Family Time

Our time is one of the greatest gifts we can give our children and setting time aside each day creates the opportunity and space to chat with them and listen to what they have to say.

Here are just a few good reasons why this is so important:

It strengthens family bonds
It improves communication
It builds children’s self esteem
It develops positive behaviours
It can help your child to do better in school

Download the Parent Power booklet for some information on connecting and some things to do together.

Parenting 24 Seven

Key messages on what works best for children and families at different ages and stages. There’s some nice ideas for crafts and spending bonding time with your child.

ISPCC Parenting Hub

For great, easy to use information on many aspects of parenting

Barnardos – Parenting Advice

Barnardos has developed a series of booklets to help parents answer common concerns and deal with the challenges of parenthood.

Listening

Some nice videos on YouTube about listening and communicating
Active Listening: How To Communicate Effectively

Communication Skills: Empathetic Listening – Inside Out, 2015

Some books on parenting by Irish authors:

Positive Parenting: Bringing Up Responsible, Well-behaved & Happy Children by John Sharry. Check Amazon and the Solution Talk website.

Effective Parenting: A Simple Guide for a Happy Home by Patricia Fitzpatrick. Check Amazon and the Effective Parenting website.

Love In, Love Out: A Compassionate Approach to Parenting Your Anxious Child by Dr Malie Coyne. Check Amazon and Malie’s website.

Got any recommendations? Let us know and we’ll add the links.

Top Tips from other parents

“Try a no TV evening - board games, quiz, stories - they won't be keen at the start, but stick with it!”

“The new libraries are brilliant! Bring everyone and get signed up. Go once a week and chat about what you're reading.”

“At dinnertime, go around the table and get everyone to say something nice that happened during the day. It changes the mood and moves the talk away from negativity and complaining.”

“At the end of the day, the most overwhelming key to a child's success is the positive involvement of parents”

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