Toddlers to teens: Experts talk parenting

IF your parenting skills are limited to riot control, your toddler eats nothing but soft furnishings and your teenager lives in a tent in the back garden, then a series of seminars this weekend could be just the answer — or at least get you out of the house for a bit.

The Better Parenting Seminars, which take place in the RDS in Dublin tomorrow, are bringing together a panel of experts to advise on and discuss a range of topics, from preparing for a new arrival to dealing with fussy eaters, caring for toddlers and managing the school years from primary to post-graduates.

Among the speakers are TV psychologist David Coleman, who presents the reality TV shows Families in Trouble and 21st Century Child; nutritionist Paula Mee; breastfeeding expert Sue Jameson; antenatal teacher and midwife Claire Bulfin; and University of Limerick psychology lecturer Dr Patrick Ryan.

The programme has been put together by Better Parenting Ireland, a new outfit set up to run events and promotions on the theme of parenting and childcare.

One of the organisers, Maura Byrne, used to run the Baby & Kids Show that previously drew large crowds to the RDS.

Tomorrow’s seminars will each last an hour, followed by a half-hour question and answer session, and they run in succession, the first starting at 9am and the last at 5pm, so that the truly eager can attend all of them.

Attendance costs e45 for each seminar, however, so if the toddler finds out, you’ll be berated for not bribing him with sweets and the teenager will no doubt inform you they’d have come out of the tent long ago if you’d left a trail of fresh tenners on the lawn.

Tickets are available at the door or can be booked in advance online.

Questions for the various speakers can also be submitted online so that they come prepared to answer all the dilemmas raised.

lFurther information is available at www.betterparentingireland.com or on 01-4964134.