mums &tots ISSN 2009-437X
IRELAND’S FAVOURITE FAVOURITE MATERNITY MATERNITY MAGAZINE MAGAZINE
www.mumsandtots.ie Embracing Life - Pregnancy
ISSUE 09 WINTER 2013/2014 €3.00
PURE IRISH
to Parenting
Win!
perience Luxury Spa Ex tel Ho ld ie af at Se
6 PAGES OF COVERAGE FROM THE
EXCLUSIVE
A BEAUTIFUL BODY PROJECT:
Photographer Jade Beall redefines beauty
MUMS & TOTS AWARDS 2013 THE FACTS ON
CHILD ALLERGIES + HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT CRECHE
TONGUE TIE
ALL ABOUT:
HOW TO:
Baby Wearing
TRENDY BUMPS: In the Navy
Farm to Fork
Teaching your kids where food comes from
THE JACK & JILL FOUNDATION
Winter Warming Recipes from Annabel Karmel
TOY GUIDE
WIN A MICROSCOOTER
as seen on
Available to buy in
Developed with the UK’s most trusted childcare expert, Miriam Stoppard
www.shampooheads.com
hello &welcome! We have such an exciting issue in store for you.
Editor: Roberta von Meding Graphic Designer: Juliet Symes Cover Image: Emma Edghill: Winner of Top Tot at the Mums & Tots Awards 2013. Photo credit: DOK Photography Contributers: Annabel Karmel, Anne O’Connor, Therese Handibode, Don Conroy, Orla Walsh, Mothercare Published by: Juliet Publishing Printed By: Quinn’s Contact us: editor@mumsandtots.ie or call +353 85 703 1181 Facebook: facebook.com/mumsandtots All rights reserved. Every care has been taken to ensure that the information contained in this magazine is accurate. The publishers cannot, however, accept responsibility for errors or omissions. Reproduction by any means in whole or in part without the permission of the publisher is prohibited. © Juliet Publishing 2013. Please note all discounts, special offers and competitions contained in this magazine are run independently of Mums & Tots, and therefore the promoter is responsible for honouring the prize. All opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher or Editor. Medical articles and opinions are not a substitute for your doctor’s advice. All prices are correct at time of print.
subscribe to get Mums & Tots delivered to your door. Only €16 for an annual subscription at www.mumsandtots.ie
The Mums & Tots Awards 2013, in association with GloHealth was held on the 27th of September in the Radisson, St. Helens. We didn’t want you to miss out so we have 6 full pages celebrating our finalists and winners. John O’Leary gave a very moving talk on the night about how The Jack and Jill Foundation have affected his family’s life and we have asked him to write his story for you too so make sure to read it on page 22. Jade Beall has taken the world by storm over the last 6 months. If you haven’t heard of her yet, she is a Photographer based in Arizona, USA. Jade has created a counter-balance to the airbrushed photoshopped imagery that dominates main stream media. Her recent work “A Beautiful Body Project” has touched 100,000’s of women’s lives and garnered global attention from media outlets including the BBC, The Huffington Post & beyond. Jade’s book series feature untouched photos of women alongside stories of their journeys to build self-esteem. Tune into our exclusive with Jade on page 32 and also Alaina’s story of how Jade’s work has impacted her, page 34. Beauty Team Ireland’s Sarah Jane Hanton talks about beauty through the ages and the lengths that women would go to be beautiful. Imagine during the Renaissance, women plucked out hairs, one by one, all the way back to the crowns of their heads, to give them the high rounded foreheads, ouch! page 74. A recent survey conducted by Empathy Research has revealed a distinct lack of knowledge in urban children who don’t have access to farms about farm machinery, source of food and naming adult animals. Dietician, Orla Walsh, shows us the importance of discussing ‘farm to fork’ with children to help them understand where their food comes from, page 58. As it is that silly time of year we are feeling very generous and have some great giveaways for you including; a day at Seafield Spa, family passes to see the Gaiety’s Snow White, a micro scooter, and a brand new Stokke Scoot stroller. Make sure to enter to be in with a chance. Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to you and yours!
