Articles by Melissa Carton
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  • Tallaght Kids Zone will be hosting a Christmas dinner for homeless families

    Tallaght Kids Zone will be hosting a Christmas dinner for homeless families

    Christmas can be a difficult time of year for families in emergency accommodation. With no place to put a tree or prepare dinner it can often feel lonely and isolating, particularly if you have no friends of family nearby that you can spend the season with. This Christmas, Tallaght Kids Zone and A Helping Hand […]

    8 years ago

  • This beautiful keepsake is the perfect gift for baby’s first Christmas

    This beautiful keepsake is the perfect gift for baby’s first Christmas

    As a parent your baby’s first Christmas is always a special time. I know when it was my child’s first Christmas I really wanted something to commemorate the occasion and I wish I had had something like this. If this year is your baby’s first Christmas and you’re looking for something special to mark the […]

    8 years ago

  • Chocolate frogs and wands – these are the perfect Harry Potter stocking fillers

    Chocolate frogs and wands – these are the perfect Harry Potter stocking fillers

    Accio sweets! Everyone loves to find a tasty treat in their stocking on Christmas morning and what could be more magical than waking up to a treat from the wizarding world itself. If your child is a huge fan of the Harry Potter series than they will know all about the fantastic sweets from Honeydukes. […]

    8 years ago

  • Book Santa has just arrived at Eason, the perfect Christmas treat for book lovers

    Book Santa has just arrived at Eason, the perfect Christmas treat for book lovers

    The perfect Santa experience for any little bookworm. Eason’s Book Santa has arrived to their Santa’s Grotto on O’Connell St, Dublin and he’s ready to share his love of books with visitors of all ages! The number one stop for any tiny literature buffs, this is one Santa trip unlike any other. My two children […]

    8 years ago

  • Baby Chic are having a Christmas sale and these are my 4 top picks to buy

    Baby Chic are having a Christmas sale and these are my 4 top picks to buy

    Irish online store Baby Chic are having an amazing sale and there are some incredible pieces you can bag for a bargain. Not only are they having a Christmas sale across a wide variety of their range but you can get an additional 30 per cent off your final order with their Christmas code! Incase […]

    8 years ago

  • All the locations where you can visit Santa in Dublin city centre this Christmas.

    All the locations where you can visit Santa in Dublin city centre this Christmas.

    Santa Claus is coming to town! It’s an annual tradition for most families to visit jolly old Saint Nick once the holiday season rolls around. I remember when I was little standing in the queue at Cleary’s, jumping up and down with excitement at the thought of getting to see Santa in person. While Santa […]

    8 years ago

  • Mum makes Harry Potter and PJ Masks costumes for elves and they’re adorable

    Mum makes Harry Potter and PJ Masks costumes for elves and they’re adorable

    One mum decided to take her Elf on a Shelf to the next level with some amazing homemade costumes. Super Mom Gifts decided that red stripes is so last year and has instead designed brand new outfits for elves, with everything from Harry Potter to PJ Masks in the range. What is even better is […]

    8 years ago

  • 4 great places for you and your family to visit Santa in Cork this Christmas

    4 great places for you and your family to visit Santa in Cork this Christmas

    The festive season has returned and Santa visits are high on the agenda of children across the country. There are some fantastic Santa experiences up and down the country but if you live in Cork, or are down for a visit over Christmas, you may want to check out some of these wonderful grottos. From […]

    8 years ago

  • Two schoolgirls in County Armagh knocked down in suspected hit and run

    Two schoolgirls in County Armagh knocked down in suspected hit and run

    Two schoolgirls were struck by a vehicle in County Armagh in what is believed to have been a hit and run. The young girls were on their way to school when the incident occurred. The teenagers were knocked down by a car as they made their walked to school at approximately 8am Thursday morning on the […]

    8 years ago

  • This tea towel is an absolute must have for anyone with a big Irish family

    This tea towel is an absolute must have for anyone with a big Irish family

    I come from a huge family! I see most of my extended family on a regular basis and explaining who is who to people outside of my family can be a headache. Once we leave the ‘first cousin’ realm I’m lost. Are they my second cousin or my first cousin once removed? Are they a […]

    8 years ago

  • Expectant mums, this is how you can apply for the next series of The Rotunda

    Expectant mums, this is how you can apply for the next series of The Rotunda

    If you’re an expectant mum interested in taking part in the next series of The Rotunda, here’s your opportunity to apply. Scratch Films are looking for mums-to-be who are due to have their baby in the Rotunda hospital January or February 2019 to take part in the next series. The show, set in the world’s […]

