28 Book Recommendations From my Kids to Yours

One night a few months ago, I made a third attempt to get my six-year-old interested in Cabin Fever, a Diary of a Wimpy Kid book by Jeff Kinney. I read it for him as his bedtime story, promising he could have a second story if he didn't like it. There may have been an ulterior ...

5 Things to do in Dublin for Free

apple trees - Marlay Park - Office Mum

This post could also have been called "What we did this summer so far", or "Places I lost my youngest child this summer and needed help from strangers to find him" or simply "Brambles cafés we've been too, because they are EVERYWHERE now." We were away for the heatwave and since we've come home from holidays, the ...

Ferry or Flight – Which is Easier When Travelling With Kids?

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For five years in a row, we took the ferry to France, then last year, for the first time since having kids, we braved getting on a plane, and we did it again this year. Throughout the journey, I couldn't help comparing flight and ferry in my head, so in case you've only done one ...

What are the hidden causes of tooth decay in small children?

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This article first appeared in maternity & infant, October/ November issue, and after watching Sugar Crash on RTÉ earlier this week, I thought I'd post it here. Why is dental decay in kids on the increase in Ireland, and why is nobody telling parents that waiting for primary school screening is not advisable? Paediatric Dentist Dr. Rose-Marie ...

Check It Fits: Get Your Car Seat Checked for Free

RSA carseat weight guide office mum

Two years ago, the world’s media watched as Prince William strapped his newborn son into a car seat for the first time. He appeared to be nervous, and understandably so – every parent knows the daunting task that is the first fumbling foray into the world of car seats. And even those of us who do ...

Three campsites in France: comparison and review

Beach in Carnac

Recently, I asked my seven-year-old if she remembered Sequoia Parc, the campsite we stayed in, two years ago in France. "Of course I do - it had a dragon pirate ship thing beside the pool," she said. "No," I said, "That was Clarys Plage, last year." She was sure I was wrong. I was sure I was right. ...

A Big List of Places to Visit Santa in Ireland (for eumom)

Santa Claus - Office Mum

Taking kids to visit Santa in the run up to Christmas - a tradition that's been around since the 19th century in the States, and presumably almost as long here in Ireland. I have gorgeous memories of going to see "Santy" in Switzers in Cork in the 1980s - I can't remember any of the ...

5 Tips for Going Back to Work After Maternity Leave

office mum: maternity leave tips

Childcare booked - check. Return to work date agreed - check. Sense of calm and wellbeing? Not quite there yet. Going back to work after maternity leave is a time of mixed emotions for many mothers - for some it's a worry, for some, it's exciting. And for most, it's a lot from column A and ...

Pregnancy Care Package: Tips and Links for Expectant Parents

image: pixabay

What do you wish you'd known when you were expecting your first child? What should you have bought, and what could you have left on the shelf? What do you wish you'd known about sleeping and feeding before and after your baby arrived? There's a wealth of information out there, but I knew little about it when I was starting out on the road to ...