Halloween is upon us. It’s a night full of excitement – glowing pumpkins on porches and the happy chaos of trick-or-treaters filling the streets. But for many children with autism, the unpredictable sights, sounds, and social interactions can make the evening stressful rather than fun. The good news is that a few small acts of […]
Parenting Column: Fireworks can seem like harmless fun but can turn into a life-changing tragedy
Premium
Every October, as the evenings grow darker, excitement builds for Halloween across Ireland. But alongside the spooky fun and deep-rooted tradition, there’s a concern for parents: the increasing number of teenagers and tweens getting their hands on fireworks. What might seem like harmless fun or a quick thrill can, in a split second, turn into […]
Parenting Column: Parents share nappy rash remedies after beloved yellow bum cream discontinued
Premium
The concern you feel when you peel back your baby’s nappy and see bright red skin is nauseating. Nappy rash can strike at any time; from tiny newborns to teething toddlers. There used to be a cream on the market called Metanium, affectionately referred to as ‘yellow bum cream.’ It was miraculously effective at clearing […]
Parenting Column: Don’t forget to pack Calpol when venturing abroad with children
Premium
Venturing aboard with small kids can seem very daunting. It requires a deal of preparation, but I think it’s worth it to spend a bit of family time in the sun if at all possible. You might need to offer up extra luggage space, sacrificing the hair straighteners for nappies and the jewellery for rattles. […]
Parenting Column: The last thing parents need is snotty judgement from others
Premium
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 […]
Should schools take a back seat when it comes to Communions and Confirmations?
Premium
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 […]
Parenting column: The importance of pelvic floor exercises – especially for mums
Premium
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 […]
PARENTING COLUMN: Speed at which changes to Leaving Cert are being introduced is alarming
Premium
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 […]
Parenting Column: Mums to be should pack separate bags for the labour and maternity wards
Premium
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 […]
Parenting Column: Children should be encouraged to learn a musical instrument
Premium
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 […]