PARENTING - TEENS

Helping teenagers navigate difficult years and coping as you do so is never easy. Hopefully these articles will help.

Parenting Podcasts Advice Fertility Pregnancy Baby Toddler Preschool School Children Tweens Teens Back to Parenting home page
3156113_1_org_Colman_Noctor_Circle_headshot
Colman Noctor: Music helps teens hit the right note within themselves and with others
3156110_1_org_aoife_hearne_Circle_headshot
Aoife Hearne: My exam teens don't want to eat full meals
3156122_1_org_phil_kieran_Circle_headshot
Dr Phil Kieran: Should I take my 13-year-old to our GP for her painful periods?
Colman Noctor: Given the choice, I would choose life without ADHD
Colman Noctor: Given the choice, I would choose life without ADHD
However, I have found that surrounding myself with patient, compassionate people is crucial to my wellbeing

Tue, 21 Apr, 2026

Frusrated redhead teenage boy after he lost the game while playing video games
Dr Phil Kieran: Are computer games the cause of my son's hand and wrist pain?
I appreciate that he may not be keen on this, but I would encourage him to look at the longer-term picture. 

Tue, 14 Apr, 2026

My team mates
How to help girls stay in sport during their teenage years
Female participation in football and athletics often wanes in the teen years, despite the huge benefits of sport

Tue, 07 Apr, 2026

Girl Lying on Sofa with Stomach Ache at Home
Colman Noctor: Silence around menstruation leaves girls quietly isolated
While it is understandable for teens not to talk about their bodies, a stigma around periods can lead to silence, shame, or misinformation

Tue, 07 Apr, 2026

Unhappy teen girl wearing headphones feeling isolated and depressed
Joanna Fortune: My daughter is finding it difficult to find her tribe in secondary school 
She clams up if I try to speak to her about it and it's difficult to see her struggle

Tue, 07 Apr, 2026

severe hand itching scratching. scary wound Itchy rash, allergies, fungal skin diseases
Dr Phil Kieran: My teenager got scabies on a camping trip
It is important to let your son know that he won’t be left with this rash forever, and the itch will pass

Tue, 07 Apr, 2026

Two bikini-clad girls with outstretched hands near water
Joanna Fortune: My 15-year-old is going away on holidays with her friend's family
Her decision to go on holiday with another family instead of her own is not just hers to make

Tue, 31 Mar, 2026

Delicious cheeseburger with cola and potato fries on the wooden table. Fast food concept.
Aoife Hearne: How do I talk to my teen about her weight gain and snacking habits?
There is no doubt that you are dealing with a delicate situation

Tue, 31 Mar, 2026

School Yard Soccer Competition
Colman Noctor: Learning improves when children have opportunities to move more
For many children, particularly those with ADHD, the expectation to sit still and focus for extended periods is not just difficult, it conflicts with how their brains are wired

Tue, 31 Mar, 2026

'Teamwork is central': How rowing boats with Meitheal Mara boosts confidence
'Teamwork is central': How rowing boats with Meitheal Mara boosts confidence
Being part of a Meitheal Mara rowing crew helps teens develop skills and build an understanding of teamwork

Tue, 31 Mar, 2026

Fintan McCarthy 27/7/2023
S My Childhood with Fintan McCarthy: 'When we moved from London to Skibbereen, I stood out'
The world champion lightweight rower talks about dealing with moving with his family to Skibbereen from London when he was six and how having a solid base of family support helped him as an athlete

Thu, 26 Mar, 2026

Colman Noctor: Teen boys in a bind, caught between old and new views of masculinity
Colman Noctor: Teen boys in a bind, caught between old and new views of masculinity
Young men today are navigating expectations very different from those of previous generations. They are encouraged to be empathetic and emotionally open, yet can be criticised for offering a seat to a woman, which was once considered polite or respectful

Tue, 24 Mar, 2026

Sad woman holding her nose because sinus pain
Dr Phil Kieran: What can my teen do about her repeat sinus infections? 
They leave her feeling miserable and she's stressed about her upcoming Junior Cert, which probably isn't helping

Tue, 24 Mar, 2026

Parent and teenage son conversing at home
Joanna Fortune: My teenage son and husband seem to be drifting apart  
My husband is a big sports fan but my son couldn't care less so they miss out on the bonding opportunity of watching a game or going to matches

Tue, 24 Mar, 2026

Portrait Of Twin Brothers In Front Of A Blue Background
Joanna Fortune: My teenage sons argue all the time
The older one seems to take particular pleasure in annoying the younger one

Tue, 17 Mar, 2026

Taking Notes in Class
When tech does the thinking, our children miss the real lesson 
Children are ‘borrowing’ comprehension rather than developing it — it’s like sending a robot to the gym on your behalf: the weight gets lifted, but no muscle growth occurs

Tue, 17 Mar, 2026

Teenage girl is applying make-up in her room
Joanna Fortune: My teen daughter wears high heels and makeup. Why does she try so hard? 
Because this is not a shared interest for you, be careful you are not projecting your opinions about women who dress up or wear makeup onto her. She sounds like a happy, healthy, typically developing teenager

Tue, 10 Mar, 2026

High School Tutor Giving Male Student Wearing Uniform One To One Tuition At Desk
Colman Noctor: Relationship between teacher and student is key to unlocking academic success
Children and teenagers are motivated more by positive relationships with their teachers than by algebra or formulas

Tue, 10 Mar, 2026

Teen girl enjoying evening solitude in her cozy, modern apartment living space
Schools seeing ‘alarming rates of absences’ in post-pandemic years
Schoolchildren often struggle to verbalise the anxiety behind their school-avoidant behaviour, leaving parents torn between getting them to school and being there for them

Tue, 03 Mar, 2026

Loneliness concept. Sad teenage boy on windowsill indoors
Joanna Fortune: My teenage son is missing his big brother 
Child psychotherapist Dr Joanna Fortune gives advice about an evolving relationship between two brothers

Tue, 24 Feb, 2026

Technology addict.
Colman Noctor: Growing up in a flatscreen world can flatline social skills
Time is finite and not renewable. Every hour spent online is an hour not spent doing something else, so when children spend large parts of their day online, something else gets sacrificed

Tue, 17 Feb, 2026

Pensive sad boy teenager
Dr Phil Kieran: My son's mood has dipped since getting an injury
For people with an injury, it can be easy to focus on what they can’t do rather than what they can

Tue, 17 Feb, 2026

Exhausted sad teenager resting on the armchair
Richard Hogan: We need to take on Big Tech and let children really be children
Social media platforms plucked our children from real life activities and friendships and imprisoned them in their rooms, Richard Hogan

Thu, 12 Feb, 2026

Annoyed father back to back with son ignoring each other after argue
Colman Noctor: F**k Around and Find Out — What is fafo parenting?
If Fafo parenting helps some parents loosen their grip and trust their children a little more, it may have value. If it becomes an excuse to disengage or harden our approach, it risks missing the very thing children need most

Tue, 10 Feb, 2026

Tots to Teens: Guide to your child’s health from A to Z
Tots to Teens: Guide to your child’s health from A to Z
Plus the Junior Eurovision song contest, teenage skincare and more

Tue, 10 Feb, 2026

Latest

Logo ieFood
IE logo

Your digital cookbook

Lifestyle

Newsletter

Eat better, live well and stay inspired with the Irish Examiner’s food, health, entertainment, travel and lifestyle coverage. Delivered to your inbox every Friday morning.

Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited