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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Richard Hogan: Being a father is the greatest experience of my life 
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Joanna Fortune: My partner and I have very different approaches to parenting
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Richard Hogan: Burn-out is a frightening enemy for parents... here's how to beat it
Group Of Teenage Friends Jumping Into Swimming Pool
Leaving Cert holiday: How parents can prepare teenagers for their first solo getaway
The Leaving Cert class of 2026 will soon be heading off on overseas holidays with friends, and there is plenty parents can do to prepare them for the adventure

Tue, 09 Jun, 2026

burnt female skin in the sun close-up in a blue t-shirt
Dr Phil Kieran: Does my daughter need medical help for a serious sunburn on her back?
The good news is sunburn (even with blisters) should heal fully in three to 10 days

Tue, 09 Jun, 2026

Cute boy standing in the white room
Joanna Fortune: My baby won't let me cuddle him since my hospital stay 
He may look cross with you but the truth is probably nearer to the fact that he missed you — he was sad and couldn’t understand why you disappeared

Tue, 09 Jun, 2026

Chip off the old block: Would my kids play with my childhood Lego?
Chip off the old block: Would my kids play with my childhood Lego?
With the fifth ‘Toy Story’ film set to hit the big screen, Simon Tierney dusted down his old Lego to see if his daughters would play along

Mon, 08 Jun, 2026

Parenting Moment: Dad Addressing His Child's Misbehavior at Home
Richard Hogan: Want to avoid toddler tantrums or teenage drama? How to set boundaries
How should you deal with a toddler tantrum at the tills, or a teenager's transgressions... you create a healthy boundary and stick to it

Wed, 03 Jun, 2026

A teenager with a sleepy face idly looks out the window and chews rice porridge
Aoife Hearne: My Leaving Cert child is picking at his food and not eating meals
A ‘little and often’ approach to eating nutrient-rich meals can be easier to manage during the exam period

Tue, 02 Jun, 2026

Empty kindergarten classroom interior
Colman Noctor: What we can learn from the Carlow school shooting threat
Young people in Ireland are no longer immune to the broader cultural forces that can dangerously shape disaffection among youth

Tue, 02 Jun, 2026

Crann 'never felt like a medical appointment' 
Crann 'never felt like a medical appointment' 
Emma O’Sullivan, whose child was born with serious health issues, praises the Crann Centre for taking care of not just her child but the family and support system too, writes Helen O’Callaghan

Tue, 02 Jun, 2026

girl listening to smartphone music wearing earphones
Joanna Fortune: My teenage daughter is obsessed with her fitness tracker
If she begins skipping meals or pursuing calorie deficits to lose weight, I would strongly advise seeking professional intervention

Tue, 02 Jun, 2026

Cell phone break up
Richard Hogan: Scrolling has killed off the carefree school summer holiday idyll
Find a little job for your teenager this summer — it will get them off their devices, teach them life skills, and earn them some money

Wed, 27 May, 2026

Classroom toys helping minds stay focused
Classroom toys helping minds stay focused
Adam Brennan began making the sensory fidget toys when he noticed that his restless pupils would relax and concentrate better if they had something to squeeze, writes Helen O’Callaghan

Tue, 26 May, 2026

A child, a boy, a teenager sits alone at home on the couch and holds his stomach with his hands. Grimaced, bent, suffering from
Dr Phil Kieran: Is excitement the only cause of my son’s tummy pain?
It typically happens before a party or a special day at school

Tue, 26 May, 2026

Online Young Teen in His Bedroom
Richard Hogan: A mother begged me to tell the story of her teen son's porn addiction
It is beyond time we tackled the scourge of hardcore pornography online — and if the EU won't act, Ireland must go it alone

Wed, 20 May, 2026

'They’re like extended family': Cobh mum on how LauraLynn children’s hospice became a lifeline
'They’re like extended family': Cobh mum on how LauraLynn children’s hospice became a lifeline
The children’s hospice provides supports and care to children with life-limiting conditions across the country, giving their families, such as the Lehans from Cobh, much-needed respite

Tue, 19 May, 2026

couple in love
Joanna Fortune: How can I have the talk about sex with my teenage daughter?
It is essential to keep the doors of communication open on this so she can come to you to talk through aspects of her relationships with you in a safe and supportive way.

Tue, 19 May, 2026

Boy with Black Hoodie in Front of White wall
Colman Noctor: Our casual discrimination against teens has real consequences
Many of us unwittingly discriminate against teenagers, regarding them as immature, antisocial, or unreliable, and this can have a profound impact on how they view themselves and their place in the world

Tue, 19 May, 2026

Busy bisness mother woking at home while little daughter being occupied by digital tablet
Joanna Fortune: My young children are struggling with the demanding online course I've taken on
My nine-year-old daughter says I’m busy all the time. I want to be a good parent, but I also need to think of my future career

Tue, 12 May, 2026

Tired student trying to study in the night
Your child’s exams are a test of your parenting skills
A teenager studying for their first state exams will already be stressed. Parents should aim to be a calm, helpful counterpoint

Tue, 12 May, 2026

Wide angle. Dynamic photo of young girl tossing ball in motion, training dribbling technique against white background.
Dr Phil Kieran: Is overdoing it on the basketball court the cause of my child’s knee pain?
For overuse injuries, treatment usually involves identifying the cause, resting until the pain goes away, and gradually building the exercise back up

Tue, 12 May, 2026

Happy young woman enjoys summer music festival, raises peace sign with sunlit crowd and stage background. Cheerful festivalgoer
Colman Noctor: Music helps teens hit the right note within themselves and with others
The way today's adolescents consume music is very different to previous generations but research has shown music still holds significant psychological importance for many teenagers

Tue, 05 May, 2026

No vegan diet concept. Teen girl pushing away plate with broccoli and other vegetables refusing to eat. Food waste. Selective fo
Aoife Hearne: My exam teens don't want to eat full meals
When students are preoccupied with their studies, appetite signals can take a back seat and three square meals may feel too much. Try the ‘little and often’ approach, which offers more flexibility

Tue, 05 May, 2026

Hearing a father's advice
How to reconnect when a child starts to pull back
Your child may not have the words to explain what is upsetting them, but learning to meet them on their level can help bridge the divide

Tue, 28 Apr, 2026

Junior football team standing together
Colman Noctor: Win or lose, children's sport should be about having fun 
A competitive approach to team sports may benefit a small number of children but risks excluding many others

Tue, 28 Apr, 2026

Happy mother spending time with her small kids at home.
Parents don't want to have a favourite — here's what to do if you appear to prefer one child
You love all of your kids deeply, but may feel closer to one. Instead of feeling ashamed, be more attentive to all of them, writes Helen O'Callaghan

Tue, 21 Apr, 2026

Kindergarten Classroom With Table and Colorful Chairs
Joanna Fortune: My children are struggling to adjust to creche routine
Your children are still adjusting to a significant cultural upheaval, which may make the transition to their new group care environment even more challenging

Tue, 21 Apr, 2026

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