Donegal News Mast Head
  • Home
  • News
    • Back
    • News Headlines
    • Court
    • Council
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Business
    • Farming
  • Sport
    • Back
    • Sport Headlines
    • GAA
      • Back
      • No Bones About It
    • Soccer
    • Sports Other
  • Entertainment
  • Features
  • Community
  • Opinion
    • Back
    • Columnists
  • Death Notices
  • Digital Editions
    • Back
    • E-Gift Subscription
    • Digital Editions
    • Digital Archive
+353 (0)74912 1014
advertising@donegalnews.com
editor@donegalnews.com
The North-West News Group
  • About
  • Advertising
  • Jobs
  • Property
  • T&Cs
    • Copyright Notice
    • Cookie Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Website Usage Terms and Conditions
  • Contact
+353 (0)74912 1014
advertising@donegalnews.com
editor@donegalnews.com
Donegal News Mast Head

Digital Edition

Subscribe/Login

Every Thursday

Digital Edition

Subscribe/Login

Every Monday

Digital Edition

Subscribe/Login

Every Thursday

Digital Edition

Subscribe/Login

Every Monday

Advertisement
  • Home
  • News
    • News Headlines
    • Court
    • Council
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Business
    • Farming
  • Sport
    • Sport Headlines
    • GAA
      • No Bones About It
    • Soccer
    • Sports Other
  • Entertainment
  • Features
  • Community
  • Opinion
    • Columnists
  • Death Notices
  • Digital Editions
    • E-Gift Subscription
    • Digital Editions
    • Digital Archive
HomeColumnistsParenting

Parenting Column: The last thing parents need is snotty judgement from others


Myself and my husband headed off for not one, but two nights away from the kids to mark our 15th wedding anniversary last weekend. Over the years, we have very occasionally left them in the care of family members while we sneaked away for one night, but this was our first time taking two whole […]

Category: Columnists, Parenting


Should schools take a back seat when it comes to Communions and Confirmations?


We’re well and truly in the thick of First Communion season. My own son, Evan, made his First Holy Communion last weekend. We had a fabulous day. The dry weather was a great bonus and everyone was very chilled out. Having celebrated my daughter Lucy’s Communion three years ago, I found it all much more […]

Category: Columnists, Main Story, News, Parenting


Parenting column: The importance of pelvic floor exercises – especially for mums


During the recent spell of good weather, I was out messing on the trampoline with the kids. A couple of bounces was all I could manage before my bladder warned me to stop! After you give birth, you do get advised to do your postpartum pelvic floor exercises, but it is something many of us […]

Category: News, Parenting


PARENTING COLUMN: Speed at which changes to Leaving Cert are being introduced is alarming


Over 20 years on, I still have recurring nightmares about my Leaving Cert maths exam. Sometimes, I even have one of those weird dreams where you know it’s a dream but you still have to go through the motions: ‘It’s ok, Louise, it’s just a dream. You’re 41 now and Leaving Cert maths actually went […]

Category: Columnists, News, Parenting


Parenting Column: Mums to be should pack separate bags for the labour and maternity wards


Each time I was expecting, I relished the thought of packing my hospital bag. It’s one of the most practical – and oddly satisfying – ways to prepare for Baby’s arrival. It felt good to be organised in spite of the uncertainty of the labour ahead. As it turns out, I was lucky to have […]

Category: Main Story, News, Parenting


Parenting Column: Children should be encouraged to learn a musical instrument


Last weekend, my daughter Lucy performed in An Grianán Theatre as part of Letterkenny Music and Drama’s Junior crew. Their variety show was called Socks Off and included a whole array of singing, dancing and drama sketches. It was fabulous to see the kids shine on stage. Thank you to producer, Fiona McDaid, for all […]

Category: Main Story, News, Parenting


Parenting Column: Life is a gamble at the best of times, in the world of social media, it’s a minefield


I watched the Netflix show, Adolescence, during the week, along with millions of other people. Data released indicates that it is the most-watched British production of all time on the streaming platform. Since then, I have read countless articles and listened to podcasts and interviews about the show; so much commentary on it that I’m […]

Category: Main Story, News, Parenting


Parenting Column: Irish mammy’s – what is it that makes them so special?


It’s Mother’s Day on Sunday. Mind you, it goes without saying that mums should be celebrated and valued everyday of the year. Mums do so much of the heavy lifting around the house. Our brains are constantly on high alert trying to keep on top of everything. We know where the swimming goggles are and […]

Category: Main Story, News, Parenting


Parenting Column: When it comes to school activities, it’s almost impossible to keep on top of everything


Juggling all the activities offered in primary school is tough. I regularly get calls from the school to ask if I can drop down my daughter’s guitar for orchestra practice. I am humbly resigned to the fact that these calls are inevitable, given my general disorganisation. I do feel guilty that the poor secretary has […]

Category: Main Story, News, Parenting


PARENTING: Sometimes the most difficult question of all to answer is ‘Why?’


By Louise Flanagan The way that Trump and his crony JD Vance barked at Vladimir Zelensky last weekend was a televised atrocity. Like anyone else with a brain cell, I was truly horrified to watch such a display of bullying and bigotry unfold – and in the Oval Office, of all unfathomable places. My kids […]

Category: Parenting


  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • »
Advertisement
Sign up to our newsletter

Donegal News

Every Thursday
SUBSCRIBE/LOGIN

Donegal News

Every Monday
SUBSCRIBE/LOGIN
Advertisement
Top
Advertisement
+353 (0)74912 1014
advertising@donegalnews.com
editor@donegalnews.com

Copyright © 2025 — The Donegal News.
All Rights Reserved.
Part of the North-West News Group.

Donegal News is published by North West of Ireland Printing & Publishing Company Limited, trading as North-West News Group.
Registered in Northern Ireland, No. R0000576. St. Anne's Court, Letterkenny, County Donegal, Ireland