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#Parenting

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>"Poor sleep and high stress are the two most common reasons I see for tiredness, and assessing these can be difficult."</p>

parenting

Dr Phil Kieran: My daughter is tired all the time — should we check her iron levels?

Tiredness comes up in about half of my consultations every day, but the most common causes are ones that can be addressed at home.

<p> Persis Weslee, with her fourteen month old baby Tejas. Picture: Moya Nolan</p>

parenting

‘Breastfeeding my son helped our bond grow deeper’

<p>Mona McSharry in 2013 at the the Irish Age Group Championships and Summer Open</p>

parenting

My Childhood with Mona McSharry: 'I loved swimming from the get go — now I'm in unchartered waters'

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Julie Jay: Chaos aside, being a parent has made me the happiest I've ever been

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Joanne Fortune: My son is lost in secondary school

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Colman Noctor: Teens are lonely and need spaces to hang out — A €100 culture voucher would help

Young woman crying holding picture frame remembering husband

Joanna Fortune: I feel sad that my children have no relationship with my late husband's family

We didn’t have a particularly close relationship with his family. They said their goodbyes after his funeral and wished us well.

Tue, 22 Sep, 2026

Two girls having fun while piggy back in nature

Colman Noctor: Competition not the be all and end all for girls aiming to keep active

Children don’t necessarily need to experience physical activity as exercise for it to benefit them. Indeed, for some, the less we label it as exercise, the more likely they may be to do it.

Tue, 22 Sep, 2026

Woman uses electric fan to stop sweating and prevent exhaustion in hot summer weather

Julie Jay: How Frozen and Girls Aloud announced my perimenopause diagnosis

A geriatric pregnancy will almost certainly result in parenting small children through the perimenopause- and it’s not for the faint of heart

Tue, 22 Sep, 2026

South Asian Female Nurse Smiles At Young Child During Clinic Visit

Dr Phil Kieran: Sometimes what the doctor orders is not visiting the GP

I’m a GP and I'm always trying to empower my patients to understand their health and to know what they can sit with while the body’s immune system gets to work and what needs medical intervention.

Tue, 22 Sep, 2026

Concerned dad checks thermometer with child on lap

Does my child have a back-to-school bug? Here are the common ones to watch out for

Picking up frequent bugs is a rite of passage - it’s how our immune system develops. The silver lining is that next time the child meets this infection, they’ll have immunity, says Helen O’Callaghan

Tue, 22 Sep, 2026

Sad kid on the playground

Colman Noctor: Act of kindness can help a child who finds it difficult to make friends

Parenting a child with a busy social life might feel like running an unpaid taxi service, but it brings the rewarding realisation that your child is well-liked.

Tue, 15 Sep, 2026

Sonia O'Sullivan 28/11/2019

My childhood with Sonia O'Sullivan: The daily run to school sparked my champion mindset

“Those four daily trips taught me it was faster to run”.

Tue, 15 Sep, 2026

Child Smiling While Hiding behind a Wooden Staircase Inside a Cozy Room

Julie Jay: What’s worse than living with a prankster? Living with three of them

I have never been a fan of practical jokes, and yet somehow I am raising two small people who love nothing more than getting one over on their unsuspecting mother at every opportunity

Tue, 15 Sep, 2026

Mother checking temperature of her sick child.

Dr Phil Kieran: When should you call your GP?

When is it okay to 'watch and wait' and when is it time to call the doctor

Tue, 15 Sep, 2026

Kindergarten Classroom With Table and Colorful Chairs

Julie Jay: 'Second week syndrome' is alive and well at the start of new school year

Despite skipping into his new school last week with nothing short of glee, this week my second-born is finding things tricky. His mother isn’t doing much better

Tue, 08 Sep, 2026

Katie Taylor v Flora Pili - Once Upon A Time Fight Night

Colman Noctor: Look no further than Katie Taylor if you want a role model for your children

Katie Taylor brought an extraordinary career to a momentous close in Croke Park on Saturday night

Tue, 08 Sep, 2026

Mother giving medicine to little girl

Dr Phil Kieran: I'm a GP and here's why antibiotics aren't always the answer

The more we use antibiotics, the more opportunities there are for these resistant strains to multiply and spread

