Growing Pains

Child psychotherapist and podcaster Dr Joanna Fortune and ieParenting editor Irene Feighan discuss the tween years and the importance of negotiation as your child goes through a range of changes.  Dr Joanna Fortune believes we should focus more on the tween years because it is a significant stage of growth as the child’s relationship with the outside world starts to become more important. Neg...

Family psychotherapist and author Dr Richard Hogan joins ieParenting editor Irene Feighan to discuss the increasing levels of loneliness among teens and how parents can best support their child if they feel they are lonely.  After repeated lockdowns, there is what has been dubbed an epidemic of loneliness among young people and according to Hogan, teens are more disconnected than ever. ...

Child psychotherapist Dr Colman Noctor and ieParenting editor Irene Feighan discuss how to communicate with a teenager who is reluctant to talk.  The adolescent years bring a lot of changes and often teenagers struggle to cope with all their emotions.  However, it is important to keep lines of communication open and to allow for a teen to feel heard.  Dr Noctor shares the one thing...

Child psychotherapist and podcaster Dr Joanna Fortune and ieParenting editor Irene Feighan sit down to discuss anxiety in children and how parents can best understand it.  We are still seeing the impact of covid on children and young teens. Post-pandemic, Dr Joanna Fortune says she is getting more questions than ever from parents about anxious kids and has seen children a young as nine and te...

Family psychotherapist and author Richard Hogan and ieParenting editor Irene Feighan discuss how to navigate the politics of being a grandparent today.  The role of grandparents has changed over the last number of years with the housing and cost of living crises placing more pressure on the family. As a result, many younger parents are relying on grandparents when it comes to childcare. ...

Child psychotherapist Dr Colman Noctor and ieParenting editor Irene Feighan sit down to discuss Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and how to recgonise it in children.  According to ADHD Ireland, five per cent of children have a diagnosis and it can often present differently in young boys and girls.  Dr Colman Noctor touches on the behavioural differences between ADD and ADH...

Child psychotherapist and podcaster Dr Joanna Fortune and ieParenting editor Irene Feighan talk about the importance of encouraging children to go outside and explore.  Outdoor playtime has a range of benefits for children and is essential for physical and emotional development. According to Dr Joanna Fortune, unstructured play outdoors promotes positive risk-taking behaviour.  She share...

Family psychotherapist and author Richard Hogan joins ieParenting editor Irene Feighan to discuss supporting a child with dyslexia.  One in ten people in Ireland have dyslexia and signs often emerge in early school years. In 2021, Richard Hogan shared his own diagnosis for the first time in the Irish Examiner.   As someone who works in schools, he has seen how dyslexia can impact a...

Child psychotherapist Dr Colman Noctor and ieParenting editor Irene Feighan discuss the loneliness epidemic amongst teenagers and the role parents can play in helping young people to develop friendships.  The covid-19 pandemic and a reliance on social media have created a world where many young people are missing tangible quality time with peers which is essential for development.  ...

Child psychotherapist Dr Joanna Fortune and ieParenting editor Irene Feighan talk about the importance of friendships for teenagers and the impact of loneliness during the adolescent years.  Loneliness is one of the biggest threats to mental wellbeing and Fortune says it is something that she is seeing regularly in her clinics, particularly since the pandemic.   She notes the role s...

Family psychotherapist and author Dr Richard Hogan joins ieParenting editor Irene Feighan to discuss ways to help your child in the run-up to exams.  Exam season is a stressful time and Hogan says it’s important to make allowances for young people who may be a little more agitated and let them know that they are supported.    He offers guidance on creating structure when it com...

Child psychotherapist Dr Colman Noctor and ieParenting editor Irene Feighan sit down to discuss the pros and cons of homework for primary school children.  While some researchers say homework helps children to develop skills such as organisation, others believe it is counterproductive.   Noctor is in the no-homework camp and sees how it impacts his children in very different ways. H...

Family psychotherapist and author Richard Hogan joins ieParenting editor Irene Feighan to discuss ways to help children cope with life's ups and downs. It can be tempting to shield your child but this comes with risks. Your child may struggle to navigate the failures and disappointments that are part of life.  Hogan offers guidance on how to build your child's resilience and ability to c...

Child psychotherapist and podcaster Dr Joanna Fortune and ieParenting editor Irene Feighan discuss the dynamics of school gate relationships and playdates.  Whether they are casual connections or the beginnings of a deeper friendship, relationships with other parents can help us navigate the early school years.  Dr Fortune also offers helpful tips on navigating the tricky world of W...

Child psychotherapist and best-selling author Dr Colman Noctor joins ieParenting editor Irene Feighan to discuss managing challenging behaviour - from toddlers to teens.  Colman explains how every child grows and changes at different rates and that parents must consider this when reacting to difficult behaviour.  He also talks about identifyin...

Family psychotherapist and author Richard Hogan joins ieParenting editor Irene Feighan to discuss the importance of setting boundaries in your child's life.  Healthy boundaries offer children a way to navigate their way in a world where we face challenges every day. They also give the child the tools to set their own boundaries with others.   Here, Hogan gives a roadm...

Child psychotherapist Dr Joanna Fortune and ieParenting editor Irene Feighan talk about how parents need to prioritise their health and wellbeing.  With so many responsibilities and worries, self-care and fun can be the first things parents drop. But Fortune says looking after your own needs helps you to be the best parent that you can be.  Fortune also speaks to...

Child psychotherapist and best-selling author Dr Colman Noctor joins ieParenting editor Irene Feighan to discuss the pitfalls of being too involved in your child's life.  The more children are exposed to failure, disappointment and frustration, the more they learn how to cope with challenging life experiences, says Noctor.  He also speaks about the impa...

Family psychotherapist and author Richard Hogan joins ieParenting editor Irene Feighan to chat about the impact that gaming and gaming culture have on children.  Gaming can be more than a fun pastime for some. The World Health Organization has classified severe gaming as a new mental health condition.  Here, Hogan talks about the signs of excessive gaming, setting bou...

Child psychotherapist and podcaster Dr Joanna Fortune joins ieParenting editor Irene Feighan to talk about dealing with a distressed child.  Dr Fortune teaches the concept of going to A&E - acceptance and empathise.  She also offers guidance on parenting a sensitive child and how to help them through the 'uh-oh' moments.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...

Child psychotherapist and best-selling author Dr Colman Noctor and ieParenting editor Irene Feighan delve into the often-divisive topic of smartphones and social media.    There is no set rule for when children should have their own smartphone as technology is only as smart as the person using it, says  Noctor.    Children are exposed to...

Family psychotherapist and author Richard Hogan joins ieParenting editor Irene Feighan to talk about the difficult topic of bullying - online and in person. During the discussion, Hogan explains his novel concept of playing 'bullying school' with his children.  Whether your child is a bully or being bullied, there are ways for parents to understand, create an open dialogue, and...

Child psychotherapist and podcaster, Dr Joanna Fortune, joins ieParenting editor Irene Feighan to discuss the importance of 'playful parenting'.  Play is a universal language and for young children, it is their main language and a way of interpreting the world around them.  It is vital to their development, and parents must be ready and willing to get involved, says Fortun...

Child psychotherapist and best-selling author, Dr. Colman Noctor, joins ieParenting editor, Irene Feighan, to discuss the epidemic of anxiety among young people.    Colman offers guidance on recognising when anxiety goes beyond the norm and how to help your child through it.    He explains that while he does not buy into the notion that strength comes from a...

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