parenting – My thoughts on a page.

There I am in the paper #77

December 3, 2018

If you’ve ever had an inspector of licences call to your door, this is for you. Here’s one of my pieces from my column in the Examiner. Recently, a certain college student I know was visited by one of those most lovely of people, the television licence inspector. This student lives in a large estate, … More There I am in the paper #77

When all you can do, is just be there.

November 28, 2018

November 29th. A day without significance in my life for over four decades, until five years ago when it became the day when the force that was young Daniel left this life, hopefully for adventures somewhere new. Since then time has continued to tick by. My own children have grown up, some have finished school … More When all you can do, is just be there.

There I am in the paper #76

November 12, 2018

Ever sat at a laptop waiting to do battle with Ticketmaster? Me too and it didn’t always go well! Enjoy this from my ‘It’s My Life,’ column in the Irish Examiner. A couple of weeks ago my phone was hopping with excited messages from my daughters. “Westlife are back together.” “I doubt it,” I texted, … More There I am in the paper #76

There I am in the paper #75

October 26, 2018

Here’s another of my columns on the Irish Examiner’s Feelgood. Maybe not the best parenting advice but it worked for me. I like to call it rage and revenge. Last Saturday I woke in a good mood. Not having to leap out of bed for any early morning reason meant I could lie there a … More There I am in the paper #75

There I am in the paper #74

October 15, 2018

Here you go, another ‘It’s My Life’ story from my weekly column in the Irish Examiner’s Feelgood. My rather personal take on homework. The other day, in a moment of madness, I sat down to help my daughter with her ‘homework.’ This wasn’t what you’d imagine as she is not a pupil of any school, … More There I am in the paper #74

There I am in the paper #73

October 4, 2018

Here you go another of my It’s My Life, columns in the Irish Examiner. It’s been a few weeks but yer man is featured once more. Where would I find my content without him? Isn’t it strange how we get used to the quirks of our home, the lock that sticks or the window that … More There I am in the paper #73

There I am in the paper #72.

October 1, 2018

Here you go, one of my Irish Examiner columns. Hope at least one of you manage a smile. My apologies if you were disturbed last Wednesday around lunchtime, by a loud hissing noise, not unlike the air leaking out of a giant balloon. Don’t worry it was just me letting out my breath as my … More There I am in the paper #72.

photo credit: Petra Senders via photopin cc

Remembering Elma.

September 6, 2018

Last Sunday I went to mass. Not because I’m a good Catholic, but to stand beside a family who are hurting. One year ago, Elma, a kind, gentle, lady of tremendous strength died suddenly. She was a wife, a daughter and a wonderful mother. While a young mother’s loss is always enormous, this family were … More Remembering Elma.

There I am in the paper #69

August 30, 2018

Time to share another of my Irish Examiner, ‘It’s my life,’ columns. Hope it makes you smile. Growing up, I was guilty of believing Dublin was the centre of the universe. For myself, and my childhood friends, where you came from was simple, either you were from Dublin, or the country. Of course, now that I’ve been living … More There I am in the paper #69

Words without actions are no use to anyone.

August 25, 2018

With the Pope’s visit all over the news this week, there has been a lot of air time given to those who have survived clerical abuse in Ireland. The many women who were in Magdalene laundries, the children who were illegally adopted, those who were beaten and mistreated within schools and institutions and those who … More Words without actions are no use to anyone.