Parenting Toddler - Irish Examiner

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PARENTING - TODDLER

A collection of the latest articles relating to the parenting of toddlers and its unique challenges. Enjoy.

<p>Author, business owner and former actress Aoibhín Garrihy, pictured with Seámus (8) and Xinai (5) at The Gutter Bookshop, launching the Specsavers nationwide children's short story competition, encouraging young authors across Ireland. </p>

parenting

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.

<p>Linda Murray with her daughter Ellie and their cat Fifi at home in Monasterevin, Co. Kildare. Photo: Alf Harvey.</p>

parenting

Parenting is hard – and harder when you’re sick

3156119_1_org_Julie_Jay_Circle_headshot

Julie Jay: I'm already quizzing my son about next year’s Halloween outfit

sad crying little girl hugging mother, parenting

parenting

Trudy Meehan on how her book is helping kids bereaved by suicide to understand ‘why?’

3156119_1_org_Julie_Jay_Circle_headshot

Julie Jay: Boys are an enigma to me, so how can I be expected to raise good ones?

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Colman Noctor: Boredom is the playground of developing minds

break dance kids. little break dancer showing his skills in dance studio. Hip hop dancer boy in headphones with smartphone again

Julie Jay: Nothing beats a bop when it comes to letting off steam with your kids

It would appear that my kids have taken after their dad in the dance department - and that is no bad thing

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

girl wearing white t-shirt holding paper card bubble with question mark isolated over orange background

Julie Jay: My IQ has most definitely plummeted since having kids

As I feel myself needing to phone a friend more and more when it comes to general knowledge questions, I can't be the only one who feels a bit of a silly goose since becoming a parent?

Tue, 30 Sep, 2025

Count Dracula wearing black and red cape. Cute cartoon vampire character with fangs. Happy Halloween. Flat design. Violet backgr

Julie Jay: Bambi Fury isn’t the only baby vampire in town

A clip of Molly-Mae Hague’s and Tommy Fury’s daughter talking about her love of biting has gone viral, but the reality is biting is totally normal for toddlers

Tue, 23 Sep, 2025

Healthy Homemade Milk Babyccino

Julie Jay: I'd prefer to stay at home but someone has to pay for our babyccino lifestyle

Despite having a childminder sent from the childminding gods, my youngest has been kicking up such a fuss in the mornings you'd swear I was delivering him to a gulag

Tue, 09 Sep, 2025

Kids height chart, ruler to measure growth of child with raccoon, rabbit and bear

Julie Jay: Public nurse check-ups, like NCT tests, will always have me sweating

Despite never having anything less than an entirely pleasant experience with public health nurses over the years, I always fret that I will be outted as the fraud that I am when appointment time approaches

Tue, 19 Aug, 2025

Loving mother hugging, comforting little daughter, enjoying tender moment

Joanna Fortune: How do I reassure my clingy child that I'm going to come back every time?

She now has a meltdown nearly every time I attempt to leave her behind with her dad or babysitter

Tue, 29 Jul, 2025

Beach toys

Julie Jay: My stomach sinks at the prospect of fun in the sun

More rain, less pain I say, at least when it comes to entertaining children over these summer months

Tue, 22 Jul, 2025

Having so much fun under the sun

Joanna Fortune: I'm worried about my parents-in-law going on holiday with us — what should I do?

Arrange a big family day out and perhaps an evening or two when you and your partner can spend quality time together, connecting, sightseeing, or relaxing

Tue, 15 Jul, 2025

Children's dependence on electronic products

Julie Jay: Want to finish your dinner when eating out with kids? Screens are often the answer

After attempting everything - colouring, cars, and conversation, I have accepted that the only thing that will get my kids to stay at the table long enough for Mammy to eat her dinner is an iPad

Tue, 15 Jul, 2025

kids play materials on the beach

Julie Jay: I’d choose Bundoran over Benidorm, even on days when rain is biblical

After a lovely week spent on the North West coast, I am not sure we will ever be in need of our passports again

Tue, 08 Jul, 2025

Small boy coughing from with closed eyes at home.

Dr Phil Kieran: How can I help my child avoid croup?

