Courses for Parents
Childhood Development Initiative
Parents’ Hub
CDI supports families through every stage, offering tailored resources for parents. From early years to challenging teens, we empower the community with expert tips. Your family’s journey matters, and we’re here to guide you.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Reading with your children nurtures bonds and supports emotional and social development. CDI, in collaboration with An Post, introduced Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to Dublin 24 in 2019, offering age-appropriate books to children aged 0—5 for free. Register your child below to begin your literary journey in just 8 weeks, receiving monthly books at no cost.
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Information for parents through the years
Pregnancy
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A visit to your GP or midwife as soon as possible to confirm your pregnancy will make sure that you are supported to start availing of the right supports for both you and your baby. Your GP or midwife will advise you on Antenatal or maternity care.
Antenatal checks are a good opportunity for health care professionals to check how your baby is developing, but also if there are any supports that you may need. Your midwife or GP will give you advise on what to expect during pregnancy; what physical changes and emotional changes you might experience and when to ask for additional help if something doesn’t feel right.
Some women like to take part in antenatal classes or programmes through their maternity hospital to prepare them for their babies’ arrival. These are useful groups to help you to understand the birth process and how to prepare yourself and your family.
You may wish to attend additional supports such as pregnancy yoga or other pregnancy focused groups in the community. These can be a good opportunity to meet other people who are expecting a baby.
For advise and guidance on preparing for pregnancy please visit the HSE advice page
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Finding out that you are going to be a dad can be an exciting but daunting thing! You may feel lots of different emotions both positive and negative and many men feel a variety of emotions at the thoughts of becoming a father. What matters most, is that you are here and open to thinking about what all this means for you and your family.
Men are designed for fatherhood, just like women are for motherhood. Dads can be as sensitive to a baby’s cries as mothers are. Within hours of the birth, dads can recognise their babies just by the touch of their hands, even when they are blindfolded. While there is a lot to learn through the experience of becoming a father, you also have instincts and knowledge within you to know where to start.
There are probably lots of ways that you may feel unprepared for becoming a dad, perhaps financially or emotionally or even wondering how it is going to change your lifestyle and social life. Becoming a father can often result in thinking about your own parents, and the role your dad played in your life and the responsibility of caring for a little person can sometimes feel very daunting. Lots of men experience this and have similar fears, the most important thing is to know that you are not alone.
It can feel difficult for dads to bond with their baby while their partner is pregnant. While it may feel natural for mothers to talk or sing to their bump it is more of a challenge for dads, who are not experiencing all the feelings and sensations in their own body. It can often feel like the mother is the main person responsible for connecting with your baby during pregnancy, but scientists and researchers now know that babies and young children develop a number of attachment relationships simultaneously with the adults that interact with them the most– including their fathers. Dad, babies can hear your voice while in the womb, and will recognise it when they are born, and it all helps towards building a strong relationship with your child.
Whether you had a great father or male role model in your own life to draw on, or not, becoming a father can teach you things about yourself that you never knew and bring out positive traits in you that you didn’t know where in there! Some dads may need to work a bit harder to pull out the good traits and hide the bad ones, but everyone has the capacity to love their child and develop a secure attachment. Becoming a dad can be lots of fun but also hard work! It’s important to take time out, to relax and stay healthy.
During pregnancy, it is a good time to talk to your partner about your baby, what you imagine your life will be like when they arrive, what you are most excited about or nervous about, and communicate your needs together to help you to prepare.
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Connecting with your baby can happen during pregnancy, even before your child is born. Through thinking about your baby while you are pregnant, and what it will be like to become a parent and meet your child it is starting the relationship and bond between you both.
You might find yourself touching your growing belly, putting your hand over your belly protectively or finding comfort in rubbing your bump while relaxing, this is all part of the building a relationship between you and your baby.
Babies can always hear their mother’s heartbeat, and love to hear your voice and the voice of dad, or siblings or other important people. While it can feel silly, talking or singing to your bump can be a wonderful thing to do to develop your connection with your baby during your pregnancy.
When your baby is big enough for you to feel or see their kicks or movement, rub the spot that they have kicked and respond to their movement. Letting dad or siblings interact with your bump in this way can also help with building a relationship before your baby is even born.
Being curious with your bump is a lovely way to build a bond, if you notice certain activities result in lots of baby movements, or music or songs- notice how your growing baby responds to you and your environment.
If you are worried at all during your pregnancy, or you are finding it particularly hard to connect with your bump reach out to your midwife or public health nurse.
For more information or advice on connecting with your bump visit the Pregnancy and Birth section of My Child website.
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Pregnancy is a time of great change, and it is important to look after yourself during your pregnancy.
You may feel happy, excited, stressed, nervous or frightened. It is normal to experience a mixture of feelings and what matters most is that you are open to thinking about becoming a Mum and what it means to you?
As well as all the physical changes in pregnancy, it is very common to experience a change in identity and your sense of yourself in the world. Using a journal can be very helpful to express the range of emotions.
Pregnancy can re-awaken memories from one’s own childhood. This may bring up questions for you and lead you to think about the type of Mum you want to be for your baby. What is most important to you? What are your hopes and wishes for this child? This is also a lovely time to start connecting with your baby growing inside you.
Pregnancy can also bring about changes in your relationships. If you have a partner, talk about the difference a baby will bring to your lives.
Attending your antenatal appointments and GP visits during your pregnancy is not just about checking that your baby is doing ok, it is also for you to get support.
The national website www.mychild.ie is a great resource for all things pregnancy related and offers expert tips, advice and guidance for you and your pregnancy.
