Life

Marie Louise McConville: My children will not have any pets - and I don't feel one bit guilty

A little girl with a labrador puppy
A little girl with a labrador puppy A little girl with a labrador puppy

I've never been one for gloating, but this week I'm making a teeny, weeny, itty, bitty exception.

Yes, I know being smug is quite a repulsive trait - one which I also detest - but come on, just give me this one, please?

You see, for the last few years I have been weighed down by a terrible, maternal guilt and I had feared I was doing my kids an unforgivable injustice.

Growing up, I was never an animal person.

I was never one of those children that cooed and got excited over a fluffy rabbit, cute cat or playful dog.

In fact, I had no desire whatsoever to have a pet and there was no real mystery as to why I felt that way - because I was and remain completely petrified of animals.

Walking home from school or going out to meet friends, I would have taken - and still would - a miles-long detour if I even caught a glimpse of a dog running around along my route.

Even now, my fear - especially of dogs - is at an all time high and I have to try so hard not to show that fear in front of the kids.

And before you ask the same questions I get all the time - no, I don't know where the fear comes from and no, I was never bitten as a child and no, I'm not interested in trying to get help to overcome it.

To this day, I will not go anywhere near a house that has a dog running around and if that means missing a family occasion, a friend's milestone soiree or a night out, so be it.

When I was pregnant with Abbie, I did have fleeting worries from time to time about what I would do if the kids ever wanted a pet however I soon found the answer - there will never, ever be a pet in a house where I live and that's that.

Even when we were at a funfair during the summer, I wouldn't even let Darren play to win a goldfish because I just don't want any animal, fish or dog or bunny or snake or hamster or whatever in my home - ever.

Is that mean?

Am I robbing the kids of vital childhood experiences?

Other parents are always telling me about how having a pet works wonders for their kids, boosting their immune system and encouraging them to exercise and up until this week, such comments wracked me with guilt.

However, it seems all these parents are wrong.

Researchers in the US who undertook a study to find out if having a pet had any benefits for children found there are none.

Did you hear that? ABSOLUTELY NONE.

The landmark study that found that contrary to popular belief, having a pet does not improve the mental or physical health of a child.

Furthermore, claims it can also boost exercise levels and improve young people's empathy skills were also unfounded.

Dr Layla Parast, study author, said: "We could not find evidence children from families with dogs or cats are better off either in terms of their mental well-being or their physical health.

"Everyone on the research team was surprised - we all have or grew up with dogs or cats. We had essentially assumed from our own personal experience there was a connection".

So, there you have it folks - I'm not such a bad mummy after all.

I know my actions are fuelled solely by my own ridiculous fears and phobias but I had been so worried that as a result Abbie and James would be missing out - turns out, I had no need to worry at all.

According to the study, it is actually factors such as family income, language skills and type of housing which play a more important role in keeping kids healthy.

So that's that then.

I'm feeling pretty good now.

#smugface

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Competition

Autumn is here so how do fancy winning a gorgeous self-tanning kit to help you find your glow this September?

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The brand has also created the world’s longest lasting tan – pHenomenal – which lasts up to four times longer than regular tans and counts Gwyneth Paltrow, Sofia Vergara, Rita Ora and Ellie Goulding among its army of fans.

So, how do you fancy getting your glow on? You know, just because it’s getting colder doesn’t mean we all have to fade.

Luckily, I have three Vita Liberata gift sets to give away to three lucky readers.

If you fancy winning a set, simply email your name, address and telephone number – along with the answer to the question below – to competitions@irishnews.com

Closing date for entries is Tuesday, September 12, 2017

(Q) How many days are there in September?

Normal Irish News Rules Apply

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What's Hot?

Upbeat - If you're struggling with the change in season and feeling a little sluggish, why not try LIFE ELIXIRS Fortitude Perfume Oil by Elemis (£28)to help re-invigorate your mind and body. Formulated with a blend of 19 pure essential oils to surround you with positive energy and motivation, dab it on your pulse points and inhale. Check out www.elemis.com

Gig - Finally, The Script have announced a tour date in Belfast. The super-talented band will play the SSE Arena on February 6. I'm sure it will be a fab gig.

Autumn - It's September folks and that can only mean one thing, it's time to dig out those scarves, hats, gloves and heavy coats - it's time to get cosy. #myfavtimeoftheyear

So Not!

Bored - It's only been back one week and I'm already bored with The X-Factor. It's just the same tired format, same tired faces and same tired comments. Not for me.

Axed - Fans of sports comedy panel show, Play To The Whistle have been left disappointed after it was revealed that the programme, which is hosted by Holly Willoughby, has been axed after three series.

Traffic - The kids are back in the classrooms so that means, the back to school traffic has also returned. Was it always this bad or did the summer spoil all us commuters?

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Competition

The winners of the Loco competition are Annette Blaney, from Moira and Teresa Smith, from Dunamanagh, Strabane

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Easy Peasy Recipe

This week’s Easy Peasy Recipe is Autumn Crumble

You will need:

2 cooking apples - peeled, cored and diced

2 pears - peeled, cored and diced

250g plums - halved, stoned and chopped

50g sugar

1 tsp ground cinnamon

CRUMBLE TOPPING

85g cool butter, diced

175g plain flour

75g sugar

To Make:

Preheat oven to 190 C/Gas Mark 5.

In an ovenproof dish, combine the fruits and sprinkle with 50g sugar and 1/2 tsp of ground cinnamon. Spoon over 3 tbsp of water.

In a bowl, mix the 85g of butter and flour until crumbly. Stir in the 75g sugar and remaining cinnamon.

Sprinkle the mixture over the fruit and bake in the oven for 50 minutes until the crumble is golden.

Serve warm.

Do you have an Easy Peasy recipe you would like to share?

Are you the queen of quiches, magnificent at muffins or can you turn out some nice scones?

If so, then we want to hear from you.

You can send your name, address, contact number and recipe (plus photo if possible) to:

Easy Peasy Recipes,

Marie Louise McConville,

Irish News

113-117 Donegall Street,

Belfast,

BT1 2GE

or

m.mcconville@irishnews.com