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Things to Do with your family in August

July 31st, 2009 | Martina Hennesy | Comment (0)

Dayout.ie  is an excellent resource for families looking to get out and about, keep the kids entertained and get those Kodak moments! There is a specific section for ‘families’  with lots of fun things to do, maps and reviews.

Some that may be of interest are:

Bugs Bunny on Broadway at the National Concert Hall
Take the kids to something different this Aug. by booking tickets for the National Concert Hall Fri. 7th Aug. & Sat. 8th Aug. to see ‘Bugs Bunny on Broadway’ presented by RTE CO & Warner Bros.
Read More…
 

Ardgillan Castle – Dublin
Ardgillan Castle is a large castellated country house and gardens on Dublin’s east coast. Featured by dayout.ie on the Ireland AM programme as part of Ireland’s Top 10 free days out, Ardgillan Castle is located north of Dublin just outside the town of Balbriggan. The grounds include rose gardens and large open areas providing beautiful outdoor walks for familes and couples. Many of the walks are through sheltered forest paths providing great adventure for kids. Ardgillan castle stands on elevated coastline commanding magnificent views of the Irish Sea and a large outdoor children’s playground is available on the site with great views over Dublin Bay.
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Aillwee Cave – Clare
Aillwee Cave is Ireland’s most popular showcave and a unique experience for visitors to the Burren in Clare. Learn about Aillwee caves 1.5 million year history and travel up to 350ft underground. Situated on Ireland’s beautiful west coast, this award winning tour complex is open to the public and groups all year round. ]Visits by appointment only in month of December. Tea rooom, craft shop and the Burren Bird of Prey centre ensure a great day out for all the family.
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Killary Adventure Co – Galway
Lots of outdoor adventure and fun including Bungee Jump, bridge jump & Giant Swing,!! Kayaking, Gorge Walking, Windsurfing, Sailing, Rock Climbing & Abseiling as well as Laser combat games, Archery, Clay Pigeon Shooting, stag & hen parties, 49ft Racing Sailing Yacht, Wake Boarding, Knee Boarding, Waterskiing & Speed Boat Trips, Hill Walking, Orienteering, Bike hire, summer camps & family holidays. Day & overnight stays.
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Kartworld Adventure Centre – Cork
The ultimate experience in karting, pulse ranger, power turns, laser clays and archery. Not only that but Kartworld Adventure Centre also boasts Ireland’s first summer camp incorporating all these activities.
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Mulcahy’s Pony Stables – Tipperary
We cater for all ages of children and of any age and ability. Every Saturday morning we hold a mini pony camp. Pony Parties for birthdays or any other occasion. We give riding lessons by appointment. Pack up your pony, for those who enjoy the company of a pony and country walks.
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Rathwood – Carlow
Rathwood’s newly extended centre compromises of an award winning restaurant, beautiful furnitures and interiors shop, walled garden centre, gift shop, woodland walks and children’s play park. Visit Rathwood and experience this unique combination of retail and leisure for a fantastic family day out.
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Enjoy!

Filed under: Family Holidays, How to Entertain the Kids on July 31st, 2009 by Martina Hennesy | Comment (0)

Paediatric First Aid Class Cork

July 30th, 2009 | Martina Hennesy | Comment (0)

Tots2Teens are delighted to announce that we are hitting the Rebel County with our First Paediatric First Aid Class for Parents and Carers of Babies and Young Children.

The class will take place on 12th September in the Kingsley Hotel, Victoria Cross, Cork –  for more details and online booking please see our Paediatric First Aid page

This course will teach you how to apply life saving first aid skills to any baby or child in an emergency – a must for any parent or carer of babies or small children, this course is invaluable.

According to the Order or Malta, as many as 40% of accidents involving children occur between June and September with August being the worst month for children’s accidents. Boys aged 10-19 years experience 34 % of accidents and girls aged between 0-9 years experience 24%.

The majority of accidents are falls (45%). According to Winnie Maye, National Director, Order of Malta Ambulance Corp, 50% of Irish people have not participated in a first-aid course. The order is now encouraging families to become more aware of first aid.

Be prepared by attending our Paediatric First Aid Class.

Filed under: Childrens Classes on July 30th, 2009 by Martina Hennesy | Comment (0)

Bugs Bunny On Broadway

July 29th, 2009 | Tots2Teens | Comment (0)

Take the kids to something different this Aug. by booking tickets for the National Concert Hall Fri. 7th Aug. & Sat. 8th Aug. to see ‘Bugs Bunny on Broadway’ presented by RTE CO & Warner Bros.

Guranteed to captivate their imaginations, cartoon superstars Bugs Bunny, Road Runner and Friends show on the big screen to a live orchestra. 2 evening performances and 1 matinee mean tickets are bound to sell out quickly, so hurry before they’re all snapped up!