www.mumsandtots.ie Editor Roberta von Meding
mums&tots
3
in b o x
Thank you for sending us your toddler and baby stories. These are some of our best yet! Keep them coming to hello@mumsandtots.ie //
6
mums&tots
Dear Mums & Tots,
S
TA Games on the golf LETTER R course! My three year old nephew Ben is a holy terror. This story had me chuckling. My sister, her husband and a large group of friends were at an exclusive golf course for a day out. Ben was with them, along with a few other kids. My sister took her eyes off Ben for a second. When she looked around, he had dropped his shorts and was peeing into the little golf ball cup in the middle of the green. My sister was mortified, don’t think she will ever go near a golf course again and of course whoever was up next to golf that hole may have had an interesting round! We still don’t know if he did it out of boldness or whether he actually thought it was a place for him to go!! - Emer Breen
Congratulations Emer Breen! You are the winner of this gorgeous hamper from Shampooheads.
Dear Mums & Tots, I love your magazine. Here is my funny toddler story. So, a few weeks ago I was making lunch, and someone knocked on the door. I just thought it was the postman. I was quite surprised when I opened the door to see two gardai. He said “someone called 999 from this house. The operator said it sounded like a baby on the phone.” Sure enough, the phones was off the hook and laying on the ground, where my one year old had been playing earlier. I had actually given it to me to give me a few minutes to finsih hanging my laundry. Needless to say, we don’t let him play with the phone anymore! - Jane Morrison Dear Mums & Tots, On a shopping trip to Tesco, My 3 year old and I were standing in the cosmetics aisle, my trying to find my favourite moisturiser. We were near an older woman of about 70 when my son shouts and points to the woman in horror, ‘Mummy, why is her face broken?’ MORTIFYING! - Robyn O’Neill Dear Mums & Tots, We found out that I was pregnant when Bella was a few months away from turning three so we told her right away. The only issue with that was that every time she saw someone in public with a large stomach, she would ask, loudly, ‘Mummy! That man/lady’s going to have a baby, just like you’re going to have a baby?’ It was awful!! - Susan Kavanagh Dear Mums & Tots, My 3 year old Anna has a habit of breaking things, so every time something in the house isn’t working properly she says “I broke it”. Another thing she does is that whenever I tell her “Careful, you’re gonna break that”, she just replies as calmly as possible “we buy a bigger one”. Clearly thinks mummy is made out of money! - Nicky Murphy
Sometimes, children are safer when you are not watching them
New 2wayFamily Offer your child the best safety by keeping them rearward facing for longer (up to the age of 4) With Maxi-Cosi Pebble and 2wayPearl, you can keep your children rearward facing up to approx. 4 years old. What’s more, both seats are very easy to use, they click-in in less than a second on the 2wayFix base. All you have to do is enjoy your family trip. The 2wayPearl is i-Size compliant and therefore the safest choice. Learn more about the new i-Size regulation on www.maxi-cosi.co.uk/i-size.
ISOFIX
Pebble
2wayPearl
Rearward facing Birth to approx. 1 year
Rearward facing (67 - 105cm) Approx. 6 months to 4 years
2wayFix
Forward facing 15 months to approx 4 years (105cm)
The 2wayPearl and 2wayFix base are available from November.
/maxicosi.uk @maxicosibaby For more information visit www.maxi-cosi.com/2wayfamily
Enjoy your new life
show have won awards, including a feature in the US award for “Teachers’ Top 100 Books”.
tots / lifestyle
Little Einsteins – An animated series created by Disney which follows four children as they embark on certain missions, which require the help of the audience. Little Einsteins aims to teach young children art and music appreciation by utilising classical music and culturally important works of art in each episode. Peppa Pig - Peppa Pig is an animated programme aimed at pre-school children, revolving around a young girl-like pig called Peppa, her younger brother George, her family and her friends. Each episode is only about five minutes long and generally depicts everyday situations such as going on day-trips, growing vegetables or being sick. The characters wear clothes, live in houses, and drive cars, but still display some characteristics of the animals on which they are based. It is a very light hearted show with limited educational elements.
Who’s Who?
Tree Fu Tom – Created in association with the Dyspraxia Foundation, this series is designed to assist children who have coordination difficulties, and to promote movement, by encouraging the viewer to perform certain motions to help the lead character in his adventure. Each episode sees the title character Tom put on a magical power belt and shrink to insect size, before entering a mystical world in the top of a tree, known as Treetopolis. Something Special - Broadcast by the BBC, this show is specifically aimed at children with learning and communication difficulties, and introduces ‘Makaton’ sign language to children. Presented by Justin Fletcher MBE, Something Special shows Justin and his other characters, Mr. Tumble and the rest of the Tumble family, along with special needs children, using sign language to explain different topics to the audience.
