CatherineMom's Blog

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...

The Government has come under renewed pressure to introduce a ban on smacking children. An official complaint by children’s group to the Council of Europe claimed that “reasonable chastisement” is a violation of young people’s rights. They also criticise the Irish State for not attempting to outlaw the practice, despite calls from international human rights organisations, such as the UN...

There has been some debate on the issue of swaddling since the appearance of Kate Middleton craddling newborn Prince George, who was wrapped in a white blanket. While many cooed over the little prince, British grandmother Valerie Butcher wrote an angry letter to a newspaper over an experience her daughter had with her four-week-old son. Valerie revealed that her daughter had been reprimanded at a...

Proposals to give young children free GP care are likely to be included in the upcoming budget. It is unclear what age group of children will benefit at first, but access will be given regardless of the income of the parents. While GP costs will be covered, medication prescribed by the doctor will still need to be paid for by parents of children without a medical card. If proposals go ahead, it...

A new report from Public Health England says spending too much time in front of television, DVDs and computer games is taking its toll on children's physical and mental health. The agency, which is encouraging families to adopt healthier behaviour, says children who spend more time watching screens tend to have higher levels of anxiety and depression. Youngsters who spent less than one hour a...

The parents who posted a picture of their four-year-old girl drinking from a beer bottle on Instagram have been investigated by the police. Florida police launched an investigation after the photograph was sent to them, but didn’t have enough evidence to pursue underage drinking charges. They parents have said their daughter was only drinking water. What do you think? Should the picture have...

Singapore Airlines is offering passengers the option to pay for seats in a kid-free zone on their planes. Scoot, the budget arm of SA, is allowing customers to upgrade to their ScootinSilence cabin for just €10.50 (S$18), where passengers are promised “exclusivity and privacy…as under-12s will be someplace else”. The carrier, which flies from Singapore to Sydney and the Gold Coast, has...

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...

It's been a week of happy news in the land of celebrity: The Beckhams: Who didn’t swoon over pictures of Harper Beckham’s trip to Disneyland this week? The little cutie was spotted with her famous parents and siblings trying out a variety of rides at the theme park. She really seemed to enjoy her day out and we just can’t believe big she’s gotten. She’s growing up so fast! Michelle...

A new survey has found that the majority of people begin turning into their parents at the age of 32. The poll of 1,092 parents found the transition happened after they had children of their own. Many admitted they now notice themselves copying sayings and habits belonging to their mothers and fathers. Other reasons for the developments are owning a house and having a demanding career. What do you...