Young men today are navigating expectations very different from those of previous generations. They are encouraged to be empathetic and emotionally open, yet can be criticised for offering a seat to a woman, which was once considered polite or respectful

Children are ‘borrowing’ comprehension rather than developing it — it’s like sending a robot to the gym on your behalf: the weight gets lifted, but no muscle growth occurs

Children and teenagers are motivated more by positive relationships with their teachers than by algebra or formulas

Humans are wired for connection. Especially during late adolescence and early adulthood, peer relationships are vital to their identity. Campuses serve as fertile ground for this, acting as vibrant spaces to live, laugh, learn, and love

Child psychotherapist Dr Colman Noctor outlines common sleep challenges facing parents of little ones

Time is finite and not renewable. Every hour spent online is an hour not spent doing something else, so when children spend large parts of their day online, something else gets sacrificed

If Fafo parenting helps some parents loosen their grip and trust their children a little more, it may have value. If it becomes an excuse to disengage or harden our approach, it risks missing the very thing children need most

When being the quiet child comes at a cost 

We can teach children about empathy, resilience, and emotional regulation through structured lessons, but if they lack opportunities to apply these skills in real relationships, the learning remains abstract. Wellbeing needs to be practised as well as taught

As a parent of a Junior Certificate pupil this year, I have realised the stress of the upcoming mock exams can be substantial