Parenting

The Alarming Teen Identity Crisis

| Sally O'Reilly
Share

So here’s a new one – well, new for me anyway.

Every year there’s a new trend in school. Teens assert their social positions and maybe elbow a few peers off their pedestals on the way. It’s nothing new of course – a rite of passage, a task of adolescence. Normal. We all know what that looked and felt like when we were in school. We all remember (and some still feel) the pressure to keep up with trends. To avoid certain labels, to emulate others…

It’s tough going – remember? (Do try – because remembering will help you navigate your teen’s development. I know it was literally the last century ago but take a breath – see what comes up as you read this…)

Continue reading →

What are we teaching our teens?

| Sally O'Reilly
Share

It was a Friday, and I was sitting on a desk in a school classroom, all excited. Friday had become my favourite day of the week, not because weekend, but because that was the day to deliver my personal development and sex education class to a bunch of sparkly bright teenagers. Fun guaranteed!

Continue reading →

Yes! Let’s talk about hormones (if we’re experts in the field)

| Sally O'Reilly
Share

I usually avoid writing when I’m on leave but y’know sometimes you see something and you get the rages, and as a colleague said to me yesterday as we raged to each other – sometimes right is just right. And so you respond.

Continue reading →

Craving Touch

| Sally O'Reilly
Share

My mother used to love brushing my hair. I remember my first hairbrush too – it was white, shell shaped and had gentle ridges in it. The bristles were soft and white. I can still remember the feel of it in my little hand as I sat in my pram in the garden, going back and forth over the bristles, watching the steps up to the house. Watching for her probably.

Continue reading →

What your teen won’t tell you

Sad teenager
| Sally O'Reilly
Share

There was a girl in my class in school that I was pretty tight with. She wasn’t my bestest-in-the-world friend but I liked her and spent a good deal of time in her house at weekends and such. Especially when I started smoking.  I know, I know…

Continue reading →

Dear exhausted women – stop asking for help(!!)

Women baking
| Sally O'Reilly
Share

I know this is the exact opposite of how I normally speak but here’s the thing: when it comes to parenting and housework,  I’d really love women to stop asking for help!

Continue reading →

My Daughter is Distressed: A Q&A

| Sally O'Reilly
Share

Sometimes a parent mails me with a query about their anxious child.

Last week I received such a query. Her particular issue is such a common one at the moment (ungrateful nod to COVID!) that I asked permission to publish both her question and my response. There can be so much isolation, pressure and even shame around parenting that it can come as an enormous relief to find that another parent shares your experiences!

And of course these difficult feelings are exacerbated hugely in lockdown.

Continue reading →

Do you need support with your teen?

| Sally O'Reilly
Share

Is your teen on a waiting list with a psychologist, therapist, counsellor or CAMHS? This might interest you.

I’m increasingly aware that there are many teens on therapy waiting lists, and that these lists are getting longer and longer…

Continue reading →

They used to get help… now they get likes

| Sally O'Reilly
Share

I saw this post on a friend’s feed. It’s grim stuff. Got me all annoyed and rolling my eyes.

And then I watched it a second time with my husband and it felt even worse.

Continue reading →