Parenting School Children - Irish Examiner

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PARENTING - SCHOOL CHILDREN

A collection of the latest articles relating to the world of parenting and its unique challenges in the school going years. Enjoy.

<p>Children's books edited by Sara and Stephen Corrin: 'These books are somewhere in your memory if you’re old enough to remember Sunday Night 'Glenroe' Fear.'</p>

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Colm O'Regan: Once upon a time... there was violence, cruelty and murder

Do you remember Stories for Eight Year Olds — and its companions, stories for under-fives, five-year-olds, six, going all the way up to the over-10s

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Joanna Fortune: My daughter feels jealous of her friend's friendship with another girl

3156113_1_org_Colman_Noctor_Circle_headshot

Colman Noctor: Wellbeing in school cannot be taught. It has to be lived

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Julie Jay: My five-year-old’s first trip to Croke Park was a cracker

Mother Wearing Headphones Listening a Podcast While Baby Sleeps

parenting

'A trusted voice is very important and can help when parents are questioning everything'

Tots to Teens: Guidance for the budding wordsmith

parenting

Tots to Teens: Guidance for the budding wordsmith

front and side and back view of same teenage boy standing on white background,

Dr Phil Kieran: Should we worry about my teenage son's short stature?

Height is a complex and sensitive topic that can be normal or indicate a medical issue that may need treatment

Tue, 27 Jan, 2026

Teenage Boy Studying Using Digital Tablet At Home

Colman Noctor: When mock exams feel all too real for your child

As a parent of a Junior Certificate pupil this year, I have realised the stress of the upcoming mock exams can be substantial

Tue, 20 Jan, 2026

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

Little doctor using stethoscope on teddy bear at home

Julie Jay: Making a doctor’s appointment is up there with getting a bikini wax in January

Despite both being on antibiotics, I am still chasing my children around shops, because even when fuelled by penicillin, they have yet to meet an automatic door they haven't wanted to run through

Wed, 14 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

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

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

Box of Xmas decorations

Julie Jay: Why I'm thrilled to finally say goodbye to Christmas

I used to feel melancholic putting away the decorations, now I am craving beige interior, floor space, and a life that is tinsel-free

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

Multitasking mother cooks food, holds baby on hands and talks on the phone. Mom with kid cooking meal on gas stove, does housewo

Julie Jay: Like oil and water, rest and motherhood simply don’t mix

I used to be great at napping during the day, but now I am as much a stranger to an afternoon siesta as I am to brushing my hair

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

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

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