YES, it's that time of year again, mums and dads: the list of the toys set to be the most wished for this Christmas has been announced, packed with all the games and gadgets Santa is going to be inundated with requests for.

Q: I’m vegan and I’ve just found out I’m pregnant.

UNLESS you've been hiding under a rock for these last few weeks and therefore not positively glued to CNN 24/7, you'll know that Donald Trump has lost the presidential election.

Finally, Halloween has come and gone and you know what that means - the Christmas countdown can officially begin.

A DOCTOR in west Belfast has said a government strategy to tackle child poverty in Northern Ireland is "essential".

Q: What's the best way to talk to my child about race and racism? A: Behavioural scientist Dr Pragya Agarwal, author of Wish We Knew What To Say: Talking with children about race, says: "Talking about race and racism has to be part of a child's education from a young age.

Disciplining children, whatever their age, is one of parenting's greatest challenges, and there are many ways to do it – not all of them successful.

OUR kids have gone back to school this week and, for many principals, teachers, parents and children themselves, it will mark the start of another challenging time.

Finally, the spookiest day of the year is here - so, what are your plans? Maybe you're putting the finishing touches to some spooktacular costumes and then cooking up a beastly banquet of fangtastic food ahead of all your family and friends arriving for the biggest, bestest, most scary Halloween houlie ever.

Q: My wife has just found out she’s pregnant with our first baby.

Being shy can be crippling for a child, leading to missed opportunities for them, and often frustration for their parents.

A survey released last week has revealed that 86 per cent of parents are concerned about their mental health in the midst of the pandemic.

VET Rory Cowlam has had an affinity with animals “from day one” and can’t imagine life without them at work or at home.

Q: How can we help maintain a sense of normality for our children at home, despite all the changes brought by the pandemic? A: Consultant child and educational psychologist Laverne Antrobus says: “Creating an environment at home that helps children feel safe has never been more important.

LOOK at us with an extended Halloween break with the kids.

The Irish Government has been accused of leaving the childcare sector out of its budgetary plans, despite the industry facing a staff shortage crisis.

MANY dads are a relaxed dab hand in the kitchen – but others are unfamiliar with the territory, especially if they want to involve their kids in a cooking mission.

Q: MY 14-year-old daughter uses an app to make photos of herself look better on social media.

THE number of coronavirus cases is alarmingly high in Northern Ireland at the moment.

It looks like Covid-19 restrictions are here to stay for a while yet - and I for one am not feeling too annoyed.