January 26, 2013
As soon as you announce the news that you’re going to be a dad, you can expect to be inundated with words of advice from your mates who reveal themselves to be dab hands at nappy changing, bottle feeding and baby bathing. Everyone will be offering up ‘expert’ advice on how to be a good ...
January 9, 2013
With a new year comes a clean slate. On the 1st January, like so many, you probably promised yourself that this year, you’d be a better parent. But what does being a better parent actually mean, and what are the goals that you aim to achieve in your role as a better parent? Parenting isn’t ...
December 14, 2012
If you’ve seen the hit CBeebies show Baby Jake, you’ll know that it follows the imaginary adventures of a baby whose giggles and gurgles are translated into words by his six year old brother, Isaac. Most parents will think that this is simply fiction and it is just not possible to understand their baby’s facial ...
November 20, 2012
Santa’s Cottage, Newry Mourne Mountains Santa’s Cottage is located in the heart of the Mourne Mountains in County Down, between Rostrevor and Hilltown. Completely secluded from modern life, the surrounding mountains and forests provide a magical and mystical setting for Santa’s Cottage. See the elves at work in Santa’s Workshop, watch as Santa comes down ...
October 23, 2012
Dressing up, playing games, lighting lanterns and sparklers…There’s lots to love about Halloween, but parents need to be vigilant to ensure that this years Trick or Treating doesn’t turn into a nightmare… In our household, Halloween generates nearly as much excitement as Christmas. We put up decorations weeks in advance, have fun baking spooky ...
June 27, 2012
Airports are never fun places to hang out, especially with an entourage of tired, hungry, excited and generally overly emotional children. In advance Before you even set off to the airport do some vital research. Check the parking options and book in advance to save money and time. Choose a car park that’s close and ...
June 22, 2012
Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet? It’s a common chorus shouted from the back seats of the car every time we set off on a family holiday. And that’s just one of our children’s many travelling phrases. Others include; ‘I’m bored’, ‘I don’t like any of this food’ and ...
June 15, 2012
Being a good Dad isn’t just about being around or providing for your children. To get the most out of parenthood you need to spend quality time with your children. This one-on-one time is essential for developing a strong paternal bond and will help strengthen your relationship over the years. But what to do? Here ...
April 27, 2011
There have been many reports over the last few years about the negative aspects of children watching TV. Indeed, a recent study from Michigan and Montreal universities found negative effects on older children rose with every hour of toddler TV. But is TV always such a bad idea? Toddlers and TV The study, part of ...
February 21, 2011
Words by Sarah Franklin When my first son was born, on the West Coast of the US, our friends came to visit in hospital, as friends are wont to do. They brought traditional baby gifts; teeny-tiny clothing; the obligatory stuffed animal with treacherous detachable parts, and … a full work-up of our hours-old infant’s astrological ...