  Of course, I don't recommend bribing.  Having said that, I also know that most of us do it (yes, I'm ashamed to say that includes me).As with any parenting approach, it helps to understand the whys and ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/8054/Ill-give-you-a-popsicle-if-you-stop-screaming-Bribing-the-slippery-slope/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/8054/Ill-give-you-a-popsicle-if-you-stop-screaming-Bribing-the-slippery-slope/ Wed, 12 Dec 2007 16:32:27 -0800 TheMentorMom The other day, my daughter and I were sitting on the couch reading a book.  It was a cold, bitter day.  We were enjoying some quality one on one time when she suddenly bolted from the chair and ran to the bathroom.  She re-emerged moments later with a piece of tissue hanging out of her nose.  A bloody nose.  No ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/8018/Tips-for-Kids-Who-Have-Frequent-Nosebleeds/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/8018/Tips-for-Kids-Who-Have-Frequent-Nosebleeds/ Wed, 05 Dec 2007 18:24:52 -0800 TheMentorMom Time out.  This is probably one of the most popular discipline strategies used by parents.  It is also one of the most difficult.  As smart as we are, our kids are sometimes smarter than we are when it comes to time out.  As a home visitor and parent coach, I have seen parents who have time out down and others ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/7910/Time-Out-Tips/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/7910/Time-Out-Tips/ Wed, 21 Nov 2007 10:50:01 -0800 TheMentorMom Time to get ready for Thanksgiving break!  I don't know about you, but my kids are going to be off all day on Wednesday and the 'I'm getting bored so I'm going to pick on my brother/sister' stuff has started already.  To combat this, I like to give them some sort of crafty activity to do to keep them occupied.  ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/7909/Fun-Turkey-Day-Activity/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/7909/Fun-Turkey-Day-Activity/ Wed, 21 Nov 2007 10:45:25 -0800 TheMentorMom Disciplining our children is always a challenge.  Sometimes the biggest challenge is figuring out what consequence to give for which behavior.  It is always best to try to use natural consequences where possible.  So what is a natural consequence?  Here are some examples: Child throws a toy -> the toy gets taken away Child hits -> child is ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/7786/Getting-Creative-with-Discipline/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/7786/Getting-Creative-with-Discipline/ Sat, 03 Nov 2007 15:59:38 -0700 TheMentorMom As a parent, I am always looking for ways to keep my kids occupied (especially during the summer!).  Don't get me wrong, I strongly believe that children should have down time.  I have found over the years that many parents are spending vast amounts of their time and energy trying to keep their kids from getting bored.  Of course, this ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/7155/Homemade-Activity-Make-a-Learning-Wheel/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/7155/Homemade-Activity-Make-a-Learning-Wheel/ Tue, 14 Aug 2007 16:51:09 -0700 TheMentorMom Guilt.  According to www.dictionary.com, guilt is defined as:1. the fact or state of having committed an offense, crime, violation, or wrong, esp. against moral or penal law; culpability: He admitted his guilt.  2. a feeling of responsibility or remorse for some offense, crime, wrong, etc., whether real or imagined. 3. conduct involving the commission of ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/6034/Mommy-Guilt-Is-it-such-a-bad-thing/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/6034/Mommy-Guilt-Is-it-such-a-bad-thing/ Thu, 24 May 2007 05:15:07 -0700 TheMentorMom Do you find that you treat your youngest child differently?  By that I mean, do you have different expectations for them than you did for your other children when they were that age?  For example, I find that I am still doing things for my five year old that I had stopped doing for my son at ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/6033/Babying-Our-Babies-Why-we-do-it-and-why-it-may-not-be-such-a-great-thing/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/6033/Babying-Our-Babies-Why-we-do-it-and-why-it-may-not-be-such-a-great-thing/ Wed, 23 May 2007 11:19:27 -0700 TheMentorMom Have you ever felt like you were losing control of your household?  Are your kids ruling the roost?  I know that there are many parents out there who are muttering "yes" under their breath!  As a home visitor, I know that there are many parents who are struggling to get control of their house and their children.  For those of ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/5204/Hey-Whos-running-this-household/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/5204/Hey-Whos-running-this-household/ Tue, 20 Mar 2007 12:43:01 -0700 TheMentorMom I recently received the following question from one of my regular blog readers.  