    8 years ago

  • This French Christmas advert carries an important message about parenthood

    This French Christmas advert carries an important message about parenthood

    We’ve been inundated with adorable Christmas adverts this year and this festive feel good from France is no exception. The commercial for French phone company Bouygeus is a sweet reminder that it’s the little things we do with our children that stick with them for life. It also features a lot of amazing ‘dad dancing’. […]

    8 years ago

  • This new app is designed to allow adults to read stories to deaf children

    This new app is designed to allow adults to read stories to deaf children

    There are 32 million deaf children in the world, many of whom struggle to read. Learning to read for deaf children is a very different experience than it is for those of us able to hear, as sign language and spoken language do not directly translate to mean the same things. For parents with deaf […]

    8 years ago

  • Vanessa Feltz has admitted having the urge to breastfeed her grandson

    Vanessa Feltz has admitted having the urge to breastfeed her grandson

    TV personality Vanessa Feltz has said that she wanted to breastfeed her grandson. The radio presenter has said that she felt the urge to breastfeed her grandson, Zekey, after he was born. The former Celebrity Big Brother contestant revealed in an interview with OK! Magazine that when Zekey was born she felt a prickly sensation […]

    8 years ago

  • RSPCA urging parents to ditch this new harmful Christmas trend

    RSPCA urging parents to ditch this new harmful Christmas trend

    There are many Christmas traditions that we love to share with our children every year. However the RSPCA have issued an appeal asking parents to ditch one new Christmas trend that is harming animals. Originally posted in 2016, the animal charity have re-shared their post in the hopes that more parents might see it. Their […]

    8 years ago

  • This woman gifted The Grinch an onion and his reaction is absolutely priceless

    This woman gifted The Grinch an onion and his reaction is absolutely priceless

    They say the Grinch stole Christmas but I think this woman just stole his heart. One woman in America just made one of the holiday season’s most infamous characters ecstatic by gifting him one of his favourite treats…an onion! The video was taken in Orlando, Florida and has gathered a wide audience after being shared […]

    8 years ago

  • This post about what it feels like to be tired as a parent is so accurate

    This post about what it feels like to be tired as a parent is so accurate

    I remember being told ‘oh you think you’re tired, wait till you have children’. I also remember laughing at the time. I laugh no more. Between toddlers who like to pop up beside your beside at night and frighten the bejesus out of you and teething babies waking up every couple of hours, being tired […]

    8 years ago

  • Dublin mum and her children faced with becoming homeless this Christmas

    Dublin mum and her children faced with becoming homeless this Christmas

    A Dublin mother of four is faced with becoming homeless just days before Christmas. It is said that the mother and her children will soon be without a home due to the landlord selling the property that they are currently renting. This comes just days after the most recent homeless rally. The mum was asked […]

    8 years ago

  • Airline staff apologise for mocking five-year-old girl’s name on social media

    Airline staff apologise for mocking five-year-old girl’s name on social media

    An airline in America have apologised after members of their staff mocked a five-year-old girl’s name. Staff at the US airline Southwest mocked a the small girl named ‘Abcde’ during a flight she was taking with her mother. The child’s mother, Traci Redford, said that not only did staff snigger at her daughter during the […]

    8 years ago

  • Looking to add some winter warmth to your wardrobe, Regatta has you covered

    Looking to add some winter warmth to your wardrobe, Regatta has you covered

    The winter weather has arrived and with it the need for warm coats and woolies. As Irish people we’re often guilty of not wearing the correct clothing and even though it rains for most of the year I know only a handful of people who actually own waterproof jackets. After getting two really bad colds […]

    8 years ago

  • Postman grants young boy’s wish to deliver a letter to his dad in heaven

    Postman grants young boy’s wish to deliver a letter to his dad in heaven

    A postman in the UK went above and beyond the call of duty when he helped make one little boy’s wish come true. Mum Teri Copland posted to Facebook earlier today to thank the postal staff after this letter was sent to her son. Warning this is a tear jerking. The grateful mum posted photos […]

    8 years ago

  • 4 tips to reduce your household budget in the run up to Christmas

    4 tips to reduce your household budget in the run up to Christmas

    Backed by AIB.  The run up to Christmas can be a costly time of the year. Between buying gifts, travelling to visit friends and family to the Christmas dinner itself, it’s easy to find yourself feeling a little out of pocket. There are ways though to help stave off unnecessary costs in the weeks coming […]

