Family Features

Colette Fitzpatrick: We need to be honest - breast isn't always best 

Most women I know who didn't breastfeed their babies told more or less everyone that they tried - that they gave it their best shot but weren't physically capable, or were advised by a concerned doctor or midwife that they weren't helping their baby because they were getting so stressed.

Mother's honest post on parenting a child with ADHD goes viral 

A mum's Facebook post about the reality of bringing up a child with ADHD has gone viral for all the right reasons.

Irish mother on the cost of primary education: 'Unless you've a salary of over €70k, you're going to be affected' 

An Irish mother-of-one has shared how sending her son to school in September is costing over €500,...

The Irish family named the oldest in the world have revealed the secret to their long lives 

With a combined age of 1,075 years, the Donnelly family have revealed the secret behind their longevity.

Amanda Brunker: 'If you want your child to succeed in school, you need to take matters into your own hands' 

I don’t know about you, but reading, for me, is now a luxury.

Kirsty Blake Knox: The unexpected joys of holidaying with your parents as an adult 

It's unmistakable - the look of pity in people's eyes when you tell them that you, an adult woman, are going on holiday with your parents.

Irish woman (107) who emigrated to America finally gets high-school diploma 

A Kerry woman who emigrated to America in her twenties was awarded her high-school diploma at the age of 107.

How hiring a cleaner saved my marriage 

As someone who is about to celebrate her 20th wedding anniversary, I have one piece of advice. The secret to a happy marriage is not date nights, endlessly sharing your feelings, or sweaty Sting-...

'Meet backpacking baby' - Woman who went on worldwide trip after being dumped by fiancé gets perfect revenge 

A 32-year-old woman dubbed the “backpacking Bridget Jones” has given birth to a baby daughter.

Widow of NYPD cop welcomes their daughter three years after his death 

The widow of a New York police officer has welcomed their child three years after his death using sperm preserved from her husband to conceive.

'Wonderful and every bit as wild as you've heard' - Chris Wasser on what it's really like to be a twin 

I'd love to know what age I was when I first realised I was a twin. Yes, I'd always known I had a twin brother - you can't ignore that. You're...

Parents of tragic Aoife (5) fundraise to bring Clown Doctors back to Crumlin Children's Hospital 

The legacy of a little girl who died five years ago from cancer continues to bring thousands of children lots of laughter.

Elderly man's travel dream comes true after 35 years without a holiday 

Strangers have helped an elderly man’s dream come true by helping pay for his first holiday in 35 years.

'Mum won't see me graduate which breaks my heart' - student on the pain of losing her mum when she was miles away from home 

'Dear Mummy... the reality is grief isn't pretty.' Those are the opening words which Danielle...

Pink fans hit out at trolls who say singer put children in 'dangerous' kitchen situation 

Singer Pink has gained the support of hundreds of mums after receiving abuse beneath a photograph in which online trolls said she had put her...

Emotional moment siblings are told they're officially being adopted by foster parents on Disney trip 

It was an emotional trip to Orlando for two siblings, who discovered they were to be adopted by their foster parents during a family holiday...

Man marries woman 20 years after promising he would in preschool 

A man who predicted he'd marry his preschool sweetheart when he was just three years old has tied the knot with her 20 years later.

Are you washing your pet's food bowl enough? Probably not, say experts 

Pet owners putting their four-legged friends at risk of illness by failing to wash their food bowls several times a week, according to experts.

'I love you too much' - Mum shares heartbreaking letter she wish she'd sent her son before he took his life 

"I love you too much to let you go."

Meet the Irish woman who donated her placenta to help the work of search and rescue dogs 

Two months before she was due to give birth, Becky Clissmann's midwife asked her a question no one had ever asked her. "She said: 'Have you...

Couple who lost two sons in car crash welcome twin boys two years later 

A couple who lost their two young sons in a car crash two years ago are now the proud parents of twin boys.

How to survive the Costa del Tantrum and reduce your stress levels on a family holiday 

When you crawl out from under a duvet at half six on a dark, foul Tuesday in February, it's the far-off prospect of the great summer getaway that gets...

Getting pregnant against the odds 

Female readers may have felt somewhat daunted last week by new research from the US that found women in their late 30s and 40s are "taking desperate measures" to preserve their fertility and attempting to "buy time" by freezing their eggs as they continue their search for a committed...

Amanda Brunker: 'That time I lost my son in Dundrum Town Centre was horrific' 

Just over a week ago, five-year-old Richard Roche (pictured below) from Wexford went missing. It was a long three hours for his parents before he...

So, what exactly is an Xennial and can you join up? 

