Articles by Ellen Fitzpatrick
Search
  • Parents spend 90 hours a year trying to coax their children into the car

    Parents spend 90 hours a year trying to coax their children into the car

    Getting the children into the car is a task and a half, and more often than none it feels like an eternity trying to make them strap in. While we say an eternity, it turns out we’re not far off as one study has shown that parents spend 90 hours a year trying to coax […]

    2 years ago

  • Mum seeks advice when husband brings dog into family home with newborn

    Mum seeks advice when husband brings dog into family home with newborn

    Weeks after giving birth, her husband brought his family dog into the home. The mum, who gave birth to a daughter in June, has revealed that when her baby was only three weeks old, as she was recovering from a C-Section, her husband made the decision to bring his dog into the home. Her husband […]

    2 years ago

  • Dublin Zoo is offering all September visitors a chance to win lifetime passes

    Dublin Zoo is offering all September visitors a chance to win lifetime passes

    Yes, you read that headline right – Dublin Zoo is giving every single visitor for the month of September a chance to win the ‘Golden Ticket’ we’ve always wanted. From today, anyone who visits Dublin Zoo at any time this month can enter a draw to win a lifetime pass, and a Golden Tickets will […]

    2 years ago

  • Virgin Media’s new series ‘Born Too Soon’ starts tonight

    Virgin Media’s new series ‘Born Too Soon’ starts tonight

    A brand new series is hitting Virgin Media this evening, but be warned, it’s a heavy one. Born Too Soon begins tonight on Virgin Media One at 9 pm, with the four-part series airing every Tuesday throughout September. The series is set to be highly emotive and gives a full-access look into the lives, both […]

    2 years ago

  • School forced to send substitute teachers home amid staff shortage

    School forced to send substitute teachers home amid staff shortage

    A principal of a school in Dublin has branded the Department of Education’s response to the teacher shortage “a disgrace” after being forced to send home substitute teachers. Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Tonya Hanly of Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School in Dublin 8 said she was forced to send home two teachers who […]

    2 years ago

  • Mum hits back at trolls who shamed her for having a baby at 45

    Mum hits back at trolls who shamed her for having a baby at 45

    A mum has taken to social media after she was mum-shamed for having a baby at the age of 45. Influencer Patti Avery Schmidt is mum to four children, three sons whom she had in her 20s and a baby girl whom she gave birth to when she was 45 years old. Patti has since […]

    2 years ago

  • Mum slated over the contents of her daughter’s lunch box

    Mum slated over the contents of her daughter’s lunch box

    Packed lunches have become a massive topic of online debates in recent years, it doesn’t matter what’s in them, someone always finds an issue. School lunches have gotten a lot more extreme in recent years, we’ve moved far away from the ham and cheese sandwich with an apple that many of us were used to. […]

    2 years ago

  • Pregnant woman urged to go on strike after husband’s odd requests

    Pregnant woman urged to go on strike after husband’s odd requests

    A mum-to-be has been left utterly baffled when she discovered she was pregnant and her husband presented a list of odd requests. Typically in any relationship, especially if you’re living together, there is an even divide between chores and housework – or at least there should be. We’ve moved on from women taking responsibility for […]

    2 years ago

  • Survey reveals 25% of children experience cyberbullying

    Survey reveals 25% of children experience cyberbullying

    A new study has revealed that more than a quarter of primary school children and 40% of secondary school students have been subject to cyberbullying. The research carried out by online safety charity CyberSafeKids saw that just over half of primary school children and 39% of secondary school children told a parent or trusted adult […]

    2 years ago

  • Government announces age extension to free contraception scheme

    Government announces age extension to free contraception scheme

    The Irish Government has announced today that they are extending the free contraception scheme to include people under 30. Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, confirmed that the scheme is set to include anyone aged between 27 and 30. The free contraception scheme has been open to women, girls and others who identify as transgender or […]

    2 years ago

  • Joe Swash reveals parenting six children is hard but worth it

    Joe Swash reveals parenting six children is hard but worth it

    Joe Swash has opened up on raising his six children alongside his wife, Stacey Solomon, and revealed that he finds it very hard work. Speaking to PA, the actor revealed that parenthood is “exhausting” but he has managed to adapt to the new way of life. “I think your body just adapts to your situation,” […]

