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
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
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?
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?
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?
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
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
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 […]
PARENTING COLUMN: May back to school time be filled with curiosity, laughter, and just the right amount of chaos
By Louise Flanagan And just like that, the summer is over. Most kids are back at school this week, with many walking through the school gates for their first day back. There’s a unique mix of emotions in the air – relief for parents, excitement for pupils, and maybe a pinch of anxiety for some, […]
PARENTING COLUMN: Childcare – choosing the best options can be a minefield
By Louise Flanagan THE cost of childcare is a hot topic at the moment. I’m past that stage myself (thank God) as all my kids are now school-going age. However, my brother has just boarded the crèche rollercoaster with his baby daughter, Ailbhe. He’s had her name down for a place in crèche pretty much […]