Articles by Kat O'Connor
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  • Do not send children with a cough to school, INTO warns parents

    Do not send children with a cough to school, INTO warns parents

    INTO is urging parents not to send sick children to school. The Irish National Teachers Organisation has warned parents not to send children with coughs to school. They’ve stressed how important it is for children with any Covid symptoms to remain at home and isolate. They’re highly concerned for the health and safety of unvaccinated […]

    5 years ago

  • Shy shaming: Your child doesn’t need to be fixed, they’re just shy

    Shy shaming: Your child doesn’t need to be fixed, they’re just shy

    Shyness isn’t something we should be ashamed of. I remember when I was in school I always felt less than compared to other students because I was shy. Shyness was always something that was viewed negatively, but isn’t it time to stop shaming children for being shy? I wanted to speak up in class and […]

    5 years ago

  • Men over 50 are far less likely to have a baby via IVF

    Men over 50 are far less likely to have a baby via IVF

    IVF is less likely to work in men over the age of 50. New research has found that the chances of IVF working in older men are weaker. Researchers confirmed that “paternal age over 50 significantly affects the chance of achieving a live birth following ART. Paternal age does not independently affect the risk of […]

    5 years ago

  • Mother and boyfriend charged after toddler drinks methadone

    Mother and boyfriend charged after toddler drinks methadone

    The young boy has to learn how to walk again. A mother and boyfriend have been charged after their 19-month-old drank methadone, according to NBC Boston. The 19-month-old was hospitalised last July in Stoughton, Massachusetts. The boy spent a week and a half in the ICU at Boston Children’s Hospital. He was transferred to a […]

    5 years ago

  • New maternity hospital guidelines to be as “open access as possible”

    New maternity hospital guidelines to be as “open access as possible”

    The aim is for the new restrictions to be as minimum as possible. New maternity hospital guidelines will be as “open access as possible”, according to An Taoiseach. The restrictions have come under fire throughout the pandemic, especially because of the great deal of stress they’ve placed upon expectant mothers. Women have been forced to […]

    5 years ago

  • How to help your kid make new friends, according to a behavioral specialist

    How to help your kid make new friends, according to a behavioral specialist

    A little bit of support and encouragement will make it easier for them. Starting school can be a daunting time for children. There’s so much to take in, so many new people to meet, and a lot to wrap your head around. The new setting alone can overwhelm you so even thinking about making friends […]

    5 years ago

  • Goodbye summer: 10 feel-good movies that will cheer you up

    Goodbye summer: 10 feel-good movies that will cheer you up

    Grab the popcorn and curl up on the sofa There’s a chill in the air and we must admit we’ve considered putting the heat on this week. It’s time to bid a fond farewell to the summer,  but we’re actually looking forward to the autumn time. It’s a cozy and comforting season that gives us […]

    5 years ago

  • This song is scientifically engineered to make your baby happy – does it work?

    This song is scientifically engineered to make your baby happy – does it work?

    Time to add it to the family Spotify playlist Experts have discovered a song that is bound to make your baby happy. Grammy winner Imogen Heap, musical psychologist Lauren Stweart, child development expert Caspar Addyman teamed up to come up with a song that has the power to make your little tot beam from ear […]

    5 years ago

  • Judge rules mother can’t see her son until she is vaccinated

    Judge rules mother can’t see her son until she is vaccinated

    “There are children who have died because of COVID” A judge has stopped mother Rebecca Firlit from seeing her 11-year-old son because she has not got the COVID-19 vaccine. The Chicago judge stripped Firlit of all her parenting rights until she receives the vaccine. However, the mum claims she cannot get the vaccine because of […]

    5 years ago

  • Small eels discovered in drinking water in Wicklow, Kildare, and Carlow

    Small eels discovered in drinking water in Wicklow, Kildare, and Carlow

    The eels were found on top of the filters at the Carlow plant. Small eels were discovered in a treatment plant that supplies drinking water to residents in Carlow, Kildare, and Wicklow. The State environmental watchdog was concerned by the discovery, which was made earlier this summer. According to The Irish Independent, inspectors found “silvery creatures […]

