In this episode we take a different direction and talk to a father about his experience of parenting in the pandemic.  This weeks guest is RTE Radio One’s host of Rising Time, Shay Byrne. 

In this episode we discuss the challenges for parents of children who have missed out on core aspects of their experiences as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic. Where Shay discusses how his children missed out on Transition Year, Irish College and a Confirmation. We discussed the ways in which we as parents discuss disappointment when things don’t go to plan and how this year we have had to become adept at that skill.

Shay also talks about his own childhood and tells some humorous stories about his experience of growing up and how he followed his ambition and heart into a career in media. We also discuss the pressure on parents to put expectations on children and how this can sometimes jar with out own value system. 

Shay also discusses his role as a funeral celebrant and we discuss the complexities of loss and grief. We also discuss the thorny issue of how best to introduce teenagers to have healthy relationships with alcohol and ways in which we as parents can manage societal expectations in these challenging times.  

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