By Louise Flanagan Nativity plays were in full swing in primary schools across the county in the lead up to Christmas. First of all, fair play to the teachers for all the hard work that goes into these performances. As my late Granda, Paddy Doherty used to say, ‘It would be like herding mice at […]
Parenting column: When is it too early to let you daughter use skin care products?
Premium
As the mum of a tween (that is, a child aged between ten and 12), I’m well aware that skin care products are all the rage for them right now. Plenty will be hoping to see Bubble, Byoma or Drunk Elephant skin care products in their stockings this Christmas. When I was that age, my […]
Parenting: I always think it’s nice when Santa brings the kids something to read
Premium
It’s November, so that means that the Christmas shopping is underway. Yes, I know it’s too early for some, but when you’ve got young kids, it’s wise to be organised in good time and also to spread the cost. The old adage that Santa likes to bring four things at Christmas can be helpful: Something […]
Parenting Column: Halloween brings happy memories of fun times
Premium
By Louise Flanagan Halloween celebrations grow year on year, with more houses displaying spooky decorations and more grown-ups opting to dress up too. Personally, I love Halloween. Before I had kids, I used to take great pride in making my costumes; a time-consuming process that resulted in scissors, superglue, staple guns and glitter scattered the […]
The little things I’ve learned about looking after a pet guinea pig
Premium
Lots of us have a family pet, such as a dog or cat that the whole family enjoys. Ideally, everyone helps out with its care, but I’m sure in most cases, it’s the grown ups who end up doing the heavy lifting (as well as the poop lifting!) Smaller pets like hamsters and rabbits tend […]
PARENTING: What would you do if your child stole something while you’re out at the shops?
Premium
By Louise Flanagan Young children being light-fingered in shops seems to be quite common. Whether it’s sweets, small toys, or something random that catches their covetous little eye, the urge overwhelms some of them. Based on my own experience as a mother, the statistic is one in three! A page member recently wrote into Letterkenny […]
Has the time come to stop giving homework to primary school children?
Premium
By Louise Flanagan The protest against homework rumbles ever louder. I have three children in primary school, and I’m a secondary school teacher. Advertisement I would love to see the approach to homework radically changed. I’d be in favour of a total ban on homework in primary school, but I don’t imagine that will happen […]
PARENTING: Having the neighbours’ kids around all the time – is it a good thing or not?
Premium
MANY people who live in a housing estate with lots of young families will agree that it’s fantastic for your kids to have neighbourhood playmates. There are plenty of days when I don’t feel the need to go anywhere to entertain my kids; I can just open the door and send them out to play […]
Parenting Column: A magical Spanish visit from the tooth fairy
Premium
We’ve had a few interesting experiences with the tooth fairy over the years; namely, her mysteriously failing to collect a tooth or two on time. She always turns up eventually though, and once she left some chocolate coins instead of real coins. She’s a law unto herself, that fairy. Advertisement My youngest child, Conor, is […]
PARENTING COLUMN: There are more options out there for the child who doesn’t want to play GAA
Premium
The new school year brings with it the enrolment of children in many after school activities. It can be yet another source of parental guilt, wondering if you’re doing right by dragging them along to activities they’re not dying about, and equally not facilitating them to go to every activity under the sun. As a […]