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And They Call It Puppy Love
Posted by School Run Mum on 31/01/2012.Tags: School Run Mum Parenting
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There comes an inevitable time in every parent’s life when they will see their child develop a crush on a member of the opposite sex. At the age of 25 – I’m hoping, and not before!But, what should a parent do when their Junior and Senior Infants come home declaring their undying love for a boy or girl in their class and announce, over dinner, that they have made up their mind and that they will marry said person and ... click to read full post & comments
How much does the earth weigh?
Posted by School Run Mum on 24/01/2012.Tags: School Run Mum Parenting
Most parents have been stumped at least once, and in my case many, many times by a tricky question produced by the inquiring minds of their children. The ‘but why’ phase seems to start around the age of three and, as far as I can tell so far, probably never stops. Taking a simple car journey to the shops can result in the most profound conversations as question after question is thrown at you such as how the rain is made, why the moon is out in the day, what a rainbow is made of and what those big pipes at the side of the road are used for. As we attempt to drive, change CDs, ignore our ringing phone and pass drinks and a snack into the back seat, it isn't always that easy to come up with ... click to read full post & comments
Science and maths 'most feared questions' by parents
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 20/01/2012.Tags: Parenting Parenting Kids
Maths and science are the subjects most parents dread when their children ask for help with homework assignments, a new survey has found.
It revealed two-thirds of adults are frequently puzzled by questions on these topics, with a quarter admitting to feeling frustrated or embarrassed when they are unable to answer.
... click to read full post & comments
Thinking outside the lunchbox
Posted by School Run Mum on 18/01/2012.Tags: School Run Mum Parenting
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I will never forget the day when I popped into the local Spar for a loaf of bread. It was lunchtime, I was a new mum on maternity leave and I thought this would take a couple of minutes. It didn’t. It took FOREVER because I hadn’t factored in the deluge of kids from the local secondary school who had just descended en masse to buy their wedges and sausage rolls and crisps and pop and sweets for their lunch. I now know to avoid any of the shops at lunchtime!The fact that dinners are not provided in Irish schools was a shock to me ... click to read full post & comments
Back to life – back to reality
Posted by School Run Mum on 10/01/2012.Tags: School Run Mum Parenting
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Phew! We made it. Four months of Christmas holidays, over. It was four months wasn’t it? Or was it five? I think it was four – it certainly felt like it.Yes, yes, I know, it’s all wonderful and lovely and Christmas was, well, Christmas but it’s the bit afterwards that gets me. Unlike in the UK, where they started their Christmas holidays a week before The Big Day, meaning that there’s an opportunity to get involved in loads of pre-Christmas activities and get in the mood, most of our break was spent in that awful no-man’s land of ‘after Christmas’ – a place where nobody really wants to hang out.
So, we sat amid the remnants of selection boxes and ... click to read full post & comments
Govt 'cannot force schools' to offer healthy food
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 05/01/2012.Tags: Parenting Kids Health
The Department of Education has stated there is nothing it can do to prevent schools installing vending machines that offer unhealthy snacks to pupils.
A spokesperson from the government said it is a matter for each school to draw up guidelines for the food that is available on its premises, the Irish Examiner reports.
... click to read full post & comments
Modern Languages in Primary Schools Initiative
Posted by School Run Mum on 21/12/2011.Tags: School Run Mum Education And Politics Parenting
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In the recent budget, a proposal was announced to abolish the Modern Languages in Primary Schools Initiative with immediate effect. This incredibly worthwhile initiative supports modern languages in over 550 schools nationally with a core team of just 6 people, providing training, resources and school-based support as well as funding 300 visiting teachers who deliver the language programme in schools nationwide, all within a budget of under €2 million.The proposal to abolish the initiative comes at a time when ... click to read full post & comments
The gift of giving
Posted by School Run Mum on 14/12/2011.Tags: School Run Mum Parenting
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I saw a Christmas advert recently which made me laugh, albeit sarcastically. It’s the John Lewis one set to the song, ‘Please, please, please let me get what I want.’ In the ad, we are led to believe that the little boy is thinking about all the presents he’s going to get on Christmas morning, but when he wakes up he just steps over the pile of presents at the bottom of his bed and goes straight into his parents’ room with ... click to read full post & commentsSend the gift of Education this christmas with Irish Charity Camara
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 09/12/2011.Tags: Family And Leisure Parenting Teachers
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Camara Education, an award-winning charity and social enterprise, is providing the ideal gift this Christmas to show friends and family how much you care in a unique and meaningful way - by sending the gift of a computer to an African school on their behalf for only €15.Camara Education is an Irish NGO that works to alleviate poverty in sub-Saharan Africa by using technology to enhance the quality of education in disadvantaged schools. Its vision is that of a world where even the poorest have access to quality education. Education is the key to solving Africa's problems. Harnessing the power of technology in education can ... click to read full post & comments
Education Sector Cuts Announced
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 06/12/2011.Tags: Education And Politics Teachers Parenting
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A range of measures that will affect the education system been announced as part of yesterday's (December 5th) Budget statement from the government.As of next year, schools will lose the separate allocation they have for guidance and guidance provisions will therefore have to be managed by schools from within their standard teacher allocations – the Department estimates this will yield net savings of 500 posts when provision is made for the reduced staffing schedule for DEIS schools.
