By Louise Flanagan It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Between the recent switching on of the town lights and the much anticipated Toy Show this weekend, I’m finally feeling the Christmas spirit. It’ll be lovely to snuggle up with the kids to watch it. The Toy Show is a fabulous annual tradition that […]
COLUMN: How do you keep your pregnancy to yourself on a night out with friends?
By Louise Flanagan FINDING out you’re pregnant and keeping it secret for those first few weeks can be quite a task – particularly if you have a social event in the mix. Letterkenny Babies received the following message during the week: “I recently found out that I’m pregnant – very early stages. I’m absolutely delighted. […]
The little things I’ve learned about looking after a pet guinea pig
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 Column: A magical Spanish visit from the tooth fairy
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 […]
Donegal mother highlights the dangers of Snapchat
by Dionne Meehan A DONEGAL mother has highlighted the dangers of Snapchat this week after her child was allegedly groomed on the app. Snapchat is a popular messaging app that lets users exchange pictures and videos, called snaps, that are meant to disappear after they’re viewed. Advertisement Sounds relatively harmless? Not in the case for one […]
PARENTING COLUMN: Rain or sun, let’s make the most of this summer
By Louise Flanagan The summer holidays are trundling on and the weather is still so hit and miss that cabin fever is setting in fast for lots of us. I’m a teacher, so I know that I’m not well placed to complain about the hassle of organising childminding when the schools are closed, but I […]
COLUMN: Small things can become big issues when you are doubting yourself as a parent
By Louise Flanagan Parenthood is the steepest of learning curves. Babies don’t come with a manual; we’re expected to figure it out as we go. Trust your instincts, they say. And yet, there are loads of guidelines that we are urged to follow. Advertisement Yes, they’re in the best interest of our babies, but it […]
PARENTING with LOUISE FLANAGAN: Easter traditions at home
“Mammy, which do you love more, Christmas or Easter?” For me, the answer would be Christmas, hands down, but it made me realise how significant Easter is for a child if they’d even think to ask the question. For the past few weeks at school, they’ve been flat out producing Easter arts and crafts, by […]