    2 years ago

  • My three-year-old is being kicked out of Montessori after only one day

    My three-year-old is being kicked out of Montessori after only one day

    As the return to school and creche is among us, the transition can be much harder for some than others – but for this mum, it was an absolute nightmare. She opened up about the incident on Reddit, one mum explained that her three-year-old had started his first day of Montessori but it didn’t end […]

    2 years ago

  • 60% of CAO applicants are offered their first choice

    60% of CAO applicants are offered their first choice

    Almost 60,000 leaving cert students received offers for college places through the CAO this morning. The Central Applications Office, which administers college entry on behalf of the universities and colleges, has now issued 87,075 offers to 57,980 applicants – with most students pleased with the news. For Level 8 or degree-level courses, almost 60% of […]

    2 years ago

  • These are the most popular items in Irish lunchboxes

    These are the most popular items in Irish lunchboxes

    The most popular food item in Irish school lunchboxes has finally been revealed. New research from the Healthy Heroes School Programme in association with the Irish Bread Bakers Association (IBBA) has revealed that a sandwich is still at the top of the list when it comes to school lunches. The research found that 42% of […]

    2 years ago

  • This was the most popular baby name in each country this year

    This was the most popular baby name in each country this year

    The year may not be over just yet but the results are in and we already know what the most popular baby names around the world are. Letter Solver has come up with a list of the most popular names given to baby boys and girls in each country over the last 12 months, after […]

    2 years ago

  • These are all the dates your child will be off school this year

    These are all the dates your child will be off school this year

    The kids are officially back in school and while it’s somewhat of a relief for parents, the big question on our minds – when is the next time they’re off? Many parents will already be planning holidays for when their children are off, and not to mention organising daycare for them while we’re at work. […]

    2 years ago

  • Water births are coming back to Ireland after regulations lifted

    Water births are coming back to Ireland after regulations lifted

    Water births are set to make a comeback in Ireland following a long-term suspension across the country. After the tragic death of a baby in a birthing pool in the late 2000s, water births were suspended in all Irish hospitals as well as being used for home births. Those expecting children were allowed to use […]

    2 years ago

  • New Children’s Hospital likely won’t open until 2030

    New Children’s Hospital likely won’t open until 2030

    The National Children’s Hospital is not set to be open to patients until 2030 at the earliest, a former leading consultant has said. The State has been battling with developers from BAM over 2,000 claims worth more than €700million and it is believed that the they have now repeatedly pushed back the completion until May […]

    2 years ago

  • Mum questions the appropriate age to allow your children to swim alone

    Mum questions the appropriate age to allow your children to swim alone

    Taking your children for a swim is always an activity that means you’re constantly on the look out. While we’re always keeping an eye on what are children are doing regardless, swimming is something we never want to drop our attention for. But of course, there comes a time when our children must spread their […]

    3 years ago

  • PJ Gallagher welcomes baby twins early with partner Kelly Doolin

    PJ Gallagher welcomes baby twins early with partner Kelly Doolin

    Huge congratulations are in order for PJ Gallagher as he has become a dad for the first time to a set of twins. The comedian and radio host welcomed twins, a boy and a girl, with his partner Kelly Doolin. Naming them Milo and Stevie, the couple got a little surprise as the babies arrived […]

    3 years ago

  • Iceland boss breaks rules as he reduces price of baby formula

    Iceland boss breaks rules as he reduces price of baby formula

    Iceland boss Richard Walker is making headlines after he revealed he broke the law to reduce the cost of baby formula in stores. Walker is calling for the UK’s advertising laws to change after his supermarket chain made the decision to reduce the cost of 13 branded formulas by up to 20%. Iceland has launched […]

    3 years ago

  • Woman left furious after being told to give up plane seat for mum and child

    Woman left furious after being told to give up plane seat for mum and child

    A woman has been left furious after she was ordered to give up her seat on a plane to make space for a mum and her baby. Wondering if she is in the wrong, the woman had found herself in an aisle with an empty seat – everyone’s dream, especially when you’re returning home after […]

