PARENTING - ADVICE

A collection of the latest columns, analysis and opinion relating to the world of parenting and its unique challenges. Enjoy.

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Colman Noctor:  Wellbeing in school cannot be taught. It has to be lived
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Dr Phil Kieran: Should we worry about my teenage son's short stature?
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Colman Noctor: When mock exams feel all too real for your child 
You're going to be the best brother ever
Joanna Fortune: I'm not sure how I'm going to manage it all when my baby arrives
Keep in mind the old saying: ‘It takes a village to raise a child’

Tue, 20 Jan, 2026

Tots to teens: Where play meets child development
Tots to teens: Where play meets child development
Children's wellness range in Aldi stores has affordably priced products designed to encourage gentle play and mindful moments

Tue, 20 Jan, 2026

Elbow pain.
Dr Phil Kieran: Could my hockey-playing teenager have tennis elbow? 
The first thing to rule out is an injury to the bone. This would most likely occur following a fall or impact. If the pain started after an impact, I would recommend going to see a doctor as soon as you can, as an X-ray may be needed to rule out a small chip or crack in the bone

Tue, 20 Jan, 2026

Presents near Christmas tree
Joanna Fortune: My teenage daughters barely said thanks for all their Christmas presents 
I was shocked by their lack of gratitude, and said as much to them, but they just shrugged their shoulders and sloped off. Have I spoiled my children for life?

Tue, 13 Jan, 2026

Insecure teenager at school with girls gossiping
Is your child experiencing social isolation at school? Here's what you can do
Social exclusion can make young people feel as if something is wrong with them, and presents a difficult challenge for parents to overcome

Tue, 13 Jan, 2026

talk mother support and solving problem with teenage boy son
Colman Noctor: Finding the right words to talk to your child about pornography
Ultimately, these conversations are less about sex and more about the trust you have in your child and they have in you, writes Colman Noctor 

Tue, 13 Jan, 2026

Boy Coughing
Dr Phil Kieran: Does my child need a second antibiotic?
Frequently, I talk to people who feel the course of antibiotics should be longer than the one they received, but I point out that antibiotics are meant to help the immune system clear the infection. The full recovery often happens only with time.

Tue, 13 Jan, 2026

Tots to Teens: Take a step in the right direction
Tots to Teens: Take a step in the right direction
From January 19 to February 15, the 2026 Forvis Mazars Steps Team challenge calls on people of all ages and fitness levels to take on one of two physical challenges and raise funds for Jigsaw and Bumbleance

Tue, 13 Jan, 2026

Happy senior couple celebrating Christmas Eve together.
Joanna Fortune: It feels as if my in-laws hijacked Christmas
My husband was of little help and kept fussing about his mum, who expected to be treated like a queen

Tue, 06 Jan, 2026

Little girl enjoying a lollipop on a winter city street with warm lights
Should I put my children on a sugar detox? 
Rather than focusing on exclusion, shift to thinking about the frequency and portions of each that are being consumed

Tue, 06 Jan, 2026

Teenage boy sitting on sofa using smart phone at night
Colman Noctor: Porn is now the first sex educator for children
Porn reduces sex to acts and mechanics, omitting connection, consent, and affection

Tue, 06 Jan, 2026

Loving Caucasian Mother Smiling at Newborn Baby Indoors in Bright and Warm Setting
The first 1,000 days are crucial in shaping a child’s life
Development begins at conception, and the early years are critical. A safe, nurturing and stimulating environment helps children thrive 

Tue, 06 Jan, 2026

Tots to Teens: Brush up your art skills for RTÉ contest
Tots to Teens: Brush up your art skills for RTÉ contest
Under 18s have until midnight on January 31 to submit works with theme of 'This is Nature'

Tue, 06 Jan, 2026

Girl interacting with phone and digital icons emerging. AI Chatbot conversation, Ai Artificial Intelligence. OpenAI generate.
Colman Noctor: Growing role of AI chips away at trust and fuels anxiety in children
For parents, the question should no longer be whether our children will engage with AI, but who they will become because of it

Tue, 30 Dec, 2025

Loving Little Sisters
Joanna Fortune: Our eldest child won't let her younger sisters out of her sight
Risk-taking activity enables children to experience mastery over a task and encourages them to stretch beyond what they think they can do so that they develop confidence

Tue, 30 Dec, 2025

family celebrating Christmas
Back-to-school mode activated: How to help your child adjust after a relaxed Christmas break
Switching from the relaxed-holiday mode can be jarring for children. But a positive attitude can make a huge difference

Tue, 30 Dec, 2025

Tots to Teens: Early events to welcome the new year
Tots to Teens: Early events to welcome the new year
Also, check out some hat-and-mitten sets, personalised book crates and snuggle bibs for your little ones as well as events for exhausted mums

Tue, 30 Dec, 2025

Sick child girl coughing, sitting on bed at home, close up, side view
Dr Phil Kieran: Could my child's night coughing be due to asthma?
There are specific tests, such as pulmonary function tests, but most of the time, asthma is diagnosed clinically and confirmed by a successful response to treatment

Tue, 30 Dec, 2025

Mother and daughter are arguing at home
Joanna Fortune: My eldest says we're mean and no fun 
Celebrate Christmas by celebrating the fun in simple, everyday connections

Tue, 23 Dec, 2025

Happy woman with Santa's drinking wine during Christmas lunch at dining table.
Should you give your teenager alcohol at Christmas?
The short answer is no, according to experts who point out that starting earlier increases the odds of heavier drinking 

Tue, 23 Dec, 2025

Christmas morning joy
Colman Noctor: Children need our presence during festive season not a performance
When we manage expectations we can hopefully make room for what matters most: Presence, warmth, and connection

Tue, 23 Dec, 2025

Tots to Teens: Keep little hands and minds busy
Tots to Teens: Keep little hands and minds busy
Sit your little ones down over the next few days with pencils, markers, paints, or a tablet or laptop so they can then enter their designs in the Toyota Dream Car Art Contest

Tue, 23 Dec, 2025

Photo of cute tired sleepy boy pupil sleeping lying soft divan after school lesson apartment room interior indoors
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

Tue, 23 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

‘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

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