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#Parenting

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>For severe fatigue, I would expect either that he wouldn’t be able to participate (at least some of the time) or that he would feel quite unwell in the recovery period after overdoing it. Picture: iStock </p>

parenting

Dr Phil Kieran: My sporty son says he feels tired all the time

Fatigue after an infection is pretty common, making it harder for parents to know what is normal and when they should be concerned

<p>Holly Madden, from Foxrock, Co Dublin, was a finalist in Toyota’s 18th annual Dream Car Art Contest. Picture: Conor McCabe</p>

parenting

Tots to Teens: Keep little hands and minds busy

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Colman Noctor: Children need our presence during festive season not a performance

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Joanna Fortune: My eldest says we're mean and no fun

Happy woman with Santa's drinking wine during Christmas lunch at dining table.

parenting

Should you give your teenager alcohol at Christmas?

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Julie Jay: Having kids doesn’t make grief easier, but it helps keep you grounded

back view of an electric scooter rider. evening road

Richard Hogan: E-scooters for teens and mobiles for young children — a recipe for disaster

The best gift you could give your child this Christmas is the gift of parenting... not an e-scooter, writes Richard Hogan

Wed, 17 Dec, 2025

Tots to Teens: Last chance to visit festive wonderland

Tots to Teens: Last chance to visit festive wonderland

Last Christmas Magical Parade of 2025 is taking place in Killarney on Saturday, December 20, where the streets come to life with colourful floats, festive music, and beloved fairytale characters accompanied by Santa and his elves

Tue, 16 Dec, 2025

Low angle view of young Caucasian woman volunteer in rubber gloves collect garbage squatting on coast. Concept of Earth Day and

Colman Noctor: Teaching children to choose kindness in a 'me first' world

If we want a society that bands together, we need to teach children to help others so that when they grow up they will know they are not alone, and that no one else should be either, writes Dr Colman Noctor

Tue, 16 Dec, 2025

Sad boy with gift box in christmas hat

Joanna Fortune: My nephew doesn't get on with my children — and he's staying for Christmas

December 25 can be an intense day, and families often feel under pressure. Manage expectations

Tue, 16 Dec, 2025

‘Innocence of pregnancy forever taken after a loss’

‘Innocence of pregnancy forever taken after a loss’

A mum talks about her harrowing experience of stillbirth, how she and her partner coped with the trauma, and the subsequent joy of having a healthy baby

Tue, 16 Dec, 2025

Female Doctor Putting Walking Brace On Person's Leg

Dr Phil Kieran: I'm worried about my teenager's stress fracture

It is essential that your son take his time to fully recover from this injury

Tue, 16 Dec, 2025

Santa Claus

Julie Jay: The Big Man always comes up trumps despite his workload

Bringing the children to see Santa was a truly magical experience, and the fact we managed to get through a family afternoon without killing each other proves miracles can happen

Tue, 16 Dec, 2025

Orphanage concept. Sad little girl at table indoors, space for text

Joanna Fortune: My two-year-old is missing her granny, who had to undergo surgery

"My daughter is asking lots of questions about when Granny will be coming back to play with her. She cries when I say Granny is not well right now. How can I explain to her what is going on?"

Tue, 09 Dec, 2025

Tots to Teens: Shining a light on childhood cancer appeal

Tots to Teens: Shining a light on childhood cancer appeal

Fair City actress Kiara Noonan is calling on the public to support the Irish Cancer Society’s children’s Christmas appeal.

Tue, 09 Dec, 2025

Angry Teens

Joanna Fortune: My teenage daughters have started to argue

The fact that your girls have recently started arguing may not be related to their differences in skill sets and abilities — it is more likely due to a developmental clash based on their ages and stages of development.

Tue, 02 Dec, 2025

Pink pastel candy background

Aoife Hearne: Clubs rewarding children with sweets are being irresponsible

We have to teach our children how to eat them in small quantities and take the power away from forbidden foods.

Tue, 02 Dec, 2025

The boy eats jelly beans or takes vitamins

Julie Jay: Sharing is caring — unless you’re giving away your five-year-old’s jellies

As much as we would all love to live in a socilaist utopia, the reality it is it is every man for himself out here, especially when it relates to jellies

Tue, 02 Dec, 2025

Cute little girl standing in front of kids programming electric toys and robots at robotics classroom

Colman Noctor: Afterschool clubs need to open their doors to all children

Afterschool clubs are not the only effective option — relatives and childminders can also offer warmth and stability. However, when access to enriching opportunities depends on income, we risk entrenching inequality in childhood.