The Back-to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance has also been ... click to read full post & comments(2)
'One in four' three-year-olds overweight
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 02/12/2011.Tags: Parenting Kids Health
The latest findings from the Growing Up in Ireland study focusing on kids' health have revealed one in four three-year-olds in the country is overweight.
This includes six per cent of youngsters who are classified as obese, the study found, while it also noted those growing up in the most disadvantaged households are more likely to suffer from this problem.
... click to read full post & comments(1)
Axing Guidance Counsellors Would Have Serious Consequences
Posted by Days Newshound on 02/12/2011.Tags: Education And Politics Teachers Parenting
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Axing Guidance Counsellors Would Have Serious Consequences for Young People’s Job Prospects, Lives . Responding to a report that the Government may cut the number of Career Guidance Counsellors in second-level schools, ASTI General Secretary Pat King today said: “It is unthinkable that at a time of high unemployment and when the Government is publicly stating that its number one priority is ... click to read full post & comments
Gifts for the teacher
Posted by School Run Mum on 30/11/2011.Tags: School Run Mum Parenting Teachers
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Somehow or other, December is upon us and as the Christmas lights start to flicker and flash in streets and houses across the country, my thoughts turn, once again, to Christmas gifts for teachers.I had a conversation with a teacher about this at the end of the last school year, proudly telling her all about the lovely homemade bouquets of tissue-paper flowers which my children had taken in for their teachers and the homemade biscuits they’d painstakingly decorated at Christmas. She laughed and told me how funny it is that parents think the teachers will prefer a cute little homemade gift, but actually, all they really want is a nice bottle of wine or anything in a Brown Thomas bag.
I left the conversation feeling ... click to read full post & comments(6)
Education cuts - Parents’ deepest fears
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 28/11/2011.Tags: Education And Politics Teachers Parenting
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A representative for parents of second-level students has said further education cuts will push many schools to breaking point. Speaking at the launch of the Post-Primary Education Forum (PPEF) pre-budget submission today, the President of the National Parents’ Council Post Primary, Tommy Walshe said: “The impression that schools are coping with education cuts is a false one. After three years of cuts I think you could say that ... click to read full post & comments
Duvet Days for the kids?
Posted by School Run Mum on 22/11/2011.Tags: School Run Mum Parenting
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We’ve all had that awful, sinking feeling on a cold, dark, winter’s morning – oh no…….work. You know, those mornings where you just cannot face work and just want to turn off the alarm, roll over and go back to sleep. And, of course, it’s the same for the children. They wake up groggy, grumpy and just don’t want to go to school. For adults, the concept of ‘duvet days’ was developed for those days when you just can’t face the office, and rather than faking a terrible illness and coughing uncontrollably down the phone, the duvet day (or mental health day as it is sometimes called) allows employees to have that quiet time at home you desperately need to get back on track.
For most parents, when the kids try the ‘I don’t want to go to school’ routine, they are ... click to read full post & comments(1)
Board Games - teaching us all a lesson
Posted by School Run Mum on 16/11/2011.Tags: School Run Mum Parenting
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I read an interesting piece in the Irish Independent this week about the educational benefits of traditional family board games. It caught my attention because we have recently had two birthday's in the house and a number of board games were given as presents. We've had great fun on an evening playing these games together as a family (rather than watching TV) and with most of the games being old favourites which we played ourselves as children (Connect 4, Guess Who, Operation), it's been a fun trip down memory lane also.For Junior and Senior Infant level children, board games can help to teach many valuable skills, such as colour recognition, number recognition, counting skills, letter recognition, problem solving and the invaluable lessons of taking turns and understanding the rules of the game. Of course, the concept of 'It's not the winning, it's the taking part,' is a tricky one to ... click to read full post & comments
Childhood obesity presents 'a significant challenge'
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 10/11/2011.Tags: Parenting Kids Health
Rising levels of childhood obesity is a concerning trend that could leave youngsters increasing their risk of long-term health problems.
