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In this episode Mark Walker from Story Before Bed. If you are interested in Storytelling and more importantly creative Storytelling, then this is the episode for you. Here you will learn how Mark engages with his son to make up the most wonderful stories and help to spur his little creative mind. Mark believes that anyone can make up stories and he share his process. This is one of the most precious quality time you can spend with your child. If you like this episode and are interested in recording some stories with you young one, let me know in the comments below and I will create a tutorial on various different ways you can achieve this.   Links Story before Bed Twitter Story Before Bed Website Subscribe to Story Before Bed in Itunes

As you know at this stage I'm crazy about audio. I listened to audiobooks when I was young and it has lasted with me for very long time. Now I have to great opportunity to create an audiobook version of my children's book 'Save the Day Ray'.   Ray is a young boy who uses his imagination through a twist of events I didn't mean 90 and he goes to rescue a Gnome fairy. In the three chapters you get introduced to the main character Ray and the ferry back lands himself in trouble sets the tone for the rest of the book.   I hope you enjoy.

In this episode we are talking to 3 people related to the Irish Crowd Funding platform Fund It. This first is Rowena Neville. As one of the Fund It directors she see dozens of of successful and unsuccessful projects on a monthly basis. She share what makes a good campaign and what to do to increase the chances of seeing a project through to completion. The second is Lonra Sixsmith from the Irish Farmerette. She funded the publication of her book through Fund It and she share what worked for her. Finally we have Daragh Muldowney from Dulra Photography who raised almost €22,000 to publish is photography book 'Out of Thin Air' Links Funt It Irish Farmerette Durla Photography

Have you got a Children's book locked away in your head that you need to get down on paper and published into a book? This week we are talking to Marc Clark a 14 time award winning author with his book The Princess Fables. We talk about Marc's creative process, his inspiration and his process to actually creating the Book.   Links The Princess Fables Website  

  This weeks Episode is a little different. I've been looking to make the podcasts a little more editorial. This take a lot more work, it shortens the podcast a good bit shorter. Hopefully you enjoy. This week I interview an amazing british voice actor called Nigel Lambert. He has been acting in some way shape or form since he was 5 years old. He happened to narrate one of my favorite childhood stories 'Grogre the Golden Ogre' from the Marshall Cavendish publication of Storyteller. A 1985 series of narrated and illustrated stories. Some original and other classic children's stories. Grogre the Golden Ogre https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukoK3k2ejeQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCIxUYo5vCk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emXZIv0MQl4 Photo of Richard Branson on the suspected barge The full interview with Nigel Lambert

  I'd like to share with you the story of the birth of out little boy Nathan. I'd like to share it because it was not easy and I know over time your mind will start to block out the not so great things in your life and for some reason I want to remember this experience and maybe some day Nathan will listen to this story as it is a major part of his history.   Some Images from the stay in Hospital  

Listen in iTunes : Listen on Stitcher Niamh Shirwan Barry was on the verge of having to emigrate due to really tough financial times in Ireland when a brain storming session with friend and saved cigarette money loaned to her from her mother, turn into a success story. More that that she is now making a real impact and sparking the imagination of thousands of children and adults across the world.   Links The Irish Fairy Door Comapny The Irish Fairy Door Comapny Facebook Books Mentioned The 7 Day Start Up Win a Fairy Door Leave a comment on why Niamh should pick you to win a Fairy Door. The winner will be chosen on the 20th of October. Sponsor Mykidstime gives parents ideas for kids’ activities and more. My Kids Time 50 Halloween Activities for Kids  

This week I'm delighted to be joined by Andy Cullen, a writer from england who has successfully published a children's book. Andy shares his story and offers advice on how to to write a children's book. He is brutally honest and says that there are no rules to follow when writing a book. It's been something I've been interested in doing for some time and maybe this is just the motivation I need to try make it happen.   Books Mentioned in this podcast Pea's From here to Paternaty Coral Island Andy Cullen Andy's Website Andy on Twitter Sponsor Mykidstime gives parents ideas for kids’ activities and more. My Kids Time Baby Name infographic

 In this episode you are going to learn from a train physiotherapist, exercise's you can and cannot do during mid and late pregnancy. Pregnancy physiotherapist Ailish Cleary from the BumpRoom really knows her stuff. We talk about pelvic pain, why it happens during pregnancy and exercises's you can do to help alleviate the discomfort. We also cove in some detail things that you can do and should not do during pregnancy as you will risk causing yourself some real inflammation and discomfort. We also discuss fluid retention in the limbs and how you can reduce it and finally exercises you can do in an exercise ball. Links Mentioned in this podcast The BumpRoom Subscribe to the BumpRoom email list to gain access to the video blog Sponsor Mykidstime gives parents ideas for kids' activities and more.  Do you need Help saying no to Treats?      

