21st CENTURY CHILD *** Last in Series ***

david coleman Image Name: david coleman Description: 21st Century Child Copyright: © RTÉ This image may be reproduced in print or electronic format forpromotional purposes only.
david coleman Image Name: david coleman Description: 21st Century Child Copyright: © RTÉ This image may be reproduced in print or electronic format forpromotional purposes only.
The Onafuwa Family 21st Century Child Image Name: The Onafuwa Family 21st Century Child Description: 21st Century Child Copyright: © RTÉ. This image may be reproduced in print or electronic format forpromotional purposes only.
Feanes 21st Century Child Image Name: Feanes 21st Century Child Description: 21st Century Child Copyright: © RTÉ.  This image may be reproduced in print or electronic format forpromotional purposes only.

Broadcast Details: Wednesday 30th April, 9.30pm

RTÉ EDUCATION: Acclaimed clinical psychologist David Coleman presents a new six year commission on children and childhood, parents and paren

 

David Coleman is well-known to viewers in Ireland from the hit series Families in Trouble.

Now he’s presenting a major new series for RTÉ Television. Set to span a six-year period, 21st Century Child looks at children and childhood, parents and parenting, as we head into a new century, and a new millennium.

 

Programme 3

In this final programme in the first series of 21st Century Child, all of our babies are born and our parents are settling in for the first six months of their new arrival’s lives.

This week David Coleman looks at adjustment. Just how are our parents reacting to their new family situation now that their babies have arrived?

Whilst initially first time parents Michelle Clancy and John Devlin found parenthood a bit of a shock, with a curtailed social life and a whirlwind of nappy changing, the first couple of months have brought a new sense of satisfaction as they begin to settle into their new roles. Now as baby Oscar gets bigger, they are beginning to notice the different reactions that he has to each of his parents.

Fellow first timers, the Duffys, have had a double adjustment to deal with – not just a new baby, but a new house too. Now that baby Emma has arrived and Sue is feeling stronger they have left the relative safety of Ciaran’s mum’s house and have moved into their new family home.

Adjusting to new siblings can sometimes be difficult for everyone in the household – especially when you are three. In the home of Dee Mulrooney and Richie Heffernan, Seimi is learning to live with his new baby brother Peter, who shares his mum, his dad and his bed.

Also in this last programme, David Coleman brings some of our 21st Century Child parents together to workshop some developmental milestones. As our babies get older and become increasingly interested in the world around them, it is the perfect time to point out to our parents just what changes and connections are happening for them.