In the technological age we live in, it is hard to avoid exposing children to television completely, and many shows aimed at preschoolers do have educational benefits. Television viewing in moderation can help toddlers and young children learn in a relaxed and enjoyable way. Therese Handibode looks at a few contemporary shows that appeal to toddlers and their associated learning benefits.
as the “Wise Old Elf” and includes many other characters including Ben and Holly’s family and friends, and a ladybird insect that has dog-like characteristics. The educational aspect of this show is minimal but it does encourage imaginative play.
Dora the Explorer – Centered around a Latina girl named Dora and her monkey friend, Boots, this series aims to introduce children to the Spanish language. Each episode involves Dora embarking on a quest in which she has to overcome a number of challenges and solve numerous riddles with the help of the viewer. Helping with language development, problem solving and numeracy, there are many positive aspects to this series.
With so many different shows available for children, there is sure to be something to appeal to each individual child’s personality and stage of development. A report by the University of London has shown that up to three hours TV viewing a day, “contrary to expectations”, can be beneficial to children. The lead author Dr. Alice Sullivan stated that the educational value of children’s television is “underestimated” and it “may also help expose some children to a broader vocabulary than they get at home”.
Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom – Created specifically for preschool children, this series is set in a magical kingdom with an elf, Ben Elf, and a fairy, Princess Holly, as the lead characters. The story of each episode is narrated by a character known
Guess How Much I Love You – A series based on a book written by Sam McBratney, this is aimed at toddlers and preschoolers and shows two hares, Little Nut Brown Hare and Big Nut Brown Hare as they live their daily lives and continuously try to quantify their love for each other. A very heartwarming story, both the book and the new television
Regardless of the educational benefits producer’s and others claim these shows have, it is worth bearing in mind that any TV viewing should be in moderation. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under 2 years old do not watch any TV and those older than 2 watch no more than 1 or 2 hours a day of quality programming.
52
mums&tots
GIRL Jumper €10, Skirt (set) €12, Tights (2pk) €2, Boots €14 BOY Jumper €12, Jeans €14, Trainers €10
GIRL Jumper €12, Jeans €11, Shoes €7 BOY Jumper €10, Jeans €7, High Tops €9
e lot of Penneys has a whol
…
things for Christmas
s is your one stop upon us and Penney t os m al is on as se a’s visit. The festive l dressed up for Sant al e’s on tle lit ur yo ll make shop for getting y or nice Penneys wi ht ug na e ar e’s m i vely fashionable. Whether your min rm and looking festi wa up d pe ap wr e ts, comfy sure they ar velty jumpers and ha no to s, itt m d an its ily’s From fluffy kn eys has all your fam nn Pe , ar we ot fo y nc urs will have a cosy onesie’s to fa sure that you and yo en to d re ve co s ed ne fashion as x merry little Christm
Jumper €12, Jeans €14, Trainers €10, Headphones €9
www.primark.ie | Tel: 01 888 0500 www.facebook.com/PenneysIreland
LEFT TO RIGHT Reindeer Onesie €10, Flannel Pyjamas €5 & Slippers €6, Pyjamas €6 & Slipper Socks €1.25, Fairisle Onesie €10
Dress & Polo Neck Set €12, Shoes €7
Headphones €9, Faux Fur Coat €21 Hat €8, Jumper €11, Skirt (set) €16, Tights €1.50, Shoes €7
Cardigan €11, Jeans €8, High Tops €8
Jumper €10, Skirt (set) €12, Tights (3pk) €5, Shoes €10
Hat €3, Blazer €17, Shirt & Jumper Set €12, Trousers €6, High Tops €9
just for mum / lifestyle
Hello babies...
Bye-bye friends? Before babies During my pregnancy I had brilliant daydreams of my new life with the twins, giggling babies lying on a blanket gnawing their fresh carrots, whilst chatting to friends over a glass of wine and cooking up a feast. Boy was I wrong! I was terribly naïve regarding the energy and effort required to look after twins and the strain it would put on my friendships. I really wish someone had told me. Well, that’s
68
mums&tots
not strictly true, my GP did say ‘nothing will prepare you’. When the babies arrived I had an epiphany and felt incredible awe and admiration towards my friends who became mothers before me. I now truly appreciated the demands on their time and was grateful for their friendship.
