TODDLER TALES IN VIP MAGAZINE – SUMMER TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

I absolutely love the summer. The days are longer and people are much happier. There will be no holiday abroad for us this year as too many work commitments and trying to get a new business off the ground but that’s ok as I’m making sure we get to do a lot of fun things at the weekends here. We recently visited Seafield hotel in Wexford and James just loved the walk to the beach, which is like a forest trail and we had great adventures. The beach is peaceful and beautiful and James ran and ran and laughed for hours. I had some spa treatments, which were incredible, but my only complaint was that there is no air conditioning in the hotel, which made for a very uncomfortable sleep. James was sweating and I didn’t sleep a wink so I was a little cranky coming home.

James is at an age now where all the girls and boys in his class tell stories about their weekends in circle time. James is really starting to notice everyone talking about his or her dads and recently he told his class he spent the weekend with his dad, which broke my heart, as he’s never met him. I know he’s only trying to fit in but its tough for him even at this tender age of three as he feels a little left out. I’d love to see schools/preschools and parents talk to their kids about all the different kinds of families there are out there now. I know some parents feel this is not their duty as they are married and did everything the right way (yes this has been said to me) and to be honest I never gave single parents or any other type of parent a second thought before I had James on my own. One thing I know for sure is that if we teach our kids to be more accepting from a young age it will help to ease the teasing and bullying of kids who have maybe lost a parent or are from same sex couples or indeed separated. Life is hard enough and no one knows what heartache can be behind people’s stories. One thing we can change though is how we treat each other and our children are a reflection of us.

As skin cancer is the most common cancer in Ireland its really important we consider sun protection for the whole family. Uvistat Sun Creams are 100% fragrance-free and are specially formulated for sensitive skin. Uvistat provides high UVA/UVB protection and its 5 Star UVA rating ensures the highest level of protection.

 

 

 

Popular parenting website Wauwaa.com is delighted to announce that one of their bestselling items, Baby Banz sunglasses for babies and children will always be available in their online shop. The funky shades are perfect for summer and provide the ultimate protection for little ones!www.wauwaa.com €12.50

 

 

 

ASK ALISON:

Hi Alison,

I need a travel cot and was wondering are there any you recommend?

Thanks, Gina

Hi Gina,

Even since James was a baby travel cots have come a long way. If you are looking to take the travel cot abroad or indeed visit relatives or staycation in Ireland the one I would recommend is the Nuna Sena travel cot / playpen. Its light weight and makes traveling with your baby easy and convenient. It has a clever zigzag leg design, which pops open easily and then refolds again with just one hand. It’s also the only cot I have come across with an upper cot that folds with the frame, which is great for newborns and changing. If you’re abroad this is also a safe place for the baby to play especially in rooms and apartment that are not baby proofed. Skid proof feet keep sleep quiet and still, padded edges prevent finger pinches and the aboveground base makes it draft-proof. What more could you ask for! €185 www.cherishme.ie

Let your angel sleep and travel in comfort in the Nuna Sena travel cot / playpen €185 www.cherishme.ie

 

 

 

 

FOR MUM:

My new favourite discovery is the Billion Dollar Brows ‘Universal Brow Pencil’ is €23.95 www.frenchbeautyroom.com and leading beauty salons.

 

 

 

 

THIS FORTNIGHT:

We’re rehydrating the kids with Vita Coco 100% Natural Coconut Water, a brand new range of naturally fruit flavoured coconut waters that little ones will go coco-nuts for! I’m delighted as I love coconut water myself and the health benefits are endless. There are two delicious flavours that James adores. You can pick them up in Tesco’s and health food stores! VISITING either Dublin Zoo or Fota wildlife park. These are two of my favourite places for families in Ireland. We live right beside the zoo and go almost every week and no two weeks are the same. And as I say to James it’s the only place you can get away with acting like a monkey!