Tue, 08 Sep, 2026

Unhappy Young Girl Sitting On Sofa At Home

Why children need to sit with their sadness

Don’t rush to soothe your child when they experience disappointment or a setback. Working through those emotions will teach them how to cope better next time

Tue, 08 Sep, 2026

Portrait of a young schoolgirl in a white shirt carrying a pink backpack against a vibrant yellow background

Joanna Fortune: My child wants to go back to playschool

Starting ‘big school’ becomes over-hyped, and when the child finally starts, the reality can feel underwhelming

Tue, 08 Sep, 2026

Physically Abused Child At Home Sitting On Sofa

Joanna Fortune: Could my grandchild be jealous of the attention I give to her older sister?

Young children don’t have the emotional language to express their frustration, confusion and indeed, jealousy, other than through their behaviour.

Tue, 01 Sep, 2026

Preadolescent boy having cereal with milk for breakfast at the dining table at home

Aoife Hearne: How can I get my picky son to eat in school hours?

I'm worried now that my son is in secondary school he won't get proper nutrition during his school days

Tue, 01 Sep, 2026

Curious young minds need to explore outside

Curious young minds need to explore outside

A recent study revealed that many children spend no time outdoors after school and at weekends, yet it is vital for their physical health and mental wellbeing

Tue, 01 Sep, 2026

Julie Jay: Promise of jellies is the only way to field a team of under-8s in West Kerry

Julie Jay: Promise of jellies is the only way to field a team of under-8s in West Kerry

My two boys have always been fond of kick around, but sometimes they need a little extra persuasion

Tue, 01 Sep, 2026

Alzheimer Society Memory Walk

S My Childhood with Nina Carberry: I’ve never been afraid of competing thanks to my brothers

Carberry and her four older brothers - Thomas, Paul, Mark, and Philip - spent their days riding ponies around their family farm in Co Meath.

Tue, 01 Sep, 2026

Norovirus: What is the winter vomiting bug and how do we treat it?

Norovirus: What is the winter vomiting bug and how do we treat it?

Norovirus, commonly called the winter vomiting bug, is back. While it can't be cured, there are a few things you can do to help - yes, including flat 7up

Thu, 27 Aug, 2026

Little 7 years schoolboy going to school.

Bernard O'Shea: Back-to-school time, but what does it mean for me?

Every September, I convince myself that once the kids are back at school, I’ll finally sort my life out. The problem is, normal life has other plans

Thu, 27 Aug, 2026

Ireland is ‘the village’ it took to raise my girl: 'Irish mothers know how to lend a hand'

Ireland is ‘the village’ it took to raise my girl: 'Irish mothers know how to lend a hand'

After escaping from Afghanistan, Manizha Khan feared her daughter would struggle to settle in at school. But strong local support at every step helped Marjan adapt quickly and thrive

Tue, 25 Aug, 2026

child stress during studies

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

My Childhood with Geraldine Plunkett: The death of my father when I was a child shaped my life

S My Childhood with Geraldine Plunkett: The death of my father when I was a child shaped my life

Following the death of her father, Plunkett and her sister were sent to an Ursuline convent in Thurles, and her three-year-old brother was minded by his aunt.

Tue, 25 Aug, 2026

Young business man wearing a tie clueless and confused expression with arms and hands raised. Doubt concept.

Joanna Fortune: How can I establish ground rules during my teen's Leaving Cert year?

Light physical chores can serve as an effective brain break from higher -intensity mental tasks like schoolwork and studying. They are also a great way to take a screen break.

Tue, 25 Aug, 2026

Young woman sleeping in bed at night

Dr Phil Kieran: Why is my teen sleeping so much but still tired?

From nutritional issues to screens in the bedroom, there are plenty of factors that could be playing into this situation

Tue, 25 Aug, 2026

Slice of Cake

Julie Jay: I bought a supermarket sponge for my son’s birthday cake

It turns out a treehouse pales in comparison to a tractor duvet and a birthday gift bag, but on the plus side at least we avoided the bouncing castle

Tue, 25 Aug, 2026

The Deirdre O'Shaughnessy Podcast: Why every child needs to be parented differently

The Deirdre O'Shaughnessy Podcast: Why every child needs to be parented differently

Dr Colman Noctor explores why parenting cannot happen in isolation, and how community, friendship and inclusion can support children

Listen | Fri, 21 Aug, 2026

Joanna Fortune: How can I make peace with my mother-in-law after our argument?

