Multi-tasking Mums

Researchers have found that the average mum has to remember 25 different tasks every single day, with the majority admitting they do most of them in autopilot.

And making sure the children have everything they need for school, feeding the household pets and even remembering their youngster’s favourite cuddly toy are also included in the daily to-do list.

But nine out of ten busy mums admit they are often so snowed under, they usually forget to do something, with more than one in ten admitting this happens several times a day.

Another 30 per cent say something slips their mind once every day.

The poll of 3,000 mums found that dinner is most likely to be forgotten with almost 48 per cent of mums saying they often forget to take something out of the freezer to defrost.

Another 29 per cent forget to remember all of the ingredients they need to make the evening meal and end up having to make another trip to the shops or order in a takeaway.

Birthdays of friends and relatives, taking library books back and paying the bills are other common tasks which get forgotten.

And while 35 per cent blame their forgetfulness on simply being too busy, another 23 per cent say they are always in too much of a rush to remember everything.

Almost one in ten say they are often too tired to keep track of all the things they need to do.

But 18 per cent admit they always feel guilty when they forget something.

And more than one in five mums have even gotten into trouble with their child’s teacher or school because they have forgotten to do something.

Researchers also discovered that almost two thirds of mothers feel under pressure from their family or other mums to remember everything in their daily routine.

And 48 per cent rely on lists to remember everything they need to do, while another 33 per cent put everything on the kitchen calendar.

Sixteen per cent even leave post-it notes around the house.

Top 25 things mums have to remember
1. Birthdays of friends and family members
2. Taking ingredients out of the freezer to defrost for the evening meal
3. Paying the bills
4. Doctor or dentist appointments
5. Getting the ingredients from the shop for the evening meal
6. Having clean shirts and trousers for kiddies
7. Packed lunches are made
8. Being on time for the school run
9. Feed the pets
10. If it is raining making sure they have a rain coat
11. Getting the kids to do their homework
12. Never leave the house without wet wipes, tissues and snacks in handbag
13. A drink is taken to school
14. Homework is taken to school
15. PE kits are taken to school on the right day
16. Getting the kids to do their reading
17. Packed lunches are taken to school
18. Permission slips for school clubs/day trips
19. School events such as fetes, shows etc
20. Taking library books back to the library/school library
21. Birthday parties for your children’s friends
22. Make sure they’ve taken their medications (hayfever etc)
23. The right books/textbooks are taken into school
24. Money for children’s school lunch
25. Making sure the child has their favourite comfort/cuddly toy

Top ten things mums are most likely to forget1. Taking ingredients out of the freezer to defrost for the evening meal
2. Birthdays of friends and family members
3. Getting the ingredients from the shop for the evening meal
4. Taking library books back to the library/school library
5. Paying the bills
6. Doctor or dentist appointments
7. Never leave the house without wet wipes, tissues and snacks in handbag
8. PE kits are taken to school on the right day
9. Permission slips for school clubs/day trips
10. Having clean shirts and trousers for kiddies

Source: One Poll

Sun Safety Tips

It is important to protect your child from the day they are born from this UV radiation as skin cancer takes some time to develop – up to 20 to 30 years and in Ireland; we typically have fair, light coloured skin that freckles or burns easily and we can be more at risk than other nationalities.

Here are some tips on how to keep your child safe in the sun.

Vitamin D and Your Baby

What you need to know

Whether you choose to breastfeed or formula feed your baby you should give your baby 5 micrograms (5µg) of vitamin D₃ every day, according to the HSE.

What is Vitamin D?

Vitamin D is important because it helps our bodies use calcium to build and maintain strong bones and teeth. Children (and adults) in Ireland have low levels of vitamin D which can lead to weak bones.   In severe cases low levels of vitamin D can cause rickets(1) in children. There has been an increase in the number of cases of rickets in Ireland in recent years.

The Milk of Human Kindness

Some people are uncomfortable with the concept of donating breast milk, via a milk bank, but for premature and very sick babies it can be a godsend.

For 10 years, the lives of hundreds of sick and premature babies have been sustained and saved by the work of the Irvinestown Human Milk Bank. An incredible network of hundreds of mums north and south donate their milk, which is picked up everywhere from the steps of courthouses by lactation nurses or delivered in crates by the donors’ husbands.

Mediterranean diet ‘cuts risk of asthma’

Children who eat a Mediterranean diet rich in fruit, vegetables and fish have a lower risk of asthma and wheezing, experts have said.

But eating three or more burgers a week can increase the risk, although this may be linked to other unhealthy habits, they said.

Researchers from Germany, Spain and London examined data from 50,000 children aged eight to 12, collected between 1995 and 2005.

Beyond Miscarriage

It was a perfect weekend and we were all in great form after having just told our then 8 year old daughter and 5 year old son that we were indeed expecting baby no 3. Everyone’s spirits were high, the world was a happy place.  I was 15 weeks along, so we were well past the scary mark, I thought.