The early days When my twins were born, I was inundated with curious visitors all vying
words by Olivia FitzGerald
for a peek, but after a few months and the initial shock and blurriness had passed, things went a little quiet. Of course this was largely attributed to my new busy schedule and unwavering distain for late nights (in my world, caring for young babies and hangovers never happily coexist!). I also wasn’t meeting my friends in the same places. I had given up work and withdrawn from many nights out and gatherings. Consider all the different groups of friends you have; work friends,
Some friendships may appear to cool off for a time but they may rejuvenate, most likely when your friends begin their own families. They will have that ‘light bulb’ moment, look back and realise why you couldn’t find a babysitter at such short notice, or couldn’t talk on the phone for more than two minutes. Then you will enjoy the position of mothering expert, a go-to for all their parenting conundrums!
Teething problems
friends that live down the road, someone you met at pilates. If you were to change jobs or move house, after a while you would soon notice how you had less contact with them. As our circumstances change, our networks of friends change also. However, when you have a baby, the effect of these changes is much more profound. We may have given up work, late nights and Pilates, all at once. This can have a very unsettling effect on your friendships. For these reasons, I witnessed my group of friends undergo some major restructuring.
Baby steps Thankfully, the majority of my friends have been really supportive and only
Armed with my massive changing bag (think Mary Poppins!) containing; two clean outfits, two bottles, two soothers, two cuddly toys, wipes, snacks and a million nappies, I was ready to get back out there, babies in tow to meet the girls. We had our share of misunderstandings. One friend couldn’t see why meeting for lunch at a nice restaurant with two babies would never work (my meal would go stone cold and I wouldn’t get a chance to eat it), or why I couldn’t wait until Friday night for her decision on whether to meet on Saturday afternoon. Some couldn’t grasp how impromptu gatherings belonged to my previous life. I was baffled by another friend’s behaviour. She called to see me and whilst elbow-deep in baby stuff, we attempted to chat. It lasted all of five minutes. ‘Oh I can see you’re busy, I’ll come back another time’. I thought ‘when are you going to come back? This is kind of the way things are now!’ I knew she was uncomfortable when I asked if she would like to hold one of the babies. She glanced down to make sure she was wearing old clothes that day! I wondered why she didn’t get it. After she regaled
me with stories of how busy she was and how she never intended on having babies, she left and I haven’t seen her since. How could she not appreciate that hidden underneath the unkempt hair and baby paraphernalia, her old friend was dying to hear her news? As difficult and hurtful as it was, I have had to accept her resistance and allow the friendship to fade.
Welcome to the Mummy Club! I’m sure you’ve heard on more than a few occasions ‘welcome to the mummy club!’ And it’s true, upon entering motherhood, you are granted instant, privileged access to an entirely new network of people, whom you might not previously have spoken to or had anything in common with. Say hello to your new friends. A trip to the playground or mother and toddler group (or almost anywhere!) creates a great opportunity to strike up conversation with other mums. I remember my first encounters and it seemed rather odd but lovely too. I can’t think of any other situation where it is so normal and almost expected to start chatting with those around you. If you are feeling isolated and lonely, try chatting with another mummy, chances are she’s dying for a chat too and you will have lots in common. This is a brilliant way of making new friends and if your children are of a similar age, you will always have shared experiences. I’ve met some lovely, like-minded mummies since my kids have started pre-school, even another mum to boy and girl twins!
Maintain the friendships you have Early motherhood can be a lonely and challenging time for mothers, so it’s important to maintain the valueable friendships we have. Friends can help us navigate through the stressful times. We can compare notes when our children are ill or simply help each other not to worry so much! The majority of our friends have most likely been incredibly supportive and we shouldn’t take them for granted. Take time for yourself to socialise with your friends, even if it’s only once a month. You will feel the benefits and this will help prevent resentment building when you pine for your old life! Despite all the comings and goings I have found that I have more friends and stronger friendships in comparison to my pre-baby life. I can confidently say ‘I know who my friends are’.
