# Parenting

This month

March 2023

Voices

Opinion: 'Phones have become a battleground for parenting in the age of social media'

Mum Margaret Lynch looks at the question of smartphone use for children and shares her own experiences.

17.3k

Mar 11th 2023, 8:00 PM

Last year

2022

# baby on board

Pilot 'baby bundles' to be given to new parents

The bundles will be distributed to 500 newborns and their parents.

37.6k

Jun 13th 2022, 6:30 AM

Voices

Opinion: Advice for parents on how to push back on their kids' use of technology

Psychotherapist Helen Browne has some tips for parents and children navigating a world crammed with technology.

17.8k

Apr 14th 2022, 7:00 PM

Voices

Opinion: How to talk to your children about the war in Ukraine

Sharon Byrne of Barnardos offers some helpful advice to parents trying to navigate discussing the war with their children.

15.3k

Updated

Mar 18th 2022, 10:28 AM

All time

Voices

Opinion: We owe teachers our thanks for the last two years whether we give them gifts or not

Whether parents buy something – or not – for their children’s teachers, Margaret Lynch says it’s important to thank them.

56.1k

106

Dec 11th 2021, 7:00 AM

THE MORNING LEAD

'I have no idea who will mind my children': Readers' stories of Ireland's childcare crisis

A report by

Lauren Boland

We asked readers to share their experiences of trying to find childcare in Ireland – here are their stories.

Every year, tens of thousands of parents around the country seek out childcare, but many say it has become an increasingly difficult search.

We asked readers to share their experiences and struggles with childcare in Ireland.

Here are their stories, collected by Lauren Boland.

76.4k

Aug 28th 2021, 12:05 AM

# Get in touch

Have you faced difficulties finding childcare for your young child? We want to hear your story

We want to piece together the picture of what finding childcare looks like in Ireland – here’s how you can take part.

14.9k

Aug 26th 2021, 11:27 AM

Voices

Ciara Attwell of My Fussy Eater shares tips and recipes to simplify family food

The busy mum shares some handy ways to speed up the cooking and serving of healthy family meals.

17.2k

Mar 13th 2021, 7:30 AM

Voices

Opinion: Maternity leave in lockdown was no picnic, so please don't forget new parents

New mother Patrice Hosford is asking the government to improve the leave entitlements currently available to new parents.

31.7k

Jul 17th 2020, 7:00 AM

Voices

Column: 'We're worried our son will become an orphan due to our lack of rights'

LGBT couple, Gabriela and Kelly Socol, are fighting for parental rights and equality for their family.

23.2k

Nov 6th 2019, 8:30 PM

# Equality

'What we have in Ireland is not equal': Same-sex parents call for more legal rights to their children

The protest was held this afternoon outside the Department of Health building in Dublin.

21.4k

Oct 21st 2019, 2:32 PM

Voices

Column: Top tips for parents to avoid a holiday from hell this summer

They may be the apple of your eye but a break from the little darlings might just be the best part of your holiday, writes Shane Dunphy.

25.7k

Jun 2nd 2019, 8:30 PM

Voices

Opinion: Claims culture is out of control - as play centres close due to being sued for kids falling

Kids fall, that is what they do, it can happen anywhere. If they fall at Granny’s – do we sue the pants off Granny?

37.2k

Mar 10th 2019, 6:00 AM

Voices

Opinion: How to deal with your child's fear of the monsters under the bed

Philippa Perry writes about how not to shut children down, which might only encourage them not to talk to you about big and small things.

13.3k

Mar 3rd 2019, 4:00 PM

Voices

Opinion: You might need to simplify your child's lunch so they actually eat it

A white bread sandwich in the belly is better than a vegan curry in the bin, writes Mary McCarthy.

28.7k

Jan 27th 2019, 1:00 PM

Voices

'Helicopter parents: If you let your child fall down they might just learn to get back up again'

21st-century parenting is the reason that many young people today have remarkably poor coping skills, writes Shane Dunphy.