It is one of those things that we don't often think about until they happen -- those really tough questions from our kids.  I thought I'd share it with Minti readers.  I hope you find it helpful!"I enjoy your website! I have a question for you. My ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/5203/When-Kids-Ask-Tough-Questions-Some-tips-and-things-to-think-about/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/5203/When-Kids-Ask-Tough-Questions-Some-tips-and-things-to-think-about/ Tue, 20 Mar 2007 12:37:54 -0700 TheMentorMom Tracey tagged me for the "I Did Something Right" blog game earlier today.  A part of that challenge is to blog on something you do right as a parent and then translate that post into an article that can hopefully help or educate other members.  "What a fantastic idea!" I thought to myself when I read her post.  However, I ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/4814/IDSR-I-Encourage-Open-Communication/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/4814/IDSR-I-Encourage-Open-Communication/ Wed, 21 Feb 2007 14:57:22 -0800 TheMentorMom That sounds horrible, doesn’t it?!  Some of you reading this may be thinking “How can any parent not like their kids?!”  If you are one of those parents, this may not be an article for you.  You may not have had the same experiences that some of us had.  Let me be clear for those of you who are having ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/4810/Aarrrgh-I-cant-stand-my-kids-Support-for-parents-on-the-edge/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/4810/Aarrrgh-I-cant-stand-my-kids-Support-for-parents-on-the-edge/ Wed, 21 Feb 2007 13:24:17 -0800 TheMentorMom I attended a workshop yesterday on hearing loss in very young children.  Many of you know that, by day, I work as an Early Childhood Interventionist with children ages birth to three many of whom have speech and language delays.  Hearing evaluations are done routinely on these children to rule out hearing loss as a contributing factor to the language ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/4530/Hearing-Loss-in-Children-What-Parents-Need-to-Know/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/4530/Hearing-Loss-in-Children-What-Parents-Need-to-Know/ Fri, 09 Feb 2007 14:39:43 -0800 TheMentorMom I was talking with an acquaintance a while back who was feeling a bit overwhelmed by her two young children, ages 3 and 5.  She was struggling with messy rooms, sassy mouths and general defiance.  Pretty typical stuff on any given day in most households around the world, right?  The problem was compounded by differing approaches to problem behavior by ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/4484/Tips-for-Setting-Establishing-Household-Rules/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/4484/Tips-for-Setting-Establishing-Household-Rules/ Wed, 07 Feb 2007 06:38:34 -0800 TheMentorMom I don’t know about you, but connecting with my kids on a regular basis seems to be getting harder and harder as they get older.  Don’t get me wrong, we have dinner at the table regularly, we talk on the way to school, etc.  But sometimes, it feels like we are catching up on things or giving reminders about important ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/4483/Connecting-with-Your-Kids-Try-a-Family-Meeting/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/4483/Connecting-with-Your-Kids-Try-a-Family-Meeting/ Wed, 07 Feb 2007 06:32:02 -0800 TheMentorMom This past week, I was listening to a talk radio show that was discussing a California Assemblywoman who wants to pass a law making it a misdemeanor to spank a child under the age of three.   Many of you are aware that I am a former Protective Services Worker.   For the record, it is not against the law in ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/4268/Using-Physical-Discipline-Some-things-to-consider/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/4268/Using-Physical-Discipline-Some-things-to-consider/ Sat, 27 Jan 2007 14:43:26 -0800 TheMentorMom When parents are asked what they want most for their children in life, the majority answer "to be happy."  Makes sense.  But what does it mean to be happy?  Does it mean being rich?  Famous?  What do we as parents need to do to ensure our children's happiness?  Or better yet, do we have any control over this at all?   ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/4109/Cultivating-Kindness-in-Kids/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/4109/Cultivating-Kindness-in-Kids/ Fri, 19 Jan 2007 14:57:31 -0800 TheMentorMom In-laws.  They can be a source of wonderful love and support or anger and frustration.  Learning how to deal to deal with toxic in-laws can be very difficult.  You may be asking why I am discussing this as it is unrelated to parenting.  Oh, so not true.  Toxic relationships with family members do affect parenting as well as our marriage ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/4025/Navigating-Relationships-with-Toxic-Inlaws/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/4025/Navigating-Relationships-with-Toxic-Inlaws/ Mon, 15 Jan 2007 08:17:52 -0800 TheMentorMom As a parent, I am always looking for ways to encourage positive relationships within our family, particularly between the kids.  