PARENTING - PRESCHOOL

A collection of the articles on parenting during the preschool years. Enjoy.

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Julie Jay: My stomach sinks at the prospect of fun in the sun
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Joanna Fortune: I'm worried about my parents-in-law going on holiday with us — what should I do?
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Julie Jay: Want to finish your dinner when eating out with kids? Screens are often the answer
Two miniature houses in red and green
Joanna Fortune: How can I prepare my children to meet their dad's new partner? 
"Co-parenting in a connected and collaborative way isn’t easy, but it is the greatest gift you will give your children."

Tue, 08 Jul, 2025

kids play materials on the beach
Julie Jay: I’d choose Bundoran over Benidorm, even on days when rain is biblical
After a lovely week spent on the North West coast, I am not sure we will ever be in need of our passports again

Tue, 08 Jul, 2025

Tots to Teens: Go Wild in Waterford's Comeraghs this week
Tots to Teens: Go Wild in Waterford's Comeraghs this week
From Thursday, July 10 to Sunday, July 13, the lineup of events will celebrate Irish culture. These include outdoor set dancing and a Rambling House, where all are welcome to gather around and sing a song, play a tune, or tell a tale.

Tue, 08 Jul, 2025

Small boy coughing from with closed eyes at home.
Dr Phil Kieran: How can I help my child avoid croup?
Croup usually starts with a mild, cold-like illness, characterised by a runny nose, mild fever (around 38.5 °C), and, sometimes, sticky eyes. This can then progress to a cough, followed by the classic ‘seal bark’ croup cough.

Tue, 08 Jul, 2025

Grandmother playing with her grandson
Julie Jay: Declaring you have ‘no Nannies’ is not the flex celebrities think it is 
Celebrities might love to tell us that they do it all on their own, but the reality is nobody can do parenting without help

Tue, 01 Jul, 2025

Tots to Teens: Bath toys are sure to make a big splash
Tots to Teens: Bath toys are sure to make a big splash
"Splash Pals are made from BPA-free, food-grade silicone and proportioned so that little hands can easily squeeze them to squirt water. They are also designed to be easy to clean."

Tue, 01 Jul, 2025

Broken eggs - accident at kitchen, mess. Legs on background
Julie Jay: The years go fast, but some days I can't help but wish they hurried up a bit
As much as we love our kids, we all have days which have us pushed to the brink of sanity. Today was one of those days

Tue, 17 Jun, 2025

Tots and Teens: Sustainable and good-value summer clothing for kids 
Tots and Teens: Sustainable and good-value summer clothing for kids 
And toy library, newborn gifts, and Irish baby name books

Tue, 17 Jun, 2025

Students Taking Exam in Classroom Setting. Students in uniforms are seated in a classroom, writing answers during an exam, highl
Julie Jay: We must teach children that nothing in life is guaranteed
Junior Cert controversies have reminded me this week how important it is to teach our children resilience, and to model it too

Tue, 10 Jun, 2025

Tots to Teens: Penguins waddle into the limelight in new book
Tots to Teens: Penguins waddle into the limelight in new book
Penguin TV by Niamh Sharkey and Owen Churcher imagines that the penguins are using a webcam to create their own reality television show

Tue, 10 Jun, 2025

Cheerful and excited toddler with her coffer on a airport
Joanna Fortune: How can I control my young children on their first flight? 
I’m already dreading the trip. What would you suggest?

Tue, 03 Jun, 2025

View from behind of a boy and girl run with bucket to ocean
Julie Jay: Give parents a break and let them take children on holiday in term time
If covid taught us anything, it is that learning doesn’t stop and start at the school gate

Tue, 03 Jun, 2025

Little girl sitting on sofa and touching painful belly with arms at living room. Child suffering from stomach ache at home.
Aoife Hearne: Has my child inherited coeliac disease from her grandad?
Should I eliminate all gluten products from her diet? Or does she need to be tested?

Tue, 03 Jun, 2025

Tots to Teens: Tiny atoms make big reactions at Cork Carnival of Science
Tots to Teens: Tiny atoms make big reactions at Cork Carnival of Science
Plus free creative events and activities for Cruinniú na nÓg

Tue, 03 Jun, 2025

Sad little girl
Joanna Fortune: My grandchild gets upset when it's time to leave the playground
Transitions are not easy for young children to manage, so they often struggle with ending one fun task (playing on the playground) and doing something not so fun (going home for lunch/nap, etc)

Tue, 27 May, 2025

Cute little baby boy, eating mashed vegetables for lunch, mom feeding him
Too much sugar for your sweet baby — a look at ready-made meals and food pouches
Ready-made foods and food pouches for infants are often high in sugar, watery, and much less nutritious than is claimed, and purées may hinder development of motor and chewing skills and also hand co-ordination

Tue, 27 May, 2025

The father holds the tiny legs of a newborn baby in his palms.
Julie Jay: Can the 'just you wait' brigade please stop raining on our parenting parade?
Because there will, of course, come a time when the baby who leans into you becomes their own person, a person with the power to refuse your request to stop at the chipper on the way, and insist on playing their own music in the car because ‘they’re driving’. Just you wait? I can’t wait, and that’s the real joy of it

Tue, 27 May, 2025

A little boy is watching football on TV at home
Julie Jay: My stubborn determination for my son to play GAA is paying off 
Like all sports autobiographies, our football journey has so far been one of dizzying heights and terrifying lows

Tue, 20 May, 2025

Labrador Puppy
Joanna Fortune: My children refuse to help look after our new puppy 
This new puppy is a new baby of sorts in your family, and like any new baby, it is taking up a lot of your time, attention, and energy

Tue, 20 May, 2025

Child rock pooling and collecting sea shells
Tots to Teens: Life’s a beach with Cork seashore tour
And Little Puckers, the award-winning children’s playgroup for aspiring GAA stars, is holding Gaelic games-themed play sessions for children aged 18 months to five years across the country

Tue, 20 May, 2025

Saving memories in gadget. Selective focus on display of telephone recording video with first grade girl
Why you should think twice before posting photos and videos of kids on social media
It’s natural to take pictures of highlights in your child’s life, but think twice before sharing them on social media

Sun, 18 May, 2025

Sneaky Snacks
Joanna Fortune: I'm worried about bringing my noisy children to wedding 
Weddings can be overwhelming for children. A big part of what makes them and similar events so difficult for them is that the day starts early with much waiting and sitting around

Tue, 13 May, 2025

Tots to Teens: From Barnardos ‘Big Toddle’ fundraiser to colourful fun in Cobh
Tots to Teens: From Barnardos ‘Big Toddle’ fundraiser to colourful fun in Cobh
The Big Toddle is a fundraiser that Barnardos has organised every May and June for the past 22 years, raising €4.84m for Barnardos’ early years services in the process

Tue, 13 May, 2025

Child holding placard with pensive emoticon, question marks doodle
Julie Jay: My preschooler is a walking, talking, information-gathering machine
My four year old’s insatiable curiosity is a reminder that the older that we need to ask more questions, not less

Tue, 13 May, 2025

Jumping in the sea waves on the beach
Joanna Fortune: My child hates going to the beach — I need a solution that works for both of us
Your son might never love being at the beach, but you can slowly, respectfully, and with play start to make it more tolerable

Tue, 06 May, 2025

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