40.7k

Jan 20th 2019, 8:00 PM

Voices

Opinion: If you are planning on passing off your unwanted junk food as presents - stop!

With the majority of Irish adults overweight and children’s tooth decay on the rise, its time to think about the real cost giving sugary gifts, writes Mary McCarthy.

54.0k

Jan 19th 2019, 6:00 PM

# Mental Health Service

Cry for help as new group says services for children of alcoholics are 'non-existent'

Children experiencing a parent’s misuse of alcohol can often be dismissed as acting out.

10.6k

Jan 17th 2019, 8:18 PM

# Parenting

Same-sex couples will be able to use ‘parent’ on birth certificates under new law

The changes will resolve a number of difficulties in the registration of donor assisted births.

18.8k

105

Jan 11th 2019, 11:06 AM

Voices

Opinion: Top five parenting tips to surviving Christmas

Striving for a picture perfect Christmas will bring certain disappointment, as a parent aiming for survival is much more realistic, writes Shane Dunphy.

13.5k

Dec 25th 2018, 12:00 PM

Voices

Too loud, too bright, too fast, too tight: Christmas can be a nightmare of anxiety for children with autism

The wish for all families is that they have their perfect Christmas but that may mean adjusting expectations to find what works in a family with autism, writes Tara Matthews.

13.2k

Dec 24th 2018, 7:00 AM

Voices

Expert tips for parents who discover that their teenager drinks alcohol

Teenagers will always push the boundaries, here is what you should do if you find out your teen is drinking over the holiday period, writes Dr Gerry McCarney.

18.0k

Dec 23rd 2018, 8:30 AM

Voices

Opinion: The Supermum myth needs to be exposed

I can’t and won’t hide the fact that I find being Mum really tough, writes Geraldine Walsh

44.9k

Nov 11th 2018, 7:30 PM

# Future Focus

Robot babysitters and poop-predicting nappies: Here's the future of being a good parent

Sadly you’ll still have to do the actual nappy-changing yourself.

14.0k

Sep 23rd 2018, 8:30 PM

# rob delaney

'When a sick baby with partial facial paralysis smiles, it’s golden. Especially if it’s my baby'

Actor Rob Delaney has written a powerful essay about the death of his two-year-old son.

21.4k

Sep 18th 2018, 2:17 PM

Voices

'I won’t ever be able to understand exactly how the HPV vaccine works. So as a parent I have to trust the experts'

The desire to protect and care for your child is indescribable, writes Eric Nolan. And that means doing your best to keep them safe.

17.6k

130

Sep 3rd 2018, 7:00 AM

# 5 Words Or Less

People are describing parenting in 5 words or less, and it's as accurate as it gets

‘I just sat in pee.’

6.8k

Aug 17th 2018, 5:34 PM

# Consumer Affairs

Aptamil says there are 'no safety issues' with milk formula after claims it made babies sick

French food group Danone, who manufacture the product, launched an investigation this month following hundreds of complaints from parents.

29.7k

Jul 20th 2018, 6:35 PM

# PND

When the baby blues don't go away: How I recognised the signs of post-natal depression

Sheena McGinley on the overwhelming experience of new parenthood – and the moment she realised that she needed help.

3.5k

Jul 17th 2018, 5:35 PM

# National Carers Week

'It's physically and mentally exhausting. I can't be off guard': The life of a single parent carer

Next week is National Carers Week, highlighting the experiences of thousands of family carers across Ireland that look their loved ones.

23.3k

Jun 10th 2018, 9:00 PM

Voices

Column: 'Don’t judge a commuting parent. Smile at that noisy toddler'

I sound begrudging but the harsh looks and disapproving glances made me angry, writes Geraldine Walsh.

32.0k

Apr 22nd 2018, 7:30 PM

Voices

'I dread registering my child because I can't put his other parent on the birth certificate'

It breaks my heart that a member of our little family is being left out of the first document our son has to declare his status as an Irish citizen, writes Sarah Stone McDevitt.

78.1k

Feb 3rd 2018, 7:30 PM