A brief reflection on International Women’s Day 2020. Being married to my wife Claire for 51 years this year, I feel qualified to describe how we should all consider how we are equal but different. Men and women are the ying and the yang –...
Read moreCommunication is such an important part of our lives as human beings and integral to all of our relationships. Yet, so many of us struggle to communicate effectively with others, especially when it comes to our intimate relationships. In...
Read moreThis week we are continuing on with our mini series on attachment started two weeks ago. So far in this series our London-based therapist, Teyhou Smyth, has shared with us her thoughts on early childhood attachment – how it is nurtured and...
Read moreLast week we explored the importance of early attachment by looking at its impact. This week in therapist Teyhou Smyth’s post, we learn how to form early attachment with our children and foster the intimacy they crave. This is so important...
Read moreIt’s Valentine’s Day! Whether you are cynical or sweet about February 14th, there is no doubt that everyone harbours a desire in their hearts to be found attractive to another. And to be told so publicly and showered with gifts? Even...
Read moreAlways and never. Right and wrong. Passionate and apathetic. Sometimes teenagers can be a mess of contradictions and difficult emotions, making them hard to engage with. Today’s #ThursdayThoughts blog post considers teenagers and their...
Read moreCHILDREN LEARN WHAT THEY LIVE If children live with criticism, They learn to condemn. If children live with hostility, They learn to fight. If children live with ridicule, They learn to be shy. If children live with shame, They learn to be...
Read moreAs individuals and as a society, we ask ourselves age-old parenting questions like, have we made the right choices, will our children turn out ok, what should we do differently, etc. And we also ask ourselves new questions like, should I get my...
Read moreCouples who are unable to have children, often turn to adoption to create the family that they had hoped for. But before they take this step, it is important that they consider the difficulties that they may encounter as parents of adopted...
Read moreLast week we started to look at how we can address our own unmet childhood intimacy needs. In the post, Owen discussed the general process of attachment and bonding that children go through with their parents and how things can sometimes go awry...
Read moreWatch Owen Connolly’s TV3 interview on the radicalisation of teenagers. He discusses his experiences and gives his advice for parents and other adults involved with vulnerable teenagers.
Read moreOur very own Owen Connolly was interviewed in the Irish Times on Saturday 28th February. In it, he discusses the importance of ‘love bombing’ our teenagers, and how it makes a huge difference in the relationship they have with their...
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