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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Joanna Fortune: Our teen burns through money — how do we help her to manage it? 
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Colman Noctor: Our teens are struggling — maybe the problem is the pond and not the frog
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Joanna Fortune: I feel sad that my children have no relationship with my late husband's family
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Colman Noctor: Competition not the be all and end all for girls aiming to keep active
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

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

Smiley parent and child
The Japanese way of raising happy, self-sufficient children 
Lisa Katayama believes boundaries and limits are just as important as art supplies and outdoor space in raising happy, healthy humans. She sets out her philosophy in a new book

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

Portrait of a beautiful teenage girl posing against a dark background in beauty style
Joanna Fortune: My granddaughter is struggling since her mum left home 
My granddaughter stays in her room all day with the curtains pulled, we are very worried about her, what do we do?

Tue, 15 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

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

Boys in red soccer jerseys with white numbers sit on a wooden substitution bench, watching the game, united as a team
Colman Noctor: Finding a place on the team for children of all abilities
There is a difference between occasionally experiencing disappointment when you are old enough to understand it and being repeatedly told you aren’t good enough at a very young age.

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

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

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

Parents, do your homework: Back-to-school tips to keep your kids on track
Parents, do your homework: Back-to-school tips to keep your kids on track
As thousands of pupils prepare to return to the classroom, Jonathan deBurca Butler asks principals and teachers for advice to make the journey smoother

Tue, 18 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

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

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

Under 10's Football Team Pep Talk
Colman Noctor: 'Learning to pass the ball is a developmental win for children'
In a world increasingly shaped by individualism, sport may be one of the few remaining places where young people work together.

Tue, 11 Aug, 2026

Angry man yelling while using cell phone while working at home.
Richard Hogan: Why I gave a store manager a dressing-down
Modern life can throw up frustrations, but the solution is never to be rude and ill-mannered

Wed, 05 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

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

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

boy playing with digital tablet
Colman Noctor: Tech is not just replacing play, it's making kids self-conscious about playing
Toy Story 5 is one of those rare films that entertain children while prompting adults to reflect

Tue, 28 Jul, 2026

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