10 Ways to Manage Homework with Primary School Children
Homework is considered to be beneficial in helping children to learn how to manage time, planning and priorities, and to learn independently and take responsibility. These are all skills that will help them in the future in many ways. Homework also helps teachers to determine how well students are understanding their lessons. It is important […]
Parenting | Ten ways to re-establish the school routine
Settling back into the school routine can be very challenging. When you are parenting school age children, the best way to make a plan is to do it together with your children, here are some tips to support you. Call a family meeting. If you have not tried this before, try not to be skeptical […]
10 Ways to Prepare Your Child for Preschool
As summer winds down, it is time to start thinking about school again. For parents with young children, that means looking into preschools for your children. Sending your child to preschool for the first time is a big step in both you and your child’s life, and it is important to make sure both of […]
10 Reasons why Children Misbehave and the Power of Positive Attention
One way or another children will misbehave, but understanding the reason why can give parents the opportunity to develop positive coping mechanisms to address misbehaviour and in turn develop stronger and more positive relationships with their children. When thinking about the reasons why children misbehave it is perhaps useful to think firstly about what misbehaviour […]
10 Ways to Make Play Dates Positive
“Play date” or “playdate” is a US expression that has become popular in Ireland in recent years. Simply put, a play date is an arranged appointment between parents for their children to get together for a few hours at home. Play dates support children to form friendships, to practice their social and relationship building skills, […]
10 Ways to Develop Family Rituals and Traditions
A family ritual, or tradition, is a practice within a family that has special meaning to family members. Family rituals provide a sense of belonging and continuity. They bring families closer together. It is often hard in our day and age to escape the pressures and daily stresses that make up our lives, but having rituals […]
Majority of parents resort to court to agree child maintenance and child’s needs do not determine amount paid
One Family call for the establishment of Statutory Child Maintenance Agency [Dublin, 15 July 2019] One Family- Ireland’s organisation for people parenting alone, sharing parenting, and separating today released the results of a national survey of parents in relation to child maintenance. The launch comes as the charity launches its new child maintenance position paper. […]
Calls at Pre-Budget Forum for Budget 2020 to be based on evidence
Reports pile up with evidence about what needs to be done to unlock lone parents and their children from the poverty trap [Dublin, Thursday 4 July] One Family – Ireland’s organisation for people parenting alone, sharing parenting and separating has called on the Government to urgently implement the recommendations of the eight Government and independently commissioned […]
Support lone parents to support themselves – make award winning training programme available nationally
Dublin based training programme records 85% success rate in supporting lone parents to education and employment [Dublin, 26 June 2019] Karen Kiernan, CEO of One Family – Ireland’s organisation for people parenting alone, sharing parenting and separating has called on the Government to make the award-winning New Futures training programme available nationally. The European Social […]
Parenting | Father’s Day
Many children will be looking forward to some special time with Dads, Stepdads and Granddads on Father’s Day, though it is also a day that can bring challenges. In One Family, children are at the centre of our work and we support parents to help children to have contact with both parents where possible, unless it […]
Parenting | Ten Ways to Make the Most of School Breaks
For some parents the school holiday is a respite time with a more relaxed routine. However, it can be a nightmare for others for many reasons such as not being able to take time off work, lack of childcare options and tight budgets, and so requires a lot of planning and management. As parents we learn […]
Coalition for YES welcomes divorce result
The Coalition for YES, a coalition of NGOs and lawyers, have welcomed the resounding YES vote in the divorce referendum. Speaking as the results rolled in, executive director of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL), Liam Herrick, said: Ireland is obliged by European and international human rights law and standards to protect the right […]
Vote YES and make Ireland a more compassionate place.
By voting YES tomorrow you can help to change the lives of thousands of men, women and children across Ireland. People don’t marry thinking they will divorce but sometimes it happens and we need a compassionate and considered response to this reality. In our work with couples and families separating, we see the devastation that […]
Coalition for YES – Letter to the Editor of the Irish Times
Dear Sir, The Irish electorate will be asked to vote in an important referendum on divorce this Friday. As a coalition of civil society organisations we are calling for a yes vote so that we can have a better, more compassionate process for people who need it. On Friday, people will be asked to approve […]
10 Ways to Understanding How Your Child May Feel During Separation
Whatever the circumstances, parental separation is hard on families and big changes must be made. Keeping their children at the centre of parenting and responding to the thoughts, feelings and questions a child may have, will help parents to help their child. Research shows that children normally experience one or more of the following reactions […]
askonefamily helpline develops new information resources for parents
The askonefamily helpline has developed the first in a series of new information resources to help one-parent families An entitlements map – An easy to understand visual aid outlining the supports available to you as a lone parent in work or out of paid work. Tutorial – Step-by-step guide on How to fill out the […]
One Family calls for change to the Parental Leave Act
(Dublin, Tuesday 15 May) On UN International Day of the Family, One Family, Ireland’s organisation for people parenting alone, separating and sharing parenting calls on the Government to change the Parental Leave Act to give lone parents the same leave entitlements as two parent families. One Family CEO Karen Kiernan explained: “While we warmly welcome […]
Leading national NGOs come together to call for a Yes vote in the upcoming Divorce Referendum
Leading national NGOs come together to call for a Yes vote in the upcoming Divorce Referendum Five leading national organisations came together today in a coalition calling for a Yes vote in the upcoming referendum in relation to divorce on Friday 24 May. FLAC (Free Legal Advice Centres), the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL), […]
10 Ways to Parent Through Stressful Times
Parenting can bring many challenges and when you are stressed these challenges can seem even more difficult to face. Here are some tips on how you can manage your stress levels and teach your children that while it may be unpleasant, stress is a part of everyday life. However, it is also important to show […]
We’re recruiting for Counsellors for My Options | March 2019
Counsellors for My Options – the National Information and Counselling Helpline for Unplanned Pregnancy | March 2019 Part-time Telephone Counsellor (Maternity Leave Cover) Locum Telephone Counsellors (Sessional work) Are you interested in joining the My Options team providing information and support to those with an unplanned pregnancy? If so, and you are a qualified, accredited […]