There will be a new Parent & Toddler group starting in Lettermacaward on Thursday 6th July in St Bridget’s Hall, Lettermacaward. The group plans to run weekly, starting at 10.30am and keep going through the summer. For more information contact Fiona on 0876423715 or have a look at the Facebook page http://lettermacaward parent and toddler group
Here is a date for your diary – Wednesday 23rd August 2017. Donegal Youth Service will be holdin
g their annual Party in the Park. Now in its thirteenth year, this is a great day out for all the family with live bands, games, bouncy castles and a fabulous atmosphere. So get that date into your diary and come along to Letterkenny Town Park and party in the park!
For more information about Donegal Youth Service and what they offer just click the link http://donegalyouthservice.ie/
Do you want to raise compassionate, confident children? Listen here https://www.nbcnews.com/better/relationships/one-thing-you-need-do-raise-compassionate-children-n764136 to some ideas from Lisa McCrohan
I’ve had a number of requests recently for ideas on toilet training so here are a few great articles from John Sharry, the man behind the Parents Plus parenting programmes. Whether you need to have a child toilet trained for preschool or you just feel the time is right – here are a few words of wisdom from the man himself.
http://www.solutiontalk.ie/potty-problems-ahead-of-preschool/
John’s advice is always down to earth and sensible. Have a read and let us know what you think and what has worked for you! You can email us at parenthubdonegal@gmail.com
Parents need to have good social networks. This is a key message from the Parenting24Seven website http://www.tusla.ie/parenting-24-seven/0-5-years/parents-need-good-social-networks
Any of us who have parented young children – and indeed older children – know that we need a group of friends who understand our world, who share our experiences
As parents we can sometimes feel isolated and when that happens ordinary, everyday issues can feel more overwhelming. When we have regular contact with others it helps us to talk about what is going on in life – the good things and the challenging bits! We all need to have a laugh, put things in perspective, share the wisdom that parenting brings us!
The Doula Dee group, some of whom are pictured above, meets in Letterkenny Town Park every Monday at 10am for a walk and a chat. It is informal. You don’t have to register or commit to being there every week and it is a great way to meet other parents. Another group Play Dates LK, ,which you can find on Facebook, offers opportunities to meet up in the Letterkenny Area. In the summer most Parent & Toddler groups take a break so it is great to have other events and activities happening.
What else is happening in the County? Contact us, let us know and we will share the information on the Parenthubdonegal.ie website and Facebook page for others.If there is nothing happening in your area why not be the one to start it! You don’t need to have a formal structure. It might just be meeting somewhere to go for a walk, or in a park where children can play. It is good to get together – good for the children and good for us as parents!
HSE Press Release
HSE advise parents to “ask about alcohol” with teenagers ahead of exam celebrations
The HSE is encouraging parents to talk to teenagers about alcohol ahead of their Leaving and Junior Certificate end of exam celebrations this month.
Parents are the most important influence in educating young people about the risks associated with underage drinking and substance use and in influencing their attitudes. They can also make a big difference in protecting their children and giving them an understanding of the importance of self management and self care. As a parent, you may feel you can’t make a difference, faced with the influence of your child’s friends, alcohol marketing messages and the Irish ‘drinking’ culture, but children and teens
need our protection when it comes to alcohol and substance use.
Dr Bobby Smyth, Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist, HSE advises: “Research has shown that children who have conversations with their parents and learn a lot about the dangers of alcohol and drug use are up to 50% less likely to use alcohol and drugs than those who don’t have such conversations”[1].
AskAboutAlcohol.ie offers a resource and support for parents, with information, advice and the full facts to help your child stay safe and be smart around alcohol. Some helpful advice on AskAboutAlcohol.ie for parents of teenagers includes:
- Alcohol and young people – what you and your child should know
- Top 10 Tips for Parents – a great starting point for parents
- Tips for talking to a teen – how to approach the conversation and what to say
- Guide for dealing with parties and discos
The Leaving and Junior Cert exams will finish mid-late June, with exam results coming out in August and September. While young people deserve to celebrate their hard work after their exams, it is important for parents to realise that they have a big role to play in highlighting alternative opportunities for celebrations, rather than having alcohol as the central focus. It is also a good opportunity to have open conversations around the facts about alcohol before the celebrations begin, in case they do find themselves in drinking situations.
