Latest news with #Dad
IOL News
4 hours ago
- General
- IOL News
Empowering my child: Facing peer pressure together
In her column, Tracy shares experiences and lessons learnt as she navigates life and grows with her two boys. To share your views email Tracy on In her column, Tracy shares experiences and lessons learnt as she navigates life and grows with her two boys. To share your views email Tracy on Image: File In this segment of Raising Tracy, I must admit — this one stretched me. Bent me emotionally. I got the call. The kind no parent wants to get. My son's teacher, calm and kind as always, rang to inform me about an incident he'd been involved in at school. Now, I won't go into the details here — the internet has a long memory, and my child deserves the dignity of growing up without his missteps catalogued online. One day he might read this and I want him to know: I understand. And more importantly, I support him in learning from his mistakes. The teacher and I were both a little puzzled. Whatever had happened, it didn't sound like him. Yes, he's the king of chatter — Mr 100 words per second, much like his mother — but he's also kind-hearted, considerate, and honestly, he'd rather talk you to sleep than hurt anyone's feelings. So, I confronted him. Sat down, calm voice, gentle tone. 'Tell mommy what happened.' Flat denial. Nothing. Nada. But then Dad walked in with that look and that voice — not angry, just firm — and suddenly, the truth spilled out. 'Yes, Mommy, I did it… but...' And there it was. The pause. 'My friend told me to say it.' That moment cracked my heart just a little. Because yes, our gut feelings — his teacher's and mine — were both right and wrong. He did say what we hoped he hadn't, but he didn't do it out of malice. He did it because someone else told him to. Now don't get me wrong — this is not me brushing it aside. We didn't sugar coat it. We repeated the words back to him, gently but clearly. We asked him how it made him feel. He said: 'Sad and angry.' So we followed through — the consequence was clear. Favourite toys? Taken. Sweet treats? Off the table for a week. But more importantly, we sat him down for the talk. Not the one about bees or birds — the one about peer pressure. About how it's okay to say no. About how just because a friend tells you to do something, doesn't mean it's right. Doesn't mean you should. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ 'You have your own mind,' we told him. 'You must always listen to your heart and your head. Be brave enough to walk away.' Then he asked something that stopped me in my tracks: 'Can I tell my teacher if someone tells me to do something bad?' 'Of course, my boy. She's your second mommy — your mommy at school.' 'And can I apologise to the child?' 'That is the very best thing you can do.' And off he went, backpack on, head a little higher. Ready to face his mistake. Own it. Learn from it. That, to me, is parenting's quiet reward. The messy moments that lead to something golden. Moral of the story? Raising children isn't about perfection. It's about helping them find their compass. And when they fall — as they will — it's about showing them how to stand back up, say sorry, and walk forward a little wiser. Weekend Argus
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Wackadoo! Bluey, Bingo, Mum and Dad Are coming to South Africa this winter holiday
Wackadoo! Bluey, Bingo, Mum and Dad are coming to South Africa in the 2025 winter school holidays! For the first time ever, the hit theatre production Bluey's Big Play The Stage Show makes its African debut at Artscape, Cape Town on Thursday, 26 June, running until Sunday, 06 July 2025. The show then moves to The Teatro at Montecasino, Johannesburg from Wednesday, 09 July to Sunday, 20 July. Tickets are on sale now at and Bluey's Big Play is a theatrical adaptation of the BAFTA and Emmy® Award-winning animated children's television series produced by Ludo Studio. Now families in South Africa can experience the joy of seeing Bluey, Bingo, Mum and Dad in their first ever theatre show, featuring brilliantly created puppets, iconic sets, live actors and all-new music – it's Bluey like you've never seen it before, in real life and on stage. Read more: Support your local theatre The popularity of Bluey's Big Play knows no bounds, touring internationally across Australia, UK and Ireland, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, Europe and North America. Kiddo Adventures gives Bluey's Big Play five stars while claiming it's 'A magical theatrical experience for fans of all ages' while Time Out says, 'This live adventure for fanatically beloved Australian hound Bluey is as authentic as it comes'. The Guardian best sums up the show by saying 'Puppy puppets' sweet show sets tails wagging'. Bluey's Big Play follows Bluey and her family through a full day from sunrise through to bedtime. When Dad feels like a little bit of Sunday afternoon time out, Bluey and Bingo have other plans! Join them as they pull out all of the games and cleverness at their disposal to get Dad off that bean bag. Bluey's Big Play is an original story from creator Joe Brumm, with bespoke music from Bluey composer Joff Bush. The audio track for Bluey's Big Play is prerecorded and features original voices from the TV sensation, including the instantly recognisable voices of Dave McCormack and Melanie Zanetti as Dad and Mum. While the larger-than-life puppets are commanded by Bluey's Big Play's talented puppeteers, who bring Bluey, Bingo, Mum and Dad to life on stage. Bluey's Big Play The Stage Show is presented by BBC Studios and Andrew Kay in association with Windmill Theatre Co and local live entertainment and show promoter, Showtime Management. Kate O'Connor, Director of Brands and Licensing BBC Studios ANZ, says: 'Following the incredible reaction to the live theatre show in North America, UK, Ireland, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, Europe and Australia, we are so excited to bring Bluey's Big Play The Stage Show to fans in South Africa.' 