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Welcome to our new parenting hub. From teething and tantrums to rashes and resistance, our team of writers and experts are on hand to answer your questions. We'd love to hear from you here

<p>Sharon Lehane with her 14-year-old daughter Kate, who receives support from LauraLynn Children’s Hospice, at their home in Cobh. Picture: Chani Anderson</p>

parenting

'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

couple in love

parenting

Joanna Fortune: How can I have the talk about sex with my teenage daughter?

My Childhood with Neil Delamere: People assume I was the class clown, but I didn't draw attention

parenting

My Childhood with Neil Delamere: People assume I was the class clown, but I didn't draw attention

football

parenting

Julie Jay: Losing my cool over Cúl Camp summer places

Teenager boy tired stressed of reading, doing homework

parenting

Dr Phil Kieran: Should we manage our son’s Leaving Cert anxiety with medication?

Boy with Black Hoodie in Front of White wall

parenting

Colman Noctor: Our casual discrimination against teens has real consequences

Advice

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

Tired student trying to study in the night

Your child’s exams are a test of your parenting skills

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?

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

Fertility

Mother Wearing Headphones Listening a Podcast While Baby Sleeps

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

Whether it’s helping your baby sleep, feed, or thrive, there’s a show to support you. We chat to the hosts of some of Ireland’s most popular parenting podcasts

Fertility rates in Ireland: Why are more and more women deciding not to have a child?

Fertility rates in Ireland: Why are more and more women deciding not to have a child?

Egg Pattern on Pink

Breaking the cycle: Eight fertility myths debunked

Infertility is a very lonely journey, say parents Lucy and David — who had a baby girl after IVF

Infertility is a very lonely journey, say parents Lucy and David — who had a baby girl after IVF

Pregnancy

Ciara Bowe charity fundraiser

Cork mother to walk in steps of medics who spotted rare conditions in her twins

Ciara Bowe was just 16 weeks into her pregnancy in 2023 when she was told the identical siblings were both at grave risk from twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS)

Certificate of loss for early miscarriages could be in place by next year

Certificate of loss for early miscarriages could be in place by next year

My complex fertility journey to have a baby after PCOS and endometriosis

My complex fertility journey to have a baby after PCOS and endometriosis

Tots to Teens: Raise a cup for children’s ambulance

Tots to Teens: Raise a cup for children’s ambulance

Baby

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

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

My Childhood with Dáithí Ó Sé: I never shut up as a child — look how all that talking stands to me now

S My Childhood with Dáithí Ó Sé: I never shut up as a child — look how all that talking stands to me now

‘It was horrendous leaving my wife and baby’: Fathers call for more paternity leave

‘It was horrendous leaving my wife and baby’: Fathers call for more paternity leave

My Childhood with Carl Mullan: 'I succeeded because I had mam and dad in my corner'

S My Childhood with Carl Mullan: 'I succeeded because I had mam and dad in my corner'

Toddler

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

Mother and Child Sleeping in Heart Shape - Graphic Illustration

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

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

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

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

Pre-school

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

Getting a good night's rest

Dr Phil Kieran: My grandson is still wetting the bed at six

Kindergarten Classroom With Table and Colorful Chairs

Joanna Fortune: My children are struggling to adjust to creche routine

Kitchen magic

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

School Children

School classroom scene with kids learning in background

Parents call on ministers to address ‘failures’ at special school amid principal abuse claims

School has faced 'significant difficulties from the outset', with accusations of abuse against principal dating to his time at another setting 'founded' by Tusla

Reflective moments of a modern teenager in her cozy apartment during evening hours

Joanna Fortune: My teenager is refusing to talk to me after a big row

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

Report into shortage of special education places to be published within week, says minister

Report into shortage of special education places to be published within week, says minister

Tweens

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

Woman lay on a bed holding a pillow to her stomach

Dr Phil Kieran: Should I take my 13-year-old to our GP for her painful periods?

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?