    5 years ago

  • Primary school children should wear masks in class, Professor Luke O’Neill claims

    Primary school children should wear masks in class, Professor Luke O’Neill claims

    The measure has yet to be enforced in primary schools. Professor Luke O’Neill believes primary school children should be wearing face coverings during the school day. Secondary school and college students wear face coverings during lessons, but the measure has yet to be enforced in primary schools. He explained that this action could help prevent […]

    5 years ago

  • Christmas FM aims to raise €250k to support 5,000 Irish children living in poverty

    Christmas FM aims to raise €250k to support 5,000 Irish children living in poverty

    Christmas FM will return to the airwaves this November. Christmas may be another couple of months away, but we’re more than ready for Christmas FM to make its welcome return to the airwaves! The merry station has just announced its official charity partner for 2021. They confirmed that Barnardos is their charity partner for the […]

    5 years ago

  • Dr. Tony Holohan urges parents to practice social distancing during school run

    Dr. Tony Holohan urges parents to practice social distancing during school run

    The Department of Education has stressed that schools are safe environments. Schools across the country have re-opened after the summer holidays. As children adjust to new teachers, different subjects, and meet new classmates, they also have to follow COVID-19 protocols as the virus continues to spread throughout Ireland. The Department of Education has stressed that […]

    5 years ago

  • Gemma Collins plans to give birth on TV in new series ‘Making the Baby’

    Gemma Collins plans to give birth on TV in new series ‘Making the Baby’

    “The child is going to be fabulous and amazing” Gemma Collins has revealed her plans to start trying for a baby. The 40-year-old reality star said her hope is to have her first child in 2022. The Only Way Is Essex alum told the Daily Star: “I’m ready for a baby. I am going to […]

    5 years ago

  • Kerry Katona tearfully opens up about ‘abusive’ late partner George Kay

    Kerry Katona tearfully opens up about ‘abusive’ late partner George Kay

    Katona has been called an inspiration for being so honest about her past. Kerry Katona has opened up about her late ex-partner George Kay in a harrowing interview on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins. The mum fought back the tears as she revealed Kay used to abuse her. She told host Ant Middleton: “My mister […]

    5 years ago

  • Baby girl born on Afghan evacuation flight to Birmingham

    Baby girl born on Afghan evacuation flight to Birmingham

    The mum-of-three was on an evacuation flight to Birmingham. An Afghan mum has given birth to a baby girl on an evacuation flight. 26-year-old Soman Noori was fleeing Afghanistan on a flight to Birmingham, England when she went into labour. The new mum gave birth to her daughter Havva at 30,000 feet, just above Kuwait. […]

    5 years ago

  • 2-year-old tragically dies after electric shock from mobile phone charger

    2-year-old tragically dies after electric shock from mobile phone charger

    The young girl was electrocuted at her home in Brazil. A 2-year-old child has tragically passed away after being electrocuted by a phone charger. The young girl’s family has been left devastated by the harrowing death of their daughter, but want to share their story to help raise awareness. Sara Alves de Albuquerque was rushed […]

    5 years ago

  • Father who infected all 7 of his kids with Covid and nearly died speaks out

    Father who infected all 7 of his kids with Covid and nearly died speaks out

    The dad ended up infecting all of his children, aged between 3 and 18, with Covid. A father of seven has opened up about infecting his seven children with COVID-19. 42-year-old Ben Anderson was unvaccinated when he contracted the virus in June. He said he was planning on receiving the vaccine but family life and […]

    5 years ago

  • No bad blood: Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle are closer than ever

    No bad blood: Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle are closer than ever

    Markle and Middleton are growing closer after a rocky few months. Despite the never-ending reports about royal feuds and constant comparisons by the media, it looks like Meghan Markle and The Duchess of Cambridge are getting along just perfectly. A source close to the royals has confirmed that both Kate and Meghan have grown closer […]

