10 Steps You Must Take to Be A Proper Irish Parent

Parenthood is a beautiful experience, but it can be exhausting too. As a new parent, the whole experience might appear pretty terrifying to you.

Especially if you are going to be an Irish parent, there are many things you must take into account.

Unknown family members will surround you and make you perform many family traditions that you only be vaguely familiar with. That could be exciting as well as daunting at the same time. But fret not, it is possible to become the best Irish parent in the world!

Here are thirteen things you can do to become the best Irish parent out there. If you have already managed to navigate your way through hours of ancient and complicated traditions and rituals, you are halfway there!

Tongue-Twisting Names

Irish parents love traditional names despite the fact that many are hard to pronounce. This stems from an immense pride among Irish people regarding their ancient culture. But this can be a good way to give your children a name that is truly unique. So make your child stand out among others and choose traditional Irish male names or female names. Let the whole neighborhood know your child has a tongue-twisting but beautiful Irish name!

Pray

Are you confused about why we are talking about praying? Take our word for it, as a new Irish parent, you’ll need as many prayers as you can get.

Raising a child will exhaust you and test the limits of your patience and willpower. During such moments, praying can help you regain some strength.

Well, prayers are also one of the best ways to teach your children about God. This is why many Irish households have religious icons hanging on the walls.

Irish parents love expressing their fondness for religious icons and want their children to do so as well. So, don’t wait! Hang up a statue of the Virgin Mary and place a Jesus plate on the shelves.

Buy a Large Car

Have you ever seen a small Irish family? No? We didn’t think so either.

As a new Irish parent, you must know that Irish families tend to be big on average. Expect your child to have many siblings and cousins.

Well, in a sense, it’s a good thing because they will never be bored. On the other hand, you’ll always be yelling and running after them.

Although the average number of children in a family has decreased, you will still hear your elders wanting three or more grandchildren from you.

So, it’s better to get a new six or seven-seater car now. You don’t know when you’ll need one.

Baby–Proof the House

Your child is learning to crawl, and everything in the house seems dangerous. What can you do? Simple answer, baby-proofing! Cover those sharp edges and electric sockets to make your home safe for the little ones because your Irish children can be quite a handful!

Shop for A Tub of Sudocrem

Irish people love treasures. For new Irish parents, the real gem is Sudocrem instead of a pot of gold.

Why? Sudocrem will be your life savior in no time. It helps with diaper rash, eczema, sunburns, and even wounds. If your crawling baby scrapes its knees, no problem! Sudocrem will heal it.

Stack up on Pacifiers

Other moms will tell you pacifiers are the worst for babies’ teeth. But you are an Irish parent! You must fill your house with soothers.

Get pacifiers for the cot, your bedroom, living room, or anywhere the baby normally rests! It will help you deal with all the crying. You’ll always need to keep extra soothers in hand; otherwise, most of your nights will be spent tirelessly dealing with the haunting screams of your baby.

Be a Little Superstitious

To be a proper Irish parent, you must include piseógs (superstitions) in your life. You must try to impart the traditional knowledge of your ancestors to your children. That’s what all Irish parents do!

For instance, if you see a dove in your yard or fly into your house, tell your kids that going out now is not a good time. This may not make a lot of sense to you right now but such things can ensure that your kids get a wholesome upbringing.

Visit the Beach with Everything Necessary

Irish parents deserve a relaxing day at the beach after a long week of parenting, managing the house, and handling a job. And so, for many Irish families, visiting the beach once a week has become a tradition. It seems normal, right?

As an Irish parent, you must carry all the necessary and unnecessary stuff. For example, bring toiletries, complete outfits, denim, and waterproof shoes. Even if you don’t need them, you carry them for any emergencies.

Befriend All the Neighborhood Teenagers

If you are a new parent, it is usually a delight to take care of your baby for a while. It seems so sweet until you feel suffocated in the four walls of your home, surrounded by dirty diapers and crying noises. That’s why Irish parents make the smart move of befriending teenagers in their family and neighborhood.

Teenagers are looking to earn cash, and you are looking for some peace. You can call them up to drop by to help whenever you need some space. You should start making some friends now!

Get a Dog

Irish parents prefer to get a dog to keep their children busy. So, you and your partner may also be coming to this conclusion soon. If you think your kid is a handful, simply get a dog that can keep your child company.

But this can often go a bit sideways too. You feel great about having a dog, but soon you find yourself wrapped with extra chores and micro-managing your dog. You aren’t able to leave them alone. Now, you have a second child with a tail to handle.

Cook Diverse Recipes Using Potatoes

Cooked spuds are commonplace in every Irish household. You can’t break this tradition! Carry it on and feed spuds.

As your kid grows older, cook them some spiced spud porridge, colcannon, roasted potatoes, French fries, and spicy potato wedges. In the process, you might even become the cool mom for your kids’ friends.

Moreover, as your children become teenagers, they will get to take some pride in your Irish spud tradition.

A Good Wooden Spatula Will Go a Long Way

Irish parents are known to be very strict. They have their tactics to discipline kids. As a new parent, you need to learn some of them.

Irish parents have the power to guilt their kids even with a single stare. That may sound terrifying but it works wonderfully.

Learn to tell off your kid when they are misbehaving. For example, “do you want something to cry about?” usually works wonderfully in crowded places. Add in the death stare and magic! Watch your kid behave well immediately.

Every Irish household with kids has a secret weapon. It’s a good wooden spatula but not an ordinary one. The wooden spatula works well to threaten children when nothing is working. It’s a common punishment for Irish children. But we do not recommend you actually use it.

Learn from the Best

If the steps discussed so far seem overwhelming to you, then you might need a better way of learning them.

Do you want to know the best way to learn to become Irish parents? Why don’t you ask your parents?

If you have grown up in an Irish household, you already have an idea about Irish parents. Ask them to help you get settled into parenthood. They are the best teachers you can learn from. They will also be able to help babysit your child.

If you have a problem with the baby, your parents will know what to do. Because they already have many years of experience raising you.

Bottom Line

Parenthood is tough for everyone, but if you are ready for the child, you are prepared to step into this phase of your life. All the Irish traditions and family members will slowly become a part of your life, and you’ll be able to accept all the new memories awaiting ahead.

Follow the steps we mentioned to become the absolute best Irish parent but remember the best effort is “Love.” Give your children a loving household, and parenthood won’t seem so hard anymore.

*This is a collaborative post