    3 years ago

  • World’s first womb transplant a ‘massive success’ in the UK

    World’s first womb transplant a ‘massive success’ in the UK

    The world’s first-ever womb transplant has been deemed a “massive success” after a woman received a uterus from a living donor. A 34-year-old woman received the womb following a nine-hour and 20-minute long operation at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford. The donor, who was the woman’s 40-year-old sister, had already completed her own family and […]

    3 years ago

  • This is how we can best support teachers as children head back to school

    This is how we can best support teachers as children head back to school

    Summer has officially ended for most schools as children are returning to the classroom this week, and for teachers, it means they’re heading back from a much-needed break. As our children head back to school, it can be a difficult transition not only for them and parents but also for those educating them. To make […]

    3 years ago

  • Top five Irish baby names of the last year

    Top five Irish baby names of the last year

    Perfect names for your little one. Following Carl Mullen’s news that he welcomed his second child with his wife Aisling, we thought we’d look back on the top five Irish baby names of the last year. Carl announced that his daughter arrived into the world yesterday on Instagram, revealing the couple decided to name her […]

    3 years ago

  • New law created by 16-year-old to protect the children of influencers

    New law created by 16-year-old to protect the children of influencers

    A new law has been introduced in Illinois to protect the rights of influencers with children who are featured in their content. The state has passed a law that will require financial compensation for young social media influencers who are featured in any content that is monetised regardless of their role in the video. Content […]

    3 years ago

  • Mum explains why you should always use ‘guided access’ on your phone

    Mum explains why you should always use ‘guided access’ on your phone

    If we’re going to listen to any hack on TikTok, it’s definitely one that we get some peace and quiet out of. As much as we love our children, sometimes we just want some time to ourselves where they aren’t hounding us for a go on our phones. One mum has taken to TikTok to […]

    3 years ago

  • Breast milk comes in all different colours – and each has a meaning

    Breast milk comes in all different colours – and each has a meaning

    If you’re someone who pumps or freezes their breast milk, you’ll know that the colour of it can often not be what you expect. While the majority of colours are completely safe for your baby to drink, some are a cause for concern so it is important we understand the difference. From white and yellow […]

    3 years ago

  • Una Healy reveals her family was the reason she came back to Ireland

    Una Healy reveals her family was the reason she came back to Ireland

    Una Healy has revealed that the main reason she made the decision to come back to Ireland was because of her family. Una has had a crazy year following rumours of a throuple with David Haye, as well as getting her solo career in action. When it comes to her personal life, Una says it […]

    3 years ago

  • Department give update on back-to-school payment following reports of a delay

    Department give update on back-to-school payment following reports of a delay

    The government has finally confirmed when the Back to School Allowance payments will be sent out following delays. Parents previously reported that they hadn’t heard any update about these annual social welfare payment since sending in their applications. The payment, ranging from €260 to €385, is available to apply for until the end of September. […]

    3 years ago

  • ‘I hate how my adopted daughter’s name is spelt – is it wrong to change it?’

    ‘I hate how my adopted daughter’s name is spelt – is it wrong to change it?’

    A mum has sparked a serious debate on Reddit after she asked her peers for their opinion on changing the spelling of her adopted daughter’s name. Taking to the online forum looking for advice on the situation, the mum explained that she and her husband are currently in the process of adopting their two-year-old daughter […]

    3 years ago

  • Made In Chelsea’s Ollie Locke and husband Gareth welcome twins via surrogacy

    Made In Chelsea’s Ollie Locke and husband Gareth welcome twins via surrogacy

    Made In Chelsea star Ollie Locke has welcomed twins with his husband Gareth via surrogacy. The couple revealed the happy news in a video to Instagram on Sunday. The video sees Ollie say: “Guys, the news we’ve been wanting to tell you for so many years – we are finally dads!” Following the beautiful message, […]

    3 years ago

  • ‘My husband calls my daughter stupid – how do I approach this?’

    ‘My husband calls my daughter stupid – how do I approach this?’