'Bluey's Big Play has performed to a global audience including sell out seasons across Australia, USA and UK. The response has been extraordinary. We are so excited to now bring Bluey's Big Play to South African audiences this winter school holidays,' says Andrew Kay, Producer of Bluey's Big Play. 'We're thrilled to be bringing Bluey's Big Play The Stage Show to South Africa,' said Tony Feldman of Showtime Management who added: 'The response to the show from fans across Australia, North America and Europe has been nothing short of amazing and we can't wait for families in South Africa to experience all the fun and excitement of having Bluey and her family live on stage.' The stage show has enjoyed much success around the world, especially in Australia, where it premiered in Bluey's hometown Brisbane and went on to perform over 500 times across 65 venues, including the Sydney Opera House. Bluey's Big Play was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Family Show in 2024. Since bursting on to TV screens in Australia in 2018, Bluey has enjoyed a plethora of critical success at home and abroad, winning a 2022 BAFTA Children & Young People Award in the International category, a 2024 Kidscreen Award for Best Animated Series and picking up its consecutive fifth AACTA Best Children's Programme award to add to an International Emmy and numerous awards for craft and production around the world. According to Nielsen, Bluey is 2024's most-watched series globally on Disney+, and the year's No. 1 most-watched series on streaming to date through November among total viewers in the U.S., with more than 50.5 billion minutes watched[1]. In Australia, the show goes out on ABC where it is #1 kids show, and it is also rated #1 kids show on CBeebies and Disney+ in the UK[2]. In South Africa, Bluey is ranked #1 on Disney Channel, Disney Junior and CBeebies[3]. Tickets for Bluey's Big Play are available now and can be purchased at or the official, exclusive ticketing agent. Tickets purchased via any other platform will not be honoured. Each attendee irrespective of age must hold a valid ticket in any price category to Bluey's Big Play. A strictly limited number of Meet & Greet Packages are available for each show. The Meet & Greet includes a lanyard and the unique opportunity to meet Bluey after the show. Children are not allowed access without a VIP paid adult. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts!
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
I Stole the First Issue of POWDER Magazine I Ever Owned
I don't break the law. I follow the support of this statement, I was given the nickname 'Dad' by my college friends for always being the level-headed guy who attempted to save them from getting arrested for public intoxication or some other debauchery.I internalized the nickname as an unpleasant jest at first—I ultimately wanted to be like everybody else, having fun—but I wore it like a badge of honor after a while. Perhaps it was something to do with my relationship with own dad put me on skis when I was four years old, but as my mom recalls, he would have done so earlier if she had allowed him to. I became a skier, and still am a skier, because of the influence of my dad. Plain and a child I didn't fear my dad, but I respected his peace, if you will. As the oldest of two brothers, I tried to do things that made him and my mom happy. I did not make him happy, however, when I stole a copy of POWDER Magazine that he ordered, and then subsequently lost piece is part of POWDER's Summer of Ski Nostalgia content series. Stay tuned in daily for more nostalgic articles, and keep an eye out for the upcoming Summer of Ski Nostalgia badge to identify future can also view all of POWDER's summer nostalgia content to keep up with the best stories and photos in skiing? Subscribe to the new Powder To The People newsletter for weekly updates. I can't recall how old I was when this ordeal went down, but according to my mom and her wagging finger, I was "old enough to know better. "As a kid from Delaware, skiing wasn't something I shared with many of my friends. We played soccer, linked our gaming consoles for LAN sessions, and did other normal, suburban kid stuff. Skiing was something I liked to do, but it wasn't a passion quite yet. I didn't have a community to share the experience with outside of my immediate family and 10–20 days we skied each what I remember: My mom would regularly ask me to walk down to the end of the driveway to retrieve the mail. On one sunny Saturday in the fall, the mailbox was stuffed to the brim with various ads and magazines. I normally would just stack the mail and carry it inside, but the capitalized word POWDER caught my eye on one of the magazines. Powder? Like powder skiing? I was intrigued.I wish I could remember the specific cover, but I've sustained too many concussions playing soccer between now and then. That, or