Joanna Fortune: Is my eight-year-old too young to hear about the facts of life? 

#Joanna Fortune

Child psychotherapist

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

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Joanna Fortune: My quiet teenager swears when gaming with friends — is this normal behaviour?
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Joanna Fortune: My young daughters argue all the time
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Joanna Fortune: My children have been caught up in family row with grandparents
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Joanna Fortune: My four-year-old doesn't want to share her toys 
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Joanna Fortune: My child is struggling with reading in class
Low angle view of pensive little girl in pajamas looking away at home
Joanna Fortune: What happened to my sweet little girl?
"So much is written and said about the critical early years of our children’s lives, and again when they reach those tricky teenage years, but very little attention is given to the middle stage of childhood, the years between eight and 12."

Tue, 09 Sep, 2025

Football concept
Joanna Fortune: My son has stopped playing football since he was called 'crap' by a friend 
Since then, he has become very withdrawn and finds it hard to go outside even to play with friends, as he doesn’t feel good enough now

Tue, 02 Sep, 2025

Sad little boy in red soccer jersey seated on bench
Joanna Fortune: My son is being left on the bench during matches
You could talk to the coach about your concerns in a calm way, without venting. The coach could clarify the club’s structure, focus, and goals for the team, enabling you to make an informed decision about whether your son should stay.

Tue, 26 Aug, 2025

Young family having fun outdoors
Joanna Fortune: How do we explain to our young children that daddy is out of work?
"The best thing you can do for your children in the meantime is to take care of yourselves and each other. Focus on maintaining open communication and connection, and ensure you have a support system you can activate for yourselves: Friends, family, professional therapy, etc."

Tue, 19 Aug, 2025

Mother comforting her crying little girl. Parenthood, family, support concept
Joanna Fortune: A trial visit to playschool didn't go well, I'm dreading the real thing in September
My three-year-old daughter is very attached to me. She's an only child, and we do almost everything together. She got distressed when I attempted to leave her at playschool in June, so I stayed with her. What would you advise?

Tue, 12 Aug, 2025

Playing on a Video Game
Joanna Fortune: My son lost contact with his pals when he quit the local football team
I've suggested taking up a new sport, but he says he's not interested. What would you suggest?

Tue, 05 Aug, 2025

Loving mother hugging, comforting little daughter, enjoying tender moment
Joanna Fortune: How do I reassure my clingy child that I'm going to come back every time?
She now has a meltdown nearly every time I attempt to leave her behind with her dad or babysitter

Tue, 29 Jul, 2025

Portrait of sad offended teen boy having offended facial expression, isolated on gray background, wearing in casual clothes
Joanna Fortune: My son was spoiled while on holidays with a friend's well-off family 
"You probably know that feeling when you come home from a brilliant holiday and everything at home feels anti-climactic and dull in comparison to the experiences you’ve had on holiday. It’s often referred to as “post-holiday blues”."

Tue, 22 Jul, 2025

Having so much fun under the sun
Joanna Fortune: I'm worried about my parents-in-law going on holiday with us — what should I do?
Arrange a big family day out and perhaps an evening or two when you and your partner can spend quality time together, connecting, sightseeing, or relaxing

Tue, 15 Jul, 2025

Head And Shoulders Portrait Of Serious Teenage Boy
Joanna Fortune: My teenager doesn't want to get a summer job  
"When talking with our teenagers, try to follow the mantra ‘your toes follow your nose’. Ensure that you turn fully to face them when speaking, giving them your full attention for a few moments."

Tue, 01 Jul, 2025

mean glare
Joanna Fortune: My daughters are constantly arguing with each other 
Around adolescence, children increasingly pull away from their family as their primary hub of emotional and social development, and lean more on peers. This phase does not mean parents should also pull back — we need to be visible and available to our teenage children

Tue, 24 Jun, 2025

Slime
Joanna Fortune: Does my anxious child need professional help? 
Your first step is to take time to reflect on his anxiety. How long has he been experiencing it? Do you know what might have triggered it? It is OK if you do not know the answers, as his behaviour can still be addressed without identifying the root cause

Tue, 17 Jun, 2025

depressed, sad, lonely boy sitting on floor
Joanna Fortune: My husband and I have different parenting styles - how do we work on this?
It should be possible to discuss your different approaches to parenting as a conversation, but if it becomes heated, decide who will speak first (by flipping a coin) and agree that each of you will have five uninterrupted minutes on the matter

Tue, 10 Jun, 2025

Cheerful and excited toddler with her coffer on a airport
Joanna Fortune: How can I control my young children on their first flight? 
I’m already dreading the trip. What would you suggest?