Tue, 02 Dec, 2025

Cute little preschool girl in safety helmet riding bicycle. School kid boy, brother teaching happy healthy sister child cycling

The kindness we seek in strangers starts in our own homes

If we want our children to be kind to others, we must start by teaching them to be kind to themselves and their siblings

Tue, 02 Dec, 2025

Tots to Teens: Barnardos asks the public for donations

Tots to Teens: Barnardos asks the public for donations

"More families turned to the charity in 2024 than in any other year, because of the cost-of-living crisis and rising homelessness, resulting in more than 35,600 children and adults availing of its services. That’s the highest number ever."

Tue, 02 Dec, 2025

'We’re strict on not giving screens a couple of hours before bedtime': How to reduce your child's screen time

'We’re strict on not giving screens a couple of hours before bedtime': How to reduce your child's screen time

Audio players, including Yoto Players and Tonieboxes, will be on many Christmas lists this year. They entertain without internet access and can be a great addition to a calming bedtime routine

Fri, 28 Nov, 2025

Young mother hugs daughter in pajamas holding her in her arms.

Colman Noctor: Finding moments of comfort and joy this Christmas after experiencing loss

Grief doesn’t pause for Christmas. If anything, the contrast between the festive atmosphere and a young person’s internal reality can make this time of year especially distressing

Tue, 25 Nov, 2025

sick young kid using tissue after cold, rhinitis or allergies

Dr Phil Kieran: What can I do to boost my child’s immune system?

Children and crèches are a perfect storm for bugs.

Tue, 25 Nov, 2025

Tots to Teens: Post Santa letters and explore Christmas markets at Waterford's Winterval festival

Tots to Teens: Post Santa letters and explore Christmas markets at Waterford's Winterval festival

Waterford is celebrating Winterval, its annual Christmas festival that will run from Thursday to Sunday every week from now until December 23

Tue, 25 Nov, 2025

New programme aims to increase eating disorder awareness in teens

New programme aims to increase eating disorder awareness in teens

Inside Out, a new programme for secondary schools, educates teens about the links between dieting, body image, and self-esteem

Tue, 25 Nov, 2025

Dear Dáithí: I get on better with one of my children. Am I in danger of making the others feel left out?

Dear Dáithí: I get on better with one of my children. Am I in danger of making the others feel left out?

With my younger two, I find that they are constantly texting friends and only take a break to ask me for money or permission to go somewhere else

Sun, 23 Nov, 2025

Teenager Relaxing With Headphones While Holding Smartphone at Home

Richard Hogan: A good enough parenting job is perfectly fine

Of course we will get things wrong, and of course our children will make mistakes. But we have all come to fear mistakes. Terrified we may be getting it wrong.

Wed, 19 Nov, 2025

Cars in rush hour at sunset with city traffic abstract watercolor painting

Julie Jay: Dublin's traffic comes as a shock to this West Coast hipster

Despite getting a lot of flak, the capital city is a great spot for an afternoon filled with Lego mosh-pits, fake martinis and untouched lunches

Tue, 18 Nov, 2025

Girl looking in car rear view mirror

Joanna Fortune: My teen wants to learn how to drive but I think it's a bad idea

Knowing when to step back and let our teens be more independent is not always an easy call to make

Tue, 18 Nov, 2025

Young female primary school teacher and schoolboy sitting at a table working one on one, looking down, front view, close up

Colman Noctor: How small shifts in schools can do much to support children with dyspraxia

Dyspraxia is a persistent difficulty with motor co-ordination and it interferes with daily life and cannot be explained by another neurological condition

Tue, 18 Nov, 2025

Tots to Teens: Light way to kick off your Christmas

Tots to Teens: Light way to kick off your Christmas

A family event to capture the magic of the holiday season

Tue, 18 Nov, 2025

'I was so afraid we would miss something': Cork family affected by childhood cancer seeking support

'I was so afraid we would miss something': Cork family affected by childhood cancer seeking support

Hand in Hand charity provides practical and emotional support during and after treatment, says Helen O’Callaghan

Tue, 18 Nov, 2025

Christmas Stars, Baubles and Gold Ribbons (XXL)

Joanna Fortune: My mother-in-law insists on celebrating Christmas early

"You need to hold your boundaries and pick your battles. This time of year is exciting for children, as your mother-in-law says, but I also see every day how utterly overstimulating this season can be for them."

Wed, 12 Nov, 2025

Students Listening To Female Teacher In Classroom

Colman Noctor: Do secondary school merit points favour girls over boys?

