#Parenting

Sign in

#Parenting

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>Richard Hogan: "Parents often sit in my clinic and say ‘I shouted at my child last night do you think I have damaged them for life?’ I always respond saying the same thing 'Well, if they haven’t heard a roar out of you from time to time before they are 18, you have damaged them, because real life isn’t going to be perfect and without the odd roar'."</p>

columnists

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.

3156119_1_org_Julie_Jay_Circle_headshot

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

3156116_1_org_Joanne_Fortune_Circle_headshot

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

3156113_1_org_Colman_Noctor_Circle_headshot

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

Tots to Teens: Light way to kick off your Christmas

parenting

Tots to Teens: Light way to kick off your Christmas

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

parenting

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

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

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

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

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

Tots to teens: Spooktacular family events and a stinky goose's story

Tots to teens: Spooktacular family events and a stinky goose's story

Everyone deserves a friend. That’s the uplifting message at the heart of the debut children’s book by Ireland AM presenter and social media influencer Eric Roberts

Tue, 21 Oct, 2025

Student on the highway with question mark

Career guidance: Helping your child get on the right career path

Even very young children give their parents hints and indications about their future career hopes

Sun, 19 Oct, 2025

break dance kids. little break dancer showing his skills in dance studio. Hip hop dancer boy in headphones with smartphone again

Julie Jay: Nothing beats a bop when it comes to letting off steam with your kids

It would appear that my kids have taken after their dad in the dance department - and that is no bad thing

Tue, 14 Oct, 2025

Portrait of two sisters kids having an argument, fighting. Family conflict, children In Quarrel, disagreement

Joanna Fortune: My young daughters argue all the time

"Both are in the middle childhood phase (eight to 12 years), meaning they are competitors within the same developmental stage, which can lead to the type of tension you describe."

Tue, 14 Oct, 2025

Learning Disability Concept

Colman Noctor: Time is of the essence in exams for neurodivergent students

"For a student with dyslexia or dyspraxia, time can be crucial. They may understand the material and have the correct answer in their mind, but struggle to transfer it onto paper before the timer runs out."

Tue, 14 Oct, 2025

Tots to Teens: A healthy Halloween alternative and a spooktacular screening

Tots to Teens: A healthy Halloween alternative and a spooktacular screening

Irish fruit growers Keelings have teamed up with dietitian Orla Walsh to create spooky snack ideas for families to tuck into this Halloween

Tue, 14 Oct, 2025

'I thought my six-year-old daughter had a vomiting bug — it was a brain tumour'

'I thought my six-year-old daughter had a vomiting bug — it was a brain tumour'

Two years on from her daughter’s brain tumour diagnosis, and then surgery and chemo, Regiane Zaboto is hopeful

Sun, 12 Oct, 2025

Father helping son with his homework

Bernard O'Shea: Five things the President of Ireland can do that parents have to do all the time

The Irish President has surprising constitutional powers — but most of them look suspiciously like everyday parenting duties

Thu, 09 Oct, 2025

Father and daughter fight, generation gap concept

Joanna Fortune: My children have been caught up in family row with grandparents

My mum usually picks up my two children from school once a week, but says she won't do so until I apologise for my behaviour. I'm hurt that she has taken sides and is using childcare as a form of leverage.

Tue, 07 Oct, 2025

First aid, twisted leg.

Julie Jay: Parents, like doctors, should take blood in their stride

A catalogue of recent calamities has left me feeling like I am a card-carrying member of the Royal College of Surgeons

Tue, 07 Oct, 2025

Tots to teens: Nature art competition — and Great Space Week events to check out

Tots to teens: Nature art competition — and Great Space Week events to check out

And stickers come to life with 3D animation thanks to Irish company HoloToyz

Tue, 07 Oct, 2025

girl wearing white t-shirt holding paper card bubble with question mark isolated over orange background

Julie Jay: My IQ has most definitely plummeted since having kids

As I feel myself needing to phone a friend more and more when it comes to general knowledge questions, I can't be the only one who feels a bit of a silly goose since becoming a parent?

Tue, 30 Sep, 2025

Student

Joanna Fortune: My 13-year-old is struggling to make friends in secondary school

"The transition from primary to secondary school can be particularly challenging for children. Many are still in transition mode because we are only a few weeks back at school, everything is new, and a period of adjustment is needed."

