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BY THE TIME your little one reaches toddler and preschool age, they’re well able to tell you what they want. And that’s where the trouble starts, from dealing with tantrums to navigating playdates. That’s why it can be so helpful to hear how other parents are getting through it all.
Our Toddler and Preschool Parents Panel is made up of parents with little ones from 24 months up to age five.
In these strange times, we’re all looking for comfort – some of us in unexpected places. So we asked parents:
What’s one surprising item your child just really adores?
A Disney rubber: Since last weekend the younger boy is obsessed with a Toy Story rubber… Yes, an actual eraser. Can’t explain it. He wants it everywhere with him all day and all night.
- Michelle O’Brien
Baby pyjamas: Our eldest who is five this summer still seeks out a pair of pyjamas which he has had since before he could walk, and feels the texture when drinking milk.
He likes to drink out of a straw cup before bed and the pyjamas still come out for that one occasion.
- Kaisu Healy
Multi-purpose tea towels: We usually struggle to find a tea towel in our kitchen because they are serving another purpose in the playroom – as a bandage for one of the girls or a blanket for their teddies! Hours of fun!
- Ger Lowry
The sweeping brush: Her fascination with the brush started when she was about 18 months old and the kitchen brush used to tower over her. Her adventures with the brush involved a lot of items being knocked off tables and countertops, and the occasional brush handle to the face for an unsuspecting Mammy or Daddy. Playing with the sweeping brush became a much more enjoyable (and safer) event once we bought her a toy sweeping brush and dustpan set which were height appropriate.
Tara is almost four now and the obsession with sweeping the floor continues. I can’t complain though, I have a one-year-old who is a messy eater so I will never turn down the offer of help cleaning up after meal times!
- Deirdre McCormack
Wellies and Blu-tack: At the moment I have a lady obsessed with wellies. Right up until the moment we tuck her into bed she wears them.
Blu-tack is a firm favorite with our older girl. We’ve had numerous conversations about how it’s really not OK to take it off the posters in playschool, but it still seems to find its way into her pockets.
- Nicola Barry
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Was a global pandemic, a war and a cost of living crisis not enough!!!
A lot of bad stuff here about Michael Flatley. None of it is cool or accurate. If you’re allergic to his success that’s one thing,
But please don’t misrepresent him. It’s so typically Irish to begrudge a guy who has made it. Michael is a gentleman. Anyone who knows him, knows it. He sat in a hospital and held my sick mother’s hand for an hour. He didn’t know her, but knew who she was and that she had a connection to his former dance teacher in years gone by. He sent flowers. He called to check her progress. He looks after everyone who is in his company. He’s a great businessman and an enormous talent. He’s one of the best traditional Irish flutists I’ve ever heard.
@Shane McGrath: Entreprenuers try things. It takes balls to try things. He has tried things, most worked and a few didn’t. But that doesn’t make him obnoxious. He’s still trying things. Good luck and more power to you Michael. Keep on winning.
@Shane McGrath: totally agree with you and lets not forget anything the guy dose turns to gold he never dose anything half assed ..he put Ireland on the map with Riverdance and we have flogged it to death around the world …so why not support the guy because even tho he make millions he promotes Ireland better than most of our so called icons
@Shane McGrath: the lad is a supporter of Gemma O’Doherty and belives in the “great replacement” so he can absolutely get in the bin.
@Jen Mc: I’m shocked to hear that.
Haven’t we suffered enough
“It stars Flatley himself as a secret agent….” well, at least Gift Grub will get some new oxygen for their very tired and worn out schtick.
Threat Level Midnight vibes
Irish begruggery at full flow on here everyone of ye would love to be in his position, ye might not make his choices but would love to be able to have those choices. Sickening to see the irish puller their own down like that. He is and was a monument success I say fair play to him
@Stephen Walshe: ah lighten up, I think he’s great and I met the man only recently and he’s a nice guy, and yes, I’d love to be in he’s position, but you must admit, it’s very “Micheal Scott-esque”. He’s some man to dance though!
He’s put his foot in it now
This looks awesome.
It’s no Fatal Deviation that’s for sure
Trailer just dropped lol
@Wooden Spoon: oh sweat jezz, I got 37 seconds into it and couldn’t take it anymore.
@Wooden Spoon: just watched it. Looks like a bond film made by Eurosaver. Which has potential. Dress up in their fancy dress outfits, fake guns, imitation martini, don their reading glasses for gravity, throw in a few Eurosaver Girls and off you go. Fight imminent takeover by Evil empire Dealz
@Wooden Spoon: “Blackbird is dead”
Bout sums it up.
@Jim Buckley Barrett: I braced meself and nearly watched the whole thing…. Should have listened to you!!! I have to admit I saw his Lord of the Dance show… Free tickets, I swear!!!!… It was brutal. Macho posing at its worst and this looks like more of the same only worse, if that’s possible.
@Jim Buckley Barrett: if it’s as bad as the trailer then I for one am looking forward to the sequel. ‘Bless me father for I have sinned…. .again’ . The clue is in the script.
What frame rate did they shoot it in to capture his rapidly moving legs.
Ya have to love Patrick Bergen tho …class actor
Carry on Blackbird.
I try to positive about things but… This guy is obnoxious and I long for the day when I never hear or see the sight of this egocentric person.
@DamoS: So you’ve met him a few times to form your positive opinion?
I’ve never met him, but Riverdance and Lord of the Dance has brought joy to a hell of a lot of people, You, not so much…
@Ian Byrne: you enjoy them & him as is your right. I would never deny anyone their own interests. I am entitled to my opinions too. A quick glance at the reactions on this thread might suggest I am not alone.
@DamoS: opinions on people who couldn’t even begin to understand how hard he has work and how success he is… yeah really valued and educated opinions mate lol
“Threat Level Midnight 2″ Staring Michael Scarn
This could go either way. I’m intrigued.
From the trailer it looks like absolute drivel!
have your say