Support and Advice

Parenting can be the most rewarding, yet sometimes challenging, experience.

This section provides links to evidenced-based parenting information, advice and courses that you can access online.

Parentline

Parentline is a free confidential helpline that offers parents support, information and guidance on all aspects of being a parent. More information available at Parentline.ie.

Pre-Court Information for Family Law Users

Attending court for the first time is stressful and confusing. Court.ie has information available can help you prepare.

There is also a YouTube video for How to Prepare For Your Family Law Hearing and one for Attending Family Law Court.

ISPCC Support Line

The ISPCC Support Line provides a confidential email and phone listening service, offering information, advice and emotional support to individuals who have family relationship or parenting needs, as well as those who may have concerns in relation to children. More information available at ISPCC.ie

One Family

Askonefamily is the helpline for people parenting alone, sharing parenting and for those separating. More information available at onefamily.ie.

The National Parents Council

The National Parents Council has a confidential helpline for any queries in relation to your child’s primary or early year’s education. More information available at NPC.ie

Family Resource Centres

Family Resource Centres offer a range of group-based and one-to-one parenting support services. At this time many are offering practical support to families in their local area and have trained professionals available to talk to you over the phone and video call. For more information and to find your local Family Resource Centre click here.

Children and Young People Service Committees (CYPSC)

Children and Young People’s Services Committees (CYPSC) plan and co-ordinate services for children and young people aged between 0 – 24 years in their geographic area. A number of CYSPC have online directories providing information about the services currently supporting parents and families in their area.

• Cavan and Monaghan
• Dublin
• Donegal
• Galway and Roscommon
• Kerry
• Kildare and Wicklow
• Limerick
• Louth
• Meath
• Sligo and Leitrim
• Tipperary
• Waterford
• Wexford

Parenting24seven from Tusla offers helpful resources on what works best for children and families at different ages and stages. Tulsa have also developed a number of modules for strengthening your connection with your child entitled Relationships are Key. More information available at Relationships are Key.

You can access a range of online parenting courses through Libraries Ireland. More information available at Libraries Ireland.

Healthy Eating

The START campaign from safefood, the HSE and Healthy Ireland provides information and tips to support families on the importance of healthy eating, exercise and establishing good sleep routines. More information available at safefood.ie/START.

Healthy Ireland’s “Healthy Eating Guidelines for 1-4 year olds” aim to help parents establish healthy eating habits. A Youtube video outlining the advice is available here. Learn more about the health eating guidelines here.

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Wellbeing

Wellbeing advice for parents of young children is available from mychild.ie.

Barnardos bring together a range of resources to support parents and their families in taking care of their Heart, Body and Mind. More information available at Barnardos.ie.

Cycling Ireland have some helpful tips on how to teach your child to cycle. Find more information and videos at Cycling Ireland.

The HSE offers information on how alcohol affects health and wellbeing, and advice on how to communicate with your child on this topic. Advice is available at HSE.ie.

The HSE National Social Inclusion Office manages Drugs.ie. The site provides guidance, information, support and referral to anyone with a question or concern related to substance abuse.

A number of resources on play are available for different age groups.

Let's Play Ireland

Let’s Play Ireland is a government-led initiative aimed at promoting play for all children living in Ireland during the COVID-19 emergency. Learn more at gov.ie/letsplayireland

Babies and young children

First 5 have a range of tips and strategies for supporting children’s wellbeing, learn more at first5.gov.ie

Tips sheets for babies and young children in 7 languages

Tip sheets on play for babies and young children are available in 7 languages.

These cover the following age ranges:

• 0 - 18 months
• 12 months to 3 years
• 2.5 to 6 years

More information is available from the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA).

Safety in the home

Comprehensive guidance on child safety in the home is available from the HSE. More information available at HSE.ie/Safety.

If you think your child has been poisoned, call Public Poisons Information Line at 01 809 2166. The National Poisons Information Centre also provide poison prevention tips.

Online safety

The Webwise Parents Hub provides practical advice for parents on online safety. The Parents Hub features expert advice from professionals, information on privacy and parental control, cyberbullying, popular apps, and so on. More information available at Webwise Parents Hub.

The Council of Europe has produced a digital parenting guide providing guidance for the online protection of children from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse. More information available at Parenting in the Digital Age.

Treoir

Treoir is the National Specialist Information Service for unmarried parents and their children providing clear and up-to-date information free of charge to parents who are not married to each other and to those involved with them.

Rainbows Ireland

Rainbows Ireland offers helps to support parents and guardians of children and young people at times of bereavement or parental separation or divorce. More information can be found here.

Sexual well-being

Here at sexualwellbeing.ie you can finds advice, tips and resources for communicating with your child about sexuality, relationships and growing up.