Croup usually starts with a mild, cold-like illness, characterised by a runny nose, mild fever (around 38.5 °C), and, sometimes, sticky eyes. This can then progress to a cough, followed by the classic ‘seal bark’ croup cough.

Tue, 08 Jul, 2025

Broken eggs - accident at kitchen, mess. Legs on background

Julie Jay: The years go fast, but some days I can't help but wish they hurried up a bit

As much as we love our kids, we all have days which have us pushed to the brink of sanity. Today was one of those days

Tue, 17 Jun, 2025

Cheerful and excited toddler with her coffer on a airport

Joanna Fortune: How can I control my young children on their first flight?

I’m already dreading the trip. What would you suggest?

Tue, 03 Jun, 2025

View from behind of a boy and girl run with bucket to ocean

Julie Jay: Give parents a break and let them take children on holiday in term time

If covid taught us anything, it is that learning doesn’t stop and start at the school gate

Tue, 03 Jun, 2025

Tots to Teens: Tiny atoms make big reactions at Cork Carnival of Science

Tots to Teens: Tiny atoms make big reactions at Cork Carnival of Science

Plus free creative events and activities for Cruinniú na nÓg

Tue, 03 Jun, 2025

Sad little girl

Joanna Fortune: My grandchild gets upset when it's time to leave the playground

Transitions are not easy for young children to manage, so they often struggle with ending one fun task (playing on the playground) and doing something not so fun (going home for lunch/nap, etc)

Tue, 27 May, 2025

Cute little baby boy, eating mashed vegetables for lunch, mom feeding him

Too much sugar for your sweet baby — a look at ready-made meals and food pouches

Ready-made foods and food pouches for infants are often high in sugar, watery, and much less nutritious than is claimed, and purées may hinder development of motor and chewing skills and also hand co-ordination

Tue, 27 May, 2025

Tots to Teens: Inspiring a lifelong love of food and cooking in primary school children

Tots to Teens: Inspiring a lifelong love of food and cooking in primary school children

‘Stronger Starts Cooks’ is a free six-week programme prompted by research that found 92% of parents would like to see more food education in the school curriculum

Tue, 27 May, 2025

The father holds the tiny legs of a newborn baby in his palms.

Julie Jay: Can the 'just you wait' brigade please stop raining on our parenting parade?

Because there will, of course, come a time when the baby who leans into you becomes their own person, a person with the power to refuse your request to stop at the chipper on the way, and insist on playing their own music in the car because ‘they’re driving’. Just you wait? I can’t wait, and that’s the real joy of it

Tue, 27 May, 2025

Saving memories in gadget. Selective focus on display of telephone recording video with first grade girl

Why you should think twice before posting photos and videos of kids on social media

It’s natural to take pictures of highlights in your child’s life, but think twice before sharing them on social media

Sun, 18 May, 2025

Sneaky Snacks

Joanna Fortune: I'm worried about bringing my noisy children to wedding

Weddings can be overwhelming for children. A big part of what makes them and similar events so difficult for them is that the day starts early with much waiting and sitting around

Tue, 13 May, 2025

Tots to Teens: From Barnardos ‘Big Toddle’ fundraiser to colourful fun in Cobh

Tots to Teens: From Barnardos ‘Big Toddle’ fundraiser to colourful fun in Cobh

The Big Toddle is a fundraiser that Barnardos has organised every May and June for the past 22 years, raising €4.84m for Barnardos’ early years services in the process

Tue, 13 May, 2025

Tots to Teens: Choose sustainability with these plantable pencils that grow into herbs

Tots to Teens: Choose sustainability with these plantable pencils that grow into herbs

From graphite pencils that can be planted once you finish using them to the May Sunday Festival, here's a selection of products and activities for the children to enjoy

Tue, 29 Apr, 2025

BUMBLEance ‘Shocking Shirts’ fundraiser supporting families of children with life-limiting conditions

BUMBLEance ‘Shocking Shirts’ fundraiser supporting families of children with life-limiting conditions

Now in its third year, the campaign raises funds for and awareness of BUMBLEance’s work. It helps the 8,000 or more families across Ireland that have children with life-limiting conditions

Tue, 08 Apr, 2025

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