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Julie Jay

Comedian

Kids in book character costume. School party.

Julie Jay: Forgetting it was a dress-up day at school left me blinking back the tears

The guilt of feeling your child is somehow on the back foot is a physical weight in our bodies

Tue, 18 Mar, 2025

Geography was not the deciding factor when we were picking a school...

Geography was not the deciding factor when we were picking a school...

When it comes to choosing a school for your kids, all rational thought regarding geographical distance and other practicalities goes out the window

Tue, 11 Mar, 2025

Caucasian toddler boy reading a child book, while sitting on a sofa in pajamas.

Julie Jay: It has never been easier to parent as Gaeilge than it is now

Speaking Irish at home to your kids comes with many advantages but one major drawback too

Tue, 04 Mar, 2025

Circular White Chat Bubble With Cut Out Exclamation Point Sitting On Blue Background

Julie Jay: Some new words are more welcome than others

As Number One experiments with some colourful language, I can’t help but feel some things are best left unsaid

Tue, 25 Feb, 2025

Itchy Scalp from Head Lice

Julie Jay: This week my husband’s PTSD was triggered by the return of a tiny comb

Nothing strikes fear in the heart of parents like a note announcing a case of head-lice has been detected

Tue, 18 Feb, 2025

A woman boils water for tea on a small tourist stove with dry fuel in complete darkness during a power and gas outage at home. B

Julie Jay: When it comes to parenting minus electricity, it’s a dim prospect

A day minus electricity is a reminder that parenting without electricity is kind of like giving birth without drugs — possible, but not always preferable

Tue, 11 Feb, 2025

little kid playing hide and seek game;

Julie Jay: When it comes to organised fun of any kind, my eldest plays by his own rules

You haven’t known pain until you have known the pain of trying to play hide and seek with a four year old

Tue, 04 Feb, 2025

One day I'll be tall as you, dad!

Julie Jay: Passing remarks to children can have a lasting effect on their self-esteem

When it comes to praising children, it’s probably best to leave things they can’t change off the list of attributes

Tue, 28 Jan, 2025

Child drawing on a table at home and making a mischief

Julie Jay: Why throw tantrums when you can throw cutlery?

Anything can constitute a toy with a little imagination and a mother so tired she’s willing to give any game that doesn’t involve toxic substances the green light

Tue, 21 Jan, 2025

Serious cute little boy in hardhat and formalwear using digital tablet

Julie Jay: My vigilant little boy could have a future as a health and safety officer

A stickler for the rules, very little gets past my eagle-eyed offspring, and I have the wounded ego to prove it

Tue, 07 Jan, 2025