pregnancy & baby festival

O'Reilly Hall, UCD, Dublin
22-23 February 2014, 10am - 5pm

You made me a mother

Video credit Boba.com

“I made you, but you made me a mother.”

I’m typing this with a big lump in my throat and eyes full of tears. This is a stunning video that captures the experiences of real Mums and how they feel about being a Mother.

What are the little things that make you feel like a parent? When did you really feel like a Mum or Dad for the first time? For me it was when I realised that just being snuggled up in my arms was enough to soothe my baby, she didn’t need anything else, just me.

This video really reminded me that every time a baby is born, so is a parent. Even if you are having your second, third, fourth or tenth baby. You are a different and new parent to each one. You have to learn about them and they have to learn about you. It’s all new again.

Enjoy learning about each other and growing together!

By Rachel | February 15, 2014 | parenting, parenting styles, video | No Comments |

eumom’s the word!

a guest post from our web partner eumom

eumom.ie are delighted to be involved with Babytalk Festival as the official web partner of the event.

As a community of moms, we see on a daily basis the advice, support, knowledge and friendship our members receive from each other. It’s a wonderful thing to see moms supporting each other, because no one else knows how tough (and wonderful!) new motherhood can be.

For more than 10 years, eumom.ie has supported moms and families in Ireland. This focus has given us an in-depth understanding of parenting and means we are completely in tune with today’s modern, busy moms. From big announcements to joyful arrivals, from first steps to first days at school, we empower moms to connect, share and engage with each other – and this has made eumom.ie the largest, best loved and most trusted parenting community in Ireland.

With so much information to process when you start on your parenting journey, finding your way through all the old wives’ tales and misinformation can be exhausting and overwhelming. eumom.ie takes all of that worry and confusion away, leaving you with all the essentials you do need to know – and that’s why our partnership with Babytalk Festival is so exciting.

This great weekend of events for parents-to-be and new parents is all about demystifying conflicting advice and preparing you for the journey ahead. We’re looking forward to it!

Emily Manning, editor of eumom.ie , will also be taking part in a panel discussion on ‘Good Information vs Bad Advice: online parenting support and information’ at Babytalk Festival on Sunday February 23rd at 4pm. Up for discussion are the online options for parents and parents-to-be in Ireland, as well as the positive aspects and drawbacks of the online parenting world.

See you at Babytalk!

By Rachel | February 7, 2014 | Babytalk Exhibitors, News | No Comments |

from one generation to the next

The last two weeks have been a rollercoaster of emotions, the excitement of planning Babytalk and the overwhelming response that we are having to it has been amazing, at the other end of the spectrum, I’ve also been very sad.

My Great Grandmother passed away last week and we all came together to say goodbye and to celebrate her life at the weekend. My Nana was 93 years old, she was a Mother, a Grandmother, a Great Grandmother, and a Great Great Grandmother.

Up until last week my family had five living generations – not many families can claim such a feat! As I sat with my little girl on my lap, leaning against my growing bump, I felt both sad and happy. My Nana’s life had come to an end, but here stirring inside was a new life, just about to begin.

My little girl was very lucky to have known her Great Great Grandmother. They sang and played together, both loving each others company. The songs they sang, were the songs that were sung to me when I was little, passed down to my Grandmother, to my Mother and now I am keeping them alive and singing them to my Daughter who will one day sing them to her own children.

Sitting beside me on the church bench was my Sister. She too is growing a new little life, there are just 6 days between our estimated due dates. We took some family shots during the day, my favourites are of the two new additions to our family – the next generation.

Grandparents are such special people, full of knowledge, experience, stories and songs. Treasure them!

Dedicated to my Nana.

By Rachel | January 29, 2014 | News | No Comments |

On the front page!

Babytalk in the Irish Times Health and Family Supplement

I nearly fell over my feet this morning as I rushed down to my local newsagents to pick up a copy of Today’s Irish Times. There on the front cover was an advert for our article! It’s a very difficult thing to do – walk and read a newspaper (I nearly walked into a bin trying) so I rushed home with Juliet to read the double page spread.

It’s a fab article by Sheila Wayman about navigating your way as a new parent amid lots of conflicting advice and misinformation. It features insightful quotes from our many excellent speakers and gives some background into the story behind Babytalk and what will be happening at the festival over the weekend of the 22nd & 23rd of February.

The photo shoot took place at our gorgeous venue – O’Reilly Hall, UCD, you can see the lake and fountains in the background of the cover shot. Marie and Juliet look great – I really wish I had taken the time to brush my hair before the shoot, but in true Mammy style it’s a little less than perfect – Juliet had been playing with it just before the shots!

Marie, Rachel and Juliet in the light filled cafe area of O’Reilly Hall, UCD

Quick, run down to your local shop and get a copy for yourself or read the article online to find out all about the festival!

By Rachel | January 28, 2014 | line-up, News, parenting, parenting styles, Pregnancy, Resources | 4 Comments |