This is the finding of a new report from the Growing Up in Ireland study that found 26 per cent of nine-year-olds in the country have a body mass index (BMI) outside the healthy range - with seven per cent defined as obese.
... click to read full post & comments
A simple thank you
Posted by School Run Mum on 08/11/2011.Tags: School Run Mum Parenting
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Straight after school today (well, after homework and fending off requests for TV and snacks), I will be sitting down with my six-year-old to help him with a stack of thank you letters for the birthday presents he received recently.It will take a while (he got a lot of presents), but I really believe it is something important and therefore ... click to read full post & comments(1)
The Trouble With Halloween
Posted by School Run Mum on 26/10/2011.Tags: School Run Mum Parenting
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Is it just me or has Halloween gone a bit mad? The word 'Halloween' is actually an abbreviation of ‘All Hallows Eve’ i.e. the evening before All Hallows Day (or All Saints Day as it is now known, November 1st). But witches have been staring at me since the start of October. With the kids waiting desperately for their stash of 'Trick or Treat' sweets and more flashing lights outside the shops and houses than at Christmas time, I'm starting to wonder if we've forgotten what this occasion is all about with very little ... click to read full post & commentsCap on Junior Cert Exam subjects not for 2012 states Minister
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 21/10/2011.Tags: Teachers Parenting
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Speaking at the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) annual conference, Minister for Education and Skills Ruairi Quinn stated that the proposal to limit Junior Cert students to eight examinable subjects will not be implemented in second-level schools in 2012. He now says that it will not be a requirement until 2014, -- for pupils doing the exam in 2017. While the Minister has now stated that there would be no compulsion on schools to change in 2012 or 2013, he would ... click to read full post & comments
Under-2s 'get no benefit' from educational TV
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 20/10/2011.Tags: Parenting Parenting Kids
Parents looking to encourage their children's development from an early age may be surprised to hear that educational TV programmes aimed at youngsters aged under two have been claimed to be ineffective.
This is according to a study by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), which stated such shows are not beneficial to kids of this age as they are not old enough to understand the content.
... click to read full post & comments
Switching Off
Posted by School Run Mum on 20/10/2011.Tags: School Run Mum Parenting
I saw something on Twitter recently which provoked a bit of a reaction in me. ‘Can anyone recommend a DS Lite game suitable for a 4 yr old?’ the person tweeted. I resisted the temptation to reply with something along the lines of, ‘There are none. DS Lite games are NOT suitable for 4 year olds. Try a ... click to read full post & commentsAnnual Christmas Shoebox Appeal by Charity Team Hope
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 20/10/2011.Tags: Teachers Parenting
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The annual Christmas Shoebox Appeal has been launched nationwide, by Irish charity Team Hope. Schoolchildren, mums, church members, businesses and households nationwide are being asked to create gift filled shoeboxes of Christmas presents and beat last year’s number of 180,000 which went to needy children in Africa and Eastern Europe – to countries where families have to live on as little as €1 a day! The aim this year is to send Christmas shoeboxes to thousands more needy children.Organised by Irish charity Team Hope it is hoped that the numbers of shoeboxes will increase significantly, by at least 25% this year. Shoeboxes can be ... click to read full post & comments
Many children 'at risk of back pain from school bags'
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 18/10/2011.Tags: Parenting Kids Health
Carrying school bags that are too heavy could be leading many school children to experience pain in their back.
This is according to chief executive of BackCare Sean McDougall, who stated that because kids' bones are still relatively soft as they are still growing, youngsters should ideally be carrying no more than ten per cent of their body weight over their shoulders.
... click to read full post & comments(2)
Financial pressures lead to rise in calls to parenting line
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 17/10/2011.Tags: Parenting Parenting Kids
Many more parents in Ireland may have been looking for help with raising their children in the past year due to the impact of the recession.
This is according to statistics from parenting advice service Parentline, which show more than 4,000 families turned to its phone line for assistance over the past 10 months, the Irish Times reports.
... click to read full post & comments
Many young people 'at risk' though internet activities
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 12/10/2011.Tags: Parenting Parenting Kids
Many children in Ireland could be putting their safety at risk by not adequately protecting themselves when using the internet.
This is according to a new report from the ISPCC, which found a quarter of older children failed to use privacy settings on their social networking accounts, while over a third of primary school-age youngsters did not know how to do this.
