PARENTING - ADVICE

A collection of the latest columns, analysis and opinion relating to the world of parenting and its unique challenges. Enjoy.

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Dr Phil Kieran: I am worried we'll pass on a virus to my elderly parents at Christmas
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Joanna Fortune: What can I do about my anger issues? 
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Colman Noctor: Gender equality is about equal opportunity for boys and girls
Teenager Boy Under Stress
Joanna Fortune: My eldest son resists helping around the house
"I am curious how you have set up your expectations for your children. Are there set chores each is responsible for each day and week?"

Tue, 03 Dec, 2024

Cute little girl in love
Colman Noctor: Being kind to others is a win-win
"In an increasingly individualist world that places far more emphasis on the ‘I’ than the ‘we’, it is more challenging for children to be aware of the value of reaching out to others."

Tue, 03 Dec, 2024

Teenage boy exercising in a gym
Aoife Hearne: How much protein should I give my gym-going teen?
"Gone are the days when young men were aiming for a six-pack — the goal now is a virtually unattainable eight-pack. The drive to have muscles that would put Hercules to shame is undoubtedly trickling down to our younger male teens."

Tue, 03 Dec, 2024

Mother and kids enjoying sunset in mountains
Joanna Fortune: How do I explain mum's distance to my children? 
"The fact that your children are now asking about it indicates they are identifying the difference between the grandmother who is physically and emotionally present in your lives and the one who is notably not so."

Tue, 26 Nov, 2024

Boy Using Smartphone Typing, Chatting Conversation Concept. Chat Box Icons. Social Media Maketing.
Colman Noctor: Technology is reducing our children’s attention spans
"Technology is designed to tap into our innate desire for instant gratification. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube deliver quick bursts of entertainment, creating a reward loop that keeps us returning for more."

Tue, 26 Nov, 2024

Tots to Teens: Sustainable competition back in class
Tots to Teens: Sustainable competition back in class
"The WillowWarm Schools Christmas Competition is back, offering primary schools across Ireland a chance to win a book reading with Ryan Tubridy, one tonne of WillowWarm briquettes for the winning teacher, and a cash prize of €1,000 for the winning school."

Tue, 26 Nov, 2024

Little boy complaining of a sore throat during medical appointment at pediatrician's.
Dr Phil Kieran: My GP is reluctant to prescribe antibiotics 
Antibiotics are amazing, lifesaving, readily available and, unfortunately, potentially dangerous medications that should be treated with respect. 

Tue, 26 Nov, 2024

caring mother wrapping sick children in blanket while sitting on sofa
Joanna Fortune: How can I help my children get over their grandad's angry outbursts? 
"To love someone and, at the same time, to be afraid or nervous around them due to their unpredictability is very difficult. It also makes for very complicated grief, which is what you seem to be describing."

Tue, 19 Nov, 2024

Dad talking with his smiling little son on a sofa at home
Colman Noctor: Children thrive when they get our undivided attention 
In a world where our attention has never been more distracted, the concept of ‘undivided attention’ has never been more critical

Tue, 19 Nov, 2024

CONOR BUCKLEY
Racism: moving from fear and prejudice to learning and celebration
Ahead of World Children’s Day, inclusion advocate and father of three Conor Buckley wants us to shift the focus from race and skin colour and instead celebrate our differences

Tue, 19 Nov, 2024

please wash your hands
Dr Phil Kieran: What can we do to prevent return of worms?
"Worms are a very common condition in children. They most frequently are found when a child complains of an itchy bottom, particularly at night, and can be seen in their poo as moving, tiny, white, thread-like things."

Tue, 19 Nov, 2024

Close up of a little girl looking at some futuristic holograms.
Colman Noctor: Algorithms shaping childhood byte-by-byte 
"Adults might be dismissive and think of themselves as ‘too old’ to be concerned about such things - but the metaverse is not for 40-somethings like you or me, but for our children."

Tue, 12 Nov, 2024

Tots to Teens: Toy Show star Adam King pens festive adventure 
Tots to Teens: Toy Show star Adam King pens festive adventure 
Ireland's favourite astronaut-in-training turns his attention to the written word - with all proceeds to kids in University Hospital Waterford

Tue, 12 Nov, 2024

Fanny with my dad
Joanna Fortune: Children's bedtime routine is upset on nights Dad gets home late 
"With busy working schedules that don’t always lend themselves to the early bedtimes of very young children, we have to get creative with our playful connections and maximise those small windows of playtime we might be getting each day."

Tue, 12 Nov, 2024

Boy sleeping in bed with crisp white sheets
Dr Phil Kieran: What can I do about my child's bedwetting? 
"Bedwetting can be a very sensitive topic and difficult to sort out. The good news is that it usually settles down by itself."

Tue, 12 Nov, 2024

Richard Hogan: The technological and logistical magic of Santa
Richard Hogan: Why was Alex McCartney able to use Snapchat in his deplorable actions?
We need sophisticated digital literacy in schools as a matter of urgency. We also have to hold Snapchat and all the other social media platforms to account

Wed, 06 Nov, 2024

Boy sitting at the dining room table and eating breakfast in bowl
Aoife Hearne: My son has lost his appetite following virus
"Your son’s appetite will return, so be patient. Offer small and frequent meals and snacks throughout the day, and don’t be afraid to let him take the lead with the foods he finds appealing right now."

Tue, 05 Nov, 2024

Boy with smartphone indoors. Preteen boy using a phone checking social media. Concept of children using the smartphone
Colman Noctor: Everything parents need to know about their child's use of Snapchat
'Snapchat does not always accurately curtail or filter content to the user’s age. Not only are they vulnerable to viewing inappropriate content, they can also create and share such content on Spotlight'

Tue, 05 Nov, 2024

Teenage girl working out on exercise bike in a gym
Joanna Fortune: My teenage daughter wants to lose weight 
"I wonder if your daughter is more of a ‘selective eater’ than a ‘fussy eater’, and she is refusing what she would previously have eaten because it doesn’t fit within her new fitness goals."

Tue, 05 Nov, 2024

Neurodivergent children take control in calming sensory cubbies 
Neurodivergent children take control in calming sensory cubbies 
A multi-sensory booth developed by the father of an autistic child offers a special space away from the noise of public places

Tue, 05 Nov, 2024

Peeking Over the Counter
Joanna Fortune: My young daughter keeps telling lies, is this normal?
Children start to lie around three years old when they realise their parents are not mind readers and don’t know everything

Sun, 03 Nov, 2024

Little girl having fun on Halloween trick or treat
Expert tips to make Halloween less scary, especially for neuro-divergent children
It’s often scary for little ones to dress up in ghoulish clothes and go trick-or-treating in their local area. This can especially be the case if the child is neurodivergent

Thu, 31 Oct, 2024

Upset girl on her smartphone in the dark.
Colman Noctor: Helping young people deal with online issues like bullying
We must provide the necessary support for young people to navigate the digital world

Tue, 29 Oct, 2024

A small boy kissing a sleeping newborn baby brother at home.
Joanna Fortune: My toddler is not happy about the new arrival 
"He once had all your undivided attention, and now he must share it with his sibling. He understandably resents that right now. And I agree with you that he will adjust, albeit this is taking him some time."

Tue, 15 Oct, 2024

Sore Throat - Boy holding his neck in pain
Dr Phil Kieran: Should my son get his tonsils taken out?
"Recurrent tonsillitis can be a real pain in the neck. The tonsils sit in the back of the throat and form part of a ring of immune tissue surrounding the upper openings of the oesophagus (food pipe) and trachea (windpipe)."

Tue, 15 Oct, 2024

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