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DAUNTED BY HOSTING DINNER PARTIES?

Linda Barker answers your questions on matching the theme with the menu in this live webTV show 

Chat date: Tuesday 16th March

Chat time: 3:00pm

 

Top Celebrity Babysitters


The Spy Next Door got us thinking about which celebrity; if you had the choice, you would have wanted to babysit you were a kid! Or for that matter, who you would choose to babysit your kids now


 

Recycled Materials


We are getting better at recycling. Research shows the vast majority of us recycle items such as paper (89 per cent), glass bottles and jars (84 per cent).

Spring campaign 86x86 teaser


 

FindAnyFilm.com

3D films are exploding onto screenings all across the UK, but where local to you can you see the masterpiece that is Alice in Wonderland on it’s opening weekend, or find where the monster of 3D Avatar is still available?


 

The Age of the Electronic Game

Blamed for many of the country’s faults and the negative impact it has on children, it can be argued that the electronic games industry has a lot to answer for.
 

Stressful city life is taking its toll on the nation with as many as one in four Brits prepared to take a pay cut to escape the hustle and bustle of the city in favour of a life in the countryside.


 

Ciao! Allo! Bonjour!

Why it’s best to learn a language at a young age. At times, grasping the fundamentals of a foreign language can be enough for an adult to throw their hands up and shout “Je ne comprend pas!


 

It seems that young women weren’t listening when their mothers told them, “it’s what’s on the inside that counts”.


 

When we think about cooking with cheese we tend to think of using parmesan in our pasta, stirring in soft cheese into sauces or some mature cheddar topped on toast, but there is a wealth of ways to incorporate delicious cheese in our diets and similarly, there is a vast number of different cheeses for us to try.


 

Long gone is the post lunchtime slump. It’s now been discovered that 2.37 in the afternoon is the time when we’re feeling at our best and able to tackle even the most tedious of jobs, without a second thought.


 

For the second year running, Original Dutch Edam has teamed up with The Scout Association to put the fun in outdoor cooking at this year’s event, ‘The Big Adventure’ and sponsor the Chef’s Badge.


 

Have you ever stopped to think about how important geographical information is to our everyday lives? It effects just about everything, from the daily commute to how our food gets to our plates to knowing what clothes to wear with the unpredictable weather outside.


 

A north east family have endured a week without art as part of the Arts Council’s efforts to demonstrate that people take part in lots of art throughout their daily lives, sometimes without realising it – and just how important art is to a full life.


 

With women making up just 3.6% of firefighters in England, Coronation Street star Michelle Keegan is fronting the ‘Ordinary People, Extraordinary Careers’ campaign to raise awareness among young women that a career as a firefighter could be for them


 


 

Everyone has their favourite pudding but not everyone knows how to make them!  However, help is here in the form of Celebrity Chef Phil Vickery. Phil is here to give easy step-by-step instructions to create 12 fantastic puddings, one pudcast a month


 

Writing a will, like going to the dentist or arranging your pension, is something most people in the UK put off. Indeed, almost 170,000 Britons die every year without a will, with tens of millions of pounds going straight to the government’s coffers in the form of property and savings.


 

The film industry has thrown open its archives to create cinema history -  the first, definitive DVD of the greatest war movies ever made goes on sale on 25th January, with a groundbreaking minimum of £7 per copy going to the Help for Heroes charity.


 

 

For the first time in their 186 year history, The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) launched their lifeboats over 9,000 times last year.

 

A third of people will take an average of four paycheques to clear the debt they chalked up in December, according to new research released today.


 


 

Over 100,000 UK families turned to loan sharks over the festive period to ensure they had enough cash to cover the costs of presents and all the trimmings, a new report claims.


 


With the past year being numerous stresses on parents the research has revealed that parents have tried to be more creative with their expenditure in order to ensure their children still experience magical moments – over a third of respondents believe that magical moments are most likely to happen during childhood.


 

ALL SYSTEMS GO AS THE FASTNET LINE’S M.V. JULIA

 

Excitement is building ashore and on board as the launch date (lst March 2010) of the inaugural sailing from Cork to Swansea aboard the impressive MV Julia approaches. 

