"...listen with an open and empathic ear, provide nurture and support, and get her engaged in activities beyond her typical school peer group this summer so she has experiences of entering new groups and developing new connections..."

"Friendship is a developmental curve and it evolves significantly throughout childhood. Children will be in sync, out of sync and back in sync (or perhaps not) with each other and this will repeat."

"Perhaps you are more worried about what your daughter’s grown-up way of dressing signifies: That she is growing up and stretching her independence beyond you."

"Your daughter is not an adult. She is at a stage of development that leaves her more oriented to thrill-seeking, reward-driven, impulsive decision-making that provides instant gratification. College life is a world away as far as she is concerned."

"Don’t force your baby into anyone’s arms  - leave space for him to feel comfortable enough to move past this phase."

"Your grandson is at a tricky age developmentally. It is normal and healthy for him to seek out his mother and even demand her full attention and focus."

"I had a tense relationship with my daughter during her teenage years and want to ensure the trip is a success"

Sometimes it seems like a toddler's thoughts are moving faster than their capacity to string words together and they can 'trip' over the words

"Starting primary school is a significant transition, but keep in mind that your son is part of a group of children all making that transition together."

It’s total isolation, and it breaks my heart to know she walks around alone and sits in the toilet on her phone

I want to support his sense of adventure but worry about his safety. Any time I tell him to be careful, he tells me not to worry. But I worry all the time

"Back-to-school can bring lots of change and unpredictability - here are my top 10 tips for your child"

"It sounds as though you have not had a conversation with your daughter about the boundaries of having a boyfriend visit her at home - taking a paradoxical approach might help..."

"Just because he doesn’t get upset or cry going into daycare doesn’t mean that he may not be holding some worry or anxiety about separating from his parents."

Join ieParenting editor, Irene Feighan in a 12-part podcast series Growing Pains.

From toddler tantrums to teenage tempers, our experts have it covered

It's heartbreaking hearing crying — is just walking away when school starts the best option or can we find another way to fix this?

I want to encourage her independence but I'm worried about her safety

Engaging ways to strengthen and enhance the parent-child relationship – at any age 

He says it's too difficult and doesn't understand the grammar. I've tried to help him but he doesn't want to do the homework