IT'S something I choose not to think about at the moment but I know I can't put it off forever.
Before I became a parent, I knew there would be things I would worry about with my children – mainly their health and development and their education.
The plan was for us to do the best we could for them.
But now I find myself worried about the world they will grow up in, particularly Abbie.
Now aged eight, usually she can be found happily colouring in or putting her dolls to sleep and how I would love for her to stay like this, but she can't.
She is growing up every day in a world where it seems that being a female makes her a target.
The devastating murder of Natalie McNally in Lurgan last month chilled me to the bone.
Unfortunately, Natalie was not the first woman to have her life so cruelly taken from her at the hands of a man and it leaves me so fearful for the upcoming generations of young ladies.
And it seems I should worry.
This week, TV presenter Emily Atack has been talking about how she lives in fear that she will be raped and killed because she has been the target of a campaign of online sexual harassment since her teens.
The 33-year-old actress said she feels "terrified" and is "scared of being physically alone a lot of the time".
What an awful way to live.
And Emily is not the only one.
Fellow TV presenter Fearne Cotton this week told of how an "inner rage took hold" when she stood up to some scaffolders who targeted her with abuse and sexual comments in the street.
The mother-of-two, who previously admitted she spent a long time being "terrified" to walk alone, confronted the men but when they didn't stop, her husband intervened.
She also later phoned the owner of the company and raised the issue – fair play.
I can't even fathom how I would feel if this happened to Abbie.
It's just unbelievable that a woman cannot walk along a street without the risk of being subjected to unsolicited, disgusting behaviour.
I can only assume it keeps happening because such behaviour goes unpunished or results in lenient sentences.
The problem is, it is viewed by many as just a bit of fun but it can become deep-rooted and fester and at some point, it is likely a more serious issue will surface.
Maybe it's time the judicial system in Northern Ireland woke up and began to proactively protect women by handing out stricter sentences to those who think it's okay to attack them, whether it be verbally, physically or digitally.
It's not okay and never will be.
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A new study has found that adding just six minutes of intense daily exercise to our routine can boost brain power in middle age.
Researchers from University College London (UCL) looked at data involving more than 8,500 adults.
They found that both moderate and vigorous physical activity are vital to stave off declining brain function.
While exercise increases blood flow to the brain and boosts oxygen levels, which is thought to improve memory and mental processes, replacing it with six to seven minutes of light intensity activity or inactivity each day can lead to poorer cognitive performance.
You have been warned.
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Who fancies winning a "swashbuckling tale set during the height of the golden age of piracy in the Caribbean"?
Blackbeard's Treasure by rising star of children's historical fiction, Iszi Lawrence, is the perfect high-action adventure.
It's 1718 and pirate ships sail the oceans.
Eleven-year-old Abigail Buckler lives with her father in the Caribbean.
Her clothes are made of the finest muslin so she can't play in them, not that there's anyone to play with anyway. She isn't even allowed to go out alone.
But when pirates attack, Abigail's life will change forever.
Suddenly her old certainties about right and wrong, good and bad start to unravel. Maybe Abigail doesn't have to be so ladylike after all.
I have three copies of Blackbeard's Treasure to give away.
If you would like the chance to win a copy, 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 noon on Tuesday January 31.
(Q) Who wrote Blackbeard's Treasure?
Normal Irish News rules apply.
COMPETITION WINNERS
The winners of the Through Her Eyes competition are Fionnuala McCorry, from Crumlin, Tony Doran, from Armagh, Kathleen McGuckin, from Maghera, Sharon Joyce, from Muff, Co Donegal, and Eamon McIvor, from Ballykelly.
