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AS PART OF TheJournal.ie’s weekly Family Magazine, we’ve created a space for parents to share their views. A place where mums and dads can share their experiences, lessons learned, and even mistakes along the way.

Familiarity and security becomes important early on in life, and as a result many young children become attached to a particular toy, teddy or any item that gives them comfort. Cue disastrous results if said teddy gets lost at the supermarket, or a beloved blanket ends up in a hot wash. 

This week, we asked the panel which items their little ones keep by their sides at all times.

What’s the one toy your little one just won’t be without?

Here’s what they had to say…

TheJournal.ie Top L-R: Olly Keegan, Alan Dooley, Denise, Ken Hyland. Middle L-R: Ríona Flood, Ross Boxshall, Marta Lisiecka, Denise Cumiskey. Bottom L-R: Kait Quinn, Susannah O’Brien, Derek McInerney, Suzie Kelly TheJournal.ie

Marshall from Paw Patrol: Just last week Charlie lost his Marshall figurine. Total chaos, followed by continued panic and crying and inquisition over where Marshall had gone to. He sleeps with Teddy (the bear) and BaaBaa (the sheep). If they aren’t in the cot he looks for them, and if anyone else is there he throws them out!

– Kait Quinn

Lumpy Bunny, versions #1, #2 and #3:  Our son has had a particular bunny since he was a few months old, a Jellycat rabbit (safe from birth). We called it Lumpy Bunny and are actually on Lumpy Bunny numbers 2 & 3 right now. We bought a second one and then regularly swapped between the two so they got equally worn and could be washed. The first one then got lost somewhere, so we bought a third one!

It’s nice for him to have the constant of Lumpy Bunny. When he was starting creche, or if he got a bump, it was something that was always there.

– Olly Keegan

Olly Keegan Asleep with Lumpy Bunny. Olly Keegan

The princess dresses she’s about to grow out of: Ellie Mae has all the different Disney Princess dolls multiple times over in different outfits. But we have one major issue brewing. Her princess dresses, which are her ultimate favourites, are starting to get too small for her after a recent growth spurt. I can see major trouble ahead.

– Denise Cumiskey

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More Parents Panel: Parents share the baby foods their little ones eat without fail>

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