Tots To Teens: Beat cabin fever with a family winter walk

Plus the steps we should all be taking to keep our families healthy this Christmas

Make sure everyone eats well to avoid getting sick over the holiday

Cabin fever is likely to strike in the coming days. There’s only so much eating, movie watching, or playing any of us can do before we start craving time outside. This is especially true of children with more energy to burn than adults.

An event organised by Yoga Walks Ireland could be the ideal remedy. Taking place from 1pm to 3pm on Wednesday, December 27, it’s a gentle loop walk along the Attycraan river at the foot of the Galty Mountains.

Everyone meets at Kilbehenny in Mitchelstown and from there, they stroll along the riverbank, learning about local history and nature as they go. The plan is also to stop for some relaxing stretches and breathing exercises along the way.

The walk is suitable for families and people of all fitness levels. It costs €10 per adult and children go free. To book, call 087-1220116 or visit www.eventbrite.ie.

Keeping healthy this Christmas

With respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) currently circulating at what the HSE has called ‘extraordinarily high levels’ and kids mixing with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins over the holidays, we should all be taking steps to keep our families healthy this Christmas.

That’s according to pharmacist Tomás Conefrey of Conefrey’s CarePlus Pharmacy in Dublin.

Conefrey recommends starting by making sure everyone eats well. Citrus fruits, red peppers and broccoli are particularly recommended as they are good sources of vitamin C, essential for fighting infections.

If you’ve got a picky eater, Conefrey advises a vitamin C supplement to make up for any nutritional shortfalls.

Next, keep hydration levels up. Water is vital for keeping the immune system in optimal condition.

Ensure everyone gets enough sleep. Sleep deprivation increases the body’s cortisol levels, which can lead to inflammation. Adults should aim for eight hours of sleep a night while children need up to 12 hours.

Finally, be fastidious about handwashing. Children should be reminded to wash their hands after using the toilet and before and after eating food. They should also be shown how to do it properly with soap and water. It’s the easiest and most effective way to prevent the spread of disease.

Warm and cosy knitwear

If you’re thinking of bringing little ones out for a walk this Christmas, keeping them warm with some carefully chosen layers is a good idea.

These knitted cotton hoodies from babyboo.ie are perfect for keeping kids cosy throughout the year. Not only can they be layered in winter, but they can also be worn as a light jacket during the warmer months.

The hoodies are suitable for children with sensitive skin, as they are made from 100% organic cotton. They are machine washable, come in various colours, can be personalised with a child’s name, and start from €25.

Podcasting parents

Parents often have moments when they worry about their child’s behaviour. They can even struggle to know precisely what they should do about it.

Since moving back to Ireland in 2022, comedian Jarlath O’Regan and his wife Tina have presented a podcast that aims to help parents.

Called ‘Honey, you’re ruining our kid’, parents are invited to ask anonymous questions and Tina, a child behaviour expert with 20 years of experience, responds with practical advice. And Jarlath joins in, sharing his own experience.

Each episode is a mixed bag. One week, the couple might be asked how to motivate kids. The next week, they might share their thoughts on how to respond when grandparents disapprove of how you parent.

Throughout, Jarlath and Tina share their stories of parenting their son Mikey and often disagree about the best way to tackle the dilemmas they are presented with. There’s never a sense of judgment and always lots of laughs.