I'm just dumb. Regardless, I was immediately enamored. Up until that moment, I had only read about skiing in a brief section of Sports Illustrated, or in a coffee table book that my dad purchased. I had no idea that skiers were creating entire magazines completely about skiing. My mind was blown. I mentioned my memory issues before (super ideal for somebody who tells stories for a living). I can't recall what happened between my first glance at that issue and my dad scolding me for losing it, but we were all kids at one point. Kids do dumb that first copy of POWDER felt validating. It was my first glimpse into the broader skiing world that I was so very naive about. What I do remember is that POWDER felt like it was written for me. I was young, probably only eight or nine years old, but it felt like the writers were speaking directly to me as a skier, not as a kid from Delaware who was on the outside looking introduction to POWDER is one of a handful of memories that evolved my love for sliding downhill into a passion and a way of dad remained displeased with me for stealing and losing his issue of POWDER, but we worked out a deal for future issues. He would read the new issue for as long as he pleased, and then pass it over to me once he was still hard to believe that I work here all of these years piece is part of POWDER's Summer of Ski Nostalgia content series. Stay tuned in daily for more nostalgic articles, and keep an eye out for the upcoming Summer of Ski Nostalgia badge to identify future can also view all of POWDER's summer nostalgia content to keep up with the best stories and photos in skiing? Subscribe to the new Powder To The People newsletter for weekly updates. I Stole the First Issue of POWDER Magazine I Ever Owned first appeared on Powder on Jun 25, 2025
Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Lord Henry Mount Charles' daughter makes unique request as dad is laid to rest
The family of Slane Castle owner Lord Henry Mount Charles told mourners to "party on in his memory" at his Funeral Mass. The rock boss passed away on June 18 after an 11-year battle with lung cancer. He was 74 years old. His heartbroken son Alex Conyngham led the tributes at St. Patrick's Church of Ireland in Slane on Wednesday as he recalled how his father saved Slane Castle through rock and roll. He told mourners: 'According to comedian Frank Kelly, 'the problem with Mount Charles is that he was born with a silver dagger in his back' and this very apt description reflects what shaped dad's life. 'It's true that he grew up in an unconventional and privileged position at Slane Castle, and I recall him telling me how Joe Smith, the butler, packed his bags before he went off to boarding school at Harrow. 'It was an upstairs, downstairs kind of world, kind of life story with dad, but dad, along with his brothers, Simon and Patrick, were always more interested in the downstairs side of things, spending time with the cast of characters who ran the house and estate, most notably Mary Brown, a wonderful woman from Kerry who largely raised him. 'That thread has continued for dad, and he was immensely lucky to have a colourful string of people working alongside him on the estate, for which he was hugely grateful as they rolled through the good times and the occasional dark days. 'Dad initially struggled with his Anglo Irish identity and described it as feeling like he had a leg either side of the Irish Sea, with each side treating him as something of an outsider. 'It was when he went to Harvard and immersed himself in the study of Irish history that that fog of uncertainty lifted there, he came to realise, that Ireland was a country fed by many streams, and that he, as an Anglo Irish aristocrat, belonged to one of those streams, and that if he applied himself, he could make a positive contribution towards it.' He said Lord Henry 'truly loved this country' and he 'counted himself blessed to be an Irishman'. 'Politically, he was a passionate constitutional republican, and he truly loved this country, its culture and people, and he counted himself blessed to be an Irishman. 'Not all agreed with this perspective, and in the early days, aggressive, negative graffiti would be found on the castle gates and walls. 'But this only emboldened dad to strive all the harder. 'Dad also came to realise that he needed to find ways to open the castle gates rather than keep them closed.' He said Slane Castle's concerts saved the castle from financial ruin. 'The real breakthrough in doing so came in 1981 with that first concert when Eamon McCann, Denis Desmond and dad banded together and flew by the seat of their hands to put on Thin Lizzy in the back garden with U2 and Hazel O'Connor in support. 'It was a trailblazing moment for all of them in the midst of palpable political tension, and was driven by a conviction that music is a universal language that brings people together. 'And that's exactly what happened that day in the field of Slane, people came from all four quarters of the island, and there was no trouble just in the that day, the Slane Castle estate was also saved by rock and roll as things were on a financial knife edge, and thankfully, the legacy of the concerts has continued to protect and sustain it ever since, and long may have continued to do so. 