# family magazine

All time

# family event guide

8 events for little readers at your local library - from coding classes to Scrabble matches

Here’s our pick of library-based events for budding bookworms around Ireland.

506

Sep 25th 2018, 4:49 PM

# parents panel

Parents Panel: How long did it take your child to make their first friend?

We asked our panel when their little ones went from playing beside other kids to playing *with* them.

1.0k

Sep 25th 2018, 4:48 PM

# aibabp

Am I being a bad parent... by not breastfeeding baby number two?

We put one expectant mum’s dilemma to a group of anonymous Irish parents.

6.3k

Sep 25th 2018, 4:48 PM

# truth aint pretty

9 truths about childbirth I wish I'd known before going into the labour ward

Prepare for sweating, grunting and lots of bodily fluids, writes Sheena McGinley.

16.6k

Sep 25th 2018, 4:47 PM

# aibabp

Am I being a bad parent... by telling my daughter she needs to share more?

One of our readers is tired of playing referee between a big sister and her baby brother.

776

Sep 18th 2018, 5:23 PM

# the great divide

The night divorce: Sleeping apart isn't always a bad thing - but how often is too often?

We’ve had many weeks with one parent on the couch thanks to my toddler’s unpredictable sleep habits, writes Jenny Sherlock.

1.1k

Sep 18th 2018, 5:23 PM

# parents panel

Parents Panel: When did your little one start sleeping through the night?

From 12 weeks to three years, our panel share their magic numbers.

6.1k

Sep 18th 2018, 5:22 PM

# parents panel

Parents Panel: What's the after-school routine in your house?

Is it straight into homework or is there a packed timetable of extracurriculars? We asked our panel to weigh in.

1.2k

Sep 11th 2018, 5:21 PM

# Competition

WIN: A brilliant book-filled family day out at Dubray StoryFest

Have your book signed by Chris Judge, take a selfie with The Gruffalo and get a hug from a Hugglewug.

863

Sep 11th 2018, 5:00 PM

7 'child-friendly' activities that are a total nightmare in reality

Baking with a four-year-old seems like a great idea until you’re cleaning cake mix off the ceiling, writes Ciara McDonnell.

3.3k

Sep 11th 2018, 3:26 PM

# aibabp

Am I being a bad parent... by limiting birthday presents for my toddler?

One reader is wondering if she can tell her relatives what (and what not) to buy the birthday girl.

4.0k

Sep 11th 2018, 3:26 PM

# extra curriculars

7 after-school classes for your kids to check out this year - from Junior Einsteins to musical theatre

Here’s our pick of the coolest post-school classes, whatever your child’s interests are.

882

Sep 4th 2018, 5:37 PM

# aibabp

Am I being a bad parent... by asking the grandparents not to give my child sugar?

Our reader is trying to keep her toddler away from sugar – despite the best efforts of her in-laws.

5.3k

Sep 4th 2018, 5:37 PM

# better luck next time

8 back-to-school resolutions I've already given up on for this year

‘I will create visually spectacular and delicious lunches every day.’

2.8k

Sep 4th 2018, 5:36 PM

# parents panel

Parents Panel: What has been your biggest 'baby brain' moment?

Our panel share their silliest sleep-deprived moments to date.

5.4k

Sep 4th 2018, 5:36 PM

# family event guide

5 brilliant family events to check out during the last weekend of the summer holidays

School starts back with a bang on Monday – or sooner for some kids – so make the most of this weekend’s fun.

448

Aug 28th 2018, 5:17 PM

# parents panel

Parents Panel: What scared you most about parenthood before you had kids?

Breastfeeding, giving birth and well, just keeping him alive. Here’s what our panel worried about most.

1.2k

Aug 28th 2018, 5:06 PM

# Back To School

12 nifty organisation tips that'll make the school year a whole lot easier

From making the whiteboard your Holy Grail to double-checking the schoolbags.

4.2k

Aug 28th 2018, 5:06 PM

# aibabp

Am I being a bad parent... by not saying 'no' when my toddler bites me?

One mum is wondering if she needs to be stricter with her little one.

4.2k

Aug 28th 2018, 5:05 PM

# family event guide

6 animal-tastic family events happening this weekend, from pony rides to real-life snakes

Here’s what’s on for mini nature lovers this week and weekend.

470

Aug 21st 2018, 5:18 PM

# aibabp

Am I being a bad parent by... using screentime to keep my child quiet?