 

Four out of five Brits will use the power of thought and a positive mental attitude to ensure 2010 is luckier than last year. That’s according to a new report from Galabingo.com which shows a full 84% say avoiding a negative outlook will improve their odds.


 

Earth calling all big fans of the much-loved PlayStation® game LittleBigPlanetTM.  For the very first time you can adopt your own SackboyTM as the iconic character springs into real life action with a super cool range of products available to buy and collect.


 

Due to start six weeks of warm weather training in Perth before March’s World Championships in Copenhagen, Victoria Pendleton - Olympic cycling champion - is encouraging a new generation to get on their bikes.


 

The start of the New Year is traditionally the time to take stock and review how our lives are going, but it is all too easy to have forgotten our resolutions by the time February comes.


 


 

Every year, cowboy builders and rogue traders clock up around £1.5 billion worth of problems for homeowners across the country. From shoddy kitchens, to improperly installed whitegoods, to leaky roofs, there are plenty of horror tales around.


 

 

In many cases Britons can earn more by opening up about health conditions. A new study has found that many people are missing out on a better income in retirement by failing to shop around for an annuity and not declaring medical and lifestyle conditions.

 


 


 

With new health messages appearing by the day, there is one message that is consistent from all health professionals - start the day with a healthy, balanced breakfast.

 

Brits missing a trick by ordering expensive takeaways

Why is it we always feel that we have to go out to get a delicious, authentic-tasting curry? Whether it’s the neighbourhood Indian restaurant that knows your favourite dish by memory or the local curry house that you have on speed dial, there’s something that keeps you from trying to prepare the food yourself.


 

The Great British Steak Out

Clear some space in the freezer, dust off the fancy steak knives and clear your calendar for the rest of the week – it’s time for us to celebrate Beefeater’s National Steak Week.

 

Find out about: Gymnastics

To watch a professional gymnast perform is simply amazing. The appealing display of enduring strength combined with an almost elastic type of suppleness combined with absolute precision, creates a most spectacular visual performance that can make you gasp or wince in amazement.
 

Return to Work

What will you do when your youngest child has just started or returned to school? Or, what’s the next step if you’ve recently been hit by redundancy? Although, there may be initial feelings of uncertainty this is also a time of great opportunity and a time when significant change can really be made. 
 

Nanette Newman is one of Britain's most glamorous grannies, and her daughter Emma Forbes is following in her mother's pedicured footsteps - but how do they look so young at their respective ages? 


 

For a healthy life the news is that kids should be doing 60 minutes activity 7 days a week and swimming is seen as the perfect solution. But what happens if “Your child is afraid of the water & can’t swim?” Don’t panic!


 

Is your work taking over, leaving you short of time for your family and yourself. Or would you love to work but can’t find an opportunity with the right hours to fit with the kids? Antonia Chitty has some ideas to help you find the right work life balance.


 

Millions of pet owners across the UK could be putting their pets at risk because they don’t know what to feed them, when to feed them or how much to feed them.

 

ALVIN HALL GIVES ADVICE ON HOW TO SURVIVE UNIVERSITY

Independent Financial Expert, Alvin Hall answers a students’ questions on how to survive the financial pressures of university life as new research reveals that today’s undergrads are most financially disadvantaged in history.

 

As a child was there anything better then varnishing a conker in the hope of beating your pal, the rush and excitement of British Bulldog or the elation of skipping?

 

Lesley Waters shows you how to make a lighter snack for your kids this summer. With a little imagination the best of British cooking can be brought up to date, using little variations that make them not only easier to make but more healthy too.

 

New wave of cash to get kids in the swim

A major new £3 million sponsorship deal for British Swimming aims to get thousands of kids and parents in the pool and learning to swim

 


 

Food Glorious Food

A new National Trust campaign, Food Glorious Food, launched in May, aims to inspire children of five to twelve years old to plant, nurture, grow, harvest and eat their own food. The National Trust will give away over 170 million free seeds and advice to children on growing vegetables at events up and down the country from May till October.



