Irish names are often challenging for non-native speakers to pronounce due to unique linguistic features. Seán tops the list of the most mispronounced Irish names, followed by Saoirse and Siobhán. The article also mentions other difficult names from different regions, such as Emory from the US and Björk from Iceland. Google’s voice assistant and data from WordFinder X and Forvo are highlighted as tools and sources for pronunciation assistance.

Jess Martini, a popular TikTok user, shares crucial advice for parents on what to do if their child goes missing in public. She emphasizes the importance of loudly describing the child’s appearance to involve everyone around in the search. The advice has been well-received, with additional tips from other parents, such as taking a current photo of the child and describing their shoes.

Choosing a baby name can be a contentious issue between parents, with certain names being particularly unpopular with dads. Baby name consultant Morgan, who shares her insights on TikTok, has identified 19 baby girl names that often cause disputes between mothers and fathers. Names like Ophelia, Poppy, and Elowen are highlighted as divisive, with some dads finding them too unusual or having concerns about potential nicknames. Despite these disagreements, Morgan notes that not all dads dislike all the names on the list and emphasizes that her observations are generalizations made in a light-hearted manner.

A mother of two shares her decision to keep her two-year-old at home instead of sending them to creche, citing cost and the fact that she's already home with a new baby. Despite feeling judged by in-laws and friends, she seeks reassurance and empathy from other mothers. The community responds supportively, with many agreeing that being at home with their mother is beneficial for children. The article reflects on the inevitability of judgment in parenting decisions and encourages parents to do what's best for their family.

The article discusses the best time for children to go trick-or-treating, considering factors such as school schedules, sunset times, and community preferences. Family therapist Sheryl Ziegler suggests starting after school but not too early, and recommends wrapping up by 9 p.m. A poll indicates the most popular time is between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. The article also advises parents on how to avoid late trick-or-treaters and highlights the excitement and preparations leading up to Halloween.

Boundaries are crucial for children, but the word 'no' can provoke resistance. Parenting expert Kirsty Ketely suggests five alternatives to saying 'no' to foster better communication and cooperation. These include reframing words, being optimistic, offering controlled choices, using distraction techniques, and avoiding certain situations. However, a firm 'no' is necessary in dangerous situations. Explaining the reasons behind saying 'no' can help children understand and accept it better.

Hayley Rice, a child psychologist and parent-child relationship coach, introduces the concept of 'weekend restraint collapse,' where children and parents experience emotional and physical exhaustion by the weekend due to busy weekly schedules. She offers practical advice for managing this, including setting boundaries, taking it easy on weekends, showing compassion, and reframing negative behaviors as signs of overwhelm.

A paediatrician with a popular TikTok profile shares an evidence-based parenting tip for raising happy and successful children. He emphasizes the importance of involving children in household chores, citing studies that show long-term benefits such as increased empathy, stronger work ethic, and overall adult success. The article includes various perspectives from parents, some agreeing with the advice and others sharing different experiences.

Dr Alison McClymont, a child psychologist, discusses ten white lies that she believes parents can tell their children to protect their wellbeing and encourage positive behaviors. These include telling children their teeth will fall out if they don't brush them, gaming after a certain time is illegal, and unhealthy foods taste bad. The article explores the potential benefits of these small fibs in fostering good habits, creativity, and self-confidence in children.

Retailer Penneys has recalled popular kids' toys due to safety concerns, with the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission issuing an urgent product recall for a wooden music shaker and maracas. The toys pose a choking hazard, affecting nearly 8,000 customers in the Republic of Ireland. Primark, trading as Penneys in Ireland, has provided model numbers and barcodes for the affected items, advising customers to discontinue use and return the products for a full refund.

Former paramedic Nikki, co-founder of Tiny Hearts Education, warns parents about the hidden dangers of magnetic toys, specifically refillable water balloons containing small, strong magnets. She demonstrates the potential harm these magnets can cause if ingested by children, emphasizing the risk of intestinal damage and emergency surgeries. Her TikTok video has garnered significant attention, with many followers expressing gratitude for the safety advice.

Parents are encouraged to stop performing certain tasks for their children as they reach the age of five to foster independence. Key tasks include tidying up, getting dressed, making their beds, and ordering at restaurants. The article emphasizes the importance of allowing children to develop autonomy and coping skills, while still providing support when necessary. The book 'Make Your Bed' by William H. McRaven is cited to illustrate the benefits of establishing basic morning rituals.

Social media star and former teacher Ms Rachel, known for her educational content on Instagram, explains the benefits of using 'parentese' when speaking to babies. This method involves a high pitch, sing-songy tone, slower pace, and elongated vowels, which has been shown to boost language development. Ms Rachel emphasizes the importance of face-to-face interaction, visual connection, and exaggerated facial expressions. The technique is supported by research indicating its natural use across various languages and cultures. The article suggests that this approach could be particularly beneficial for babies born during Covid, who may have experienced communication skill gaps due to lockdowns.

