Weekend Breakfast with Alison Curtis

Serena Terry aka 'Mammy Banter' is a wonderfully funny woman from Derry who provides so much joy through her Instagram and Tik Tok accounts. Inspired in lockdown by the false filtered life of some Mother's on Instagram, she created her own "real life" character and has now gained more than 155k Instagram followers and 500k on Tik Tok! And she has recently signed on for a book deal with Harper Collins! Weekend Breakfast with Alison Curtis chatted to Serena about getting inspired in Lockdown, the brave step of giving up the day job to concentrate on comedy, how the filtered unreality of Insta motivated her, and how doing the videos really helped her own mental health, plus she tells us all about the fabulous book deal!  JUST PRESS PLAY TO LISTEN TO CHAT  (it includes one of her most famous sketches at the start...the video of which can be seen below) [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2021/09/18121311/MAMMY-BANTER-SERENA-TERRY.mp3"][/audio]     View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Mammy Banter (@mammybanter)

So, the kids have been given their own bank cards. WOOHOO! There's no stress at all!! Well, that's a lie. It's a natural anxiety but we need to get more comfortable talking family finances with our kids. When it comes to money, responsibility and trust with our children is hugely important. That's the view of parental expert David Coleman. For the last few weeks, Weekend Breakfast with Alison Curtis was 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 chose a different topic and today was listener finance fears. Week 4: Listeners Questions: 'ATM Anxiety' and 'Tips On How To Discuss Family Finances' [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2021/09/18110704/MONEY-MATE-MOMENT-SEP-18-WITH-INTRO-BEDS.mp3"][/audio]   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 all our Money Mate Moments: 'Giving Independence while staying in control' click here 'Putting Money Aside' click here  'Understanding the value of money' 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.  

Izzy Wheels was founded by Irish sisters Ailbhe and Izzy Keane. The idea was inspired by Izzy who was born with Spina Bifida and is paralyzed from her waist down. Izzy has always seen her wheelchair as a symbol of freedom but never felt it expressed her personality. Ailbhe created a range of colourful wheel covers for her sister's chair as her final year project in The National College of Art and Design in 2016. The rest is history! These inspiring super siblings have gone from strength to strength and announced some very exciting news this week. Weekend Breakfast with Alison Curtis caught up with the sisters to find out more about their partnership with Disney: [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2021/09/12130042/IZZY-WHEELS-.mp3"][/audio] Amazing Izzy Wheel Achievements Izzy Wheels became the first disability fashion brand to collaborate with some of the world's most famous brands. In 2019 they teamed up with Barbie to create a range of designs for a new and inclusive wheelchair Fashionista Doll. In 2020 they created two limited edition wheel cover collections with Japanese pop icon Hello Kitty. Izzy Wheels has been featured in some of the world's top global publications including Vogue, Teen Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Elle, Forbes, Oprah Magazine, It's Nice That, TechCrunch and many more. The brand has won 15 national awards and both sisters were named on Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2018. This Is A Dream Come True   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Izzy Wheels (@izzywheels)

Let's face it. Teaching kids to share some of their hard earned cash can be a tricky task. What you save at an early age is really important to you. There are things you can do to help children understand the benefits of sharing, donating and thinking of others. Money Jars can be an important tool in that journey. '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 3: Putting money aside [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2021/09/11112604/MONEY-MATE-MOMENT-SEP-11-WITH-INTRO-BED.mp3"][/audio] Putting money aside in jars is the start point for understanding about budgeting and learning how to differentiate between necessary purchases and luxury purchases. Saving for something can help children to learn to delay their gratification. Use your discussions with children about their money as a means to explore wider cause related issues – what is important to them and introducing them to ‘if you have enough, why not share a little’ Gifting, sharing and donating some of their money teaches them about good citizenship and care for others.   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 'Understanding the value of money' 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.  

Aine Duffy is an innovator! A creative genius! And a horsebox hero! The last 18 months has been devastating for the live music industry. People who rely on the gigs from the musicians to the crew have been left without work.  Only the last week has there been some light in the tunnel ahead. Many had to pivot their livelihoods and one such person was Aine Duffy. The Cork musician had a moment of inspiration and converted a horse box into a moveable live venue! She didn't stop there and has also managed to build her own home for 12 grand! Aine spoke to Alison Curtis on Weekend Breakfast about her unusual gig venue, her genius new home, and why she had to stop people touching her knob! Just Press Play To Listen [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2021/09/05122022/AINE-DUFFY-DUFFBOX-.mp3"][/audio] Aine and her amazing tiny home appeared in The Irish Times  Check out her fabulous Instagram:   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Aine Duffy (@aineduffymusic)     View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Aine Duffy (@aineduffymusic)  

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.