"A 2024 review found that girls receive better classroom grades, despite achieving comparable standardised scores, mainly because teachers value non-cognitive skills — such as organisation, neatness, and cooperation — that girls are socialised to develop."

Tue, 11 Nov, 2025

Little boy with a sore throat

Dr Phil Kieran: How can I tell if my son's sore throat needs medical attention?

Sore throats are very common and can be caused by a wide range of issues, from seasonal allergies that cause us to breathe more through our mouths at night to acid reflux, overuse of the voice (such as singing or shouting), or, more commonly, upper respiratory tract viruses.

Tue, 11 Nov, 2025

Specsavers nationwide children's short story competition

Tots to Teens: Open a new chapter for storytellers

Specsavers wants to hear from little ones who enjoy telling tall tales. The company has just launched its annual short story competition, calling on budding authors to submit their most creative compositions.

Tue, 11 Nov, 2025

EDEN GANNON

‘We were so overwhelmed by our baby’s premature birth we forgot to ask if we had a boy or girl’

Two couples entered parenthood weeks before their babies were due. We learn how they navigated this worrisome time

Tue, 11 Nov, 2025

Parenting is hard – and harder when you’re sick

Parenting is hard – and harder when you’re sick

Being a parent with a chronic illness is challenging, but accepting your limitations and being open about the condition can help

Wed, 05 Nov, 2025

Photo of newborn baby feet

Having babies later is a consequence of modern life

When I was pregnant with my first baby in my mid-30s, I felt like a teen mum and was surprised the midwives weren't commenting on how young I was, writes Margaret Donnellan

Tue, 04 Nov, 2025

Little Mama

Joanna Fortune: How do I help my little girl adjust to a new sibling?

All you can do is stay in the present moment and adapt to however your little one reacts in the moment

Tue, 04 Nov, 2025

Jack O'Lantern And Witch's Hat On An Orange Background

Julie Jay: I'm already quizzing my son about next year’s Halloween outfit

This year, I made up for my son’s insistence on reusing last year’s Halloween costume by getting creative with my own outfit, and by creative, I mean donning a bin bag and a Post-it note

Tue, 04 Nov, 2025

A sleepy teenager lazily eats porridge early in the morning

Aoife Hearne: My teen won’t eat unless I put food in front of him

The teenage years are a time of exponential growth, and more often than not, they are accompanied by a strong appetite. While appetite fluctuations are normal, especially as exercise levels reduce, a sudden and abrupt drop off in appetite is unusual and warrants further investigation.

Tue, 04 Nov, 2025

LGBT+ community 'remain deeply disappointed' by piecemeal handling of surrogacy law

LGBT+ community 'remain deeply disappointed' by piecemeal handling of surrogacy law

It took 20 years to get surrogacy laws passed here, yet holes in the legislation means surrogate families remain in legal limbo, and attempts to fix those gaps do not go far enough say the LGBT+ community

Sun, 02 Nov, 2025

happy Halloween! a group of children in suits and with pumpkins in home

How to have a good — and safe — time at Halloween

There is plenty of potential for Halloween pitfalls, from fireworks and bonfires to button batteries and allergies... here's how to look after your kids at this time of year

Fri, 31 Oct, 2025

School girl with eyewear rubbing her eyes

Dr Phil Kieran: My Junior Cert child is suffering from eye strain — what could be the cause?

As we spend more time on screens, eye strain is becoming increasingly common

Tue, 28 Oct, 2025

sad crying little girl hugging mother, parenting

Trudy Meehan on how her book is helping kids bereaved by suicide to understand ‘why?’

Following her husband’s tragic death, psychologist Trudy Meehan decided to write a storybook to help her child come to terms with losing her father

Sun, 26 Oct, 2025

Two Caucasian Boys Walking Down a Country Road

Julie Jay: Boys are an enigma to me, so how can I be expected to raise good ones?

Members of the opposite sex are still a complete and utter enigma to me, so it is ironic that I, of all people, should be charged with raising two of them

Tue, 21 Oct, 2025

Redhead teenage boy playing video games, celebrating win in the game

Joanna Fortune: My quiet teenager swears when gaming with friends — is this normal behaviour?

As best you can, set limits and hold boundaries with him in a collaborative, rather than combative, way

Tue, 21 Oct, 2025

Young woman with headache

Dr Phil Kieran: Daughter is tired all the time since starting college

"Medically, fatigue is a very common symptom, with infinite causes. She may well be fatigued as her body adapts to a new routine of early morning travel, commuting, and the intensive setting of college."

Tue, 21 Oct, 2025