Families across Donegal are marking today, International Parents’ Day, with special events to celebrate the special parent-child relationship.

The global International Parents’ Day provides an opportunity to appreciate all parents in all parts of the world for their selfless commitment to children and the lifelong sacrifices they make towards nurturing this relationship. ‘

Here in Donegal, the Donegal Parent Hub are celebrating Parent’s Day and encouraging services, schools and families to celebrate with them.

Events have also been arranged around the county to celebrate parents on 1st June.

  • The Foroige Teen Parent Support group have a trip arranged to Oakfield Park in Raphoe.
  • Donegal Town FRC have a pamper and coffee morning from 11-1 for parents and – importantly – grandparents.
  • Tír Boghaine together with the Áislann Chill Chartha have a family fun activity morning in the Áislann with information for parents, a gift for parents, colouring and craft table, bouncy castle, soft play and a sing song.
  • Spraoi agus Spórt in Carndonagh have a family fun morning from 10am with refreshments, messy play and with Mickey and Minnie Mouse coming along to join the fun!

To mark International Parents’ Day the Parent Hub has sent fridge magnets with the Parent Hub website and Facebook details to every family in the County through the local National Schools.

The Parent Hub is about collaboration between services and the task of delivering over 13,500 magnets to nearly 170 schools in the county has certainly been a collaboration between Parent Hub, Family Resource Centres, Service Providers, IDP and DLDC.

The launch of the Parent Hub fridge magnet with the children of Rang a Trí in Gaelscoil Adhamhnáin, Letterkenny.

Take the initiative – go and tell your parents how much you love them, how you appreciate them, how you value all they have done in your life – Bairbre Cahill

Investing in and supporting family life is an investment in the future of our society. Donegal Parent Hub and CYPSC Donegal are committed to supporting parents achieve the best possible outcomes for their children. 1st June is an opportunity to celebrate the vital role of parents.

The Parent Hub is an interagency collaborative group of services that has formed under the local CYPSC.

One of the group’s key successes to date has been the development of an online resource for all things parenting. Here on http://parenthubdonegal.ie/services/ you can find information on parenting courses, support groups, advice and activities around Donegal.

There is also the Parent Hub Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Parenthubdonegal  

In April 2017 Bairbre Cahill was appointed Coordinator of the Parent Hub. This post has been funded through Parental Participation seed funding and part of Bairbre’s role will be to make sure that the parents of Donegal have a voice in the planning, delivery and evaluation of family support services in Donegal.

In Ireland, with the development of the Children and Young People’s Services Committees (CYPSCs) around the country there is an ever-strengthening commitment to support positive parenting and to supporting family life. 

Part of this development in Ireland is Parenting24seven which offers top tips for family wellbeing. The importance of a good social network for parents is also stressed. These messages and more, for the different stages in the course of family life, can be accessed at www.tusla.ie/parenting-24-seven. 

You can also find out about the Parent Support Champions at http://www.tusla.ie/uploads/content/CJordanPSC_Dec_16.pdf