Columns - Irish Examiner

Colman Noctor

Dr Colman Noctor is a child and adolescent psychotherapist, a senior mental health lecturer at SETU Waterford, and the host of the 'Asking for a Parent' podcast.

Colman Noctor: The test for parents is to value children regardless of results

For some children, school is a good fit. But another parent’s child may have to work considerably harder

Tue, 25 Aug, 2026

Colman Noctor: Focus on the child in front of you, not the parenting rulebook

Children’s uniqueness presents one of the great challenges of giving parenting advice, because parenting is not a standard experience.

Tue, 18 Aug, 2026

Colman Noctor: 'Learning to pass the ball is a developmental win for children'

In a world increasingly shaped by individualism, sport may be one of the few remaining places where young people work together.

Tue, 11 Aug, 2026

Young Girl Organizing School Supplies Into a Backpack in a Study Room

Colman Noctor: 'When can our children get the chance to practise responsibility?'

Nobody learns responsibility by being told to be responsible; they learn it by carrying responsibility

Tue, 04 Aug, 2026

Colman Noctor: Tech is not just replacing play, it's making kids self-conscious about playing

Toy Story 5 is one of those rare films that entertain children while prompting adults to reflect

Tue, 28 Jul, 2026

Low angle view of smiling boys and girls in casual giving high five stacking hands together outside

Colman Noctor: Why capable children often lack true self-worth

Children should learn that mistakes are opportunities to grow, not evidence that they are fundamentally flawed.

Tue, 21 Jul, 2026

Colman Noctor: How to support teens in their first emotional experiences

When a relationship becomes very serious at a young age, opportunities for individual growth and exploration may become limited.

Tue, 14 Jul, 2026

Happy mother holding phone taking selfie on cellphone with daughter

Colman Noctor: Sharenting is about being seen in a world where the village has moved online

Could it be that social media has stepped into the space once occupied by community?

Tue, 07 Jul, 2026

Emotional teenage girl using smartphone on bed at home, space for text

Colman Noctor: Protecting children means tackling social media's harms

As an academic, a clinician, and a parent, I can see the argument from both sides.

Tue, 30 Jun, 2026

Family enjoys an exciting soccer match together at home, celebrating every goal with joy and enthusiasm

Colman Noctor: World Cup creates rare opportunities for families to come together

Colman Noctor talks about the importance of family rituals and how to avoid a fragmented family

Tue, 23 Jun, 2026