Tue, 03 Jun, 2025

Sad little girl
Joanna Fortune: My grandchild gets upset when it's time to leave the playground
Transitions are not easy for young children to manage, so they often struggle with ending one fun task (playing on the playground) and doing something not so fun (going home for lunch/nap, etc)

Tue, 27 May, 2025

Labrador Puppy
Joanna Fortune: My children refuse to help look after our new puppy 
This new puppy is a new baby of sorts in your family, and like any new baby, it is taking up a lot of your time, attention, and energy

Tue, 20 May, 2025

Sneaky Snacks
Joanna Fortune: I'm worried about bringing my noisy children to wedding 
Weddings can be overwhelming for children. A big part of what makes them and similar events so difficult for them is that the day starts early with much waiting and sitting around

Tue, 13 May, 2025

Jumping in the sea waves on the beach
Joanna Fortune: My child hates going to the beach — I need a solution that works for both of us
Your son might never love being at the beach, but you can slowly, respectfully, and with play start to make it more tolerable

Tue, 06 May, 2025

Outdoors portrait of 15 year old blonde teen girl with long hair in white t-shirt
Joanna Fortune: My daughter is struggling to make friends — what can I do to help? 
Friendship is such a big part of life that when it proves difficult for us, it can overwhelm everything that is going well in our lives

Tue, 29 Apr, 2025

Mother and daughter using a digital tablet together
Joanna Fortune: My daughter is struggling with reading in senior infants
If you push reading too hard and too soon at home, you could inadvertently turn your daughter off reading

Tue, 15 Apr, 2025

Teen student sitting by red lockers, wearing casual clothes.
Joanna Fortune: My teen son finds it difficult to make friends — how do I advise him?
I wonder if he is a bit intolerant of others' shortcomings or just not confident in himself. How can I assist, advise or guide him through his difficulties?

Tue, 08 Apr, 2025

woman washing hands with soap have foam
Joanna Fortune: My quiet teenager keeps washing her hands repeatedly
Child psychotherapist Dr Joanna Fortune

Tue, 01 Apr, 2025

Scouts Unity
Joanna Fortune: My son wants to leave the Scouts, should I insist he stays?
I'd love him to stay as he's made great friends in his group and it has helped build his confidence. Should I insist he keeps going or accept his decision?

Tue, 25 Mar, 2025

girl and her grandmother enjoying sunny morning
Joanna Fortune: My granddaughter doesn't want to share me with her baby sister
My older granddaughter gets upset almost every time I pick up the baby

Tue, 18 Mar, 2025

Clean Your Room!
Joanna Fortune: How can I make my messy teen clean their bedroom?
When maintaining his space, manage your expectations and standards and adopt a 'good enough is good enough' mindset. Clean enough is clean enough

Tue, 11 Mar, 2025

Joanna Fortune: I worry about anxiety when leaving my 10-month-old at creche
Joanna Fortune: I worry about anxiety when leaving my 10-month-old at creche
Whatever your childcare choice, you are leaving your baby with someone else, which requires trust. This is particularly challenging when you've yet to build a relationship with the minders who will care for your baby

Tue, 04 Mar, 2025

Young girl is whispered about in the school playground
Joanna Fortune: My daughter is being excluded by her friends
"Children’s friendships evolve between the ages of nine and 12, when we tend to see an increased emphasis on the “best friends” group, especially among girls."

Tue, 25 Feb, 2025

Serious, sad teen boy with crossed arms looking away on copy space, standing on blue background
Joanna Fortune: Should we be concerned about our teenage son's aggressive outbursts? 
"...the task of adolescence is to pull away from our parents and find our voice and identity in the world. Because of the intense change, teenagers do not always handle this with grace..."

