My mum usually picks up my two children from school once a week, but says she won't do so until I apologise for my behaviour. I'm hurt that she has taken sides and is using childcare as a form of leverage.

"The transition from primary to secondary school can be particularly challenging for children. Many are still in transition mode because we are only a few weeks back at school, everything is new, and a period of adjustment is needed."

From clashes with Paul O’Connell to a lifelong bond with Johnny Sexton, Conor Murray reflects on rugby, Munster and retirement

Her only-child status may be more ‘correlation over causation’ when it comes to her struggles. Many solo-children can turn-take and share, and many sibling-children will struggle just as you describe.

Next Wednesday’s grilling before an Oireachtas hearing is gearing up to be another public inquisition.

Reading is nurtured and developed in school from ages five to eight years (and beyond, of course), which means your son is still very much in the 'learning to read' (and specifically learning to read with fluency) phase of his education.

"So much is written and said about the critical early years of our children’s lives, and again when they reach those tricky teenage years, but very little attention is given to the middle stage of childhood, the years between eight and 12."

Since then, he has become very withdrawn and finds it hard to go outside even to play with friends, as he doesn’t feel good enough now

Mairead Coleman, Lismore, Co Waterford, and Jamie Monahan, Bennettsbridge, Co Kilkenny, are wed in St Mary's Church, Clogheen, with reception at the Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny

You could talk to the coach about your concerns in a calm way, without venting. The coach could clarify the club’s structure, focus, and goals for the team, enabling you to make an informed decision about whether your son should stay.

"The best thing you can do for your children in the meantime is to take care of yourselves and each other. Focus on maintaining open communication and connection, and ensure you have a support system you can activate for yourselves: Friends, family, professional therapy, etc."

My three-year-old daughter is very attached to me. She's an only child, and we do almost everything together. She got distressed when I attempted to leave her at playschool in June, so I stayed with her. What would you advise?

I've suggested taking up a new sport, but he says he's not interested. What would you suggest?

She now has a meltdown nearly every time I attempt to leave her behind with her dad or babysitter

"You probably know that feeling when you come home from a brilliant holiday and everything at home feels anti-climactic and dull in comparison to the experiences you’ve had on holiday. It’s often referred to as “post-holiday blues”."

Arrange a big family day out and perhaps an evening or two when you and your partner can spend quality time together, connecting, sightseeing, or relaxing

"Co-parenting in a connected and collaborative way isn’t easy, but it is the greatest gift you will give your children."

"When talking with our teenagers, try to follow the mantra ‘your toes follow your nose’. Ensure that you turn fully to face them when speaking, giving them your full attention for a few moments."

Most of us remember a pivotal trip with our family or school friends during adolescence, when we had exciting new experiences

Around adolescence, children increasingly pull away from their family as their primary hub of emotional and social development, and lean more on peers. This phase does not mean parents should also pull back — we need to be visible and available to our teenage children