I've discussed sibling bickering and rivalry in other articles.  Needless to say, constant bickering between the kids can be a big energy drainer.  I want to share a little activity that we have been doing for several months called "the ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/4024/Connecting-with-Your-Kids-The-Power-of-the-Special-Plate/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/4024/Connecting-with-Your-Kids-The-Power-of-the-Special-Plate/ Mon, 15 Jan 2007 08:08:57 -0800 TheMentorMom A while back, I wrote an article on parenting styles (see www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1486/What-Is-Your-Parenting-Style/ ).  When I discuss parenting styles with parent groups, I always discuss child temperament.  But what exactly is child temperament?  When we think of temperament, most of us think about strong willed children, laid back children and similar descriptors.  In fact, there are nine traits that make up ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/3916/Child-Temperement-101/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/3916/Child-Temperement-101/ Thu, 11 Jan 2007 17:49:31 -0800 TheMentorMom  It is hard to believe that the holidays are already upon us!  It seems like just yesterday the kids were starting school.  For many, the holidays are a time for eager anticipation of spending time with family.  But for some, just the thought of being in the same room with family and in-laws is enough to cause a nervous breakdown!Negative ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/3304/Holiday-Hassles-Tips-and-strategies-for-dealing-with-the-holiday-drama/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/3304/Holiday-Hassles-Tips-and-strategies-for-dealing-with-the-holiday-drama/ Sun, 17 Dec 2006 16:21:24 -0800 TheMentorMom Consistency.  The bane of parenting.  According to the dictionary, consistency (as it pertains to parenting) can be defined as "the steadfast adherance to the same principles, course, form, etc."  Steadfast.  Hmmm.  I don't know about you, but I always have lofty goals about my parenting and home life.  These goals would be much more likely to be accomplished if I ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/3303/Consistency-and-Change-Why-is-it-so-hard/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/3303/Consistency-and-Change-Why-is-it-so-hard/ Sun, 17 Dec 2006 15:59:35 -0800 TheMentorMom There has been a ton of research over the years on the power of positive thinking.  There has even been a shift in the field of psychology towards "positive psychology."  Given the advances in technology, researchers have been able to see first hand what impact positive statements and the like can have on the brain.  In general, the reseach has ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2825/How-to-use-positive-statements-for-better-behavioral-outcomes/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2825/How-to-use-positive-statements-for-better-behavioral-outcomes/ Fri, 01 Dec 2006 10:54:02 -0800 TheMentorMom Separation anxiety can be a source of frustration and pain for both parents and their children. Many of us feel horribly guilty when we leave our child with a caretaker only to have them scream and call out for us to return. I don't know about you, but I've driven away from my daycare provider’s house many times in tears because ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2688/Separation-Anxiety-What-it-is-and-tips-to-help-deal-with-it/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2688/Separation-Anxiety-What-it-is-and-tips-to-help-deal-with-it/ Sat, 25 Nov 2006 15:21:15 -0800 TheMentorMom Sibling rivalry can try the patience of even the most skilled parent. I’ve posted another article on this topic which outlines one specific strategy that can be used to deal with sibling rivalry, but I thought I would share some more tips and strategies.  But first, it might be helpful to consider some of the causes of sibling rivalry?  We don't choose ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2656/More-tips-and-strategies-to-deal-with-sibling-rivalry/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2656/More-tips-and-strategies-to-deal-with-sibling-rivalry/ Mon, 20 Nov 2006 18:24:04 -0800 TheMentorMom In general, parents vary greatly in their parenting style.  What exactly is parenting style you may ask? In a nutshell, it is ones overall pattern of parenting interactions.  There has been a great deal of research on parenting styles.  Researchers, most notably Diana Baumrind, looked at positive characteristics in children and then interviewed parents to determine if there were any commonalities in ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1486/What-Is-Your-Parenting-Style/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1486/What-Is-Your-Parenting-Style/ Sun, 17 Sep 2006 09:32:44 -0700 TheMentorMom I was thinking about family traditions the other day.  