Parenting Toddler - Irish Examiner

Boy with chickenpox. Rash on child body close up

Julie Jay: Like lightning, chicken pox doesn’t strike twice — unless you’re very, very special

Number One has been in chicken pox quarantine all week and I don’t have the heart to tell him that, based on my own history of chicken pox, it might not be a one and done situation

Tue, 14 Apr, 2026

S My Childhood with Marty Morrissey: 'My father always said no son of his would fight for America'

Marty Morrissey's childhood in New York instilled in him the American attitude he could be whatever he wanted to be, but it was his parents' steadfast support and his community in West Clare that set him on the path to fame

Sun, 12 Apr, 2026

Row of colorful easter eggs on green grass bunny ears

Julie Jay: I won’t sugarcoat it — my children eat far too many sweet treats

Whether your kids are eating treats on the daily or indulging only on a Friday afternoon, ultimately we are all just out here doing our best as parents, and isn't that all that matters (my dentist might disagree)

Tue, 31 Mar, 2026

Cute little baby sleeping in crib at home. Bedtime

Lucy Wolfe: These are the most common childhood sleep-related questions parents ask me

The primary task in their first few months is to make sure your baby feels loved, safe, and supported, says sleep consultant Lucy Wolfe

Tue, 24 Mar, 2026

Julie Jay: Sometimes you really should talk to strangers

On the hard days, it is often strangers who offer you the most unexpected but necessary support. A passing word from a passerby can make or break you on a morning where everything has gone awry

Tue, 17 Mar, 2026

‘My son has Down syndrome and he's the light of our whole world’

Two mums whose sons have Down syndrome say their children have changed their outlook on life and want to celebrate and advocate for children like them

Tue, 17 Mar, 2026

Tots to Teens: Nourishing little bowls with big hugs

Wicklow-based company creates fresh, preservative-free, ready-made meals for babies and toddlers

Tue, 17 Mar, 2026

Child is climbing up the tall bed, there's a risk of him falling down. Kid aged two years (two-year-old boy)

Julie Jay: A hotel break can feel more like a breakdown when you have a toddler

Anyone with small children knows a weekend away with small children is basically a hostage situation, only with nicer tea and coffee facilities

Tue, 10 Mar, 2026

Tots to Teens: Lap and Chat campaign is back on track

Workshops aim to help young people to look after their mental health

Tue, 10 Mar, 2026

Cute child, running on a Norway white sand beach in the summer

Julie Jay: Dunnes wellies are cheaper than a work visa for Australia

When it comes to a rain-soaked childhood, the only thing differentiating my kids from the McCourts is our ability to get new Dunnes wellies delivered to the house at the click of a button

Tue, 03 Mar, 2026

Little baby sleeping on bed embracing soft toy, free space

Colman Noctor: This is the early years sleep advice every parent should know

Child psychotherapist Dr Colman Noctor outlines common sleep challenges facing parents of little ones

Tue, 24 Feb, 2026

Toy gun in hand on a white background, isolate.

Julie Jay: Son of a gun — why everyone in our house is suddenly ducking for cover

My husband took our son for a haircut and came home with an army regulated crew cut and the gun to match

Tue, 24 Feb, 2026

Tots to Teens: A Wilde reading adventure for children

Plus activities and clothing for rainy days

Tue, 17 Feb, 2026

Portrait of a little boy in blue at home standing in the middle of the room

Joanna Fortune: My toddler gets upset when I breastfeed the baby

There is no ideal way to navigate this transition — remember that good enough really is good enough

Tue, 10 Feb, 2026

Allergy skin of an Asian kid on her legs with hand to scratch in natural light.