 

It’s not hard to see why children love the wild, wondrous world of birds, bugs and mini beasties.  Within easy reach, an endless and fascinating voyage of discovery takes young nature sleuths into unknown territory as they explore back gardens and parks to find a whole collection of wildlife on their doorstep. 

 

It is the quintessential British summer sport that dominates the headlines during the last two weeks of June. Known for its social yet competitive affiliation, research has shown that tennis is one of the healthiest and least injurious sports children can partake in.


 

Dietician Sian Porter from The Fat Panel shows you how to follow your favourite chef's meal the healthy way. With the vast array of celebrity chefs offering their mouth-watering recipes for us to follow, cooking restaurant quality food in our own kitchen has never been easier.

 

 

If, in this mass wave of financial uncertainty, predictions are correct, many British families will stay on home soil this year, as high transport costs and the weak pound persuade people to put their passports away.

 

Fascinating lives, intriguing stories and life-changing events from bygone years fill our communities and have moulded our environment to what it is today. With so much local history surrounding them, children are sure to enjoy an influential journey of discovery as they explore in more depth the lives of people and places of past years.


 

The brainchild of successful entrepreneur Sháá Wasmund, the venture will offer practical advice on getting business ideas off the ground, free legal and financial advice, and allow people of all experiences and backgrounds to network with other business owners and entrepreneurs to share ideas, tips and knowledge.


 

Money Matters

Brace yourselves. We’re in for a bit of a bumpy ride this year. But why is it that money doesn’t seem to matter so much - until you don’t have any, that is. The British government wants us to spend, and ideally that should happen.  After all, that way, money continues to circulate in the economy in a spending cycle
 

The UK’s leading veterinary charity, PDSA, has devised a simple computer-based formula, ‘Your Right Pet’, to ensure the health and happiness of pets. The four-step ‘PETS’ formula, launched online today (Thursday, 15 January) is designed to help every prospective pet owner consider the main issues before taking on any companion animal, from rats to retrievers

 

Changing Face of the Nation’s Youth

A new survey sheds light on the differences between today’s teens and those of preceding generations. Teen TV has certainly changed dramatically over the past few decades – the edgy cast from Skins are a far cry from key 80’s characters such as Adrian Mole and the Grange Hill gang. Is this shift in media diet a reflection of teens today or in spite of them? And what about the rising role the internet now plays in the life of a teenager?

 

The end of the summer term is in sight and British parents are looking forward to spending time with their kids over the summer holidays. We all enjoy having the kids around the house during the hotter months, the big question is how do you keep them entertained? 


 
Home Based Jobs


 

Master Multiple Meals


Are you are a parent that boasts at least ten tried and trusted dishes in your culinary portfolio? Well consider yourself part of a new generation of mums and dads dubbed ‘Repertoire Cooks’ that is emerging onto the parenting scene.

 

BDF Newlife becomes Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children


Three quarters of a million disabled children could soon be about to benefit following the announcement that leading charity BDF Newlife has changed its name to Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children and widened its scope so that all disabled and terminally ill children in the UK can take advantage of its services.

 

How to make the Perfect Lasagne

Are you one of those people who love the idea of homemade food but find the concept a little daunting?  Well don’t be scared! Homemade food doesn't have to be a chore to taste delicious. 

 

Brits ignore the secret of happiness

A third of Brits confess to being unhappy with their lives. Yet there seems to be little excuse - as a nation we have identified the top three things that are central to happiness: family, good health and a close group of friends.


 

As Credit Crunch Hits Home More Parents  Want Home Work

The current economic climate is creating worry for many hard working parents who fear redundancies, yet some families are successfully negotiating their way through the squeeze with remote working and home working employment options.


 

Trained or not, everyone loves to dance and with the sudden surge in performing arts, due to reality TV programmes as Strictly Come Dancing, Britain's got Talent and films like High School Musical, dancing has never been more popular.

 

Encourage young people to take action in your community

Do you know an 11 - 18 year old who has an idea or is already creating change?  If so, boost their confidence and life skills and help your local community at the same time: Nominate them for a CHANGEit award. Whether it's a scheme for reducing litter, making a dent in street crime or setting up an after school club, CHANGEit encourages young people to take their ideas and make them happen.


