February 2020 – Welcome to SolutionTalk, John Sharry's Website

My three-year-old is hitting his brother

QUESTION: In the last couple of months, my three-year-old has begun pushing/shoving/hitting/hurting his one-year-old brother and this behaviour is becoming a habit and appears to be happening more often. I can see the intensity on his face as his lower jaw juts out and he really means to hurt him – it’s not accidental play. … Continue reading My three-year-old is hitting his brother

February 25, 2020February 25, 2020Grainne HampsonArticles, Parenting, Toddlers/PreschoolersBehaviour, Sibling Rivalry, Toddlers/Preschoolers

How do I stop my boy putting his hands down his pants?

QUESTION: My seven-year-old son has got into the habit of putting his hands down his pants and leaving them there. He tends to do it while watching TV and it seems purely a comfort thing. I tell him to stop and he takes his hands away but then a few minutes later he puts them … Continue reading How do I stop my boy putting his hands down his pants?

February 25, 2020February 25, 2020Grainne HampsonArticles, Parenting, Primary School ChildrenBehaviour, Primary School Children, Relationships/Sexuality

My 15-year-old son is heartbroken after breaking up with his girlfriend

QUESTION: My son, who will be 16 soon, broke up with his girlfriend four weeks ago. They knew each before and got together at the Gaeltacht in June. To be honest, I was glad when they broke up as it seemed a bit of an intense relationship for him so young (she is the same … Continue reading My 15-year-old son is heartbroken after breaking up with his girlfriend

February 25, 2020February 25, 2020Grainne HampsonArticles, Mental Health, Parenting, TeenagersMental Health, Relationships/Sexuality, Teenagers

My 10-year-old is stealing treats and lying about it

QUESTION: I have a 10-year-old girl who has been stealing treats from the treat box and then lying about it when the wrappers are found under her pillow. This is not the first time it has happened and we have discussed how important honesty is for us to trust each other. I think we have two … Continue reading My 10-year-old is stealing treats and lying about it

February 25, 2020September 24, 2020Grainne HampsonArticles, Parenting, Primary School Children, TeenagersBehaviour, Primary School Children, Teenagers

My seven-year-old gets upset when I scold her

QUESTION: My older daughter is seven. Whenever I give out to her she tends to over-react and get very upset. I might be correcting her over something minor, like not tidying her room but then she starts crying and bursts into tears. The other day she even wrote me a note saying sorry and how … Continue reading My seven-year-old gets upset when I scold her

February 25, 2020February 25, 2020Grainne HampsonArticles, Mental Health, Parenting, Primary School ChildrenBehaviour, Primary School Children