My team mates

How to help girls stay in sport during their teenage years

Teens

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

Girl Lying on Sofa with Stomach Ache at Home

Colman Noctor: Silence around menstruation leaves girls quietly isolated

Unhappy teen girl wearing headphones feeling isolated and depressed

Joanna Fortune: My daughter is finding it difficult to find her tribe in secondary school

severe hand itching scratching. scary wound Itchy rash, allergies, fungal skin diseases

Dr Phil Kieran: My teenager got scabies on a camping trip

More Parenting ...

Cute Black Cat In A Flower Garden

Julie Jay: Saying goodbye to pets is a part of growing up — and being an adult too

This week we said goodbye to our cat, and whilst it is never easy, letting go of pets is an important part of growing up

Thu, 14 May, 2026

Group of diverse teenagers sitting together at a skatepark, enjoying friendship and casual youth culture outdoors

Colman Noctor: The lost art of hanging around and connecting with other teens

For today's teenagers, where every activity is organised and structured, the loss of ‘hanging around’ for no particular reason has created a gap that no amount of texting or planning can fill

Tue, 12 May, 2026

Parenting Moment: Dad Addressing His Child's Misbehavior at Home

Why it's so important to say 'no' — and mean it — when talking to your child

Not allowing your son or daughter to do as they please helps set boundaries and teaches them to take more responsibility

Tue, 05 May, 2026

Bored Caucasian teenage girl, looking through the window, while holding a mobile phone

Joanna Fortune: My teenager's confidence is slipping because she doesn't have a boyfriend

Many of her friends are dating, and she has started saying she’s ugly and boring

Tue, 28 Apr, 2026

Tired concerned mother rocking sleeping baby.

Joanna Fortune: I'm at breaking point following arrival of my third child

You feel overwhelmed because this is an overwhelming time but putting a plan in place to get help from your husband or friends could make a big difference

Tue, 14 Apr, 2026

My Childhood with Joanna Donnelly: I made many outfits I wore on RTÉ — mam taught me

S My Childhood with Joanna Donnelly: I made many outfits I wore on RTÉ — mam taught me

Meteorologist and author says she learned the value of money from her mother and has raised her children to appreciate what they have

Tue, 14 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

Little girl talking to friendly chatbot character on phone at home

Colman Noctor: As technology becomes more human, we risk becoming less so

Much of the public debate about AI has focused on jobs and economics. What concerns me more are the subtle shifts in trust, connection, and the way we experience one another

Tue, 14 Apr, 2026

From smoking to a life abroad, these are the things we gave up for the sake of our children

From smoking to a life abroad, these are the things we gave up for the sake of our children

From giving up work and sports, to quitting smoking and moving to another country, Arlene Harris meets parents who have made huge sacrifices for their children. It was worth all the effort, they say

Mon, 13 Apr, 2026

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

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

BOTOX Botulinum Toxin Bottles on Black Background

Julie Jay: I’d have booked a Botox appointment had I known who I would meet at the school gate

When it comes to trying new things, it is never easy no matter what age you are. Especially when you are surrounded by the ghosts of Christmas past and the last time you brushed your hair, Michael D Higgins was still president

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

My Childhood with Alison Spittle: I didn’t talk to Dad for a few years after the divorce

S My Childhood with Alison Spittle: I didn’t talk to Dad for a few years after the divorce

Comedian Alison Spittle tells Sharon Ní Chonchúir about her early life on the move with her parents before they settled in Westmeath, and how grateful she is to them

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

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

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

'Let it be imperfect': Sleep consultant Lucy Wolfe on parenthood and navigating sleep challenges

'Let it be imperfect': Sleep consultant Lucy Wolfe on parenthood and navigating sleep challenges

Parents and their little ones gathered at Here's Health in Douglas Court Shopping Centre on Tuesday for the Irish Examiner's ieParenting coffee and conversation event

Tue, 24 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

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

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

Multiple lice combs with multiple fine teeth for effective lice removal and scalp care

Julie Jay: Head lice or an extra-marital affair? I know which one I would pick

On the day my husband phoned me to tell me he had spotted something moving on one of our children's scalps, I would have been much less upset if he told me he had met someone else

Tue, 24 Mar, 2026

Red paper Valentines Day heart

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

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

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

‘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

Tue, 17 Mar, 2026

Tots to Teens: Nourishing little bowls with big hugs

Tots to Teens: Nourishing little bowls with big hugs

Wicklow-based company creates fresh, preservative-free, ready-made meals for babies and toddlers

Tue, 17 Mar, 2026

Cropped shot of young woman with white stretch marks from a weight loss or weight gain on her thigh

Dr Phil Kieran: Is there a treatment for my teen's stretch marks?

