T: 01 8665291/290

F: 01 8976210

Tuesday, 23 October 2018

Dear parents, carers and professionals,

Five Rivers Fostering are delighted to have Mr. John Lonergan and Ms. Caroline Crotty present a talk to parents, carers and professionals on:

'Parenting - the challenges and the rewards'

The talk will cover a wide range of the challenges most parents face in their role as parents such as:

  • Accepting your child's reality - knowing your child's ability and accepting it
  • The skills of listening and hearing and the importance of chatting with your children. The barriers to good communication, etc.
  • A few No Nos – A few of the things we should avoid doing as parents,
  • Supervising and controlling your child's time on social media - getting the balance right,
  • Focussing on your child's strengths and not their limitations,
  • The importance of spending quality time with your child and why playing with your child is so important.

John Lonergan is a native of Bansha, Co. Tipperary. He joined the Irish prison service in March 1968. He was appointed Governor of Mountjoy Prison in 1984 and served in that capacity for over 22 years (he served as Governor the top security prison in Portlaoise from 1988 until 1992) He retired from the prison service in June 2010 having served over 42 years. He is the father of two grown up daughters. His autobiography ‘The Governor’ was published in October, 2010. In 2013 he wrote a book on parenting’ Raising your child in Ireland today’. John argues that

poverty and social deprivation are the main contributory factors to young people getting involved in crime and believes that education is the only pathway out of the poverty trap.

Caroline Crotty is acounsellor /psychotherapist with clinics in Waterford, Cork City and Bantry. Caroline works with bothadults and childrenand firmly believes that we can be happier and more content if we are taught the right skills (and of course if we want to change!). Caroline devises and delivers workshops and courses on a range of wellbeing topics to the education sector, corporate and community groups.

Date and Time: Monday 22nd August 20167pm – 9pm

Venue: Citywest Hotel, Saggart, Co. Dublin.

Place are limited so booking is essential. Please contact Hilary Riordan on (01) 866 5290 or email

This is a free event.

Fiona Murphy

Training Development & Therapeutic Service Manager,

Five Rivers Fostering.

Ireland Office: Five RiversIreland, Unit 40, StadiumBusinessPark, Ballycoolin Road, Finglas, Dublin 11.