    8 years ago

  • Would you like to be a homeless child’s secret Santa? Here’s how you can

    Would you like to be a homeless child’s secret Santa? Here’s how you can

    While for most of us Christmas is a time of joy and celebration, for others it can be a tough time of the year. The housing crisis in Ireland means that hundreds will spend this Christmas in emergency accommodation, many of these children. One Irish company has thought of a way to brighten up the […]

    8 years ago

  • Great news for Irish parents as you can now renew your child’s passport online

    Great news for Irish parents as you can now renew your child’s passport online

    From the end of the month Irish parents will now be able to renew their child’s passport online. Up until recently only adult passports could be renewed online, but new rules are soon to come into effect that will make it possible for children to also have their passport renewed online. From November 28 parents […]

    8 years ago

  • This pop-up shop is perfect for any mum-to-be looking for chic maternity wear

    This pop-up shop is perfect for any mum-to-be looking for chic maternity wear

    Finding stylish maternity clothes can be a challenge. I found that when I was pregnant that every maternity store I went into was stocked with nothing but florals and extremely matronly looking pieces. There was nothing for the mums who wanted something comfortable but chic at the same time. If you’re an expectant mum experiencing […]

    8 years ago

  • French airline makes family travel easier by launching lie-flat beds for children

    French airline makes family travel easier by launching lie-flat beds for children

    Travelling with young children just got a whole lot easier. French airline, Joon, have just announced that they will now be providing lie-flat seats in economy class for children on long haul flights, meaning they can sleep comfortably while they travel. This service was previously only available for those flying in business class. I’ve travelled […]

    8 years ago

  • One for the parents -if you turn 40 this year you can visit Dublin Zoo for free

    One for the parents -if you turn 40 this year you can visit Dublin Zoo for free

    If you are set to turn the big 4-0 this year (or already have) Dublin Zoo have a special gift for you! To celebrate Sibu the Orangutan Turning 40, Dublin Zoo are allowing anyone who was born in 1978 (like Sibu), free entry tomorrow, November 24. That’s a nice little birthday treat! To celebrate Dublin […]

    8 years ago

  • Games and consoles on the list this year? Check out these Black Friday deals

    Games and consoles on the list this year? Check out these Black Friday deals

    If you child is a big gaming fan you’ll want to check out these fantastic Black Friday deals. Many teens and tweens will have video games and consoles high on their Christmas wish lists this year and if this is the case in your house these offers could see you making some serious savings. Gamestop […]

    8 years ago

  • Holly White’s recipe for crispy skin roast potatoes is a spud game-changer

    Holly White’s recipe for crispy skin roast potatoes is a spud game-changer

    You’ll never look at potatoes the same way again. Potatoes are a staple of most Irish meals and we like them anyway we can have them. Mashed, roasted or fried, we love them all. If like myself you love the humble spud you’re going to love this recipe from food blogger Holly White, which will […]

    8 years ago

  • Mum jailed after she crashed car while drunk with her baby in the backseat

    Mum jailed after she crashed car while drunk with her baby in the backseat

    A mother of one has been jailed after being found guilty of driving while under the influence of alcohol. The mother and hospital care assistant was found by Gardaí slumped over the wheel of her car with an open can of beer beside her. Her one-year-old child, who is said to have been highly distressed, […]

    8 years ago

  • Nine-year-old boy allegedly beaten to death in France for not doing his homework

    Nine-year-old boy allegedly beaten to death in France for not doing his homework

    A nine-year-old boy in France has been found dead after allegedly being beaten by his family members. The young boy’s mother, brother, sister and stepsister were arrested after local police became concerned that his death may not have been from natural causes. It is believed that the boy from the French town of Mulhouse, was […]

    8 years ago

  • Funko Pocket POP! have released a Harry Potter advent calendar and it’s amazing

    Funko Pocket POP! have released a Harry Potter advent calendar and it’s amazing

    The most magical advent calendar around is here! If you’re looking for the perfect advent calendar for the Harry Potter fan in your life then look no further as Funko Pop figures have released the Harry Potter Pocket Pop! advent calendar and it looks amazing! The calendar contains 24 Pocket POP! figures who are each […]

    8 years ago

  • The Model Sligo is having a Christmas Special family fun day and it’s FREE

    The Model Sligo is having a Christmas Special family fun day and it’s FREE

    Get crafty this Christmas at the Model, Sligo with free activities to get you in the festive spirit. The Model is one of Ireland’s leading contemporary art centres and this December they are holding a special holiday event that you don’t want to miss. Taking place on Sunday, December 16 visitors to The Model will […]