 

Women, get confident!

With our magazines constantly displaying images of skinny celebs, quick diets and the latest technology to turn-back-the-clock, it’s easy for women to feel pressurised into looking good and as a result, having  low self confidence. But apparently it isn’t wrinkles or body shape issues that women are most worried about but hair loss.


 

Make a Splash....

Sitting poolside, it’s fascinating to see how different children approach the water. The fearless ones bomb into the pool and create a large ripple of waves, much to their parents’ disapproval. At the shallow end, other armband-clad youngsters pace the perimeter, gazing at the wet, wavy stuff, sniffing that alien chlorine, trying to look brave, and fearful of taking the plunge

 

Celebrating lives in a virtual world

www.lastingtribute.co.uk, the leading UK website of its kind, has teamed up with two national charities to create a virtual daffodil field and an online night sky so that loved ones can be remembered in an innovative way

Lasting Tribute
 

Encompassing the peacefulness of the countryside and its total harmony with nature it’s easy to see why so  many people get hooked on fishing. For many, including children, it provides the perfect escape route away from the daily grind towards a mini waterside haven of tranquillity. And, for a child, the excitement of the first bite from a fish can leave such a lasting impression the foundations of a lifelong passion begin to settle in.


 

Remember those first moments. After hours tirelessly
wobbling on two wheels with your feet firmly planted on
the ground, you took that first tentative move, balancing on two thin tyres, desperately hoping not to fall sideways in a scrambled heap. Then, all of a sudden, surprisingly, you realised that you were pedalling, moving without the aid of a parent or stabilisers holding you up, releasing a great sense of freedom.


 

One in five would fine those who 'don't do green'. The future of the planet is a major concern for people in the UK - but many feel they are not well enough informed to do their bit for the environment.


 

The performing arts, be they singing, dancing, acting or playing a musical instrument, generally attract two different types of character. One type includes the natural performers who were simply born to entertain. We all know who they are! The other type of child wants to follow a voyage of discovery that leads them to develop imagination, gain expressive qualities and grow in confidence.


 

Parents may claim to be providing their children with healthy, home-cooked meals, but research into kids’ eating habits tells a different story.  New research by The Honey Association shows that 86% of parents claim to cook entirely, or mostly from scratch every evening, but when children were polled about the foods they are actually eating, processed foods with poor nutritional value came at the top of the list. 

 

Let’s hear it for the trees

Sometimes it’s the things that are everywhere that we take for granted. Take trees for example. You can find them in the city and the country, in parks and even at the bottom of your garden. We all have our favourite -  the Oak tops the nation’s list-- a tree long revered and so common on our shores that at one time it could be found on both a six pence piece and a shilling coin

 

Across the UK there is an urgent need for around 10,000 more foster carers. This shortage means that children are being moved around from home to home, they have to be split up from their brothers and sisters, and have to live a long way from their family and friends.


 

Britain’s interest in good food has certainly come a long way in recent years and the popularity of celebrity chefs is just the tip of the iceberg. In fact British foodies are more curious about food than ever before with two-thirds of us eager to learn more about taste and how our taste buds, flavours and food combinations work.


 

Looking at adult websites, gambling and shopping fraudulently are just some of the things kids have been caught doing online. The potential for children to misuse the internet, and risk their own safety in the process, is huge as new research shows that a third of parents are leaving their children online unsupervised for at least 4 hours a week.

 

Household waste can be deadly when it ends-up on a rubbish tip where wild animals search for food and hundreds of creatures die miserable deaths or suffer because of thoughtless disposal of rubbish. You can help by disposing of your rubbish safely and securely. Rubbish that you put in a litter bin or secure dustbin will probably end up on an open rubbish tip where it can be deadly to animals.


 
Let's Party

Does the mere thought of organising a children’s party
bring you out in a cold sweat? Maybe you relish the idea
of entertaining a classroom of children each year? Well
one thing is for certain – the anniversary of that special
day when your child came into the world will arrive, bringing with it carefully wrapped presents, vivid novelty cards, the re-appearance of more distant family  members and – the obligatory birthday party!


