IT is difficult for parents to promote their children’s independence.

WHINING — it’s one of the childhood behaviours most likely to set a parent’s teeth on edge.

SCHOOL holidays: season of Gaeltacht trips and summer camps — and homesickness.

A night of drama at the National Stadium last night in the 2013 Elite National Championships, the birth of a new legend, the end of another as the great light-heavyweight Kenneth Egan, seeking a record 11th title in a record 13 consecutive final appearances, was forced to give way for the third year in succession to the more powerful teenager, Joe Ward.

The Dessie Hughes-trained novice Tofino Bay landed the €80,000 Ladbrokes Troytown Handicap Chase in gruelling conditions in Navan yesterday.

RECENT British research found one-third of parents have fallen out with a friend after rowing about their children.

When friendships turn toxic, sometimes it’s just better to walk away from the situation, writes Ciara Courtney

How many of us could do with reinterpreting our mistakes and accepting that as humans we will all continue to make them?, writes Joyce Feegan.

Children are “nearly being born with an iPad in their hand”, according to Health Minister Simon Harris.

Playdates are sociable for children, but shouldn’t be forced, says Helen O’Callaghan.

CHILDREN’S Minister Brendan Smith has been called upon to set up a whistle-blowers’ hotline for parents who are concerned about rogue childcare facilities.

THE direct and brutal nature of domestic abuse is in stark contrast to the lackadaisical approach the Government takes to tackling the problem.

I WAS bitterly disappointed when I heard of the closure threat to the National Domestic Violence Intervention Agency (NDVIA).

LE LEOPARD is proving a tremendous money-spinner for the Dermot Weld stable this summer and completed a fine hat-trick in the Eastwood Bookmakers.Com Race at Downpatrick yesterday.

Two police officers in England have been praised for saving a four-year-old boy from choking – when he swallowed a two pence piece.

A nice Sunday evening in by the telly. Lovely.

Hollywood stars Gwyneth Paltrow and Emily Watson will go head-to-head with former EastEnder Anita Dobson for the best actress title on the West End stage.

The list of nominations for the British Academy Television Awards has been announced.

The strength of Dublin’s business and tourist sectors will be promoted in Russia during a weekend of St Patrick’s Day celebrations, it emerged tonight.

The Equality Tribunal has ordered the Department of Defence to pay €40,000 to one of its employees for victimisation.