mums&tots 69
just for mum / lifestyle
one or two weren’t quite on my wavelength. I realised as they hadn’t had babies yet, they had no clue what I was going through. How could they? To expect them to understand is expecting a little too much. I recall being on the other side of this scenario, when an old friend, the first within our group, had her first baby. We all wondered where she had gone and complained about never seeing her. On the rare occasion when we did meet, she talked about her baby constantly. We were feeling a sense of loss. Although you have experienced huge changes in your life, it may take some friends a while to adjust to you and how you have changed. Don’t rule them out for dragging their feet in accepting your transition to motherhood. Hopefully these problems should only be temporary. Instead, try to empathise and remind them how much you value your friendship and look forward to the stage when you will have a little more freedom to spend time together. Organise a babysitter and plan a girls night out.
just for mum
What I Know words by April Bracken
‘‘The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing’’ Oh, Socrates!
There’s so much I don’t know these days. I can’t sing a single lyric from this week’s Top Ten. I couldn’t name one author on the current bestseller’s list. I don’t know how much a pint goes for these days. I haven’t a clue where the best place to eat in town is, or even if my old favourites are still in business. I don’t know who’s gigging, or who’s split and who’s reforming. I don’t know what plays to look out for, and who’s tipped for their Abbey stage premiere. Any day could be an arts funding deadline to me. I don’t have a Masters. Travel visas are an unnecessary mystery. Current trends, what’s hot, what’s not; I draw a blank. I watch television shows twelve months past their initial broadcast, and just hope that I don’t stumble upon a spoiler before then. Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, Labour; I couldn’t tell you who belongs to which, unless they’ve really managed to irritate me recently. I don’t know how much it is to be a postgraduate, and the feeling of it being payday is a distant memory. I can’t remember what it’s like walking home past 10.30pm, heels in hand, spare pumps on
70
mums&tots
my feet, easing the pressure on the cost of wanting to feel glamorous. Hundreds of meals have passed by without an uninterrupted conversation. I haven’t read a newspaper cover to cover in an age. I couldn’t tell you the gossip, unless you want it three years late. I’m a time capsule, crystalized January 10th 2011. Anything after that is hazy. But let me tell you what I do know. I know how to hold my child in a way that will make him stop crying. I know the sounds, the faces and the moves that set them into fits of laughter. I know the beauty of a 7am wake up call. Likewise, I understand the enormity of the accomplishment of bed before 8pm. The colours of their eyes are imprinted in my soul. I know exhaustion. I know every line on their hands, their feet, where the dimples appear with each smile. I know when to push, and when to let them be. I know their favourite toy, favourite book, favourite clothes and favourite song. I’ve mastered how to steer the double buggy in such a way that I avoid taking down whole shelves in the local shop. I’m
an expert in changing a nappy in every scenario possible. I could map out for you the arc of my toddler’s tantrums on an axis. I know how to breastfeed, how to make bottles, how to use a steriliser and how to remove the tray from a high chair one handed. I can make an impromptu meal with the tiniest of ingredients. I can tell when it’s okay to transfer them to the cot without waking them. I can anticipate their highs and their lows, and guide them through it. I know every word to ‘The Owl And The Pussycat’; I wake up sometimes in the night with the theme tune to Peppa Pig swirling around in my head. I know what it’s like to feel a rush of love so strong that you’re surprised you don’t break with its force. Likewise, I understand the crippling fear of loss, and the prospect of my soul being torn apart. I know what it’s like to love wholly, selflessly, unconditionally. I have traded one knowledge for another. My CV and social calendar are bare, but my heart is fit to burst.
celeb
just for mum
WINTER
Eilis Fitzgerald is the owner of www.heybaby.ie an award winning online baby store offering the coolest products for both mother and baby. She regularly features on TV as well as many leading magazines like Mums & Tots.
/ BABY BUZZ
SIMON, SIMON… “My number one choice is Simon because I like the name,” Simon Cowell told Seymour of what he and his partner plan to call their little bundle of joy. And his second choice? Eric, after the 53-year-old American Idol alumni’s dad. “I want to teach him how to do my job as quickly as possible,” he joked of his son. “I want to pass the reins over. I really would like the idea of teaching him how to run the business.”
HOLLYWOOD’S SURPRISE GODPARENTS
ROYAL BABY NEWS Pippa reportedly gifted her nephew and his parents silver casts of little George’s hands and feet! A small British company, Wrightson and Platt, reportedly manufactured the casts.The price varies depending on the material chosen and the size of the child, but Pippa reportedly spent about £7,000 on her gift!
