Parenting Toddler - Irish Examiner

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

colorful butterfly finds its way out of a dark tunnel, concept of freedom

Julie Jay: Saying goodbye again as another beloved grandparent dies

The death of my father in law is a reminder that things can change so quickly, and that grief, as a friend so accurately put it, is a beast.

Thu, 13 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

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

Julie Jay: I’m buying Magnums for my children on the daily, like a millionaire

Back in my day holding a magnum was a mugging waiting to happen. Now my kids presume it to be part of their daily routine.

Tue, 21 Jul, 2026

Expert tips deal with toddler meltdowns — and how to prevent them

Full-blown tantrums are part and parcel of every child’s development. Learning the reasons why, and the best ways to meet your little ones at their level can help

Tue, 14 Jul, 2026

How to protect your children from summertime hazards like ticks, jellyfish and sunburn

School holidays bring the promise of sunny weather but there are pitfalls to look out for too

Tue, 07 Jul, 2026

grandmother walks with her grandson on the beach on the sand by the sea

Joanna Fortune: I want to bring my mother on holidays with us but my husband doesn't agree

Clear boundaries are an important step to managing expectations among family

Tue, 30 Jun, 2026

Fit to be a dad by taking steps to better health

Becoming a parent is a responsibility, and for many men, it means making lifestyle changes so they can stay strong enough for long enough to care for their children

Tue, 16 Jun, 2026

Young mother holds her son with care and love. Happy Mothers Day concept with mom and small girl. Vector illustration. Modern fl

Julie Jay: Seeing my friend with her newborn has left me wishing for a parenting redo

Being a parent is essentially just wishing over and over for a chance to do it all over and do it differently but also accepting that the chance will never come

Tue, 09 Jun, 2026

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

Julie Jay: Mammy gets to take over the car playlist during the summer

As the temperatures soared across the country last week, this woman’s heart was anything but low

Thu, 04 Jun, 2026

S My Childhood with Lottie Ryan: Dad was my best friend, counsellor and confidant

A shy child, Lottie Ryan describes how her parents encouraged her interest in performance

Sun, 17 May, 2026

Green potty and toilet paper in the room.

Julie Jay: Reluctant to push potty training as it’s my last roll of the diaper dice

My reticence in potty training my youngest can be somewhat explained away by my refusal to accept my baby is growing up, despite what the calendar is telling me

Thu, 07 May, 2026

Mother and Child Sleeping in Heart Shape - Graphic Illustration

Julie Jay: Children's invasion of our bed has me missing the fabled pillow talk

After what feels like years of musical beds, I feel it is time to insist on mammy and daddy sharing a mattress

Tue, 28 Apr, 2026

S My Childhood with Jacqui Hurley: My parents ran one of those houses where the door was always open

The sports presenter on her early childhood in Australia, her lifelong love of sport, and how her parents instilled in her a lust for life and an openness to making the most of opportunities

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

Julie Jay: It’s easy to think you know better from the sidelines of parenting

I once imagined a lot of baking in my parental future, but I'm not baking again with the children until one of them is old enough to go to the shop to buy the ingredients and to drive there

Tue, 21 Apr, 2026

Grandparents Cuddling Granddaughter In Bed

What's expected of you as a new grandparent? Here are 12 things the experts recommend

Granny and grandad have years of parenting experience, but they need to resist the urge to take charge of their grandchildren

Tue, 14 Apr, 2026

Boy with chickenpox. Rash on child body close up

Julie Jay: Like lightning, chicken pox doesn’t strike twice — unless you’re very, very special

Number One has been in chicken pox quarantine all week and I don’t have the heart to tell him that, based on my own history of chicken pox, it might not be a one and done situation

Tue, 14 Apr, 2026

S My Childhood with Marty Morrissey: 'My father always said no son of his would fight for America'

Marty Morrissey's childhood in New York instilled in him the American attitude he could be whatever he wanted to be, but it was his parents' steadfast support and his community in West Clare that set him on the path to fame

Sun, 12 Apr, 2026

Row of colorful easter eggs on green grass bunny ears

Julie Jay: I won’t sugarcoat it — my children eat far too many sweet treats

Whether your kids are eating treats on the daily or indulging only on a Friday afternoon, ultimately we are all just out here doing our best as parents, and isn't that all that matters (my dentist might disagree)

Tue, 31 Mar, 2026

Cute little baby sleeping in crib at home. Bedtime

Lucy Wolfe: These are the most common childhood sleep-related questions parents ask me

The primary task in their first few months is to make sure your baby feels loved, safe, and supported, says sleep consultant Lucy Wolfe

Tue, 24 Mar, 2026

Julie Jay: Sometimes you really should talk to strangers

On the hard days, it is often strangers who offer you the most unexpected but necessary support. A passing word from a passerby can make or break you on a morning where everything has gone awry

Tue, 17 Mar, 2026

‘My son has Down syndrome and he's the light of our whole world’

Two mums whose sons have Down syndrome say their children have changed their outlook on life and want to celebrate and advocate for children like them