Parenting Tips | Managing behaviour without idle threats
It’s just over 40 days to Christmas. Chances are Santa has already been mentioned in your house. But is this because you are using Santa as a tool, warning children that they must behave now or they won’t get any presents on Christmas morning? Threatening children that Santa won’t come is possibly the greatest idle […]
Parenting | Talking to young children about death
We want to protect our children from hurt and trauma in life but death is as much a part of life as living is. In order to prepare children for life we must prepare and support them to understand and feel comfortable with death. This week, we offer ’10 ways’ to approach the subject of […]
News | Thank you, Sherie
Today the wonderful Sherie de Burgh, our Director of Counselling Services, retires. Sherie joined One Family in 2004 having developed the IFPA’s crisis pregnancy counselling service previously. During Sherie’s long career, she has worked tirelessly to support thousands of women, couples and parents through the difficult landscape of unplanned pregnancies, relationship separation, parenting and family […]
Training | New Professional Development Workshops in Sligo and Limerick
One Family is pleased to announce two new half-day workshops for professionals who work with families, parents and/or children: 1. Supporting Families in Conflict-Reducing Communication. This workshop explores how to build skills to support parents in practicing clear and direct communication in relation to common family dilemmas; using a non-violent communication framework; identifying communications styles; understanding the connection […]
Parenting | Accepting teen relationships
As children mature into teenagers, innocent childhood crushes on school-friends can give way to more serious romantic interest. By the time your child reaches secondary school, you can support them with dating. It is better as a parent to support this than to forbid them and have your child sneak behind your back. Allow your […]
Parenting | How to answer the awkward questions?
Children are inquisitive. They love information. They ask constant questions because their minds are continuously processing everything they see and hear. Children come to their parents all the time to clarify the things they don’t really understand. As parents, we want to help our children learn and understand yet sometimes when they ask an ‘awkward question’ it is tempting […]
Press Release | More Cherishing Needed for One-Parent Families
Press Release More Cherishing Needed for One-Parent Families The ESRI publishes analysis of inequalities among children in modern Ireland. (Dublin, Tuesday 11 October 2016) One Family – Ireland’s organisation for people parenting alone, sharing parenting, and separating – responds to the study released today by the ESRI entitled ‘Cherishing all the Children Equally?’ which confirms […]
News | One Family Summary of Budget 2017
One Family has summarised Budget 2017 changes which may be relevant to people parenting alone or sharing parenting, as announced on Tuesday 11th October 2016. Social Welfare Payments Basic Rate of Payment Including One Parent Family Payment, Jobseeker’s Allowance Transition, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Carer’s Allowance and others. This includes employment programmes such as CE, TÚS and […]
Press Release | Budget 2017 – Partial Reversals of OFP Reforms Welcomed but it is Not Enough
Press Release Budget 2017 – One Family Welcomes Partial Reversals of OFP Reforms New Government has made a start but it is not yet enough (Dublin, Tuesday 11 October 2016) One Family – Ireland’s organisation for people parenting alone, sharing parenting, and separating – welcomes the announcements of improved childcare supports, the €5 increases to […]
Parenting | Recognising and dealing with stress
Many parents would describe themselves as busy but do not recognise when they are stressed. Recently I have wondered if parents are more stressed than they realise. The logistics of keeping our children’s lives running smoothly is very stressful. Added stress can come with parenting alone or sharing parenting and being a working parenting can […]
Parenting | Talking to your daughter about her first period
Most women will remember when the subject of their period was first broached, usually by their mum or an older female relative. You may recall a fumbling two minute explanation that raised more questions than it answered or perhaps you were given a confident explanation and felt well informed and prepared afterwards. Chances are your […]
Press Release | Clear Message for Minister Varadkar and Budget 2017 – New NUIG report into what works for lone parents
Press Release Clear Message for Minister Varadkar and Budget 2017 – How to Support Lone Parents Out of Poverty and into Employment. New NUIG report into what works for lone parents and activation backs up what One Family has been saying for years. (Dublin, Thursday 29 September 2016) One Family – Ireland’s organisation for people […]
Statement | Our Response to Minister Varadkar’s Comments on OFP Reform Today
Statement One Family’s Response to Minister Varadkar’s Comments on Reform of the One-Parent Family Payment on RTÉ Radio 1 on 26th September 2016 Today Minister Varadkar, in an interview on Morning Ireland (RTÉ Radio 1), discussed the changes to the One-Parent Family Payment (OFP). The Minister was adamant that there were no cuts made to […]
Parenting | How to resolve issues with teachers
When issues with your child arise in school it is important that you, as their parent, are notified. The teacher or principal may contact you to address the issue if they feel it warrants attention but in other cases it may be your child who has an issue with a teacher and comes to you. When […]
Parenting | Supporting your children through shared parenting
According to The United Nations Rights of the Child, it is the right of the child to have contact with both parents after parental separation; yet many parents see it as their right, as parents, to have contact with their child. When it comes to contact with children, mums can hold the power from day […]
Parenting | How to introduce quiet time in your home
As parents we can often feel the pressure of keeping our children engaged in activities with friends and play dates. We ourselves feel we must connect with other parents along with tending to seemingly endless daily tasks. It can seem manic at times and constantly busy. We find we don’t have much time to just sit […]
Parenting | How to support your child when they struggle to fit in
I often meet parents who tell me “My child really dislikes school because they feel that they don’t fit in”, or “My child wants to be part of this group of children in school but they have been left out.” When children move into primary school the main aim they have is to make friends. […]
Parenting | Supporting your child when they can only see failures
Success and failure starts at a very young age for us all; starting with learning to crawl and walk, we constantly deal with successes and failures throughout our lives: passing exams, getting onto the team, winning medals, getting a place in college, securing a job, etc. As a parent, it is heartbreaking to see your […]
Statement | One Family’s Response to Minister Varadkar’s Statement on Lone Parents and Educational Supports
Statement One Family’s Response to Minister Varadkar’s Statement on Lone Parents and Educational Supports One Family is disappointed to read Minister Varadkar’s statement of 17 August 2016 in relation to lone parents accessing education. While the Minister has correctly outlined a number of supports currently available to people parenting alone, the statement fails to recognise some […]
Parenting | Getting ready for back to school
As we fast approach the end of August, it is time to prepare both our children and ourselves for going back to school. The relaxed days and bright evenings of no homework are fewer. With only one full week to go for most, it is time to get things in place so the first week […]