    8 years ago

  • This parenting invention is amazing and I’m getting one immediately

    This parenting invention is amazing and I’m getting one immediately

    I just found the most amazing parenting product and I’m seriously wondering why someone didn’t think of it sooner. My baby loves her sling but at nearly a year old sticking her in a traditional carrier is starting to put a strain on my back. Usually, I end up carrying her in my arms with […]

    8 years ago

  • Mothercare is having a half price sale on ELC toys just in time for Christmas

    Mothercare is having a half price sale on ELC toys just in time for Christmas

    Mothercare is having a huge 50 per cent off sale on a wide selection of Early Learning Centre toys. Making the run up to Christmas that little bit easier the range has something for little tykes of all ages, whether you’re shopping for an energetic toddler or baby’s first Christmas. The ELC range has always […]

    8 years ago

  • This specially designed blanket will keep your baby warm all winter long

    This specially designed blanket will keep your baby warm all winter long

    This is so cute! With Christmas on the way and the colder months well and truly upon us we’re all rooting out our winter coats, hats and scarves. For parents with small or new babies, keeping them warm becomes a top priority during these chillier months, but it’s not always easy. This blanket, specially designed […]

    8 years ago

  • How this mum dealt with her daughter saying there was a ghost in her room

    How this mum dealt with her daughter saying there was a ghost in her room

    This seriously gave me the shivers. Lots of children have imaginary friends but what happens when your child believes that their friend isn’t so imaginary? Mum, Robin Wang, recently came up against a very strange parenting problem. Her little girl started to complain that there was the ghost of a child in her room, and […]

    8 years ago

  • COS launch brand new babywear collection and it’s hitting stores today

    COS launch brand new babywear collection and it’s hitting stores today

    Popular Scandinavian inspired brand COS have just launched a babywear line and it’s available in store from today! The contemporary brand known for it’s minimalist style has been popular with Irish customers for years and now their range even includes the tiniest of tots. Not only does the new range have the same chic Nordic […]

    8 years ago

  • Mum wants to know if the flu vaccine is free for pregnant women in Ireland

    Mum wants to know if the flu vaccine is free for pregnant women in Ireland

    Is the flu vaccine covered by the combined care system in Ireland? In Ireland maternity care is covered under the Maternity and Infant Scheme (combined care) but does it include vaccinations? The general consensus is that it does but you will be charged for the administration of the vaccine (which has been the case in […]

    8 years ago

  • Pampers celebrates World Prematurity Day by donating free premature nappies

    Pampers celebrates World Prematurity Day by donating free premature nappies

    Pampers celebrates World Prematurity Day by continuing to providing world’s smallest nappies to premature babies across Ireland. Last year the popular baby brand launched their tiny nappies for free to hospitals across the country in a bid to help premature babies and their parents. Since the initiative began over 450,000 of the mini Pampers have been […]

    8 years ago

  • Women everywhere are hilariously sharing their frustration with man flu

    Women everywhere are hilariously sharing their frustration with man flu

    If there is anything worse than catching the flu it’s dealing with the ‘man flu’. Every woman who has ever shared a home with her boyfriend or husband will know of this affliction and how it is the bane of our existence. Some disgruntled wives and girlfriends of ‘man flu’ sufferers took to social media […]

    8 years ago

  • Celine Dion just launched a gender neutral clothing line for children

    Celine Dion just launched a gender neutral clothing line for children

    Grammy award winning singer Celine Dion has just launched a gender neutral clothing line for children and the ad is amazing! The performer and mother of three has said that she wants to dismantle the idea of gender segregation and let children form their own identity. More and more clothing lines have begun opting for […]

    8 years ago

  • River Island has brought out a Mickey Mouse range for kids and it’s adorable

    River Island has brought out a Mickey Mouse range for kids and it’s adorable

    Popular clothing brand River Island have collaborated on a new range with Mickey Mouse and we want everything! To celebrate 90 years of the world’s most iconic cartoon character, Mickey Mouse, River Island have released a range for both boys and girls full of Disney magic. The range also includes Mickey’s other half Minnie because […]

    8 years ago

  • Schools need to stop organising plays and meetings during working hours

    Schools need to stop organising plays and meetings during working hours

    My son’s school is constantly organising shows and teacher meetings during working hours and it needs to stop. It might seem like I’m having a bit of a moan about a non-problem but it is so frustrating when my son brings home letter after letter about school events I need to attend during the day. […]

    8 years ago