    A mum has taken to Reddit in need of some advice after revealing her husband insists on calling their three year old “stupid’. Revealing to the forum that she and her husband have been together for 10 years and share a three year old, she explained that her daughter acts no differently to other toddlers […]

    3 years ago

  • Chad Michael Murray welcomes third child with wife Sarah Roemer

    Chad Michael Murray welcomes third child with wife Sarah Roemer

    Chad Michael Murray has welcomed his third child with his wife Sarah Roemer. The couple have been married since 2015 and shared the joyous news on Instagram on Saturday. Sharing a snap of their newborn’s heart shaped birthmark, Sarah wrote: “Our baby girl arrived last week with a heart on her ankle. “We are so […]

    3 years ago

  • This preparation hack will make the school lunch rush much less stressful

    This preparation hack will make the school lunch rush much less stressful

    It’s that time of year again, when we’re officially thinking about back-to-school lunches. While some of us have been prepping for this since the school year ended, others are only getting the chance now. No matter where you are in your back-to-school planning, it’s always helpful to have a few hacks lined up to make […]

    3 years ago

  • New drug set to help prevent RSV in babies

    New drug set to help prevent RSV in babies

    No parent ever wants their child to contract RSV and see them very sick for a few days. Now, thanks to a new drug, we may not have that worry anymore. RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, is a childhood illness which sees an infant with a fever, cough, runny nose and trouble breathing. According to […]

    3 years ago

  • Jess Redden admits she is battling labour nerves ahead of being induced

    Jess Redden admits she is battling labour nerves ahead of being induced

    Jess Redden has admitted that she is currently battling with labour nerves as she is set to be induced next week. The pharmacist is expecting her first child with ex-Irish rugby player Rob Kearney any day now. Sharing the pregnancy update on social media, Jess posted a snap of herself cradling her baby bump while […]

    3 years ago

  • Mum’s ‘looking loudly’ hack helps find your child in a playground in minutes

    Mum’s ‘looking loudly’ hack helps find your child in a playground in minutes

    There is no worse feeling than being in a public space and suddenly realising you don’t have eyes on your child. The panic and dread that washes over us, there is nothing worse than that experience. As we all have likely had this happen when our children run off, especially in playgrounds, one mum’s “looking […]

    3 years ago

  • ‘My daughter wants to change her name – but I love her traditional name’

    ‘My daughter wants to change her name – but I love her traditional name’

    When we’re choosing a name for our children, it’s never a decision we take lightly. There are always a lot of different factors; will it be cute on a baby? Will it be suitable for when they’re older? Does it have a family connection or meaning? For this mum, it was no different when she […]

    3 years ago

  • Mum given out to by waitress after leaving five year old alone at the table

    Mum given out to by waitress after leaving five year old alone at the table

    A mum has questioned if she was in the wrong after revealing she was “told off” by a waitress for leaving her son alone at the table. A mum, who is wishing to remain anonymous, has taken to the ‘Am I Being Unreasonable’ forum on the parenting site Mumsnet after claiming she was “told off” […]

    3 years ago

  • Molly-Mae Hague shares tough parenting dilemma with Tommy Fury

    Molly-Mae Hague shares tough parenting dilemma with Tommy Fury

    Molly-Mae Hague has opened up about the parenting clashes she has with fiancé Tommy Fury as the two raise their eight-month-old daughter Bambi. Opening up about their parenting dilemmas in their new Netflix series At Home With The Furys, the couple gave a look into their lives now that they’re parents. The series primarily focuses […]

    3 years ago

  • Warning issued for students of rental scam ahead of CAO results

    Warning issued for students of rental scam ahead of CAO results

    A warning has been issued for college students due to apparent rental scams as they return to university next month and receive CAO offers. Housing charity Threshold has joined the Irish Council for International Students and the Union of Students in Ireland in introducing The Scamwatch campaign in order to prevent students being left short […]

    3 years ago

  • Warning issued to women over vital ovarian cancer screenings

    Warning issued to women over vital ovarian cancer screenings

    A warning has been issued for thousands of women in Ireland who are missing out on ovarian cancer screenings. Similar to a breast cancer screening, where those diagnosed are eligible for genetic tests along with their families, patients who are diagnosed with ovarian cancer are also given this option. The tests are designed to identify […]

    3 years ago

  • Period and menopause leave to be discussed by Government

    Period and menopause leave to be discussed by Government

    The Irish Government is set to start discussing the introduction of work leave for anyone going through menopause or bad period symptoms, Roderic O’Gorman has hinted at. The Government is set to commission research in a bid to “make the workplace a better place” for those going through either. Minister for Equality Roderic O’Gorman said […]

    3 years ago