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Tuesday 27 October 2020
We asked mums and dads around Ireland for the activities keeping their kids entertained.
Sometimes we all look for comfort – and we find it in many, many different places…
Here’s what got our Parents Panel through pregnancy, nursing and beyond.
‘I have no doubt my boys will grow to hate the walks as much as I did.’
‘Our co-sleeper now functions as a really useful snack holder.’
‘My mum gave me her old copy of Your Baby And Child. We both found it invaluable.’
From memory books to a harness for hip dysplasia – sometimes the mementoes that mean the most aren’t the ones we expect.
From toilet training to peace on a long drive, sometimes only a bribe will do.
Take it one day at a time, trust your instincts, and don’t forget to take care of yourself.
‘Take your foot out of your porridge.’
Not sure what to buy? Try an insulated water bottle or some properly fancy shower gel.
Mums and dads with young kids share how they keep germs and bacteria at bay.
A lot can happen in 365 days. Here’s what our panel took from the first 12 months of parenting.
‘General distrust quickly turned into blind terror…’
‘I insisted that the 10-week old wrote a Santa letter.’
The endless stream of gifts can make for a hectic Christmas when young kids are involved.
From ham sandwiches to watching the lights being turned on.
Winter generally involves at least one long car journey or flight. Here’s how to manage.
‘I wanted to do something that made me feel like me again.’
Screentime? Sweets? We asked our panel for the topics they’ve agreed to disagree on.
From the warmest car seat blanket to the handiest sleep sack, our Parents Panel share their must-buys.
Sometimes milestones are victorious for the parents as well as the kids!
How many breaths should my baby take in a minute? What is ‘the plug’?
Play Doh, jigsaws and, er… creating a race track out of packing tape on the floor.
‘When a baby is restless or crying, the sound of a running tap really soothes them.’
We asked Irish parents for the shows and movies they’ve secretly grown to enjoy.
‘Well, I wanted it because it doesn’t look like a nappy bag.’
‘I swore I wouldn’t be one of those parents who uses bribery to motivate their children…’
From eyelash extensions for mum to taking over night feeds.
Bath paints, nightlights and library cards: These made all the difference to the mums and dads we polled.
Parents share their advice for sleeping like a baby (while growing one).
Kids are like sponges, right? We asked mums and dads to share the traits their kids have learned from them.
The most effective toys and remedies, as shared by mums and dads of under-twos.
Stories of epic toddler meltdowns, as told by the survivors.
Here are the essential items for life with a new arrival.
Parents of toddlers share the bodily functions they’ve (mostly) come to terms with.
Aside from the ‘loose fitting nightdress’, here’s what else to bring.
We asked expectant mums to share the symptoms they definitely didn’t predict.
Here’s how mums and dads of young kids deal with late-night escapes.
Mums and dads share the things they wish they’d known *before* that first contraction.
LIKE ALMOST EVERYTHING this year, Halloween in 2020 will be a bit different from usual.
Large scale fancy-dress parties shouldn’t be happening under Level 5.
One thing we can still do, however, is watch some horror films.
There’s plenty to choose from ranging between the child-friendly to the very scary ones available on streaming platforms and set to be shown on TV in the coming days.
So, this morning we’re asking you: Do you plan to watch some horror films this Halloween?
Poll Results:
Share your story: voices@thejournal.ie
A little morning rain, then a shower
Max: 11 °C
Min: 6 °C
Variable clouds, showers around; breezy
Max: 10 °C
Min: 7 °C
Mostly cloudy, a little rain; breezy
Max: 15 °C
Min: 11 °C