CELEBRITY PREGNANCY STYLES WE WILL BE FOLLOWING THIS WINTER
Jamie Lee Curtis to Jake Gylllenhaal
Steven Spielberg to Drew Barrymore
Dolly Parton to Miley Cyrus
Gwen Stefani Drew Barrymore Kate Winslet Emily Blunt Thandie Newton Jennifer Love Hewitt
76
mums&tots
Sting and Trudie Styler to Madonna and Guy Richies son Rocco
Lady Gaga for both sons of Elton John and David Furnish
Images courtesy of Shutterstock: Featureflash/DFree/Everett Collection/Jaguar PS/S Bukley/Joe Seer/Helga Esteb/vipflash
family / travel
ELEGANT, CONTEMPORARY, LUXURIOUS EXPLORE ALL THAT COUNTY FERMANAGH HAS TO OFFER WITH THE ENNISKILLEN HOTEL CONTACT US ON 0044 28 6632 1177 OR VISIT WWW.ENNISKILLENHOTEL.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION
family / finance
Finances.
CHECK Time to sort out your family finances. The Money Doctor, John Lowe. Gives us four useful checklists for four stages in your life.
> Short-term saving for cars, holidays.
I’ve been at my wit’s end trying to turn financial-planning theory into something a bit more practical. What I have come up with is a series of checklists, each designed to summarise the sort of things one should be thinking about at different stages of life. If you are a financial planning virgin, then I would recommend you read the article Prepare your own financial plan in 15 minutes as this explains what I am talking about in detail. If you don’t have the luxury of 15 minutes to spare, here is the 15-second version:
> Saving for major purchases, such as the deposit to buy a home.
1. Decide what you want to achieve, and over what period.
> Life insurance for both you and your partner.
2. Work out what action you need to take to achieve it.
> Buying a home with the help of a mortgage.
3. Take the required action.
> Whether you should be saving money in case you want to send one or more of your little darlings to private school and/or in case one or more of them wants to enjoy the benefits of further education.
4. Monitor the results and change your tactics if things are not going according to plan. A big part of this process is going to involve choosing the right financial products for your needs. A few words of warning: think carefully before you buy any financial product because someone has told you that you should. A good example of this is the way mortgage brokers and lenders push life cover on people without partners and/or dependants. I mean, why worry about paying off your mortgage after you’re dead if there is no one you actually want to benefit? YOUNG AND FREE? Young? No responsibilities? Anyone who tells you to ‘enjoy it while you can’ is not your friend. I mean, yes, obviously, enjoy it. But this shouldn’t exclude planning for the future. Here are the key action points you may want to consider: > Creating an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses. > Paying off any personal or student loans.
86
mums&tots
> Income protection in case you are unable to work for any reason. > Starting a pension plan. It is never too early.
RELATIONSHIP AND/OR CHILDREN? If you settle down with a partner, your financial priorities will almost certainly alter, especially if you have children. The financial actions you may want to be thinking about include such thrills as: > Creating an emergency fund. > Protecting both your incomes (if relevant) in case you are unable to work.
> Retirement planning. > Short-term saving for cars, holidays. If you have built up any debt, then becoming debt-free should be a priority. THE MIDDLE YEARS Financial priorities in your middle years will vary according to how much money you have earned during your twenties and thirties – and how you have spent or invested it. For some, it can be a period of relative affluence with a higher level of disposable income becoming available; for others, it is a period of worry as retirement looms. Your priorities may include any or all of the following: > Creating an emergency fund. > Protecting both your incomes (if relevant) in case you are unable to work. > Life insurance for both you and your partner.
