PARENTING - PRESCHOOL

A collection of the articles on parenting during the preschool years. Enjoy.

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Julie Jay: Why I'm thrilled to finally say goodbye to Christmas
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Julie Jay: Like oil and water, rest and motherhood simply don’t mix
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Colman Noctor: Children need our presence during festive season not a performance
Tots to Teens: Keep little hands and minds busy
Tots to Teens: Keep little hands and minds busy
Sit your little ones down over the next few days with pencils, markers, paints, or a tablet or laptop so they can then enter their designs in the Toyota Dream Car Art Contest

Tue, 23 Dec, 2025

Woman is sitting on sofa near christmas tree and is sad because of loneliness and lack of friends
Julie Jay: Having kids doesn’t make grief easier, but it helps keep you grounded
It is nearly impossible to believe my dad has been gone a year, but as much as the kids have kept me moving forward, they've kept me grounded in the present, too

Tue, 23 Dec, 2025

Tots to Teens: Last chance to visit festive wonderland
Tots to Teens: Last chance to visit festive wonderland
Last Christmas Magical Parade of 2025 is taking place in Killarney on Saturday, December 20, where the streets come to life with colourful floats, festive music, and beloved fairytale characters accompanied by Santa and his elves

Tue, 16 Dec, 2025

Low angle view of young Caucasian woman volunteer in rubber gloves collect garbage squatting on coast. Concept of Earth Day and
Colman Noctor: Teaching children to choose kindness in a 'me first' world
If we want a society that bands together, we need to teach children to help others so that when they grow up they will know they are not alone, and that no one else should be either, writes Dr Colman Noctor

Tue, 16 Dec, 2025

Santa Claus
Julie Jay: The Big Man always comes up trumps despite his workload 
Bringing the children to see Santa was a truly magical experience, and the fact we managed to get through a family afternoon without killing each other proves miracles can happen

Tue, 16 Dec, 2025

Tots to Teens: Shining a light on childhood cancer appeal
Tots to Teens: Shining a light on childhood cancer appeal
Fair City actress Kiara Noonan is calling on the public to support the Irish Cancer Society’s children’s Christmas appeal.

Tue, 09 Dec, 2025

Cute little preschool girl in safety helmet riding bicycle. School kid boy, brother teaching happy healthy sister child cycling
The kindness we seek in strangers starts in our own homes
If we want our children to be kind to others, we must start by teaching them to be kind to themselves and their siblings

Tue, 02 Dec, 2025

Tots to Teens: Barnardos asks the public for donations
Tots to Teens: Barnardos asks the public for donations
"More families turned to the charity in 2024 than in any other year, because of the cost-of-living crisis and rising homelessness, resulting in more than 35,600 children and adults availing of its services. That’s the highest number ever."

Tue, 02 Dec, 2025

The boy eats jelly beans or takes vitamins
Julie Jay: Sharing is caring — unless you’re giving away your five-year-old’s jellies
As much as we would all love to live in a socilaist utopia, the reality it is it is every man for himself out here, especially when it relates to jellies

Tue, 02 Dec, 2025

Young mother hugs daughter in pajamas holding her in her arms.
Colman Noctor: Finding moments of comfort and joy this Christmas after experiencing loss
Grief doesn’t pause for Christmas. If anything, the contrast between the festive atmosphere and a young person’s internal reality can make this time of year especially distressing

Tue, 25 Nov, 2025

Tots to Teens: Post Santa letters and explore Christmas markets at Waterford's Winterval festival
Tots to Teens: Post Santa letters and explore Christmas markets at Waterford's Winterval festival
Waterford is celebrating Winterval, its annual Christmas festival that will run from Thursday to Sunday every week from now until December 23

Tue, 25 Nov, 2025

sick young kid using tissue after cold, rhinitis or allergies
Dr Phil Kieran: What can I do to boost my child’s immune system?
Children and crèches are a perfect storm for bugs.

Tue, 25 Nov, 2025

Cars in rush hour at sunset with city traffic abstract watercolor painting
Julie Jay: Dublin's traffic comes as a shock to this West Coast hipster
Despite getting a lot of flak, the capital city is a great spot for an afternoon filled with Lego mosh-pits, fake martinis and untouched lunches

Tue, 18 Nov, 2025

'I was so afraid we would miss something': Cork family affected by childhood cancer seeking support
'I was so afraid we would miss something': Cork family affected by childhood cancer seeking support
Hand in Hand charity provides practical and emotional support during and after treatment, says Helen O’Callaghan

Tue, 18 Nov, 2025

Newborn child with headache
Dr Phil Kieran: I worry my grandchild will get ill when visiting from the US
She hasn’t been fully vaccinated and I’m worried that she might pick up an infection

Tue, 18 Nov, 2025

Christmas Stars, Baubles and Gold Ribbons (XXL)
Joanna Fortune: My mother-in-law insists on celebrating Christmas early
"You need to hold your boundaries and pick your battles. This time of year is exciting for children, as your mother-in-law says, but I also see every day how utterly overstimulating this season can be for them."

Wed, 12 Nov, 2025

Specsavers nationwide children's short story competition
Tots to Teens: Open a new chapter for storytellers
Specsavers wants to hear from little ones who enjoy telling tall tales. The company has just launched its annual short story competition, calling on budding authors to submit their most creative compositions.

Tue, 11 Nov, 2025

Parenting is hard – and harder when you’re sick
Parenting is hard – and harder when you’re sick
Being a parent with a chronic illness is challenging, but accepting your limitations and being open about the condition can help

Wed, 05 Nov, 2025

Little Mama
Joanna Fortune: How do I help my little girl adjust to a new sibling?
All you can do is stay in the present moment and adapt to however your little one reacts in the moment

Tue, 04 Nov, 2025

Jack O'Lantern And Witch's Hat On An Orange Background
Julie Jay: I'm already quizzing my son about next year’s Halloween outfit
This year, I made up for my son’s insistence on reusing last year’s Halloween costume by getting creative with my own outfit, and by creative, I mean donning a bin bag and a Post-it note

Tue, 04 Nov, 2025

sad crying little girl hugging mother, parenting
Trudy Meehan on how her book is helping kids bereaved by suicide to understand ‘why?’
Following  her husband’s tragic death, psychologist Trudy Meehan decided to write a storybook to help her child come to terms with losing her father

Sun, 26 Oct, 2025

Two Caucasian Boys Walking Down a Country Road
Julie Jay: Boys are an enigma to me, so how can I be expected to raise good ones?
Members of the opposite sex are still a complete and utter enigma to me, so it is ironic that I, of all people, should be charged with raising two of them

Tue, 21 Oct, 2025

Tots to teens: Spooktacular family events and a stinky goose's story
Tots to teens: Spooktacular family events and a stinky goose's story
Everyone deserves a friend. That’s the uplifting message at the heart of the debut children’s book by Ireland AM presenter and social media influencer Eric Roberts

Tue, 21 Oct, 2025

Tots to Teens: A healthy Halloween alternative and a spooktacular screening
Tots to Teens: A healthy Halloween alternative and a spooktacular screening
Irish fruit growers Keelings have teamed up with dietitian Orla Walsh to create spooky snack ideas for families to tuck into this Halloween

Tue, 14 Oct, 2025

First aid, twisted leg.
Julie Jay: Parents, like doctors, should take blood in their stride
A catalogue of recent calamities has left me feeling like I am a card-carrying member of the Royal College of Surgeons

Tue, 07 Oct, 2025

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