Tue, 30 Sep, 2025

Poster trend sketch template 3D photo collage of college knowledge education back to school two young girl chatting smartphone s

Colman Noctor: Why are voluntary smartphone codes not working in all schools?

"A phone offers a parent peace of mind in an uncertain world. However, that argument needs to be balanced against social pressure, safetyism, and an increasing body of research suggesting that early smartphone ownership poses risks to children’s mental health."

Tue, 30 Sep, 2025

A boy has a stomachache from food poisoning.

Dr Phil Kieran: What can I do to help my child have regular bowel movements?

With neurodiversity, some of the sensations that most of us take for granted can be difficult to interpret, and responding to these can manifest in strict dietary preferences and aversions to certain tastes or textures.

Tue, 30 Sep, 2025

Tots to Teens: Shannon Bear takes off to raise funds

Tots to Teens: Shannon Bear takes off to raise funds

"Throughout 2025, the Shannon Airport Group is partnering with Clare Crusaders and Little Blue Heroes, organisations that support children with additional needs and families of children undergoing long-term medical care."

Tue, 30 Sep, 2025

Student connecting online using his laptop

Colman Noctor: Sport and study are not opposites but partners in academic success

From 8.50am until 4pm, they are expected to sit at desks, listen, absorb, and produce work. By the time they get home, they’ve already spent six or seven hours in a sedentary mode.

Tue, 23 Sep, 2025

Tots to teens: Snow time like now to book Santa

Tots to teens: Snow time like now to book Santa

Taking place on selected dates from November 22 to December 23, this immersive Christmas experience will transform the market into a winter wonderland.

Tue, 23 Sep, 2025

Adorable caucasian girl playing with telephone toy sitting on floor at kindergarten

Joanna Fortune: My four-year-old doesn't want to share her toys

Her only-child status may be more ‘correlation over causation’ when it comes to her struggles. Many solo-children can turn-take and share, and many sibling-children will struggle just as you describe.

Tue, 23 Sep, 2025

Understanding gut health in children with tummy troubles

Understanding gut health in children with tummy troubles

Many kids suffer from stomach issues, which are often triggered by stress. Emerging research suggests that supporting their digestive health can help ease their symptoms

Tue, 23 Sep, 2025

Count Dracula wearing black and red cape. Cute cartoon vampire character with fangs. Happy Halloween. Flat design. Violet backgr

Julie Jay: Bambi Fury isn’t the only baby vampire in town

A clip of Molly-Mae Hague’s and Tommy Fury’s daughter talking about her love of biting has gone viral, but the reality is biting is totally normal for toddlers

Tue, 23 Sep, 2025

Close up photo of plantar wart on man's foot. Verruca plantaris on the heel.

Dr Phil Kieran: What is the best way to treat my son’s verruca?

A verruca is a wart on the foot. These can differ slightly from warts elsewhere in that they tend to be flat or even grow inwards, due to the pressure on the foot preventing it from growing outwards.

Tue, 23 Sep, 2025

Little boy reading a book in green armchair

Joanna Fortune: My child is struggling with reading in class

Reading is nurtured and developed in school from ages five to eight years (and beyond, of course), which means your son is still very much in the 'learning to read' (and specifically learning to read with fluency) phase of his education.

Tue, 16 Sep, 2025

Mother Doing Head Lice Inspection On Daughter

Dr Phil Kieran: How can I treat my long-haired child's head lice?

Unfortunately, there is no sure-fire way to prevent lice, but understanding how they spread can help reduce the risk somewhat

Tue, 16 Sep, 2025

Tots to Teens: GAA fuelling young sports players with its new healthy eating pack

Tots to Teens: GAA fuelling young sports players with its new healthy eating pack

And Culture Night for kids — events on near you this Friday, September 19

Tue, 16 Sep, 2025

Families encouraged to help clean their local coastline as part of Clean Coasts Big Beach Clean

Families encouraged to help clean their local coastline as part of Clean Coasts Big Beach Clean

This weekend, volunteers and their families will remove the litter from our shorelines as part of the annual Clean Coasts Big Beach Clean

Tue, 16 Sep, 2025

Birthday cake

Julie Jay: When birthday celebrations become a week-long jubilee

We all want to mark these milestones, but even by my Kardashian standards this birthday has gone completely out of control

Tue, 16 Sep, 2025