... click to read full post & comments
Give me a break - from the ads
Posted by School Run Mum on 12/10/2011.Tags: School Run Mum Parenting
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Children’s TV worries me. It’s always being debated in the media as to how little TV is acceptable for children to watch before they turn into zombies - it's hard to know what to do for the best, We have always had a policy of ‘less is more’ when it comes to ‘the telly’ in our house. It started out with a bit of harmless Teletubbies fun on CBeebies. From there we developed a love/hate relationship with ‘In The Night Garden’ and have really loved some of the more innocent little programmes like ’64 Zoo Lane’, ‘3rd and Bird’ and ‘Bob The Builder’ (ofcourse). I liked the CBeebies channel because the programmes were very age-appropriate for my then tiny tots, but I liked it most because there were ... click to read full post & comments(1)
Optometrists urge Children’s Eye Test during Bright Eyes week
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 12/10/2011.Tags: Parenting Primary School News
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Optometrists across the country are encouraging parents to take their children for an eye test next week as part of the ‘Bright Eyes’ campaign to promote eye health for children. During Bright Eyes week (October 17-22) eye tests will be available in many optometrists across the country free of charge and for a nominal cost at others.
Parents can take their child to ... click to read full post & comments
Is social networking becoming too social?
Posted by School Run Mum on 05/10/2011.Tags: School Run Mum Parenting
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Whether you are an active participant or not, the popularity of social networking is pretty hard to ignore. Sites like Facebook, Twitter and the most recent Google Plus have captured the ... click to read full post & commentsMany pupils 'would rather squint' than wear glasses
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 04/10/2011.Tags: Parenting Kids Health
A large number of school pupils may be struggling to read what is on the board if they do not wish to admit to wearing glasses.
According to a survey conducted by Vision Express, 16 per cent of students say they would rather squint than put on corrective lenses in the classroom, the Evening Herald reports.
... click to read full post & comments
Children 'main cause of anger among motorists'
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 03/10/2011.Tags: Parenting Parenting Kids
Parents taking their kids on the school run may be more prone to road rage incidents caused by having their children in the vehicle.
This is according to a new survey by UK car supermarket Carcraft, which found both mums and dads say that squabbling youngsters in the back seat are a major cause of stress when they are on the road.
... click to read full post & comments
Publication of updated Child Protection Procedures for schools
Posted by Mother Hen on 30/09/2011.Tags: Education And Politics Parenting Teachers News
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The Minister for Education and Skills Ruairi Quinn, TD, today published updated child protection procedures for schools. The "Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools" have been developed following extensive consultation with the education partners and are based on the recently published Children First – National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2011. The procedures will apply with immediate effect to ... click to read full post & comments
Free Family Fun National Trails Day Sun 2nd Ocober
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 29/09/2011.Tags: Parenting
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National Trails Day will take place this Sunday 2nd October. In its fourth year, this national event is bigger than ever before and so there are events to suit everyone. All events are free and the aim of National Trails Day is to encourage people to take some time to appreciate the natural beauty and amenities on their doorstep. Outdoor trails are for everyone to enjoy and on this Sunday ... click to read full post & commentsFeeling Crafty
Posted by School Run Mum on 27/09/2011.Tags: School Run Mum Parenting
I love this time of year. The start of October, to me, means that it is now perfectly acceptable to get out the winter coats and put the sandpit back into the shed. No more hoping for a late summer - it's gone people, gone!I also like autumn weather - blustery, windy days when all the kids seem to go a little bit crazy, bright sunny days to wrap up and go and kick some leaves and even the cold, rainy days are the prefect excuse to dig those neglected jigsaws out of the back of the toy box and spend some ... click to read full post & comments
Television advertising of unhealthy food to children – have your say!
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 27/09/2011.Tags: Parenting
Calling all parents, grandparents, godparents, teachers, guardians, young people and all Irish Heart Foundation supporters to make a submission on television advertising of unhealthy foods to children.The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) is the body responsible for the regulation of broadcasting in Ireland. The BAI is currently reviewing the Children’s Commercial Communications Code – the code that regulates ... click to read full post & comments
Seat belts now the law on private buses for kids transport.