Dr Phil Kieran: My son's childhood eczema is back and it's painful

Eczema often settles down to some extent with age. For your son, this means that although it hasn’t settled yet, there is a decent chance it will over the next few years

Mon, 09 Feb, 2026

Tots to Teens: How to build a bird nest box with your children

Plus card games, expert-led talks, and more

Tue, 03 Feb, 2026

Mother Wearing Headphones Listening a Podcast While Baby Sleeps

'A trusted voice is very important and can help when parents are questioning everything'

Whether it’s helping your baby sleep, feed, or thrive, there’s a show to support you. We chat to the hosts of some of Ireland’s most popular parenting podcasts

Sun, 01 Feb, 2026

Child, cute boy, playing with toys in a playroom, focus on his feet

Julie Jay: My toddler believes the word ‘no’ is an invitation to start negotiating

With missiles flying around my kitchen left right and centre, I feel like Packie Bonner in Italia 90

Tue, 20 Jan, 2026

Tots to teens: Where play meets child development

Children's wellness range in Aldi stores has affordably priced products designed to encourage gentle play and mindful moments

Tue, 20 Jan, 2026

Little doctor using stethoscope on teddy bear at home

Julie Jay: Making a doctor’s appointment is up there with getting a bikini wax in January

Despite both being on antibiotics, I am still chasing my children around shops, because even when fuelled by penicillin, they have yet to meet an automatic door they haven't wanted to run through

Wed, 14 Jan, 2026

Loving Caucasian Mother Smiling at Newborn Baby Indoors in Bright and Warm Setting

The first 1,000 days are crucial in shaping a child’s life

Development begins at conception, and the early years are critical. A safe, nurturing and stimulating environment helps children thrive

Tue, 06 Jan, 2026

Julie Jay: Why I'm thrilled to finally say goodbye to Christmas

I used to feel melancholic putting away the decorations, now I am craving beige interior, floor space, and a life that is tinsel-free

Tue, 06 Jan, 2026

Multitasking mother cooks food, holds baby on hands and talks on the phone. Mom with kid cooking meal on gas stove, does housewo

Julie Jay: Like oil and water, rest and motherhood simply don’t mix

I used to be great at napping during the day, but now I am as much a stranger to an afternoon siesta as I am to brushing my hair

Tue, 30 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

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

PARENTING - TODDLER

Julie Jay: Reluctant to push potty training as it’s my last roll of the diaper dice

Julie Jay: Children's invasion of our bed has me missing the fabled pillow talk

My Childhood with Jacqui Hurley: My parents ran one of those houses where the door was always open

Parents don't want to have a favourite — here's what to do if you appear to prefer one child

Julie Jay: It’s easy to think you know better from the sidelines of parenting

What's expected of you as a new grandparent? Here are 12 things the experts recommend

Julie Jay: Like lightning, chicken pox doesn’t strike twice — unless you’re very, very special

S My Childhood with Marty Morrissey: 'My father always said no son of his would fight for America'

Julie Jay: I won’t sugarcoat it — my children eat far too many sweet treats

Lucy Wolfe: These are the most common childhood sleep-related questions parents ask me

Julie Jay: Sometimes you really should talk to strangers

‘My son has Down syndrome and he's the light of our whole world’

Tots to Teens: Nourishing little bowls with big hugs

Julie Jay: A hotel break can feel more like a breakdown when you have a toddler

Tots to Teens: Lap and Chat campaign is back on track

Julie Jay: Dunnes wellies are cheaper than a work visa for Australia

Colman Noctor: This is the early years sleep advice every parent should know

Julie Jay: Son of a gun — why everyone in our house is suddenly ducking for cover

Tots to Teens: A Wilde reading adventure for children

Joanna Fortune: My toddler gets upset when I breastfeed the baby

Dr Phil Kieran: My son's childhood eczema is back and it's painful

Tots to Teens: How to build a bird nest box with your children

'A trusted voice is very important and can help when parents are questioning everything'

Julie Jay: My toddler believes the word ‘no’ is an invitation to start negotiating

Tots to teens: Where play meets child development

Julie Jay: Making a doctor’s appointment is up there with getting a bikini wax in January

The first 1,000 days are crucial in shaping a child’s life

Julie Jay: Why I'm thrilled to finally say goodbye to Christmas

Julie Jay: Like oil and water, rest and motherhood simply don’t mix

Julie Jay: Having kids doesn’t make grief easier, but it helps keep you grounded

Julie Jay: The Big Man always comes up trumps despite his workload

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