    5 years ago

  • “Unexpectedly high” number of babies passed to troops in Afghanistan

    “Unexpectedly high” number of babies passed to troops in Afghanistan

    “It’s so sad to see all this ongoing human suffering.” It is believed an “unexpectedly high number” of babies have been passed to troops in Kabul since the Taliban took over control of Afghanistan. People have been desperately trying to flee Kabul and the scenes from the airport are completely harrowing. Parents have been handing […]

    5 years ago

  • Increase in parents calling SVP for back-to-school support

    Increase in parents calling SVP for back-to-school support

    SVP confirms stark rise in calls from parents struggling with back-to-school funds. The charity revealed that they received almost 300 calls every day last week from parents concerned about covering back-to-school fees like books, iPads, uniforms, and the ‘voluntary’ school contribution fee. One of the biggest struggles for parents was being able to afford tablets […]

    5 years ago

  • Expert reveals why we need to teach children that being popular isn’t everything

    Expert reveals why we need to teach children that being popular isn’t everything

    “The pressure to be popular can have a huge impact on self-esteem and thus mental health.” Starting secondary school can be both an exciting and terrifying time for teens. A brand new chapter of your life is beginning, but you’ve barely had time to say goodbye to the last one. You are studying more subjects […]

    5 years ago

  • Parents vent about how hard it is when your kids have no friends

    Parents vent about how hard it is when your kids have no friends

    “No one came to his party” All any parent wants is for their child to be happy so when you see them struggling in some form of life, you can’t help but worry. When it comes to friendships, we all want our children to feel loved, cared for and happy. We want them to be […]

    5 years ago

  • Young Cork man who allegedly stabbed his own mother is charged with attempted murder

    Young Cork man who allegedly stabbed his own mother is charged with attempted murder

    It is believed the 31-year-old has schizophrenia A Cork man has been charged with the attempted murder of his 62-year-old mother, Mary Coughlan. He has also been charged with an assault causing her serious harm. 31-year-old Gearoid Coughlan stabbed his mother on June 4. She was rushed to hospital in a critical condition but has […]

    5 years ago

  • ‘It was quite isolating’: Binky Felstead on losing friends when you become a mum

    ‘It was quite isolating’: Binky Felstead on losing friends when you become a mum

    “A lot of the girls didn’t understand.” Binky Felstead has opened up about an aspect of motherhood that isn’t discussed enough. The Made In Chelsea star reflected on the way your social circles change so drastically when you become a mum. The mum-of-two was 26-years-old when she was expecting her first child- daughter India. She […]

    5 years ago

  • School secretary shares how she judges kids based on their names

    School secretary shares how she judges kids based on their names

    “Your child is the devil.” A school secretary has gone viral after revealing she judges children based on their names. When we pick names for our children it is usually because they have a sweet or sentimental meaning. The name Grace is so popular because it means charm. Leo means brave people, making it a […]

    5 years ago

  • Unvaccinated pregnant teachers can take sick leave, Minister Foley says

    Unvaccinated pregnant teachers can take sick leave, Minister Foley says

    The TUI said unvaccinated pregnant teachers can easily work from home. Minister for Education Norma Foley says teachers who are under 14 weeks pregnant and unvaccinated are allowed to take sick leave. She defended the decision for unvaccinated teachers to return to school this September. “It is the recommendation of the Institute of Obstetricians and […]

    5 years ago

  • Birth registration now taking 12 weeks in Ireland meaning further passport delays

    Birth registration now taking 12 weeks in Ireland meaning further passport delays

    The HSE has confirmed a 12-week wait for birth registration in the east of the country. It is believed new parents are waiting nearly three months to register the birth of their babies. Parents in Wicklow, Dublin, and Kildare are most affected by this issue. “At present, there is a waiting time of up to […]

    5 years ago

  • The one thing I wish my parents told me before I started secondary school

    The one thing I wish my parents told me before I started secondary school

    Just like clockwork, the sun has appeared just before the schools re-open for a brand new term. If there’s one thing we can rely on in Ireland it’s a week of blistering sunshine as the secondary school students head back to the classroom. I always feel nostalgic during this time of year. The shops are […]