One dad is worried about the disapproving looks he gets from other parents, and he wants your advice.

3.5k

Aug 21st 2018, 5:17 PM

# parents panel

Parents Panel: What's your one tip for keeping back-to-school costs low?

Start buying during the sales, ask for vouchers as gifts – and skip the brand new schoolbag.

2.0k

Aug 21st 2018, 5:17 PM

# oh mama

10 things nobody tells you about your first few weeks* as a new mum

*Or months. Or years, let’s face it.

9.1k

Aug 21st 2018, 5:17 PM

# Competition

WIN: A pamper-packed overnight escape at Kildare's Keadeen Hotel

Hair treatments, a luxury blowdry, dinner and a 4* hotel stay too.

1.5k

Aug 14th 2018, 5:23 PM

# Heritage Week

8 totally free events for kids during Heritage Week 2018 - from treasure hunts to stargazing

Keep the kids entertained without blowing your back-to-school budget.

2.0k

Aug 14th 2018, 5:23 PM

# Endless Summer

8 reasons I'm already desperate for the kids' summer holidays to be over

We’re on the home stretch now and I can taste the sweet relief, writes Ciara McDonnell.

1.2k

Aug 14th 2018, 5:23 PM

# aibabp

Am I being a bad parent... by losing my temper when my kids don't get on?

Our reader wishes her two daughters could find a happy medium.

1.8k

Aug 14th 2018, 5:22 PM

# parents panel

Parents Panel: What's your one pregnancy wardrobe must-have?

Stretchy dresses, maternity PJs – and don’t forget the seamless knickers.

6.3k

Aug 14th 2018, 5:22 PM

# Event Guide

5 outdoor events to check out with the kids this weekend - from watersports to musical picnics

Here’s what’s on in the fresh air around Ireland this weekend.

726

Aug 7th 2018, 5:26 PM

# parents panel

Parents Panel: What's the trickiest parenting dilemma you've ever faced?

From whether to go back to work or not to The Great Smartphone Debate.

3.0k

Aug 7th 2018, 5:20 PM

# playground politics

9 annoying types of adult you're guaranteed to meet at the local playground

#4: The competitive parent, most often heard roaring “who wants to go higher?” at the swings.

4.1k

Aug 7th 2018, 5:20 PM

# aibabp

Am I being a bad parent... by telling my childminder what she should be doing?

One reader is is wondering if she’ll rock the boat by asking her son’s minder to change things up.

10.5k

Aug 7th 2018, 5:19 PM

# Competition

WIN: A family stay at Castleknock Hotel - plus a trip to Dublin Zoo or Tayto Park

Enjoy two nights of fun with the whole family, and a daytime activity of your choice.

1.8k

Jul 31st 2018, 4:33 PM

# Event Guide

6 great family events for the long weekend - from scarecrows to Spraoi

Your essential get-out-of-the-house inspiration kit.

873

Jul 31st 2018, 4:32 PM

# ideal birth

C-section guilt and not being "there": Why do mums feel such pressure to have a natural birth?

An emergency C-section kept my daughter safe, but it certainly wasn’t on my birthing plan, writes Sheena McGinley.

2.0k

Jul 31st 2018, 4:32 PM

# aibabp

Am I being a bad parent... by refusing to let my daughter wear dresses?

This mum hates the idea of “ultra-girly” clothes, but her six-year-old doesn’t feel the same.

8.3k

Jul 31st 2018, 4:32 PM

# parents panel

Parents Panel: What's one thing your child just won't eat?

Meat? Banana? Anything depending on the day? How our panel are negotiating the world of food.

5.8k

Jul 31st 2018, 4:32 PM

# festival guide

5 Irish festivals you can bring the whole family along to - from trad music to country glamping

Here’s our pick of the best kid-friendly festivals happening during the rest of the summer.

2.9k

Jul 24th 2018, 5:36 PM

# parents panel

Parents Panel: What do you do for childcare while the kids are off school?

Summer camps, saving up overtime and extra hours for the childminder – here’s how our panel manage the holidays.

2.3k

Jul 24th 2018, 5:36 PM

# summer sos

7 tactics I'm using to stay sane this summer, from a stay-at-home mum

The summer months are a carefully curated game of Tetris for us parents, writes Ciara McDonnell.

3.0k

Jul 24th 2018, 5:35 PM