Listeners Questions with Mary O'Kane

After being contacted by a member of the Mica Family Group I reached out to offer any help I could. These families have been living through a decade of uncertainty as their homes are crumbling and facing demolition due to defective blocks. I was struck by the stories of the children who have been affected by the Mica crisis. The stories of children too anxious to sleep at night for fear of their house caving in was heart wrenching. So I’m this episode I chat with parents, teachers and homeowners from the affected areas and try to offer any advice I could to help the children in these communities.   email : [email protected]  twitter : @Asking4aParent instagram : asking_for_a_parent

In this episode I speak with Ciaran Fadden about his Emerald Soccer initiative which aims to support 'football for fun' and offers an alternative to the competitive streams currently available. Given the increasing problems with over-competitive nature children's sport and media stories about recent cancelations of games due to dissent from the sidelines etc. it is timely to consider different ways in which we can encourage children to continue participation in movement and activity.   This episode discusses lots of interesting topics about trying to get as many as possible playing for as long as possible.   Keywords: Childrens Sport, Competitiveness, Sport for Fun    email : [email protected]  twitter : @Asking4aParent instagram : asking_for_a_parent

Children's Sport Episode of the Asking for a Parent Podcast with Shane Smith   The topic of children in sport is always one that contains some element of debate. When should we introduce competition into children's sporting activities? How de we keep children participating in sport for longer? Does competition ruin sport for some? Is winning as important to children as some people think? How important is 'game time'?   All of these questions and more are addressed in this month's episode of the Asking for a Parent Podcast, where we are joined by Shane Smith, Sports Scientist, Primary School Teacher and an Expert in Children's Sport and Coaching.   This is a brilliant episode with insightful discussions and lots of practical tips for parents, coaches and teachers.   Keywords Childrens Sport/ Competitive Culture/ Silent Sidelines/ Mental Health/ Participation  email : [email protected]  twitter : @Asking4aParent instagram : asking_for_a_parent

This month I am joined by Irish Times Parenting Columnist Jen Hogan to answer your questions. This month we discuss the challenges of adjusting to the new school environment and the management of anxieties that are associated with that. We also discuss the challenges of 'finding your tribe' if the school environment is not providing it. We discuss separation anxiety in younger children and ways to manage over zealous coaches in the area of childrens sport.   Keywords: Anxiety, Separation Anxiety, Children's Sport, Returning to School, Friendship Issues in teenagers   email : [email protected]  twitter : @Asking4aParent instagram : asking_for_a_parent

In this weeks episode I chat with Allison about how things have been for her over the last number months. We also answer some really interesting questions where we look at managing disordered eating behaviour in teenagers, supporting a young person who is experiencing suicidal ideation and how to manage when a small child is mimicking the negative actions of others. We also discuss in detail how to help someone cope with Anxiety and provide practical tips on this topic. We also discuss the seriousness of agressive and violent bullying and how best to support a young person return to school in September following a difficult end to last term.  This is a great episode where we answer a lot of your questions   Keywords: Suicidality, Eating Rituals, Panic Attack, Childhood Copying Behaviour, Anxiety and Teenagers   email : [email protected]  twitter : @Asking4aParent instagram : asking_for_a_parent

In this episode we talk to Minister Roderic OGorman about his role as Minister for Children, Inclusivity, Diversity and Youth.  He discusses what it was like growing up in Mullhudart and his journey into politics. He discusses the challenges of Ministerial duty in a Pandemic and discusses how the last 14 months have impacted Irish children.  He discusses the Summer of Play Initiative and his goals for the remainder of his term in office.  Keywords: young peoples, Minister for Children, lockdowns, pandemic and summer of play   email : [email protected]  twitter : @Asking4aParent instagram : asking_for_a_parent

In this week's episode we speak to Prof Jim Lucey about how things have been for him over the last number months. Jim is a Prof of Psychiatry in TCD, Adult Psychiatrist and the author of the new book 'A Whole New Plan for Living'. He is also a parent of six and he fills us in on how challenging it has been with working from home over the last number of months and how he has coped. We also answer some really interesting questions where we look at managing aggressive behaviour in teenagers, supporting a child who is displaying early signs of an eating disorder, we discuss the complexity of ASD Diagnoses and how to support a teenager with a stammer. This is a great episode where we answer a lot of your questions Keywords: Eating Disorders, ASD, Stammer and Agressive Behavour   email : [email protected]  twitter : @Asking4aParent instagram : asking_for_a_parent

In this 3rd of three episodes we interview young adults about their experiences of the last 12 months and what it has been like for them. The most effective way to improve your parenting approach is to better understand the world your young persons eyes. These three episodes are edits from a series of interviews with young people who honestly and insightfully share their experiences of living in a pandemic, first year in college, social isolation, dating and much much more. The young people also provide a report card on how the adults in their lives have done over the last year, identifying what worked well, and not so well. They provide insights into what they miss the most, what they’re looking forward to post Covid and how it has impacted on them. This first episode has many voices of young adults aged 20-25 So don’t miss this one it’s a cracker! Keywords: young peoples voices, young adult perspectives, lockdowns, pandemic and dating   email : [email protected]  twitter : @Asking4aParent instagram : asking_for_a_parent

In this weeks episode we speak to Dr Mary O Kane about how things have been for her over the last number months. Mary is a lecturer in Early Childhood studies and author of the new parenting book 'Perfectly Imperfect'. She is also a parent of three and she fills us in on how challenging it has been with the school closures, college from home and job losses over the last number of months and how she has coped. We also answer some really interesting questions where we look at managing obsessional behaviour in children, supporting a child who wants to become more independent and how to manage communicating the importance of the public health restrictions to a teenager who wants to mix with their friends. We also discuss in detail how to help someone cope with Panic Attacks and provide practical tips on this topic.  This is a great episode where we answer a lot of your questions Keywords: OCD, Obsessionality, Rituals, Panic Attack, Childhood Independence, Parental Control and Public Health Guidelines and Teenagers.   email : [email protected]  twitter : @Asking4aParent instagram : asking_for_a_parent    

In this second of three episodes we interview young people about their experiences of the last 12 months and what it has been like for them. The most effective way to improve your parenting approach is to better understand the world your child lives in, through their eyes. These three episodes are a edits from a series of interviews with young people who honestly and insightfully share their experiences of living in a pandemic, school closures, social isolation and much much more. The children also provide a report card on how the adults in their lives have done over the last year, identifying what worked well, and not so well. They provide insights into what they miss the most, what they’re looking forward to post Covid and how it has impacted on them. This second episode has many voices of secondary school young people who describe the challenges of leaving cert, school closures and social isolation.   email : [email protected]  twitter : @Asking4aParent instagram : asking_for_a_parent