When I thought back to my own childhood, I was surprised by how many traditions my parents had established for us over the years.   For example, it was well known by most of the neighborhood that Saturday night was pizza night in our household (making it a VERY popular choice for ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1403/The-Benefits-of-Family-Traditions/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1403/The-Benefits-of-Family-Traditions/ Sat, 09 Sep 2006 12:34:42 -0700 TheMentorMom As a kid, I used to love drawing.  My favorite Christmas presents were usually art related, e.g., a new sketch pad, pastel chalks and the like.  I spent HOURS drawing animals, people, landscapes, etc.  As I got older, my interest shifted to music.  I learned how to play the guitar and eventually joined a band!  I was able to continue ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1331/Encouraging-Creativity-in-Children/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1331/Encouraging-Creativity-in-Children/ Fri, 01 Sep 2006 20:22:31 -0700 TheMentorMom I was going through my handouts that I share with parents the other day and found one of my favorites:  Pushy Preschoolers by Vicky Mlyniec (Parents, September 2004).  Why is this one of my favorites?  Because preschool aged children can be particularly challenging for parents.  They are sassy and aggressive both verbally and physically at times.  Dealing with these ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1217/Pushy-Preschoolers/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1217/Pushy-Preschoolers/ Fri, 25 Aug 2006 07:18:27 -0700 TheMentorMom Have you ever had to have a difficult conversation with another parent about their child's behavior?  Maybe her child was seen pushing another child down or took a toy away from your child at a playgroup?  Or perhaps you are noticing that their child appears to be a little behind in his or her development.  How do you discuss ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1153/Tips-for-Difficult-Conversations-with-Other-Parents/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1153/Tips-for-Difficult-Conversations-with-Other-Parents/ Mon, 21 Aug 2006 11:15:04 -0700 TheMentorMom Does anyone no how to stop siblings from fighting 24/7? I have a 10 year old boy and an eight year old girl. They are constantly fighting and bickering. It is getting a little hard on the nerves anyone know how to make this stop.An age old problem with no one, clear cut solution.  When discussing sibling arguing, there are ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1113/Stop-Sibling-Fighting/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1113/Stop-Sibling-Fighting/ Fri, 18 Aug 2006 09:03:39 -0700 TheMentorMom Does your toddler drool a lot?  Many parents attribute drooling to teething which certainly can be the case.  But if your child has most of his or her teeth and continues to drool, it could be a result of poor oral motor skills.  Here are some possible signs that your child has poor oral motor skills: Increased drooling especially during ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1112/Got-a-Drooler/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1112/Got-a-Drooler/ Fri, 18 Aug 2006 08:28:29 -0700 TheMentorMom I've noticed lots of questions posted regarding with questions regarding language development.  Here is a link that has a great printable checklist with language milestones for children ages 9 months to 24 months:  http://firstwords.fsu.edu/pdf/babytalk.pdfIf after looking at this checklist you still have concerns regarding your childs language development, I suggest printing it out and sharing the information with your pediatrition.  ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/983/Language-Development-Checklist-for-9-to-24-Month-Olds/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/983/Language-Development-Checklist-for-9-to-24-Month-Olds/ Thu, 10 Aug 2006 07:11:10 -0700 TheMentorMom  Having posted articles on the importance of movement, I want to have a talk with mom's about rough-housing.  How many of you have fits when your spouse wrestles with the kids or tosses your baby up in the air (keeping safety in mind of course!)? Yes, I know it can be nerve wracking to watch your young child being flung ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/969/Rough-Housing-A-Good-Thing/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/969/Rough-Housing-A-Good-Thing/ Wed, 09 Aug 2006 07:34:23 -0700 TheMentorMom Have you ever gone to a playgroup or the play area at the mall and seen a small child push another?  How about a toddler who screams and screams when his parents attempt to get him to sit rather than stand on the slide or to move so another child can take a turn?  Maybe you've seen a little one ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/936/Dont-Be-So-Quick-To-Judge/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/936/Dont-Be-So-Quick-To-Judge/ Mon, 07 Aug 2006 18:56:37 -0700 TheMentorMom Wow, I can't believe that the summer is almost over!  