Is your name John Paul? Were you named after the guy from Led Zeppelin, or the artist formerly known as Karol Józef Wojtyla? Because if you were named in honour of the former Pope John Paul...

Wimbledon: 'Sexist' scheduling leaves new mum Azarenka away from baby all day 

With dozens of matches to pack in during the first few days of Wimbledon the order of play is always a headache for officials, players and fans.

David Beckham defends his decision to kiss 7-year-old daughter on lips 

David Beckham has defended his decision to post a picture of himself kissing his daughter on Instagram.

'Embrace your autism' - Paddy and Christine McGuinness open up about their twins' condition for the first time 

Take Me Out presenter Paddy McGuinness and his wife Christine have revealed that their four-...

Friends recreate same photo every five years since 1982 

Some friends come and go, and others are for life.

'That's the second time I've gone through this' - Keith (12) in battle against leukaemia after losing his mum to the disease 

He lost his mother to leukaemia and is now battling the disease himself.

'She is a miracle' - Baby Fianna born at just 23 weeks beat the odds and is now a thriving toddler 

When baby Fianna was born at 23 weeks in December 2014 she was given just a 20pc chance of survival and doctors warned her parents to...

'I appreciate life more' - Inspirational woman diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer fulfils wish on touching episode of Liveline 

A Cork woman who touched the nation last year after sharing her story on RTE's Liveline fulfilled...

'He pinned my arms down and he strangled me' - Mum of Jacob (8) who lives with severe autism says the state have abandoned her... 

The parents of an eight-year-old boy who lives with severe autism said their family has been...

'My husband has Alzheimer’s - is it time to consider a nursing home?' 

Dr Jennifer Grant answers your health queries.

Five expert tips to keep your kids safe online 

With the recent heatwave, we can be forgiven for thinking that summer is already here. For most primary school children however, it really begins this week when national schools break up for...

'Not having friends is as harmful as smoking or being an alcoholic' - why your mates are the key to a longer life 

We have all manner of relationships in our lives: friends and family, partners and spouses,...

These amazing women are making tiny gowns out of old wedding dresses to help families of stillborn babies 

A group of women have joined together in Co Clare to transform old wedding dresses into tiny...

26 things I've learned after 24 years of marriage 

AT the time of writing, it’s our 24th wedding anniversary, meaning my wife and I have somehow survived almost a quarter of a century of marriage without her killing me, the jury sympathising,...

Parents warned kids' fidget spinners 'carry risk of choking' 

Popular fidget spinners also pose a potential danger, a consumer watchdog group has warned.

Sisters discover their birth mother died after life in Magdalene Laundry and other institutions on RTE's Liveline 

The daughter of a Magdalene Laundry victim, who first learned that her mother had died while...

'If it doesn't work it gives him a life expectancy of 12 months or less' - Irish mum in Perth opens up about devastating cancer diagnosis 

The emotional experience of a Kilkenny woman who emigrated to Australia in 2014 will be...

Gay couple recreate their Pride photo after 24 years together and capture hearts 

A gay couple have won hearts after recreating their Pride march photo in the same spot 24 years later.

Older dads more likely to have 'geeky' sons 

Sons of older fathers are more likely to display "geeky" traits, such as high intelligence, obsessional interests and not caring whether they fit in, a study has shown.

Baby born mid-flight awarded free travel for life 

A newborn baby has been awarded free flights for life after it was born prematurely mid-flight.

Terrier finally finds 'forever' home after seven years in Wicklow animal shelter 

A delighted dog is thrilled to have finally found her 'forever' home after more than seven years spent in a Wicklow animal shelter.

'Something in the water' - Irish village with population of just 550 people celebrates the birth of 30 babies in just 10 months 

A seaside village in Donegal with just 550 residents is celebrating the incredible arrival of 30 babies...

'I waited for his death with a strange kind of desperation' - Sophie White on the pain of losing her dad to Alzheimer's disease 

In the five years I have written about my life in this magazine, I have rarely mentioned my father.

15 baby names climbing in Irish popularity - and the celebrity inspiration that could be behind them 

When it comes to naming their babies, Irish parents have become more adventurous than ever before.

'Gin is an important part of our coping strategy' - Irish dad's tips to get through the Leaving Cert with your sanity 

My wife and I have been doing the Leaving Cert all week. It’s tough, all this stress, particularly at...

Young girl (12) delivers her own baby brother and the photos are amazing 

A 12-year-old girl got the experience of a lifetime when she helped deliver her own baby brother on Tuesday and the photos are incredible.

Comment: 'Expecting the pitter-patter of tiny feet? Push it out across all major social media platforms' 

There's a sweet moment in The Kid Stays in the Picture, an autobiographical film by legendary film producer Robert Evans, in which archive...