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 26/09/2011.Tags: Parenting
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The Road Safety Authority (RSA) are today Monday 26th September 2011 announcing that it is now a legal requirement that private buses involved in the organised transport of children be fitted with appropriate and fit for purpose safety belts or restraint systems as of 31st October 2011. This applies to the transportation of a group of 3 or more children where transporting the children is the primary reason for the journey. This includes school transport bus services, school trips or organised outings such as ... click to read full post & comments
Culture Vultures
Posted by School Run Mum on 21/09/2011.Tags: School Run Mum Parenting
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I like to think that I am giving my children a rounded education and varied experiences in life - even if most of it does appear to be Lego shaped at the moment (it’s a phase – right?).We do various sporting activities pretty regularly. We’ve done hip hop dancing. We bake. We have an eclectic mix of music on the iPhone and Santa even brought a guitar to the house last Christmas (even though he did have to take it back to the toy shop in January for a refund - but fleetingly, we had a guitar in the house). When it comes to ‘the arts’ though, we’re not all that great. We’ve flirted with ... click to read full post & comments
'One in ten teens' victims of cyber-bullying
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 19/09/2011.Tags: Parenting Parenting Kids
Around one in ten teenagers in Ireland have fallen victim to bullying conducted via the internet or through their mobile phone, new research has found.
A study conducted by Cork Institute of Technology revealed almost half of students questioned were aware of the activity taking place, the Irish Independent stated.
... click to read full post & comments(2)
Junior Cert - Results and Repercussions
Posted by School Run Mum on 13/09/2011.Tags: School Run Mum Parenting Education And Politic
With Junior Cert results out this Wednesday, there will inevitably be a lot of anxious students and parents in households around the country. Waiting for exam results is always a challenging, difficult time, whatever stage the exams are at and emotions can run very high. With the media poised to cover the outcome of the results in schools across the country, the week will no doubt be accompanied by a number of news stories of individual success and failure, and not only in relation to the exam results themselves.
With Junior Cert results day comes Junior Cert results night and the inevitable anxieties for parents about the manner in which their children will mark the occasion – whether to celebrate or commiserate. Every year, ... click to read full post & comments(1)
The Price of Education
Posted by School Run Mum on 07/09/2011.Tags: School Run Mum Parenting Education And Politic Teachers
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Last week, my eldest child started Senior Infants. One of the discussions taking place among parents at the school gate was whether we had enrolled our children for secondary schools. Some had, I hadn’t and a mild panic set in when I was advised to get onto it straight away, otherwise my, now six-year-old, might not get a place in our preferred school when the time comes.Trouble is, we don’t really know which is our preferred school. As parents who were both educated in ... click to read full post & comments
The politics of making friends
Posted by School Run Mum on 31/08/2011.Tags: School Run Mum Parenting
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Going back to school this week brings with it many emotions: excitement, uncertainty, fear and joy – every child will react in their own way whether they are just starting school or getting back into the school routine after the summer break. It’s a rollercoaster ride for us all.For many parents, particularly those of younger children, the school term brings with it a number of concerns and anxieties, and they are not all to do with academic ability. In fact, most parents are quite probably more concerned about ... click to read full post & comments(3)
Is it really 'Back to School' time already?
Posted by School Run Mum on 25/08/2011.Tags: School Run Mum Parenting
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It only seems like yesterday that I was unpacking the lunch box and school bag and throwing it into a corner of the kitchen. "Yippee, see you in September," I cried, with perhaps just too much glee. All those frantic mornings, cramming the best part of '5-a-day' into the Toy Story lunchbox could be forgotten about for eight whole weeks......bliss.But all too soon, those eight weeks (which back on 1st July seemed like eight months) have flown past and I now find myself ... click to read full post & comments
Put road safety on ‘Back to School’ checklist
Posted by Schooldays Newshound on 24/08/2011.Tags: Parenting Teachers News
As schoolchildren enter the final few weeks of their summer holidays, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is asking parents, guardians and teachers to make road safety a priority in their back to school preparations. To help keep children safe on the roads, the RSA and ESB Electric Ireland will once again be providing every child starting school this year with a high viz vest. Advising parents Mr. Noel Brett, CEO, Road Safety Authority said, “Children are ... click to read full post & comments
Irish parents look forward to getting their kids back to school
Posted by Schooldays Newshound on 22/08/2011.Tags: Parenting
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74% of Irish children look forward to going back to school, while a staggering 83% of parents admit that they look forward to September 1st when children are back in the classroom, according to the Kellogg’s Back to School survey. Parents polled said they look forward to the new school term because it brings a return to routine and discipline for the family (87%), because they find it hard to keep the kids entertained during the summer months (49%), and because of the difficulty in arranging childcare during the summer (24%). While 19% of parents admit that they rejoice in the return of ‘more freedom’ for themselves!The survey of 500 parents also reveals, that Irish parents want their kids to be happy and to be the best that they can be. For most parents high academic achievement is not the most important thing for children to achieve at school – an ability to ... click to read full post & comments