World events, celebrities, and cultural trends influence baby name choices. Popular sources of inspiration include religion, family heritage, pop culture, sports stars, the royal family, and place names. According to UK Baby Names, the top baby names for 2023 are Noah and Olivia. The top girls' names are Olivia, Amelia, Isla, Ava, and Ivy, while the top boys' names are Noah, Oliver, George, Arthur, and Muhammad. The name George's popularity is attributed to the recent coronation of the King in the UK. Baby names are deeply personal, and while trends may change, a name is a lifelong commitment.

Parenting two children under six presents unique challenges at each stage, from the 'terrible twos' to the 'fearless fives.' The author reflects on the difficulties and rewards of early parenting, noting that each phase brings its own set of obstacles. While some parents find the toddler years manageable, others struggle with the newborn stage's sleep deprivation. The article emphasizes the importance of understanding individual strengths and limits, as well as the temperaments and needs of children. It also highlights the anticipation of future challenges, such as the pre-teen and teenage years, and the importance of living in the moment rather than focusing on milestones.

The article discusses the outdated notion of fathers 'babysitting' their own children, emphasizing that parenting should be an equal partnership. It highlights the evolving roles of fathers and mothers, criticizing stereotypes that undermine the contributions of fathers. The text references a study from The Guardian showing the positive impact of active fatherhood on children's education and calls for societal and constitutional changes to reflect modern parenting dynamics.

The article offers practical advice for parents preparing for their first parent-teacher meeting. It suggests asking about the child's overall well-being, social interactions, and emotional health, in addition to academic performance. Parents are encouraged to share insights from home life and inquire about ways to support their child's learning at home. The piece emphasizes the importance of collaboration between parents, teachers, and children to foster a supportive educational environment.

A mother expressed frustration on Mumsnet after another parent brought an uninvited younger sibling to her son's birthday party without prior notice. The host was caught off guard and allowed the sibling to stay, but was upset that the family only gave a card and no gift. The community's responses were mixed, with some sympathizing with the host's predicament and others suggesting understanding or that she was overreacting. The article reflects on the situation and invites the everymum community to share their thoughts.

The article provides a list of eight questions that expectant mothers should consider asking their midwife or doctor before giving birth. These questions cover topics such as pain relief options, recognizing real labor, delivery room attendance, lactation consultant availability, hospital stay duration, hospital bag packing, c-section rates, and the creation of a birth plan. The author shares insights based on personal experiences with childbirth and encourages an open-minded and flexible approach to birth and parenting.

Reflecting on life before having children, the author shares ten activities they wish they had engaged in more, such as traveling, spontaneous outings, living in different cities, conquering fears, and embracing hobbies. They also express a desire for more sleep, preparation for parenting, and indulging in personal interests like media and content. The piece emphasizes the significant lifestyle changes that come with parenting and the value of appreciating pre-parenthood freedom.

Jamie D'Andrea, a mother, shared a budget-friendly hack on TikTok for soothing teething babies by letting them chew on a cold, green onion. She claims green onions have analgesic properties that can alleviate teething pain. The hack was well-received by her followers, with some suggesting additional benefits such as palate development and less picky eating. The article also invites the everymum community to share their own teething tips.

A mother seeks advice on whether it is unreasonable for her three-year-old daughter to still use a dummy, sparking a debate among parents. Some argue that pacifiers are bad for dental health, while others share personal experiences of no adverse effects. The article suggests consulting a dentist and considering creative ways to help children part with their pacifiers.

Parenting is an overwhelming life change that no amount of preparation can fully equip you for. Key insights include the challenges of breastfeeding, the complexities of leaving the house with children, the drastic reduction in sleep, and the emotional rollercoaster postpartum. The article also highlights the reality of labor wards, the newfound resilience and fearlessness that comes with parenting, and the constant battle with laundry and bodily fluids. Ultimately, it emphasizes that there is no one right way to parent, and judgment from others is inevitable.

Danielle Manton-Kelly, known as @enchantednanny on TikTok, shared a video of her baby being treated by osteopath Lucy Ross-Brown for colic. Lucy demonstrated a technique involving clockwise abdominal manipulation to ease digestive discomfort in newborns, as an alternative to the 'bicycle legs' method. The video received positive feedback from viewers, with many expressing that the advice was a 'game changer' for managing colic.

Parents are role models for their children and should avoid using negative self-talk around them. Child psychologist Angela Caranja advises using neutral language and avoiding self-deprecating comments, as children are impressionable and absorb everything. Positive affirmations can be a better alternative to influence children's self-esteem positively.