Stretch marks occur in up to 70% of adolescent girls - there is nothing to feel embarrassed about them

Tue, 17 Mar, 2026

'Nobody was more surprised than my mother when I wrote a book'

'Nobody was more surprised than my mother when I wrote a book'

Ahead of Mother’s Day on Sunday, Liz Nugent, Caoimhe Kenny, Georgie Durcan, Dr Doireann O'Leary and Sarah Maria Griffin share their memories

Sun, 15 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

Baby sleeping covered with soft white blanket

Sleep expert to meet Cork parents to help develop a sleep routine for babies

Paediatric sleep consultant and author Lucy Wolfe will join ieParenting at the Douglas Court Shopping Centre next week for a talk on helping your child drift off to the Land of Nod.

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

Child is climbing up the tall bed, there's a risk of him falling down. Kid aged two years (two-year-old boy)

Julie Jay: A hotel break can feel more like a breakdown when you have a toddler

Anyone with small children knows a weekend away with small children is basically a hostage situation, only with nicer tea and coffee facilities

Tue, 10 Mar, 2026

Tots to Teens: Lap and Chat campaign is back on track

Tots to Teens: Lap and Chat campaign is back on track

Workshops aim to help young people to look after their mental health

Tue, 10 Mar, 2026

Girl Drinking Water

Dr Phil Kieran: My daughter gets constipated when she's stressed

Treating constipation is a marathon, not a sprint, but helping your daughter to manage it by herself will be a life-long skill that will help her in the future

Tue, 10 Mar, 2026

A mum at 18, a mum at 38: How motherhood was different for us

A mum at 18, a mum at 38: How motherhood was different for us

Comedian Emma Doran and actress Rachel Sarah Murphy became mums at different ends of the age spectrum. As Mother's Day nears, they tell Jenny McEntegart about how their experiences shaped their maternal roles

Mon, 09 Mar, 2026

Young happy family with one parent woman mother with two children girls eating cookies on bed room at home

Joanna Fortune: What is the best way to introduce a new partner to my children?

Don’t just focus on what you will say to your children, focus on listening to them and allowing them to share and express their thoughts, worries, or excitement

Tue, 03 Mar, 2026

Happy elementary school girl with healthy food in cafeteria

Aoife Hearne: My children have lost interest in the free school meals. What do you suggest?

A good place to start with your daughters is to understand why they have lost interest in the school meals — are they fed up with the menu options or has the quality deteriorated?

Tue, 03 Mar, 2026

Group Of Multiethnic Students Chatting And Having Fun After Classes

Colman Noctor: Campus life is a vital learning opportunity for students to connect

Humans are wired for connection. Especially during late adolescence and early adulthood, peer relationships are vital to their identity. Campuses serve as fertile ground for this, acting as vibrant spaces to live, laugh, learn, and love

Tue, 03 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

Tots to Teens: Toy Library to host swap-and-play time

Tots to Teens: Toy Library to host swap-and-play time

There's also a new picture book from an award-winning writer, and a diary to help children embrace life

Tue, 03 Mar, 2026

Cute child, running on a Norway white sand beach in the summer

Julie Jay: Dunnes wellies are cheaper than a work visa for Australia

When it comes to a rain-soaked childhood, the only thing differentiating my kids from the McCourts is our ability to get new Dunnes wellies delivered to the house at the click of a button

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

Little baby sleeping on bed embracing soft toy, free space

Colman Noctor: This is the early years sleep advice every parent should know

Child psychotherapist Dr Colman Noctor outlines common sleep challenges facing parents of little ones

Tue, 24 Feb, 2026

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