Women’s talents are wasted when they spend their days shuttling children to and from school and exta-curricular activities. Children should walk or cycle r mothers should car-pool, writes Clodagh Finn

The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (Mabs) say they are witnessing an increase in the numbers of clients struggling with the cost of First Communions.

One in five children receives more than €1,000 for their First Communion — while their parents are feeling the strain of paying for it.

Irish children will get an average of five Easter eggs this weekend in an annual sugar splurge that will see them eat their way through more than 160 tonnes of chocolate.

Figures show thousands of children are waiting for extended periods of up to four years to see specialists

Helen O’Callaghan warns mothers against stereotyping fellow mums. 

Workplaces are not “mother-friendly” according to a survey which indicates that flexible work hours and cheaper childcare would help them get back into the labour force after having a child.

The first days of primary school can be difficult for children even if they have had the benefit of a pre-school experience says Helen O’Callaghan.

Parents will pay up to €2,211 for a child to attend primary school this September, with the annual cost reaching €4,154 for a child in secondary school.

More than one in six mums breathe a sigh of relief when their children go back to school.

There are many family- friendly measures to help when travelling with kids — from concierge services to check-in services on the previous evening, says Marjorie Brennan.

FOR whatever reason — perhaps medical or financial — you’ve decided one child is all you’re going to have.

Ireland’s supply of the BCG vaccine that protects newborn babies against tuberculosis (TB) has run out, with a new batch not expected until July at the earliest.

The author of a report on ’mum friends’ tells Lisa Salmon there’s nothing that can make or break friendships more than motherhood.

Parents are spending up to €750 for Communion outfits for their child with more a third sourcing the clothes at specialist boutiques.

Helen O’Callaghan finds out how young children learn to share.

One in five Irish families have children with a food allergy, yet only 60% of schools have a policy in place to deal with allergic reactions, according to a recent survey of mothers.

Birthday parties shouldnt be something to dread because of expense says Arlene Harris who has some tips to reduce costs.

MOVE over Prince George, Aoife Belle, Patrick and Sadie. There’s another on the way.

Ireland’s birth rate is expected to fall to the low levels recorded in the early ’90s and noughties as the economy improves.

Creche owners say too much emphasis is on form filling and not enough on the delivery of quality child care.

The first day at school can be daunting — and it can be all the more challenging for a child with special needs, writes Arlene Harris

They have the adoration of kids and the blessings of parents but now loom bands — the quiet, creative toy craze — are at the centre of a cancer scare.

Limit usage of kids’ tech gadgets on holidays, says Arlene Harris.

Almost 90% of mothers believe the cost of a school uniform is too expensive, while more than half fear their child could be bullied.

More than 5,000 parents a week are looking for State help with the cost of going back to school.

WHEN a celebrity couple has a new baby, the gossip pages debate potential names. From North West to Apple Martin and Brooklyn Beckham, the more famous the parent, the more unusual the name.

We may be in a crippling recession, but we’re having more babies than the rest of the EU.

NEARLY 70% of mothers believe their children are not eating the recommended amounts of fruit and vegetables, a new survey reveals.