Blog List

Parents are paying more than they need to for their children’s ebook education as Irish schools are insisting on iPads. The National Parents Council Post Primary says parents aren’t being given a choice between tablet devices. "Schools are specifying iPads, which cost up to €500 before (you buy) ebooks," said NPCPP president Don Myers. "I'm aware of other companies offering ebook...

Draft legislation has been published to stop schools from charging application fees, operating waiting lists and interviewing parents or children for school places. The new regulations would apply to all 4,000 Irish primary and post-primary schools and would also provide for a new parent-friendly appeals system should dispu tes arise. Education Minister Ruairí Quinn said their goal was to ensure...

An anti-bullying expert has warned that children as young as eight years old are experiencing cyber-bullying. Marion Flanagan of the Anti-Bullying Centre at Trinity College says that many online abusers were unaware of the full impact their actions were having. She also says the impact of cyber-bullying is a lot more harmful as throw-away comments can be read repeatedly. It has been estimated that...

Ask.fm, a website linked to three teen suicides, has announced a number of new safety measures. The site will now include a visible ‘report’ button, a larger number of moderators and an extra website for parents. Ask.fm, which allows users to leave anonymous comments about other users, was implicated after three teens took their own lives following abuse and bullying campaigns while using the...

Mums appear to be starting the Back to School shop early this year in an attempt to grab bargains. Tesco has reported a 75% increase in the sale of schoolbags compared to the same period last year. This year’s most popular schoolbags are those portraying well-known characters and animated films, with Hello Kitty, Monster’s University, Marvel Heroes and WWE all in the Top 10. Tell us what you...

Almost 57,000 students will receive their Leaving Certificate results tomorrow. Here are the main things mums and their teens need to know: Results will be available at most schools from 9am. If you can’t make it to your school, results are available online or by phone (1530 716 016) from 12pm. Make sure you have your Personal Identification Number and examination number ready. If you have any...

Almost 57,000 students will receive their Leaving Cert results tomorrow and the majority of their parents will probably feel as though they’re getting their own all over again. As the milestone looms, your teen may want to spend tonight with their friends. However, if their friends are also waiting on results, the inevitable panicked discussions may increase their anxiety. Here are a few ways...

I know that in four weeks’ time I will be in tears. In four weeks’ time, my daughter graduates from Primary School. The Mums have stared at each other in bewilderment. How has this happened so quickly? Where have the past eight years gone? The girls are taller certainly; some have even developed the dreaded teenage acne. But in our minds, they’re not much different to the tiny four year olds...

Put a group of 30 something or indeed 40 something year old ladies together. Ask them about their Confirmation outfits and wait for the shrieks of hilarity. Grown women will shout each other down, vying to win the title of Most Horrendous Outfit Ever. Personally I feel I have a good chance. Cream pop socks and knee length corduroy skirt anyone? So when it was my turn to be Mum who chooses, I was...

I like to consider myself a modern mum! I may be on the wrong side of 40, but I wear skinny jeans, I own wedge trainers (ooh, very cutting edge!), I’m adept at the GHD and there’s no sign of Ponds Cold Cream in my bathroom cabinet. ‘Middle age, my ass!’ is pretty much my mantra! All was going well … until my 12 year old daughter introduced me to Hollister. Dear Divine Mother of God...