Where does the time go?  It seems that we have yet to complete all the summer activities on our "to do" list.Seeing as school is only a few weeks away, it is time in our household to work towards getting back on a regular routine. This will be easier ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/901/Preparing-for-Back-to-School/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/901/Preparing-for-Back-to-School/ Sat, 05 Aug 2006 08:26:59 -0700 TheMentorMom I posted an article yesterday about the importance of tummy time.  Today I want to share some information on crawling.  There have been some studies that indicate that late walkers score better later in life on academic achievement tests.  It is hypothesized that because of the use of alternating sides of the body (e.g., right arm and left leg, then vica  ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/885/The-Importance-of-Crawling/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/885/The-Importance-of-Crawling/ Fri, 04 Aug 2006 07:32:44 -0700 TheMentorMom I attended an in-service a while back that talked about the importance of tummy time.  I know, I know, we are always hearing about the importance of tummy time, but WHY is it so important? During the first months of life, it helps you baby develop her neck muscles so she can hold up her head. ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/871/Tummy-Time-vs-Exersaucers-and-Walkers-Some-things-to-consider/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/871/Tummy-Time-vs-Exersaucers-and-Walkers-Some-things-to-consider/ Thu, 03 Aug 2006 08:16:22 -0700 TheMentorMom Ah, playdough.  Wonderful, gushy, squishy, playdough.  Who would have thought that that it would be a calming activity for kids?  I've mentioned in other articles that children work their stress out through their hands.   So playdough is not only loads of fun, but can be another useful substance to allow your kids to release stress. Of course, you don't want to do this ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/849/The-Benefits-of-Playdough/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/849/The-Benefits-of-Playdough/ Wed, 02 Aug 2006 09:45:18 -0700 TheMentorMom I was watching Dr. Phil today, and he was talking with women who are self-proclaimed "b's" (I think you know what I mean here).  He made an interesting statement:  "I believe we earn respect, not demand it."  He went on to say that those who demand respect often think they 'win' in terms of the relationship, however, he said that those around ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/826/RESPECT/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/826/RESPECT/ Mon, 31 Jul 2006 14:33:57 -0700 TheMentorMom My son loves books. He likes looking at them, turning the pages, and then tearing them apart. We only let him look at board books but now they are destroyed as well. My question is two-fold: How do you get your child from destroying books? What do you do with the book? Piece it back together or throw it away?That ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/810/Toddlers-and-Book-Exploration-How-to-make-a-zip-lock-baggie-book/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/810/Toddlers-and-Book-Exploration-How-to-make-a-zip-lock-baggie-book/ Sat, 29 Jul 2006 18:28:56 -0700 TheMentorMom How much money do you spend on toys for your child?  Lots I bet!  Do you find that your child is often more intrigued by boxes or household objects?   There's nothing better than being two and finding a big box!When working with parents, I often use homemade toys and the kids love them.  One of my favorites is the pat ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/805/Make-A-Pat-Mat/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/805/Make-A-Pat-Mat/ Sat, 29 Jul 2006 07:37:32 -0700 TheMentorMom In between home visits today, I began thinking about childhood memories.  I recalled what it was like growing up in the early 1970's in a small town.  Our neighborhood was full of kids and cousins, ranch houses and well groomed lawns.  Everyone knew everyone and my best friend lived two doors down.  I remember sleepovers in backyards, holding carnivals to ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/803/Childhood-Memories-What-are-your-kids-going-to-remember/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/803/Childhood-Memories-What-are-your-kids-going-to-remember/ Sat, 29 Jul 2006 17:38:50 -0700 TheMentorMom We had an AWFUL thunderstorm in my area last night.  Of course, it had to happen right at bedtime.  While Thing One is no longer afraid to sleep in his room during storms, Thing Two (along with our dog) is starting to experience intense fear of thunderstorms.As I lay in the bottom bunk of Thing One's bed (he generously offered his lower ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/800/Childhood-Fears-101/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/800/Childhood-Fears-101/ Fri, 28 Jul 2006 06:40:34 -0700 TheMentorMom Need to chill your kids out?  