Weekend Breakfast with Alison Curtis

Million-copy bestselling author Cecelia Ahern spoke to Alison Curtis on Weekend Breakfast about her brand-new novel 'Freckles' It is her eighteenth book! Wow. It is nearly a book a year since her world conquering debut. She must be considered a national treasure at this stage! (albeit a very young one! Is there a treasure age?!) She tells Alison about her new book which she has based in her hometown of Malahide, her brilliant advice as she turns 40 this year, and her excitement about her new star studded TV show 'Roar' she made with Nicole Kidman coming soon to Apple TV+ Just Press Play to listen to the chat [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2021/09/04131012/CECELIA-AHERN-FRECKLES-.mp3"][/audio]

Every child has queued up at the Bank Of Mum & Dad and filled out the forms... (by forms I mean thrown your hands together and pleaded "PLEEEEAAAASE!!!" ) Then we would get annoyed if they informed us that they had only just given us the last of our pocket money the day before and we blitzed it on popping candy and a full size jelly pizza. Really important purchases of course but maybe we should have held off. What we need as kids is a learning curve. It might not seem like it at the time but from disappointment comes wisdom. 'The Money Mate Moment' So, for the next few weeks, Weekend Breakfast with Alison Curtis is delighted to have An Post on board for 'The Money Mate Moment'. It's a new current account for 7-15 year-olds to help prepare your children to learn how to earn, save and spend money. And to help us we have renowned Clinical Psychologist and parental expert David Coleman. He will help us to navigate the importance of childhood financial independence. Each week we choose a different topic. Week 2: Understanding the value of money [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2021/09/04120205/AN-POST-MONEY-MATE-MOMENT-WEEK-2.mp3"][/audio] Allowing children to feel the disappointment of not having enough money is healthy for them. They may need to experience some level of disappointment to learn how to spend more wisely, save harder or earn more. Using some household chores as a way to earn money is also a good start point for children to learn that their time and effort have value and can be used to get them things they may need or want. The Money Mate Moment brought to you by An Post, help prepare your children for financial independence with An Post Money Mate. To learn more about Money Mate click here To listen back to last week's Money Mate Moment on 'Giving Independence while staying in control' click here Watch David Coleman advise The Keegan family on how An Post Money Mate can help parents teach their children about responsibility and decision making.  

It is back to school time again, some students have already been back for a few days with the rest following this week. It is an exciting time of year but also a time of year that can pose some challenges for kids and parents. The wonderful Dr Mary O’Kane (parenting and early childhood education expert) joined Weekend Breakfast with Alison Curtis to help guide us through it all: [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2021/08/29131211/MARY-O-KANE-BACK-TO-SCHOOL.mp3"][/audio] HANDLE WITH CARE Mary also spoke about this inspiring message: One to consider for all the teachers out there! Not intended for big issues, but for the little things, the days they are just a bit off-kilter! A little kindness goes a long way! https://t.co/eoeSqZWyv8 — Dr Mary O'Kane (@MOKEarlyYears) August 29, 2021 LISTENER QUESTIONS ANSWERED "Alison and Mary my daughter who is 8 has become very clinging over the summer and I am worried how back to school might impact her or how she will manage back in the classroom - or is it something I should even worry about." Anita in Roscommon  "I have a 14 year old son who left school last year feeling detached from a lot of kids in his class. Over the summer it has come out more and more that he felt bullied by a few of the other boys. We are hoping a break from them this summer will set it all straight again but wondering if there is anything we can do in the first few weeks back to help him with all of this. I know it is an absolute mind-field. Thank you." Diarmuid in Carlow  "I found often last year when I picked up my son (who is 7) he didn’t transition from the busy classroom to homelife very well . He often had a meltdown shortly after getting home would Mary have any tips on how to make this transition smoother this year as mammy doesn’t think she can handle this all over again this year!" Sylvia in Dublin