First thing I need to mention is the original image I used in creating this header is by Rex Features   This is a solo episode of the Ask Dad Podcast. I was looking for all the things they don't tell you about becoming a parent. I stumbled across this article in the Ask Men Blog. I find toilet humor very funny so I did chuckle reading this article. I have slightly modified the article for my audience(you guys) as I try like to keep the podcast and blog as clean from profanities as possible. Links mentioned in this episode: The Article that inspired this Podcast episode How did I do in this show? Did you like the solo episode?

I (foolishly) presumed Sinead would breast feed our baby once it is born. She said to me what if I cant Brestfeed? Will you be annoyed at me? It never occurred to me that she wont be able to breastfeed. I always thought the is was just a choice mothers made whether they would or not. When I pried a little further it turns out that not just my Sinead but lots of other mothers have the same fear. What if it's too sore and I cant take the pain? What if my nipples crack and split? So I reached out to a Lactation Consultant by the name of Audrey McVeigh based in Galway with a view to getting the best advice that I could pass on to my wife to help alleviate her fears and increase the chances of successfully breast feeding our baby when he/she arrives. I want to give a shout out to my friend in the Irish Parenting Bloggers facebook group for helping me with questions I would never have though of. In this Episode we discuss: What is a Lactation Consultant is How to you find a Lactation Consultant How much a Lactation Consultant should charge What a mother should expect in the first few days after birth How Many feeds a baby should have in 24 hours Advice on a bad night of feeding the baby Baby growth spurts and how to recognize them Breastfeeding techniques Breastfeeding after a Cesarean Section Should breast feeding hurt? How you know if the baby is getting enough milk Can you drink alcohol while Breastfeeding? Breastfeeding babies with special needs Links mentioned in this episode: Breastfeeding Success - Audrey McVeigh's Website DR. Jack Newman - Website Kelly Mom - Website Irish Parenting Bloggers - Website Recommended Reading: Womanly Art of Breastfeeding Sponsor Mykidstime gives parents ideas for kids' activities and more.   

  Today's interview tackles my question on whether or not I should take my new baby swimming. My primary concerns are all about swimming pools being dirty. I think this fear comes from spending my youth in heavily chlorinated swimming pools and being told that my eyes are stinging because of a chemical that kills germs. The thoughts of bringing a new born baby into a dirty swimming pool just disgusts me. However after my conversation with Phil Casey from Aquababies.ie has help to ease my fears and I will be joining one of his classes when my baby is big and old enough.   In this episode we discuss: What is Aquababies Why Phil Started the Company The benefits of teaching a baby to swim How clean are swimming pools Why a baby is more likely to pick up a bug from a mother and baby group than a swimming class How old babies can start learning to swim What to babies should ware going swimming Exploding Nappies Why UV suits are not suitable for baby and toddler swimming classes   Check some of the Aquababies Photo's Other Links Aquababies Website Sponsor Mykidstime gives parents ideas for kids' activities and more. 

Learning to sign with my soon to arrive baby has just shot up on my list of things to teach. I have always said that giving a child the gift of a second language. With my Irish and French not being up to scratch I think this is a great alternative and a wonderful way to help my baby communicate with us and hopefully help to alleviate some of the frustrations. Miriam is a bundle of energy and has created a whole business  from wanting to teach her child to sign. You are going to learn your first few signs (as I did during the interview)  Check out Penny signing at 14 months This fills me with so much excitement. Other Links The Super Hands Website You can purchase the Superhands Illustrated  Dictionary from the Super Hands Website   Sponsor Mykidstime gives parents ideas for kids' activities and more. 

Questions...I have questions.. I don't trust the internet(funny that) but it is so full of people’s opinions and old wives tales. I needed more. More accurate pregnancy and birthing information from someone who really knows what they are talking about. In this episode you will learn: What constitutes a 'Big Baby'? What is happening to a woman's body during late Pregnancy How to make your partner comfortable What Braxton Hicks is What happens during a contraction How quickly the uterus recovers Birthing Plans Different types of pain relief are available Anti-Natal Classes Eating during Labour When during labour to go to hospital How can help the partner through labour Recommended Reading Sponsor Mykidstime gives parents ideas for kids' activities and more. 

Sinead and I worried about whether or not it was safe for her to continue her Yoga now that she was pregnant and her tummy is really starting to push out. I went to meet Helen at her Custom built Yoga studio. Helen was a wealth of knowledge. In this interview you will learn What yoga positions are recommended for pregnant women and what are not . How you use a breathing technique to work through contractions. Why you should take a pregnancy Yoga Class. How Yoga can decrease recovery time after birth. How Yoga can be beneficial for children as young as 6 months. If you would like a free anti-natal yoga class Call the Lahinch Yoga Studio and reference 'Ask Dad' Recommended Reading   Other Links The Lahinch Yoga Studio Contact Helen on: 086 849 0254 Sponsor Mykidstime gives parents ideas for kids' activities and more.