 
Writing a Will

Passing away, forever sleep - however we refer to it, will happen - we are all going to die. And although the thought is a morbid one, once we have our own families we need to approach the subject of our death in a practical manner. Writing a Will may be something you'd rather put off until another day but it's essential to do it, if you want to take the pressure off the loved ones that you'll leave behind.

 


 

Kids Love Extreme Sports

The interest in high-risk has exploded over last decade, especially amongst children of primary school age who are longing to master the skills in sports that, until now, have been dominated by their teenage peers. So, what is the attraction of alternative sports and how, as potential party-poopers can we parents reduce the likelihood of injury?


 

Returning to Work


After the excitement of bringing home their new baby,
parents often find the prospect of returning to work
or study daunting. As with the toddler-to-be, those first tentative steps you make can also seem the most important. Perhaps the thought of going back seems overwhelming in an already time-precious lifestyle.


 

Choosing the Right Pet


Yes, they become loyal family members who offer unconditional love and friendship. Yet, introducing a new pet into the family home isn't all sweetness and light. It can all seem a little daunting - worse even than that fateful day when, for the very first time, you brought your partner home to meet Mum and Dad.


 

Whatever the season, every week we read about tragic stories of children who are killed or seriously injured on Britain's roads. As the stories unfold, even as we force ourselves to watch those gruesomely graphic adverts on the TV, the stark reality settles in: our children remain awfully vulnerable when they are on a pavement or on a road

 

British weather has always been erratic, but what a wet summer! We’ve been given the firmest of nudges from Mother Nature about the impact our collective carbon footprint has on the environment. Worryingly, no-one will be more affected by its effects than will our children.  Yet, should they wish, youngsters can storm ahead and learn more about climate change by getting actively involved in events and activities that support the preservation of nature.


 
Children and Travel

Hot & travel-sick children won't get your holiday off to a good start. Tempers really start to fray when you've been asked 'are we nearly there yet?' for the thousandth time. But it doesn't have to be like that. Jane Sullivan offers some advice.
Children and travel

 

The traditional image of the family as mum, dad and 2.4 kids no longer reflects reality. Ground-breaking new research shows that in modern Britain it's time to accept that successful families come in all shapes
and sizes.

 

Fun Outdoors

Cast your mind back to when you were a child. Can you recall those long lazy, summer days outside, basking in the garden and playing in the park?

 
Dig yourself out of debt

It may be responsible for countless sleepless nights, but personal debt has been a waking nightmare for many families who now find themselves struggling to keep their finances afloat.

Dig yourself out of debt

 
Blossom in the Garden

Depending on your outlook, this small area of land can been seen as a mini haven – an oasis of calm, filled with flourishing plants - or a place simply to  stick the goalposts or dump the trampoline.

Blossom in the Garden

 
What are you entitled to?

If someone said that you could get a cash lump sum by filling in a few forms, would you ignore them? Or if someone on the street handed out a no-strings £500, would you walk on by?
What are you entitled to?

Ireland-specific articles


 

Orienteering for Children

In an era where chilling out is regarded as ‘crucial’ and
comfort is the key, where food is plentiful and where more and more people are following sedentary lifestyles, how can we help ourselves?


 

Puppy Love

Emer Halpenny offers some tips on welcoming a new addition to the family.


 

Ireland's future e-Economy needs all citizens to prepare

Earlier today the EU's E-skills week was brought to a close with the message that citizens need to prepare for the future jobs market and engagement in society through enhanced web-skills.


 

Protecting your Family's Future

The correct life cover does more than just insure your family against the loss of your income; it is also there to protect your children against any debts you might have incurred during the economic downturn.


 

WATERFORD LIFEGUARDS COMPETE AT NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Lifesaving teams from Waterford competed on Sat 20th Feb 2010 in Irish Water Safety’s National Irish Pool Lifesaving Championships. An action-filled day of events saw 173 of Ireland’s fittest Lifesavers compete at the University of Limerick’s 50-metre pool complex

 

National Stillwater Lifesaving Championships 2010

Competition was intense in the University of Limerick Pool for the National Stillwater Lifesaving Championships, where almost 200 of Ireland's top lifeguards guaranteed exciting competition throughout the day.


