John Sharry

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John Sharry is a contributor to The Irish Times specialising in parenting

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Feeling depressed or anxious? Focus on what you love and what gives you purpose

As global crises intensify, it is important is to find what you are called to do in response

Mon Aug 24 2026 - 06:01

When faced by a crisis, there is nothing worse than feeling you have no control

Constant exposure to trauma and tragedy can distress and traumatise us, or make us feel guilty as ‘bystanders’

Mon Aug 10 2026 - 06:01

The importance of understanding and accepting our feelings

Part 1: Managing our mental health in the face of personal and global crisis

Mon Jul 27 2026 - 06:01

‘My 12-year-old son is very reluctant to try anything new’

Ask the Expert: Anxiety usually means a child wants to do something but is stressed about some aspect of this

Mon Jul 13 2026 - 06:01

‘My six-year-old girl freezes when people talk to her’

Ask the Expert: ‘She is completely different from her outgoing brother, and I’m worried about her’

Mon Jun 29 2026 - 06:01

‘What can we do to help our anxious son through his last exams?’

Ask the Expert: ‘He knows the stuff, but he can panic on the day of exams’

Mon Jun 15 2026 - 06:01

‘My toddler constantly touches her baby sister’s head, sometimes roughly’

Ask the Expert: ‘How can we support her to change this habit while waiting for support from an occupational therapist?’

Mon Jun 01 2026 - 06:01

‘My husband wants our child in mainstream schooling, but I want to look at alternatives’

Ask the Expert: She’s quite artistic, funny and highly emotionally intelligent, but struggles academically at school

Mon May 18 2026 - 06:01

‘My daughter gets anxious and overwhelmed, and it can escalate into angry outbursts’

Ask the Expert: When the meltdown is over, she doesn’t understand why she was so angry

Mon May 04 2026 - 06:01

‘My son has intense meltdowns, including hitting, when asked to do reasonable things’

Ask the Expert: Things can escalate so quickly that it is frightening

Mon Apr 20 2026 - 06:01

‘Can I say something to my son and daughter-in-law about their parenting?’

Ask the Expert: My son says his child is getting an ADHD assessment, but I think they’re making too big a deal of his problems

Mon Apr 06 2026 - 06:01

‘We’re worried about our daughter, who’s in sixth class and has difficulty making friends’

Ask the Expert: The teacher says she spends a lot of lunchtimes alone

Mon Mar 23 2026 - 06:01

‘My 14-year-old daughter wonders if she is gay and feels confused’

Ask the Expert: Stating clearly your love and acceptance gives your daughter some freedom to discover her sexuality and identity without judgment

Mon Mar 09 2026 - 06:01

‘I wonder if I made a mistake giving up work. My son can be really demanding’

Ask the Expert: He is not a great sleeper and wants my attention all day long

Mon Feb 23 2026 - 06:01

‘My disorganised son is struggling in school, should I get him an ADHD assessment?’

Ask the Expert: He is in the first year of secondary school and is struggling a bit

Mon Feb 09 2026 - 06:01