Need some help in the parenting stakes? ITA O'KELLYtrawls the web and picks a selection of sites offering advice – and a whole lot more
www.mummymaps.com is run by by Kate Moran, a mother of two from Malahide, Co Dublin, who decided to go one step further than just search the web when she had her own children. She set up her own website as a resource for other mothers in Dublin, focusing on things to do and places to go with small children. "The whole idea behind mummymaps is to provide parents, and mothers in particular, with the best places to shop, eat and go to for a day out." Moran visited venues around the city with a group of her pals with buggies in tow and they then rated each venue for accessibility, changing facilities and whether they found the overall experience agreeable as customers with small children.
www.rollercoaster.ie is a very successful nationwide resource for anyone who is looking for advice or information on all aspects of parenting, from pregnancy to dealing with unruly teens. There are separate sections for people offering or looking for childcare, and advice and tips on everything from nutrition to getting children to sleep. It also offers useful reviews of holiday venues and lists restaurants that are child friendly. There are separate sections for stay-at-home parents and the notice boards also allow the sharing of tips and advice.
www.entertainingthekids.ie is also another useful lifeline for parents of young children. It lists plenty of free activities at places such as the National Museum of Ireland as well as workshops, places to visit and theatre and cinema for kids. For outdoor activities, it also gives the weather forecast.
www.barnardos.ie is a worthwhile resource for all parents. If you join Barnardos, you can avail of a well-stocked library of often expensive books on childcare issues which you can borrow. Barnardos also runs training courses for parents, details are on the website.
www.parentline.ie is an organisation that has been helping Irish parents for 25 years. Staffed by volunteers, it provides a listening ear for any parent who needs help or advice about any aspect of raising children. It also provides parenting courses, and offers useful information on topics such as post-natal depression and premature babies.
www.giftedkids.ieis a web resource for parents of children with an IQ in the top 5pc category. It lists useful advice on how to spot the characteristics displayed by gifted children and how to cope with their exceptional talents by channeling them in the right direction.
www.gingerbread.ie offers advice and support to single and separated parents. It has regular newsletters and useful tips from parents who find themselves in a similar situation.
www.dad.ie is an online magazine for Irish dads set up by David Caren, a father of two who is based in Cork. Caren hit upon the idea for a website written by dads for dads when his wife Ellen was pregnant with their first child Robin. "I noticed that there were loads of great sites for mothers but virtually nothing for men. While attending the obstetrician with my wife I found that the mums-to-be were all chatting away freely with each other but the men were fiddling with the mobile phones and finding excuses to move the car," he says.
The website features advice from experts including psychologist David Coleman, finance expert John Lowe and dietician Paula Mee. “While we do cover parenting we also deal with men’s health, sport, money, grooming, entertainment, legal matters and lifestyle. In addition, there is a forum where dads can discuss issues from childbirth to everyday dad life.”
www.usfi.ie is the website of the Unmarried and Separated Fathers of Ireland (USFI) organisation set up by Ray Kelly 15 years ago to help and advise newly-separated fathers. Last year, it had 106,899 hits."Issues of access to children, particularly by unmarried fathers in rural areas, continue to be a major problem for many men. Currently 52pc of children born in Ireland are born outside of marriage. We offer legal help and advice because our organisation is about giving equal rights to children." USFI is now also offering parenting courses to men and continues to hold weekly meetings which Kelly says are an integral part of what they do.
“While the web is great, it is not ideal for everyone. Some people need the personal touch and to sit with other people who are in the same boat.”
www.babywearingireland.com is a website for those who want to carry their child around in a sling but don't know which one to choose. It has been claimed that babies who are transported in a sling cry less. For that reason alone, it is worth checking out.