Here is another calm and quiet activity that you can do with your child:  A deep pressure massage.Directions: Have your child sit on your lap or lay them on their back on a soft surface such as a carpeted floor. Take both of your hands and with a semi-firm grasp start ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/791/Another-Calm-and-Quiet-Activity-for-Kids/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/791/Another-Calm-and-Quiet-Activity-for-Kids/ Thu, 27 Jul 2006 07:27:28 -0700 TheMentorMom I'm sure most of you read to your child, right?  Reading with my kids when they were very small was a part of our regular bedtime ritual that I cherished.  I remember rocking with Thing One and Thing Two every night even as infants reading stories about bugs, trains and cars.  It was a special time.  To this day, they ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/785/Great-Early-Literacy-Program-for-Parent-with-0-5-Year-Olds/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/785/Great-Early-Literacy-Program-for-Parent-with-0-5-Year-Olds/ Thu, 27 Jul 2006 07:33:23 -0700 TheMentorMom Here is a calming activity for little ones (even elementary age kids like this one).  This activity is sensory in nature (see my advice on the sensory system -- have you guessed that this is important for kids?).  The activity is a rice box.  A what?  That's right, a rice box.  Now this activity is best used with kids who ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/779/A-Fun-Calming-Activity-for-Kids/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/779/A-Fun-Calming-Activity-for-Kids/ Thu, 27 Jul 2006 07:34:39 -0700 TheMentorMom  Do you help your child explore his or her seven senses?  What?  We have more than five senses...taste, touch, sight, smell, and hearing?  That's right. There are two other senses:  our vestibular and proprioceptive senses.  Our vestibuwhatawhat?   Some of you might think this boring child development stuff, but I am here to tell you that I wouldn't write about it if ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/778/The-Importance-of-Movement-for-Children/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/778/The-Importance-of-Movement-for-Children/ Thu, 27 Jul 2006 07:35:21 -0700 TheMentorMom I was up late the other night watching The Dog Whisperer on the National Geographic Channel.  For those of you who are unfamiliar, Cesar Milan is a dog behavior specialist.  He has been called the Dr. Phil for dogs.  He works with dogs with behavioral disorders and their owners and he is amazing at what he does.So why am I ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/757/What-Can-We-Learn-From-the-Dog-Whisperer/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/757/What-Can-We-Learn-From-the-Dog-Whisperer/ Thu, 27 Jul 2006 07:36:04 -0700 TheMentorMom The terrible twos.  Ever wondered where that label came from?  If you have a two year old, I'm guessing you already know.  They are bossy, impatient, in to everything,  and demanding.  Despite this, I find two-year-olds absolutely delightful!  They are spirited adventurers and masters of manipulation.  During my many years as a home visitor, I have met many two year olds ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/754/Your-Tenacious-Two-Year-Old/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/754/Your-Tenacious-Two-Year-Old/ Thu, 27 Jul 2006 07:36:46 -0700 TheMentorMom One of the most frequent questions I get from parents of young children is "How can I teach my child to share when he is playing with other kids?"  They express feelings of embarrassment and frustration that their child is "that child" who on play dates or at playgroups takes toys or hoards them from the other children.  So let's ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/752/To-Share-or-Not-to-Share/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/752/To-Share-or-Not-to-Share/ Thu, 27 Jul 2006 07:37:25 -0700 TheMentorMom Discipline TipsDiscipline is one of the most challenging parts of being a parent.   As a mentor mom, helping parents with discipline is one of my favorite things to do (no, I'm not a glutton for punishment).  Here are some of the suggestions I give to the families with whom I work:1.  Write down your family rules or family code (if you have ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/749/Discipline-Tips/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/749/Discipline-Tips/ Thu, 27 Jul 2006 07:38:30 -0700 TheMentorMom Is your little one breast fed or on formula?  I ask because some kids have difficulty processing some of the additives in the formula.  Both of my kids were on formula and had difficult with the high iron content in the powdered form.  We had to switch to the concentrated (which is more expensive of course!) for both.  Once we ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/748/Too-much-wind/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/748/Too-much-wind/ Sat, 22 Jul 2006 09:13:24 -0700