'None of the gigs ever could have happened without the support of the people of Slane, and I know that dad quite rightfully would have wanted me to thank them fondly for all they did for him, the estate and the concerts over the years, even after the challenging circumstances of Bob Dylan in '84, the community rolled in behind him to bring them back when Jim Aiken brought Bruce Springsteen back to Slane in '85 and there were locals proudly in the village wearing their Slane '84 survivor T shirts.' Alex recalled being at the bottom of the ramp when Springsteen came off stage and the roar from the crowd shook the board beside them. 'I'll never forget the thrill I saw on dad's face in that moment. He often described the Slane live music experience as something of a spiritual one, and for many it remains a rite of passage, something expressed clearly in the innumerable messages shared over the recent days.' Alex recalled when his father tried to run in local elections, saying he 'relished' canvassing and knocking on doors. 'Dad loved to connect, and he always taught me the power, importance and value of making time for the chat, something he felt that modern life and its formative communications was somewhat berated, although his political ambitions were not realised. 'Dad found other ways to express his political opinions in his Lord Henry column for the Irish Mirror to which he was coaxed into doing by Jumbo Kierans, he had no grounds about firing both barrels of political misdemeanour, but he also enjoyed commending efforts and actions when he felt they were so preserved. 'He'd file those articles even during his illness, when he was able, and he loved the fact that he was writing for a red top rather than a high brow broadsheet. And he was always grateful for the support and encouragement he received from Niall Moonan and the rest of the crew. 'Dad always had a strong and trusting relationship with the media, and he always made time for and indeed lent into any interview he conducted. I personally have received many good wishes from journalists, publishers, agents and photographers who encountered dad along the way. Our family have been completely bowled over by the extent and depth of coverage in recent days, and Dad would feel so honoured and humbled by it all.' He joked that while his father was known as 'Henry the eighth', he only married twice to 'two remarkable women'. For himself, Alex said he was glad he had a father who backed him when he told him they would build their own whiskey distillery. 'But the thing about Dad was that he loved to take risks and he always had my back.' Alex said the last decade of his father's life was 'at times pretty tough' as he battled lung cancer, adding: 'but his determination and wit never left him.' 'I recall one occasion on him greeting guests at the castle after yet another stint in hospital, on asking him how he was doing, he replied, 'Well, I'm doing more drugs now than I did in the 60s.'' Lord Henry's daughter Henrietta told mourners how her father was given months to live by doctors 11 years ago. She spoke fondly about her dad's questionable fashion of coloured shirts and his mismatched socks, which at one point ended up in a 'Sack the Stylist' column in a Sunday newspaper. 'He replied that they just didn't get it and with the benefit of hindsight, I tend to agree life is simply better in odd socks and even other shirts. Use your imagination. My dad had a colourful and vivid imagination, not just for harebrained schemes like getting the biggest bands in the world to play in his garden, but with the smaller things too. 'Just very recently, one of my cousin's children met him for the first time and asked him what his oxygen tank was for, to which he replied without hesitation, that he was just visiting from the moon. 'My own childhood was filled with many such factual inaccuracies, which always kept me guessing in my imagination running wild. If you're going to dance do it like you mean it, many in this room will have the image seared clearly in their brain of dad and his classic cargo and welly combo giving it socks at the after show to party at the gates. 'He danced for so long and so hard that he would give himself severe welly burn every single year and wear it like a badge of honour for months to come. ' She said her father was 'one of the most determined people' that she knew. 'Lastly, one of my favourite lessons from dad came after a party in the castle a few years ago, I fell asleep on the window bench in Brown's bar. Unbeknownst to me, mum came over that morning to survey the damage, which there was some, I was greeted by some stragglers still up in the courtyard. 'A few hours later, dad called me and said in a very serious voice that he had a bone to pick with me that he was very, very disappointed in me for going to bed before the last of my guests. 'He fought for so long, because he didn't want to leave the party and all that we can do now is party on in his memory,' she added. Mourners also heard from Lord Henry's pal of 50 years, Nick Koumarianos who described him as 'one hell of a cool dude'. 'He was tall, he was handsome, he was titled, and by the way, he knew it.' He said he put 'Ireland on the map' for generations of pop music around the world. He recalled Lord Henry dragging him to a political event in New York, which Lord Henry did not have a plus one to. 'I've seen films about American jails, and I wasn't keen to experience them firsthand, but Henry was insistent, so off we went. 