 

MAKE A DIFFERENCE: MAKE THE BIG SWAP

‘THE BIG SWAP’ is the theme for Fairtrade Fortnight 2010, which will also highlight the continued growth in Fairtrade sales and support in Ireland.


 

LONELY PLANET, THE WORLD’S LEADING TRAVEL GUIDES, SERVE UP A GLOWING REVIEW OF GALWAY!

Having recently named Cork as one of their Top 10 Cities for 2010, Lonely Planet gave Galway city and county a glowing review in their latest edition.


 

New Lyons Tea Research Reveals Cork People Are Considered The Biggest Talkers in The Republic of Ireland

To celebrate the launch of its new advertising campaign, Lyons Tea commissioned research into what Irish people talk about over a cup of tea, and who they like to have their tea with.


 

KERRY BUSINESSES COME TOGETHER TO HOST THE FIRST “KERRY HOMES & BUSINESS EXPO” IN KILLARNEY

An innovative group of Kerry businesses have come together to host the first Kerry Homes & Business Expo in association with the Killarney BNI Chapter and Killarney Outlet Centre.


 

Following a very successful 2009 where visitor figures grew by 5%, Fota Wildlife Park have started work on a brand new €4 million entrance development which includes an exciting new macaque exhibit.


 

This year Fairtrade Fortnight 2010 runs from Monday 22nd February to Sunday 7th March. Visit our website to find out about the Big Swap. You will be able to find out about: the guests visiting Ireland, ideas for Big Swap events, resources available and about events happening around the country


 

As part of the Government’s implementation of the recommendations of the Ryan Report, the first meeting of the Committee to oversee the design and commissioning of a memorial for victims of institutional abuse recently took place.

 

Kit Kat to go Fairtrade

Fairtrade Mark Ireland welcomes the announcement on that Kit Kat is going Fairtrade as a breakthrough for cocoa farmers in Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast).

 

Bereavement

For many children their first real experience with loss happens when a pet dies. There are many ways you can tell your child that a pet has died from using a soothing voice or finding a comfortable and familiar place to tell them, but the most important thing is to be honest.


 

Cyberbullying

Bullying is not a new phenomenon. However the ways in which it happens is changing. The ease of access to powerful communication tools such as social networking websites, video and photograph sharing sites, and internet enabled camera-phones means that, all over the world, people are saying new things in new ways to new audiences

 

Press Release Sean Haughey T.D.Minister for Lifelong Learning


Dublin Northside Central T.D., Minister for Lifelong Learning, Seán Haughey has expressed his relief on the release of Irish Aid Worker Sharon Cummins and her Ugandan colleague, Hilda Kuwuki.


 

Irish Rugby Team bestowed with People of the Year Award


The Irish Rugby team represented by Brian O’Driscoll, Jerry Flannery and Luke Fitzgerald, and actor David Kelly were amongst those honoured this evening with a People of the Year Award at a star-studded ceremony at the Citywest Hotel in Dublin.


 

Irish Red Cross


A new report which calls for free and compulsory First Aid training across Europe, shows that Ireland is among the lowest European countries for First Aid knowledge


 

Practical Demonstrations


For parents, the website contains practical demonstrations on how to use the web applications that our children are using. The idea is that you can use these demos to get the skills to talk authoritatively with your children about their use of the Internet. Further Internet Safety information is available at: http://www.webwise.ie


 

GIY (Grow it Yourself) Ireland


Over 200 GIYers from all over Ireland attended the launch of GIY (Grow it Yourself) Ireland in Waterford Institute of Technology last Saturday. 

 

Fifty Ways to Active Citizenship


Your friend Active Alfie is looking for your help in making the world a better place through Active Citizenship. You may ask what Active Citizenship is and this is where Alfie’s Fifty Ways to Active citizenship will help you learn what it is and how your community can benefit from it.

 

Regina Murphy from Cork has won a national search to find Ireland’s Best ‘Cracking Great Value Egg Recipe’.  The competition was organised by Bord Bia as part of the campaign to promote eggs as a great value, versatile and nutritious option at meal times. Entrants submitted their recipe using eggs as the main ingredient to feed a family of four for €10 or less.