    5 years ago

  • Chrissy Teigen says she hasn’t ‘fully processed’ the loss of baby Jack

    Chrissy Teigen says she hasn’t ‘fully processed’ the loss of baby Jack

    “My third baby will never be here.” Chrissy Teigen has opened up about the harrowing loss of her baby boy Jack. The mum said she hasn’t fully processed the death of her son. Teigen was reflecting on her life in New York when she got honest about losing her baby. “Just reminiscing about New York […]

    5 years ago

  • Concerns raised over unvaccinated pupils as schools prepare to re-open

    Concerns raised over unvaccinated pupils as schools prepare to re-open

    The re-opening of schools is a high priority for the Government. Medical experts have expressed their concerns about unvaccinated children returning to school this September. UCC Professor Gerry Killeen believes more children should have been vaccinated in time for the new school term. “We know that long Covid rates amongst children are in the region […]

    5 years ago

  • New mother throws another woman’s baby to his death from maternity ward window

    New mother throws another woman’s baby to his death from maternity ward window

    “We do not want anyone to be punished.” A new mum threw another woman’s baby from a hospital window in Russia, reports reveal. Viktoria Ivanova had just given birth to a baby boy when another mother walked over and grabbed her newborn son. 29-year-old Alina Araslanova threw baby Volodya out the window and he died […]

    5 years ago

  • Experts concerned about the impact maternity restrictions will have on mothers and families

    Experts concerned about the impact maternity restrictions will have on mothers and families

    “Considerable risks to perinatal mental health due to the pandemic.” The Psychological Society of Ireland is concerned about Ireland’s current COVID-19 restrictions and the impact they will have on pregnant women and their family’s mental health. The restrictions placed on the country’s maternity hospitals have caused huge uproar over the past few months. The PSI […]

    5 years ago

  • “We’re all scared”: Frankie Bridge on the pressure to hide pregnancy struggles

    “We’re all scared”: Frankie Bridge on the pressure to hide pregnancy struggles

    “Maternal mental health is still quite a taboo subject.” Frankie Bridge has called for an end to the stigma surrounding maternal mental health. The mum-of-two said there is too much pressure placed on pregnant women to embrace every minute and love pregnancy. She told ITV’s Lorraine that the pressure to keep your struggles a secret […]

    5 years ago

  • Brothers hit by train during memorial for sibling who died at the same spot

    Brothers hit by train during memorial for sibling who died at the same spot

    “I cannot imagine losing three of your children.” Two brothers were hit by a train during a memorial for their sibling who died at the same spot a week prior. The family from Charlotte in North Carolina were honouring their 27-year-old brother Baltazar Tiquiram Us, who was killed by a light-rail train on July 26. […]

    5 years ago

  • Disney introduces adaptive costume for kids with disabilities and they’re brilliant

    Disney introduces adaptive costume for kids with disabilities and they’re brilliant

    Parents say it’s about time costumes like this were made available. Halloween will be here before we know it and Disney has got us covered. They have created an inclusive line of costumes for children with disabilities and they’re absolutely adorable. The company wants to ensure that every child gets the chance to dress up […]

    5 years ago

  • Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost welcome their first child together

    Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost welcome their first child together

    “We love him very much.” It’s a boy! Scarlett Johansson and SNL’s Colin Jost have welcomed their first child together. The parents welcomed a baby boy into the world, Johansson’s rep confirmed to People. Jost also confirmed the news on his Instagram by releasing a short statement. “Ok ok, we had a baby. His name […]

    5 years ago

  • Uncanny! The Crown gives fans a glimpse at Princess Diana in Season 5

    Uncanny! The Crown gives fans a glimpse at Princess Diana in Season 5

    They cast Diana too perfectly! The Crown has shared the first look at Season 5’s Prince Charles and Princess Diana. Dominic West will star as Prince Charles. Elizabeth Debicki will play Princess Diana. Debicki has been perfectly cast as the late People’s Princess. Fans have praised the show’s casting director for choosing such a perfect […]

    5 years ago