I think August is one of the most stressful months of the year.
Of course, there's December with Christmas but now that I have two children at primary school, I find August to be quite taxing as the search for uniforms begins.
I remember when my mum and my granny would take me out to get my St Louise's uniform.
They bought me the best of everything and there was nothing I was without starting back to school.
I didn't think much of it at the time but it must have cost my family a huge amount to get me ready for a new term - and I was one of four children.
Looking back, there was never a mention of how much something cost, never a moan. The money was found because it was stuff I needed and that was that.
Now that I am a parent myself, I am in awe of my parents. I do not know how they did it.
Last weekend, Darren and I took Abbie and James out to begin the process.
Initially, I had thought we might have been a bit early but on arriving at the shop, we were met by a sea of stressed-out parents, frantically searching rails for specific sizes.
We had no choice but to dive in and take our chances and we ended up shelling out for two skirts before we continued to the next store.
Here, we met the same parents, also hoping for more success.
Other parents were holding their heads in their hands as their children worked their way through numerous pairs of shoes, only to disregard them in a pile when they didn't fit.
Here, we paid for two pairs of trousers and tracksuit bottoms for PE.
Exhausted and defeated, we went home and gasped in disbelief over how much we had spent, for so little.
We then had to go online and order polo shirts, tights, socks, shorts for Abbie - for under her skirt, as they are a requirement now - shoes, and trainers for PE.
Today, we will hit yet another shop for the school jumpers and next weekend, we will gear up again for school bags, lunch bags and bottles.
It's never ending.
I simply do not know how parents who have more than two children afford it.
It's hard to believe all parents do not get help with these basics - after all, every child deserves as good a start as possible.
Parents should not be left in debt simply to clothe their child for school but realistically, that is the case for many.
I know many community groups in Belfast are doing a great job at the minute setting up school uniform swap events and donation stations but unfortunately, this service is not available everywhere.
We all want our children to have a good education. It's just a pity it costs the earth to just get them into the classroom.
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US actor Jake Gyllenhaal has revealed he is a huge Great British Bake Off fan - even confessing he is "mesmerised" by the show's judge, Prue Leith.
The 40-year-old Day After Tomorrow star, who is also a cooking enthusiast, declared that nothing can top the Channel 4 competition.
"In my mind, there’s literally nothing that can beat The Great British Baking Show."
He added: "Though Prue is my favourite. I’m mesmerised by her spectacles. I just adore her. Prue’s fantastic.
"I do really love Mr Hollywood, but you know, she’s amazing".
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Summer is in full swing, so how do you fancy winning a "clever and magical" read to help relax on these long, bright evenings?
Gravity is the Thing by Jaclyn Moriarty has been described as an "unusual novel" which "tugs at the heartstrings".
Twenty years ago, Abigail Sorenson's brother Robert went missing one day before her 16th birthday, never to be seen again.
That same year, she began receiving scattered chapters in the mail from a mysterious guidebook, whose anonymous authors promised to make her life soar to new heights.
These missives have given Abi comfort through her brother's disappearance, a move across continents, the dissolution of her marriage, and a new beginning as a single mother and cafe owner in Sydney.
Now, two decades after receiving those first pages, Abi is invited to learn 'the truth' about the book.
I have five copies of Gravity is the Thing to give away.
If you fancy winning 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 August 10 2021.
(Q) Who wrote Gravity is the Thing?
Normal Irish News rules apply.
COMPETITION WINNERS
The winners of the Movie House Cinemas competition were Pádraigín Herron from Belfast and Plunkett Hart from Cookstown.