'And sure enough, security was all over the place. Henry convinced him I was his cousin and was on the original invitation. I wondered how long Henry could control his sense of mystery. And then, under the eagle eye of the chief security officer, Henry, carefully signed me into the visitors book as a gate crasher.' 'Years moved on, and his illness restricted him. He was still happy to count his blessings, and first amongst them was his dearly loved and much-admired wife, I am to whom both he and we owe so much for her selfish devotion to him, and who amongst those present will ever forget the sight of that mighty man turn the ill but still undefeated, as he proudly led his daughter Tamara up the aisle in this very church less than two years ago. 'Henry bored his illness with remarkable courage and to the end, was capable of both laughter and mischief. At this stage, anyone else's life's work would be done, but not Henry. He was still planning things when I visited him quite recently. 'He'd just taken delivery of a new chair, which enabled him to stand up easily, and he'd also got a very smart new walking frame. He even invited me to go for a stroll next time I was up this way, sadly to say, that was not to be shortly afterwards, Henry slipped away quietly, and those of you who know Him will know that quietly was not his usual. 'It's hard to believe he's gone. He's left this world so great was his enthusiasm for life, but he has so now, let me conclude my few words today by saying farewell, old pal.' Presiding over the Funeral Mass, Rev Canon John Clarke told the congregation that Lord Henry had a 'colourful and wonderful life'. 'Indeed, a life so bravely and courageously lived,' he said. Among the mourners included U2's Adam Clayton, Joe Lennon, who represented Taoiseach Michael Martin and Tanaiste Simon Harris, former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Education Minister Helen McEntee. Rev Clarke said: 'While in this service, we offer our farewell to Henry, we remember his life with appreciation, fondness, gladness, and so our gathering should truly be one of thanksgiving and celebration. Henry had many attributes and diverse facets to his life. So in appreciation of these, hopefully this service will help us to reflect on at least some of our special memories of him. 'I'm sure Henry queried and questioned faith as much as any of us, but steadfastly beneath it all, he had a deep sense of the call to peace and to unity, to fellowship and family gathering and life in God's greater kingdom.' He added that Lord Henry's life was 'wonderfully lived.' During the service, the first reading was read by Lord Simon Conyngham who read The Canterville Ghosts by Oscar Wilde. U2 superstar Adam Clayton read the second reading, which was an excerpt by 1 Corinthians Chapter 13, while the third reading was The Family Tree. Singer David Keane sang The Parting Glass, while reminiscing about first meeting Lord Henry at the launch of Slane Whiskey's new distillery who joked that he told him to practice "discipline". The closing hymn was Abide with Me, while the processional song was U2's song, Let It Go as Lord Henry's coffin was carried out of the church.
Vogue
4 days ago
- Vogue
What My Father's Career in Crime Taught Me About Resilience
When I was 15, I loved escaping the heavy, wet heat of the Florida panhandle to stand in the chilly darkroom of my nighttime photography class, watching pictures from my father's hippie days slowly sharpen, an unknowable life revealing itself under the red light. For years, Dad had worked long hours while I was busy becoming a teenager. I moved in with him when I was 14, shortly after his split from my mom. When I found three rolls of undeveloped film at the back of his closet, I registered for a dual-enrollment photography class through my high school. Dad drove me there and back every Wednesday. One night, on the way home, he saw an advertisement on the Applebee's marquee: 2-for-1 steaks with a side! Once we were seated, I laid the photos out between us. In one, a woman with a short skirt and a crocheted, triangular bra top stared straight at the camera, biting her lip. In others, strangers stood talking or sat playing guitars or harmonicas, most wearing bell bottoms, smoke rising softly out of their mouths. Dad said, 'You know how I used to say, 'Before you were born, I was a pirate'?' I nodded. He tapped on the stack of pictures. 'It started around this time.' Over cheap steaks and wilted vegetables, my dad explained that his life in crime started in the late 1960s. First it was rolling barrels of marijuana off boats in the Port of New Orleans; later, he graduated to captaining the ships. Then he got his pilot's license to fly cocaine from South America into the Deep South. 'The point is, I made those mistakes so you wouldn't have to,' he said. 'Drugs are dangerous—and the reason I'll never meet my grandkids.' I stared, blinking, not really believing his wild stories—and certainly not realizing that the Hepatitis C my dad contracted from those pirate days would end his life a few months later. After he passed, I found his fake IDs, birth certificates, and old pilot's license. I sat on his bedroom floor, sorting through the artifacts as the sunset threw pink light across the whole room, my body, and the keys to the mystery of how a poor kid from the boiling, low-slung beaches of the rural Gulf Coast made his way to South American jungles, where he smiled beside international smugglers while wielding a machete the way so many other dads show off their daily catches with their fishing buddies.