Click here for more information and for  bookings

Filed under: How to Entertain the Kids, Uncategorized on July 29th, 2009 by Tots2Teens | Comment (0)

Teach Your Baby To Sign

July 28th, 2009 | Claire Hayes | Comment (0)

Siobhan is a lady we met recently when Tinytalk classes came to our attention. She has agreed to be a guest blogger to explain what Tinytalk classes are all about.

TinyTalk is for all babies from birth to approximately 2 years old. The classes include 30 minutes of signing & singing to familiar nursery rhymes & action songs. Through singing and having fun, language skills can be developed as well as mathematical, musical and analytical thinking skills. Signed book time is also now a regular feature. Then 30 minutes of playtime for the little ones, for more social interaction and time for the parents to socialise too & compare experiences over refreshments.

TinyTalk is “helping babies to communicate before they can talk”. Parents know that one of the hardest times is when our baby cries and we can only guess what they are trying to tell us. Are they hungry, thirsty, in pain, or may just need a cuddle? From as early as 6-7 months old babies can start to communicate through sign language. Just as you can teach them to wave bye-bye and to play peek-a-boo, you can also teach them to sign, well before their vocal cords allow them to talk. By tuning in to your baby and developing a real understanding of each other, frustration can be greatly reduced – on both sides, helping to generate a closer bond. Signing also speeds up the process of learning to talk, stimulates intellectual development and enhances self-esteem. The rewards of baby signing can be enormous.

Research shows that babies who sign can often start to communicate verbally at an earlier age and have an enhanced vocabulary in childhood. This is because with TinyTalk baby signing you emphasise the word with the sign. We encourage language development.

For further information on classes contact Siobhan on 087 3142390, email siobhanm@tinytalk.co.uk or log onto www.tinytalk.co.uk/siobhanm

Filed under: Childrens Classes, How to Entertain the Kids on July 28th, 2009 by Claire Hayes | Comment (0)

Swine Flu and Pregnancy

July 27th, 2009 | Martina Hennesy | Comment (0)

Swine Flu or Influenza A(H1N1) is a new flu virus which has been circulating worldwide since April and we have seen over 172 cases in Ireland so far. The World Health Organisation has declared this to be a pandemic – a flu epidemic that spreads around the world.

According to the HSE , Pregnant women are considered to be in the high risk group and needing treatment with prescribed antiviral medicine. The HSE recommends that women who are pregnant and develop influenza symptoms should contact their GP and arrange to receive antiviral medication.

In terms of a vaccination, which is expected to become available in September, will this be available to pregnant women and what should people who are thinking of getting pregnant do?

The Irish Examiner  did a piece last week on Pregnant Women and swine Flu vaccine and wrote that Dr Sam Coulter Smith, Master of the Rotunda Hospital said that he could not confirm whether the swine flu vaccine would be ‘suitable’ for pregnant women to use. Dr Coulter Smith said that ‘this has been a relatively mild illness and you get over it quickly, but there have been a few rare cases where there have been maternal deaths’.

Lack of clarity may mean that those who are concerned about swine flu and its effects on pregnancy may delay pregnancy however the HSE says it is not advising women to delay pregnancy due to the higher risk of complications from the human swine flu virus. Dr Pat Doorley head of population health with the Executive said such a recommendation was not justified at this time.

While no deaths from swine flu have been recorded in Ireland – with most cases described as mild – the infection rate has more than quadrupled in this country since the start of July.

So how concerned should we be?

Filed under: mum to be on July 27th, 2009 by Martina Hennesy | Comment (0)

Stress Relief for Teenagers

July 20th, 2009 | Claire Hayes | Comments (2)

Stress Relief for Teenagers

Are you at your wits end with a stessed out teenager? Exam pressure certainly takes it toll on our adolescence and a lot of teenager are now finding yoga to be the stess release they have been searching for.

Also a recent study found that a lot of our teenagers suffer from back pain. This increase amongst our teenagers is mostly down to heavy school bags and poor posture but also increasingly sedentary lifestyles.

Its thought that activities such as yoga helps with good posture. An interesting article about teen yoga gives details of the many benefits to our teenagers that yoga brings, not only in the physical sense but also techniques for coping with everday issues so they feel calm and at ease with themselves and life.

Tots2Teens run Teenage Yoga Classes ….. Read More and Book

Filed under: Childrens Health on July 20th, 2009 by Claire Hayes | Comments (2)

Holidaying with baby…

July 16th, 2009 | Martina Hennesy | Comment (0)

We stayed in a hotel which may not be the best choice and I think in future I would consider a self catering option perhaps in the grounds of a hotel, especially if I needed to steralise bottles or have a fridge on hand for baby food and yoghurts.

My new type of holiday, with baby, may be less relaxing but it is certainly still great fun – there were lots of giggles and gurgles, clapping of hands and peeping and a budding swimmer was revealed! It was fantastic spending full days together and not rushing about as we would normally do at home.

Looking to take a break towards the end of the summer again with Babs I checked out selfcatering.ie who provide holiday homes and villas worldwide including a great listing for Ireland with an online booking facility. With lots of Family Friendly options and customer reviews this site could be my new holiday bible!