> Paying off your mortgage and any other debts. > Retirement planning. > Short-term saving for cars, holidays. > Planning for long-term care if you are worried that your pension and/or the state may not provide for you sufficiently. Although pension planning should have been a priority as soon as you started work, the truth is it is not until many people are in their forties or even their fifties that they begin to consider their retirement. Providing for a comfortable old age, therefore, may be the most pressing need. RETIREMENT With luck and/or judgement your debts should all be paid. You should have a range of assets, not least your own home and a pension fund. You should have spare cash to indulge your chosen leisure activities. If this is the case, your priorities are likely to include any or all of the following: > Creating an emergency fund. > Funding any benefits lost following retirement, such as health insurance or a company car. > Planning for long-term care. > Tax planning. > Investing for income or finding other ways to boost income. If you aren’t as well off as you would like, then, naturally, your priority will be making the most of what you have available and trying to improve your situation as much as possible. John Lowe is a Fellow of the Institute of Bankers, founder and managing director of Providence Finance Services Limited trading as Money Doctor and regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland (www. moneydoctor.ie ), plus author of the best-selling The Money Doctor 2014 (out October 2013) For consultations and corporate seminars, call (01) 278 5555 or email jlowe@moneydoctor.ie Follow John on Twitter (@themoneydoc) Linkedin & Facebook
3 in 1 travel system
pram mode
only
pushchair mode
â‚Ź349.99
all included:
infant car seat pram apron & liner chest pads cosytoe mothercare weathershieldÂŽ colours available:
travel system mode
easy ways to shop: in store & online @ www.mothercare.ie
BEST FAMILY FRIENDLY RESTAURANT 2013 15% off any bill at Milano Dundrum
Cannot be used in conjuction with any other offer, is redeemable from 1st January to 31st March 2014
family
bookshelf Baby’s Very First Big Play Book Each page is specially designed to be visually stimulating with simple, eye-catching illustrations. Babies will love exploring the touchy-feely textures, running their fingers along the cut-out lines and peeping though holes. Helps very young children develop language and sensory skills. Lift-the-flap Questions and Answers about your Body This lift the flap book contains the answers to the many questions that curious children have about their bodies, including ‘How do I smell?’ ‘What makes me burp?’ An engaging book filled with entertaining and informative illustrations to help to answer all kinds of body questions that young children ask, in a friendly and simple way. Little Children’s Bedtime Music Book A charming picture book with a musical sound panel and atmospheric illustrations. The animals are happily playing their instruments together until some of them just can’t keep their eyes open. One by one, each falls asleep until it’s just Racoon on his flute. A wonderful introduction to different musical instruments, and how they sound on their own and together. Baby’s Very First Lullabies Book This lovely musical book has been specially designed to help lull babies to sleep. Includes five favourite lullabies, including ‘Rock-abye-baby’ and ‘Twinkle twinkle’, which have been specially arranged by Anthony Marks to create a gentle ambience for bedtime. Best of all the music is not too loud so is a winner for baby and parents! Big Book of Little Stories An illustrated collection of fifteen classic stories, charmingly retold and illustrated for young children. Favourite stories include Little Red Riding Hood, The Gingerbread Man and The Three Little Pigs, perfect for reading aloud to very young children. Handy to have them all in one book.
92
mums&tots
with Usborne Children’s Books www.usborne.com
Wind-up Bus A wind-up model of a red, double-decker bus and four tracks take you on a tour of the famous city. Find out about London’s most famous landmarks and attractions as your bus stops on its way. The four tracks can also be taken out of the book and joined together to make one huge track for the bus to travel around. A simply brilliant book! That’s Not My Duck The latest in the ‘That’s not my..’ collection. Young children will love meeting the different ducks in this bright and cheery touchy-feely book. Little fingers can explore soft feathers, bumpy feet and smooth eggs as they hunt for their duck. Stories for Bedtime gift set A set of three luxury bedtime story collections in a beautifully designed slipcase. The story books include Royal Fairy Tales for Bedtime, Fairy Tales for Bedtime and Animal Stories for Bedtime. Each book contains several classic stories. With brilliant fullcolour illustrations, this set of books would make a stunning gift for young readers. The Complete Book of Farmyard Tales by Healther Amery and Stephen Cartwright A delightful collection of all twenty of the enduringly popular Farmyard Tales stories featuring a host of friendly farm animals including Curly the pig and Rusty the dog. A beautiful gift that will be read again and again. Peep Inside the Zoo Illustrated by Simona Dimitri Peep under leaves and behind doors to see the animals in the zoo. With flaps and holes to peep underneath and through, noisy parrots, cheeky monkeys, very tall giraffes and lots more are revealed.
100% OF
IRISH MUMS WOULD RECOMMEND AVEENO速 DERMEXA*
100% OF
IRISH MUMS
* MummyPages 4 week product trial, 54 women with babies aged 3-24 months with dry or very dry skin, March 2013