 

Mycharity.ie the Irish charity fundraising website has smashed through the €4 million barrier this month. In total €4.3 million euro has been raised for Irish charities through the website since its inception 3 years ago.

 

Cadbury Dairy Milk Commits to Fairtrade


Cadbury and Fairtrade Mark Ireland today announced plans to achieve Fairtrade certification for  Cadbury Dairy Milk, the country’s top selling chocolate bar by the end of Summer 2009. The same commitment is being made for Britain.


 

Top Tips for Young Writers


Writer, Sarah Webb shares some of her writing tips. Sarah worked as a children’s bookseller for many years and now writes full time. Her books for children include Kids Can Cook and the Amy Green series.


 

Pass the Presents


Mother-of-three, Rosemary Lafferty had this conversation with other parents many times but it was only when the eldest of her three children was inundated with  presents on her first big school party (some of which were never  played with), that she felt she could no longer sit back and do nothing.


 

Ten Top Tips for Parents of Primary School Children


by Patience Thomson, author of 101 Ways to get your Child to Read .  This article has some great ideas on how to do it and make it fun, so get reading this yourself.

 

Learn to grow your own produce with founder of the Waterford Food Producer’s Network, and author Michael Kelly. A new drive to help people grow their own food and eat their way to at healthier and more low-cost lifestyle is planned for the south-east.


 

The main cause of tooth decay is not the amount of sugar in the diet, but how often it is eaten or drunk. Every time children eat or drink anything sugary, their teeth are under attack from the plaque acids for up to one hour.


 

With the recession on, sales of new cars are falling as drivers hold onto their existing cars for longer. However it's not all doom and gloom as Halfords have some top money saving tips on maintaining your existing car and saving on fuel.

 

Research carried out by Amárach Research on behalf of the National Consumer Agency shows that over half of grocery shoppers are now making their decision on where to shop based on price. The research showed that 56% of grocery shoppers are shopping in a particular store based on price. A survey carried out earlier this year by the NCA showed that only 31% were influenced by price.

 

Children’s parties can seem like a scary prospect! Trying to go one better than the last or keeping up to date with the latest must-go places may seem like a daunting prospect.  But it’s not necessarily how grand the party is, but how much the children enjoy themselves...a thought quite often overlooked!


 

To keep children occupied, entertained and cared for (sometimes all at the same time). Can be challenging both in fulfilling their interests and choice of creative pursuits and your pocket! Remember Prioritise. Sit down with each of your children to identify what clubs or activities they enjoy most. The novelty of some after-school activities can wear off pretty quickly and it will not only save you money but also will boost your child’s confidence if you include them in the decision-making process.


 

After-school activities benefit your child in ways that might surprise you. According to a recent study, children who participate in extra curricular activities are more engaged in and have a better attitude about learning, perform better academically, and enjoy an increased sense of accomplishment, competence, and self-esteem.


 

New restrictions aimed at reducing the exposure of children to alcohol advertising come into effect from today. The Codes on Alcohol Advertising, Placement and Sponsorship have been agreed between the drinks industry and the Department of Health


 

Fotocube


If you have any photos that you would like to present in a different way, then why not think about getting them printed directly onto acrylic freestanding blocks or wall-hanging panels?  These could look great for displaying in your schools, either on the wall or for presentations or open days.  More>> http://www.fotocube.co.uk/(website presently being updated but you can still email

info@fotocube.co.uk)

FotoCube Logo


 

NCTE: BROADBAND - CONTENT FILTERING


NCTE have an Adult Content Filtering Level which can be switched on for a couple of hours to facilitate Adult classes especially those educating parents on social networking sites such as Bebo. The following content categories will of course still be blocked during these periods: ‘Pornography’, ‘Adult Materials’ and ‘Malware’. NCTE reserves the right to block other content as required. The www.ncte.ie/Broadband/TheServiceDesk will provide a form, which must be filled in and returned a week in advance of the class.

