Tots to Teens: Pick a pack of Pickled Pom Pom prints
L-R: Sex educator Sarah Sproule; a Pickled Pom Pom print; seven-year-old Joy Harper suits up for Children's Health Foundation
Mother of three Laura Dempsey is the woman behind Pickled Pom Pom, a small Irish design business that produces a range of celebratory cards and prints.
From her home studio in Kildare, Dempsey creates and illustrates cards for all occasions as well as prints that look great hanging in children’s bedrooms. Many can be customised to include children’s names and other personal details.
Dempsey has recently expanded her offering to include a selection of party hats and decorations as well as a range of homeware and gifts. Available to order from www.pickledpompom.com and all deliveries are packaged using recycled, recyclable and biodegradable materials whenever possible.
Do you feel awkward talking to your kids about things like sex, bodies and relationships? A podcast called is here to help.
Hosted by occupational therapist and sex educator Sarah Sproule, each episode is between 10 and 15 minutes long and focuses on answering common questions that parents have about how to discuss everything from puberty to porn in an age-appropriate way with children and teenagers.
Sproule is funny, forthright and compassionate. Listening to her will help you overcome the awkwardness and make you feel empowered to give your kids the advice they need to grow into people who respect themselves and the people around them.
Are you planning to dress up and have frightful fun this Halloween? Have you considered raising much-needed money for sick children while you’re at it?
Broadcaster and mum Alison Curtis was recently joined by young hospital patients including seven-year-old Joy Harper in launching Trick or Treat for Sick Children, the Children’s Health Foundation’s annual fundraising campaign.
Supported by MiWadi, this campaign is in aid of young patients in Crumlin, Temple Street, Tallaght and Connolly hospitals.
This worthwhile campaign is also a fun one, with organisers calling on the public to dress up and host Trick or Treat parties to raise funds. Free party packs can be downloaded from childrenshealth.ie/trickortreat or you call 01 7091700 to get one sent in the post.
While you’re planning your party, you can embrace the Halloween spirit even more by downloading a series of Halloween-inspired stories that MiWadi has created to celebrate its tenth year of supporting this campaign.
The stories illustrate the challenges faced by sick children in Ireland and the bravery they show in overcoming them. They are inspired by the imaginations of young patients like Luke, Noah and Joy and are perfect for keeping little ones entertained in the weeks ahead. They will be available from all podcast streaming platforms until Halloween.
Children’s repeated cries of ‘I’m bored’ are a standard lament heard by parents.
It’s a problem many exasperated parents try to solve by handing their kids an iPad or mobile phone.
“Tech is not the big bad wolf, and it’s so easy to throw your phone or iPad at the problem when faced with a moaning child,” says clinical psychologist Dr Elizabeth Kilbey.
“Too much of this and kids can learn to rely on tech to fix their issues. But you do have alternatives.”
She suggests creating a boring jar. First scour the internet for simple activities your child will enjoy. Then grab a pen and paper and a jar or bowl.
“Inside, fill it with bits of paper that have an activity on each one, like dress up; have a tea party; do a jigsaw, and other crafts and activities,” advises Kilbey.
“Whenever your kid says they’re bored, let them choose a piece of paper and do what it says.”