Joanna Fortune: How can I make peace with my mother-in-law after our argument?

I had a disagreement over the children's bedtimes with my mother-in-law, she hasn't spoken to me since

Tue, 18 Aug, 2026

Online learning concept. Female teacher with books and chalkboard video lesson. Computer screen with female teacher in classroom

Julie Jay: I’m trying to be the ‘kind’ of teacher I want my own children to have

I was always a bit of a soft touch, but since having kids I have become a total marshmallow, and I doubt even students think this a good thing

Tue, 18 Aug, 2026

Hearing a father's advice

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

Young Boy Experiencing Nosebleed, Seeking Help with Tissue to Stop the Flow on Blue Background

Dr Phil Kieran: My son has nosebleeds three times a week

At least 60% of people have had at least one nosebleed in their lives, and about 9% of children have recurrent nosebleeds.

Tue, 18 Aug, 2026

My Childhood with Seán Keane: 'I liked singing, but not in front of people'

S My Childhood with Seán Keane: 'I liked singing, but not in front of people'

Seán Keane shares his tales from youth, where music played a major role

Tue, 18 Aug, 2026

Inside Ireland's international child abduction cases and the fight to bring children home

S Inside Ireland's international child abduction cases and the fight to bring children home

An Irish mediator has helped families navigate complex foreign courts, diplomatic barriers and legal systems after children are taken abroad

Sat, 15 Aug, 2026

colorful butterfly finds its way out of a dark tunnel, concept of freedom

Julie Jay: Saying goodbye again as another beloved grandparent dies

The death of my father in law is a reminder that things can change so quickly, and that grief, as a friend so accurately put it, is a beast.

Thu, 13 Aug, 2026

Teens in circle holding smart mobile phones - Multicultural young people using cellphones outside - Teenagers addicted to new te

Richard Hogan: Parents who scroll can’t call out their child’s phone use

Irish parents must wake up from this slumber so our children can experience technology in a healthy way.

Wed, 12 Aug, 2026

Happy family having a meal in dining room.

Joanna Fortune: How can I explain different family budgets to my kids?

Depending on how old they are, keep explanations short and practical so they can relate to what you are saying. When children are very young, your explanations should be simple.

Tue, 11 Aug, 2026

Handsome young men

Dr Phil Kieran: My sporty teenager has an unusual summer rash

The pattern your son has doesn’t really fit with vitiligo, though, so the more likely culprit is pityriasis or tinea versicolor.

Tue, 11 Aug, 2026

Little boy having snack with his grandmother.

Could you be a helicopter grandparent? Here are the signs to watch out for

Grandparents play an important role in their grandchildren's lives. But if a grandparent is involved in minding their grandchild, it can often be difficult to take a step back and respect the parents' rules.

Tue, 11 Aug, 2026

My Childhood with Eleanor Shanley: 'I was flighty and loved being around other people'

S My Childhood with Eleanor Shanley: 'I was flighty and loved being around other people'

The Ghost of You is Eleanor Shanley's debut art exhibition and is on show in Kilkenny’s Pembroke Hotel from now until August 16.

Tue, 11 Aug, 2026

Toddler boy and girl with grandparent standing next to metal wire fence and observing farm animals in zoo. Grandchildren and gra

Julie Jay: Don’t feed the animals at the zoo unless the animals are your children

Once we can leave the perennial question of the morality of zoos at the door, we can all enjoy a fun day out (just bring your own snacks)

Thu, 06 Aug, 2026

Grandmother reading a book to two granddaughters

Joanna Fortune: How can I support my grandchildren through their parents' divorce?

You have an important role in helping them to navigate this transition, by being calm, consistent, and a steady base for the children

Tue, 04 Aug, 2026

Mealtime

Aoife Hearne: My three-year old won't give up his bottle

He’s drinking so much milk that he’s rarely properly hungry and picks at his meals

Tue, 04 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