Remember that feeling when you finally got your own money? Strutting into the corner shop like a BeeGee gangsta declaring, "The penny sweets are on me lads!" Taking control of our own finances as a kid is a milestone in our lives. So, for the next four weeks, Weekend Breakfast with Alison Curtis is delighted to have An Post on board for 'The Money Mate Moment'. 'The Money Mate Moment' It's a new current account for 7-15 year-olds to help prepare your children to learn how to earn, save and spend money. And to help us we have renowned Clinical Psychologist and parental expert David Coleman. He will help us to navigate the importance of childhood financial independence. Each week we choose a different topic. Week 1: Giving Independence while staying in control: [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2021/08/28124005/AN-POST-MONEY-MATE-MOMENT-WEEK-1.mp3"][/audio] Once children have pocket-money, it is their money. If they are to learn about using money wisely, they must be allowed to manage their money, even if they make mistakes. An Post Money Mate allows parents that helicopter view, setting boundaries from the outset and maintaining some control. It allows you step in and discuss decision making along the way. Being involved in their An Post Money Mate account, with them, provides that opportunity for open discussion and reflection. You can use your own budgeting or spending habits to role-model for your children. The Money Mate Moment brought to you by An Post, help prepare your children for financial independence with An Post Money Mate. To learn more about Money Mate click here Watch David Coleman advise The Keegan family on how An Post Money Mate can help parents teach their children about responsibility and decision making.  

This is the kind of image that stops you in your tracks - and it's even more remarkable when you hear the story behind it. It was described by one person as resembling a Rembrandt. It was in fact painted by a thirteen year old who also has Autism. Zara Craig is a student at Ballyclare High School in Antrim but hasn’t been back in class since the start of the pandemic. Her special educational needs coordinator, shared Zara’s painting and it has been shared more than 20,000 times since. Mum Gillian said she allowed it to be shared to break stereotypes – reinforce the positive stories of Autism. Alison Curtis spoke to Mum Gillian and Zara about her amazing talent. [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2021/08/15131129/ANTRIM-AUTISM-ARTIST-ZARA-CRAIG.mp3"][/audio] Here is the original post: My wee one in year 9 has given me permission to share her first oil painting - I mean I'm speechless... 13 years old... she just amazes me - art is a type of therapy for her ❤ I think her art teacher Mrs Conlon will be happy too... well done Zara 9E 👏 pic.twitter.com/GzCGbKS79x — Ballyclare High SEN (L. Smith) (@sen_bhs) August 2, 2021 Having autism and some physical disabilities often requiring her to use a wheelchair, she has also been dealing with severe anxiety. Completing her schoolwork from home, the family say artwork has become a form of therapy for her. The reaction was HUGE AND POSITIVE. Twitter gets a bad press but according to her Mum Gillian this was hugely positive and encouraging for Zara.

Paralympian High Jumper Jordan Lee doesn't wear a cape. He doesn't need one. If you look at his achievements already and he's only just turned 21 - you will see that this young man from Killarney is a superhero. The best way to describe how high I can jump is the next time you park your car and you see the car park barrier set at 1 meter 95 just think that your good ol friend Jordan can jump over that! That is insane. LOOK HOW HIGH THAT IS!!!! PRESS PLAY TO LISTEN TO ALISON CURTIS CHATTING JORDAN LIVE FROM TOKYO  [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2021/08/14111520/JORDAN-LEE-PARALYMPIAN.mp3"][/audio] Just a few of Jordan's honours so far: In Basketball - He created history by becoming the first amputee athlete to represent their country at international level. 2018 European Para- Athletics Championships Berlin (Bronze Medal) 2 Time WPA Italian Grand Prix Gold Medallist 2 Time French Grand Prix Gold Medallist Ranked No. 2 in the World in WPA World Rankings The Paralympic Games will kick off on Tuesday 24 August and coverage will continue for the next fortnight after that daily on RTE. Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games - Jordan Lee -  ©INPHO/Tommy Dickson COME ON TEAM IRELAND!!! Follow Jordan's Paralympic journey on Instagram. You'll also find inspirational stuff like this:     View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Jordan Lee | #MANONAMISSION (@jordanplee23)  

As our kids are growing up, we are moving more and more to a cashless society with tap-and-go payments and in-app purchases. So how can we teach them the real value of money and that we all don't have magic money trees in our gardens? Alison on Weekend Breakfast caught up with Child Psychotherapist, Dr Colman Noctor who has recently written all about our kids cash in his Irish Examiner column. Hit play to catch the full chat and join Alison Curtis on Weekend Breakfast. Saturdays from 8am and Sundays from 9am!