Tue, 18 Feb, 2025

Teenager using Smartphone at Home
Joanna Fortune: My teen goes to bed late and then spends half the day in bed
He finds it difficult to get out of bed in the morning for school — I've tried talking to him but I'm not getting through

Tue, 11 Feb, 2025

little girl pulls her older sister hair
Joanna Fortune: My baby keeps pulling other people's hair
I don’t know how to react when she hurts other children

Tue, 04 Feb, 2025

Annoyed selfish young woman ignoring unhappy mature mother after quarrel
Joanna Fortune: My daughter says I don't love her in the same way as her sister
I appreciate how hurtful it can be to be told that all you have done for your family is still not enough

Tue, 28 Jan, 2025

Cell phone break up
Joanna Fortune: My quiet teenage daughter is lonely and feels isolated at school
School is such a big part of our children’s days that when it is not going well for them, it can seem like there is no escape from the stress they are experiencing

Tue, 21 Jan, 2025

Sleepy little boys eating breakfast cereal
Joanna Fortune: So hard to get back in the swing of early starts in January
Suggest that each child do something to make mornings easier. One of them can lay the table for breakfast the night before. Another can arrange everyone’s shoes and coats close to the door so they are ready to go. They can each lay out their uniforms the night before and put their school bags by the wall so no one is looking for anything when they are in a rush

Tue, 14 Jan, 2025

Lonely senior woman sitting on sofa indoors at Christmas, solitude concept.
Joanna Fortune: My adult children left me to do almost everything on Christmas Day
They left everything up to me, including keeping an eye on their children

Tue, 07 Jan, 2025

Pensive mature woman day dreaming by the window.
Joanna Fortune: I would love to have a relationship with my children and grandchildren
"No one needs to apologise for having a view. That said, we all need to be mindful of how and when we share that view and be sensitive to how it might land with people around us."

Tue, 31 Dec, 2024

happy kids with party glasses at home near the Christmas tree
Joanna Fortune: What can I do about my super excited children at Christmas?
What can I do to help them to have a happy Christmas without getting exhausted?

Tue, 24 Dec, 2024

Friendship Broken.
Joanna Fortune: I'm dreading the bickering between my daughters this Christmas
Almost every weekend, there’s an argument about stolen makeup, missing clothes, or whose turn it is to empty the dishwasher

Tue, 17 Dec, 2024

Teenager Boy Under Stress
Joanna Fortune: My eldest son resists helping around the house
"I am curious how you have set up your expectations for your children. Are there set chores each is responsible for each day and week?"

Tue, 03 Dec, 2024

Mother and kids enjoying sunset in mountains
Joanna Fortune: How do I explain mum's distance to my children? 
"The fact that your children are now asking about it indicates they are identifying the difference between the grandmother who is physically and emotionally present in your lives and the one who is notably not so."

Tue, 26 Nov, 2024

caring mother wrapping sick children in blanket while sitting on sofa
Joanna Fortune: How can I help my children get over their grandad's angry outbursts? 
"To love someone and, at the same time, to be afraid or nervous around them due to their unpredictability is very difficult. It also makes for very complicated grief, which is what you seem to be describing."

Tue, 19 Nov, 2024

Fanny with my dad
Joanna Fortune: Children's bedtime routine is upset on nights Dad gets home late 
"With busy working schedules that don’t always lend themselves to the early bedtimes of very young children, we have to get creative with our playful connections and maximise those small windows of playtime we might be getting each day."

Tue, 12 Nov, 2024

Teenage girl working out on exercise bike in a gym
Joanna Fortune: My teenage daughter wants to lose weight 
"I wonder if your daughter is more of a ‘selective eater’ than a ‘fussy eater’, and she is refusing what she would previously have eaten because it doesn’t fit within her new fitness goals."

Tue, 05 Nov, 2024

Peeking Over the Counter
Joanna Fortune: My young daughter keeps telling lies, is this normal?
Children start to lie around three years old when they realise their parents are not mind readers and don’t know everything

Sun, 03 Nov, 2024

Maybe it's time for some fresh air...
Joanna Fortune: Our son won't compete if he thinks someone else will win
Is this just a phase? We are afraid he will miss out on wonderful opportunities in the future if he deems it a win-lose scenario

Tue, 22 Oct, 2024

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