If you can recommend a great family friendly location you’ve visited please let us know.

Filed under: Family Holidays, New Mum on July 16th, 2009 by Martina Hennesy | Comment (0)

Baby Showers

July 14th, 2009 | Claire Hayes | Comment (0)

Once seen as an American trend the Baby Shower fad has hit Ireland. More and more friends and relatives are throwing baby showers for expectant mums as a way of welcoming the baby into the world and to celebrate its beginning.

A baby shower is usually organised by a friend or family member of the expectant mum and is a way of getting friends and family together to share advice and to celebrate the imminent arrival of the new baby. It also allows people and give a small gift to the new baby.

There are generally two camps when it comes to baby showers. Those who wholeheartly agree with it and who think it’s a special way of celebrating the beginning of a new life and those who think it’s a gift grabbing exercise by the mother especially if it’s not her first child. Then it can be seen as selfish and unnecessary.

Personally I think that if an opportunity arises to celebrate a new life it should be taken and enjoyed. I also think that each sibling should be celebrated in the same way and any excuse to get some ladies together for a celebration is worthwhile in my eyes.

Some Top Tips for Organising a Baby Shower

1. Decide on your guest list ( Family and Friends )
2. Choose a date and time
3. Choose a theme
4. Choose a location (usually at the host’s house)
5. Send out your invites (Be sure to include directions, a contact number and RSVP details!)
6. Decide on the party games to play at the baby shower & organise a small gift for the winners
7. Order your party supplies, games and gifts from http://www.babyshower.ie(don’t forget the nappy cake – they make a wonderful present and add the wow factor as a centre piece)
8. Receive your party supplies and get the location ready!
9. Throw a fantastic baby shower and give all your guests and the Mum-to-be a day to remember
10. Well done – you can relax now!

For more information, ideas, gifts and all you would need to organise a baby shower visit www.babyshower.ie

If you have recently held a Baby Shower for someone please send us Comments and let us know how it went.

Filed under: mum to be, Parenting on July 14th, 2009 by Claire Hayes | Comment (0)

Lullabys Anyone?

July 13th, 2009 | Martina Hennesy | Comment (0)

After I had my son I realised that Lullaby’s were not my strong point and that the ones I did recall now seem to be a little odd – like hush little baby, the cradle falls off the tree top with the baby in it…more like a nightmare than a lullaby surely.
I resorted to Christmas carols with the odd rendition of ‘How much is that Doggy in the Window’ thrown in. Christmas carols are all fine and well but Jingle Bells from early September makes it a long run in to Christmas!
I decided to invest in a Lullaby book and CD which got me off on the right track but still in times of desperation when I am walking the floor rocking my teething son at 3am, all the cutsey lullabys go out the window and back comes Jingle Bells. No wonder it gets him back to sleep, he’s probably thinking ‘here she goes again’!

Filed under: New Mum on July 13th, 2009 by Martina Hennesy | Comment (0)

Be Prepared with a First Aid Course

July 6th, 2009 | Claire Hayes | Comment (0)

‘Mummy, Mummy, Ben’s choking in the front room!!’ These were the shocking words my 5yr old came running to me with one afternoon. Thus ensued a frantic sprint to the choking 3yr old who was pointing to his throat and panicing hugely.

Okay, so what do I do now ??? Weirdly my first reaction was to call my husband who was at work 10 miles away to ask his advice but one look at my toddler and I knew this wasn’t the time for the two of us to lose it.
Panic…. not an option either. Ok, remember what they thought you at the first aid course . I grabbed my son and put him over my knees with his head lower than his body. A couple of sharp slaps between the shoulder blades resulted in him vomiting and throwing up a shiny 50cent piece.

A happy ending to an awfully frightening situation. My toddler happily went back to playing after a stern telling off about putting money in his mouth.
Later on you think about what may have happened if you hadn’t been able to dislodge the coin.

Children under the age of 5 are at the greatest risk of choking. Basic first aid steps should be applied if the child doesn’t show signs of expelling the object themselves. Your treatment options differ depending on the age of the child and its only through doing a Paediatric First Aid course that you will learn the correct procedure for the correct age of a choking child.

Everyone leaves things lying around their house that shouldn’t be there. Children are inquisitive and search around in drawers for interesting items to explore. Unfortunately this can lead to accidents involving burns, cuts, poisoning and the odd broken bone along the way.

Wouldn’t it be reassuring to know that whatever happened you would be able to handle an emergency without panicking and do the best for your child?
In my experience a first aid course is an invaluable skill to have especially while your children are young and in most danger of harming themselves in the home and at play.

Tots2Teens currently run Paediatric First Aid Course in Dublin

If you have any comments, stories of similar situations where your First Aid training has helped please leave you comments below.

Filed under: Childrens Health on July 6th, 2009 by Claire Hayes | Comment (0)