Alcohol should play no part in Junior Certificate celebrations, and parents can support young people to enjoy their success by organising a celebration at home or elsewhere, or to go to age-appropriate events where alcohol will not be an option. Even if your child is over 18, parents should openly talk with teenagers about what their plans are, who they will be with, how they will get home, etc. It is also important to let your child know that they can always call you, no matter what.
If you think your child is drinking, AskAboutAlcohol.ie provides advice and information to parents and a guide for setting rules around alcohol. Parents can also contact the HSE Alcohol Helpline on 1800 459 459 if you have a question or worry in relation to your child and alcohol.
For further information:
Contact the Alcohol and Drugs Helpline on 1800 459 459.
Email helpline@hse.ie Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 5.30pm.
For information on other drugs visit www.drugs.ie
Foroige’s Teen Parents Support Programme – Summer Programme
Lots of activities on over the summer for young mums, dads and their children.
Wednesday 21st June – Parent & Child Swim – Finn Valley Centre
Saturday 1st July – Trip to Wains World in Buncrana
Tuesday 4th July – Trip to Oakfield Park – Picnic and Play
Wednesday 2nd August – To finish up the Summer Programme we are going to Dublin ZOO.
For more information contact Michelle on 086 8186345 or Jacqueline 086 8371335 or check out our Facebook page :
Book a Summer Camp @ The Loft
Summer is fast approaching, even if it may not feel like it anymore since the first heat wave of the year has been replaced by what feels like constant rain. Don’t let the weather get to you – book a Summer camp at The Loft and you’ll have something great to look forward to. Summer camps are open to young people aged 12-18. 🙂
Multi Activity (3rd – 7th July) €70
A fun filled week of action packed activities to start the Summer off with a bang!
Cookery (10th – 14th July) €50
A week to learn to cook and enoy loads of tasty food from starters, to mains and sweet desserts.
Rockschool (31st July – 4th August) €70
Let your musical side come to life by taking part in this week. Take part in master classes, jam sessions and gain confidence.
Fit for Lfe (8th – 11 August) €50
If you want to try out new sports, meet new people and get confidence and skills for your future then this week is right for you.
Summer Drop-in Times
Monday to Wednesday 12 – 6pm
Thursday 12 – 8pm
Friday 12 – 10pm
Saturday 2 – 6pm
Sunday closed
The drop-in is a free space in Letterkenny for young people to meet friends in a comfortable, safe environment. Facilities include a pool table, table tennis and a kitchen where young people can learn how to prepare healthy meals. The drop-in is supervised by friendly staff and volunteers. This space is open all year round in partnership with the Letterkenny Youth Information Centre.
LOFT (Learning Opportunities For Teens) Youth Project, 16-18 Port Road, Letterkenny. E-mail loftstaff@gmail.com or call (074) 91 29630 for more information or to book.
Bluestack Foundation Summer Camp
The summer camp will run Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10.00am to 1.00pm. They Start on the 10th of July to 18th of August.
For children aged 4 to 12.
Pre-booking and payment is essential limited spaces. €10 per day.
Our Summer Camp runs in the Bluestack Special Needs Foundation from 10.00am to 1.00pm Mondays Wednesdays and Fridays from the 10th July to 18thAugust. We provide a fun safe place for the children to enjoy themselves under the care of our trained staff and volunteers the children will be involved in many activities. Parents can choose to either stay and have coffee with other parents or leave and take a well-earned break.
Volunteers Are Warmly Welcomed!
Contact us at
or phone us on 074 9740828
click on the link below for more details