I bought one parenting book when I was pregnant. A “ baby bible” of sorts, written by a renowned parenting “expert”. I read the first two chapters, flicked through the remainder of the pages anxiously before deciding that the best thing I could do with this “expert advice” was to chuck it into the nearest […]

9 years ago

Catherine and I have been friends since we were infants. Our mothers worked together in a newsagent’s before they had the pleasure of giving birth to us. We have a rare friendship. It has lasted through many formative phases, where other friendships I’ve had have faltered. To me, Catherine is still the same friendly, mischievous […]

9 years ago

For my mother, Judy Halpin, who I love with all my heart Dear Mama, In honour of Mother’s Day, I want to say “Thank You”. Thank you for never raising your hand to discipline me. Your “Scary Mama Stare” was enough to stop me in my tracks. After the stare came the explanation as to […]

9 years ago

“You’re still young. You have lots of time to get pregnant. Your body got pregnant once. Okay, it didn’t go to plan, but at least you can get pregnant”. Stop! Please, stop it- is what I wanted to say to the well-meant advice and anecdotes. But I didn’t. I muttered the obligatory phrases a lot […]

9 years ago

“I would do anything for my child. Anything.” I bet lots of parents have said this. I know I have. But one Cork woman really is doing anything she humanly can for her daughter. Today, I sat in my car listening to Cork’s radio station, Red FM. My daughter was in the backseat, sucking her […]

10 years ago

I found pregnancy difficult. It wasn’t the glowing, rosy experience that Hollywood movies had promised me. I felt ill. There were complications towards the end and when I looked in the mirror, my head had changed into a football with a face. Albeit a football with a fabulous head of shiny, black hair. I became […]

10 years ago

You know what tickles what is left of my 35-year-old funny bone? Fashion tips for busy moms on morning TV shows. There they are. The fashion editor and television presenter. About to declare to moms across the country how to dress fashionably for the school run. For your trip to the office after dropping your little […]

10 years ago

So, here I am. A 35-year-old woman with a beautiful, 17-month-old daughter and I have made the decision to become a full-time parent and quit my job in finance. A decision I made with my husband for the good of our family as a whole. I say to myself: “Isn’t it a great time to be […]

10 years ago

I lie when I’m asked this question about my daughter. “Is she your first?” “Yes,” I reply. And I smile fondly at her sweet face. My mind says “No, she’s not. She’s our second. I lost our first baby through miscarriage”. A life Every woman’s body and mind are different. This is just my story. Not […]

10 years ago