4to7Zone

Screens also shape how a child’s relationship with effort develops. When learning becomes effortless, and answers come before effort, children miss chances to build persistence. irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/pare…

This was a great event. Many thanks to all at @TCDBusiness for having me as on of their @TEDx speakers. Fantastic line up of speakers to be part of..

Even with excellent routines, sleep disruptions happen. They are part of normal development, not signs of parental failure. irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/pare…

“Not all children who use the internet are victims of its dangers, but just because this has not occurred, we should not assume all is well. A child can be perfectly “safe” online and still be developmentally undernourished” irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/pare…

“In my experience, the world of natural consequences works well for a young person who is unwilling, but is less suitable for one who is unable. The ability to distinguish between these concepts is the holy grail of parenting” irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/pare…

In a world that often rewards the loudest voice, we must learn to listen more attentively to the quiet ones. Not because there is something wrong with them, but because they matter, and we need to make sure they know it. irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/pare…

“Play, physical activity, the arts, and nutrition, which all lay a strong foundation for wellbeing. These are not merely ‘extras’; they are essential developmental needs” irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/heal…

“Teenagers are not projects to manage. They are complex emotional beings, seeking not just solutions but understanding” irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/pare…

“Many parents assume their mid- to late-teenagers already know everything. That’s a mistake. Regardless of how much they know about pornography there’s value in reinforcing the three Rs — respect, responsibility, and reality” irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/pare…

Well worth a listen

I’m guessing many people are not reading too many columns this week. But can I suggest giving this one a glance? I’ve tried to address some important learnings from 2025 and how we can use them in 2026 irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/pare…

“The aim is to lower the bar without reducing the joy. Maybe a peaceful Christmas comes not from chasing expectations, but from adjusting them?” irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/pare…

“In an individualised world, acts of service can feel counter-cultural, but they can shift the narrative from rights to responsibilities, and from entitlement to empathy” irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/pare…

“Parents often say to me, ‘But my son is a good boy, he wouldn’t fall for this stuff?’ and they’re right; he probably is a good boy. But good boys can still be vulnerable to manipulative messaging when they are lonely, anxious, overwhelmed, or simply 14” irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/pare…

Most people will never understand how incredibly challenging it can be to navigate childhood with Tourette’s. So much respect to Kealan for his performance on the #LateLateToyShow tonight. 👏👏👏

Family life and school environments have a much greater influence on children’s wellbeing than who looks after them between 3 pm and 6 pm irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/pare…

“Yet this painful mismatch can present an opportunity to teach children about the most complex aspect of loss: That grief and joy can exist together, and that we can feel both sadness and celebration at the same time” irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/pare…

“It’s not that boys don’t value good citizenship; it’s that the social cost of showing it is often much higher” irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/pare…

“By age nine, many children already hold fixed ideas about their abilities, not only in maths but also regarding what kind of learner they are” irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/pare…

Well worth a read 👇👇👇