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Playing Games


In the same few weeks as we see the release of "Grand Theft Auto IV", and a press event during which details of the forthcoming "Gears of War 2" are given, we can reflect a little on how gaming might have taken over much or some of our lives. This is the focus of the recent Insafe Newsletter. For more information click here

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How Do I ....?


This part of the webwise website contains practical demonstrations on how to use the web applications that our children our using. The idea is that you can use these demos to get the skills to talk authoritatively with your children about their use of the Internet. By watching the demos you will also pick up tips on how to configure their favourite web tools so that they can use them more safely. More: www.webwise.ie/article.aspx?id=7902


 

File Sharing


A popular use of the Internet is called “peer-to-peer” file swapping, sometimes called filesharing. These programmes allow you to swap or share files from your own computer to another over the Internet.  Parents should be aware that if their children are misusing these peer-to-peer programmes and downloading copyrighted works like music or films, that they are in fact breaking the law. For more information click here


 

Internet Safety - Life Skills


As the Internet and related technologies are now enmeshed in children's lives Barnardos in its 2008 Childlinks issue sets out to explore both the benefits and the dangers to children because of the Internet.

More>> www.webwise.ie/article.aspx?id=9314


 

Site of the Week - Watch Your Space


With cyber-bullying making the news headlines this site is certainly relevant today. Presents information for children and teenagers about how to stay safe and in control when using technology such as mobile phones and social networking sites. To read the Review click here


 

Make a Splash!


Sitting poolside, it’s fascinating to see how different children approach the water. The fearless ones bomb into the pool and create a large ripple of waves, much to their parents’ disapproval.  At the shallow end, other armband-clad youngsters pace the perimeter, gazing at the wet, wavy stuff, sniffing that alien chlorine, trying to look brave, and fearful of taking the plunge.


 

Get Hooked


Encompassing the peacefulness of the countryside and its total harmony with nature it’s easy to see why so many people get hooked on fishing.  For many, including children, it provides the perfect escape route away from the daily grind towards a mini waterside haven of tranquillity.


 

Choosing Childcare


Choosing suitable childcare is a very important decision for all parents. As parents, you know more about your child than any other person, and when choosing a child care service, you will want a service which will meet your child's individual needs.


 

Personalised name tag labels that don’t come off - that’s the promise from MyStuff™ the new Irish manufacturer of children’s labels.  Mother of three, Deborah Brownrig-Shields says that her mission is to provide Irish families with microwave, dishwasher, sterilizer and UV resistant stick-on labels that are user friendly, durable and long lasting, and iron-on labels that are washing machine and tumble dryer proof. 


 

Cherish the Children: Who will look after them when I am at work?


It is now estimated that around one fifth of all Irish children under the age of nine are in some form of paid childcare. Interestingly enough approximately 73,000 families, or 42.5% of all families in Ireland with pre-school children, regularly rely on non-parental childcare arrangements for minding their children during normal working hours

Childcare


 

Petmania have recently started to visit various primary schools with a selection of animals and educate the children on how important it is to research all about pet’s if they are planning to own one. Our Team will then get all the children to do a work sheet on a day in the life of my pet. In this work sheet the children must put in how to feed, exercise and clean a pet.


 
'Stuck on You' Labels

Clonakilty mother of 2, Teresa McShane, has become the sole agent in Ireland of the personalised label company 'Stuck On You’ with the simple message, Label it, Own it, Keep it. Carrie's labels are as individual as your child.


 

Beautifully presented in a folder, this simple and easy to use resource is ideal for all Childminders who care for children in their own home


 
Playground Games

Children really enjoy playing games.  Games encourage the taking of turns, confidence, new skills and the opportunities for much needed exercise.


 
Aupair Service

ASE Aupair Service Europe is an au pair agency specialising in bringing German au pairs to Ireland.


 
Children and Safety on Farms

Over 30% of accidents on farms involve children and young people ranging from minor injuries to fatal incidents where, tragically, children have been killed in accidents on farms.
HSA

 
Success as a single parent

Life certainly has a habit of throwing challenges at us. And, although it may seem hard to believe, JK Rowling once shared the same plight that over 150,000 parents in Ireland face each day (15% are lone fathers).
Success as a single parent

 
 
 
© Primary Times, 2009