January can be a strange month. The post-Christmas blues begin to set in and everything seems a little flat after the hectic Christmas period. Bills are pouring in, the focus is back on the cheerless news about the economy and it’s difficult to get back to the reality of our mundane existence with the…
In a rediscovered letter, a dying mother says goodbye to her young daughter ‘When we bought two (copy) books for your homework so that you had the opportunity to use the one ”like all the others” I made up my mind to write a long, long letter to you in the one you didn’t…
Family Activities Anne O’Connell Make an agreement with your child to do something special that will help make this year a good one. Write out your intention, put it in an envelope and keep it in a safe place — remind yourselves about it every now and then. A good new year’s goal for…
Health Matters Dr Andrea Fitzgerald Happy new year! I hope that, after the inevitable excesses of Christmas, your new year’s resolutions include some plans to optimise your health and fitness this year. Research has consistently shown that physical fitness is vitally important to health. Indeed, it may be healthier to be overweight and fit…
Rory Fitzgerald looks at what the future holds for families The average Irish family is not exactly skipping into 2012 with a spring in its step, given the ongoing economic crisis. Yet, even amidst bewildering social and economic change, there are hopeful signs that the Irish family remains a vital institution. 2007 was…
Erin Fox looks at some traditional ways of celebrating the feast of the Epiphany The feast of the epiphany is traditionally about celebrating the three wise men’s visit to Jesus Christ. But it also marks the end of Christmas for many. The holiday is celebrated in many different ways across the world; each…
Cliona Byrne explains how to make decorations for Christmas Sewing projects are perfect during Christmas, they can be done while sitting by the fire or watching the television. Since I can remember I have worked on sewing projects over Christmas holidays with my mother, from angels for the top of the tree to little…
Rory Fitzgerald shares ideas for family fun in wintertime Autumn has passed, and winter has begun in earnest. The season’s cold tentacles now wrap themselves ever deeper into our daily lives. The biting winds and early nights leave us housebound, as the shortest day of the year draws ominously closer. Yet during these long dark…
Cliona Byrne explores making a ginger bread house for Christmas Ginger bread houses have always been a fascination of mine, from fairy tales of Hansel and Gretel to the sheer skills needed for it simply to work. As a child I would watch my grandmother bake cakes, buns and tarts. She would often let…
Childcare Given the bewildering array of options available, it can often be difficult to choose childcare. Quite often, the decision will be based on what fits conveniently into your commute, and which is most reasonably priced. All else being equal, Irene Gunning of Early Childhood Ireland, says that before choosing a daycare centre: ”A parent…
Maria Byrne
Rory Fitzgerald
Erin Fox