CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html><html lang="en"><head><script data-integration="inlineScripts"> (function() { var _sf_async_config = window._sf_async_config = (window._sf_async_config || {}); _sf_async_config.uid = 31036; _sf_async_config.domain = "irishtimes.com"; _sf_async_config.useCanonical = true; _sf_async_config.useCanonicalDomain = true; _sf_async_config.sections = "health,health/your-family"; _sf_async_config.authors = "John Sharry"; _sf_async_config.flickerControl = false; var _cbq = window._cbq = (window._cbq || []); const OT = document.cookie.split('; ').find(row => row.startsWith('blaize_jwt')); if (OT) { _cbq.push(['_acct', 'paid']); } else { _cbq.push(['_acct', 'anon']); } })(); ; var _comscore = _comscore || []; _comscore.push({ c1: "2", c2: "8946263" }); ;gtmParamsString='';if(new RegExp("^https://irishtimes.arcpublishing.com", "i").test(window.location)){gtmParamsString='&gtm_auth=om4Ly4wwqa_7E-fLbBv46g&gtm_preview=env-6&gtm_cookies_win=x'};(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl+gtmParamsString;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-NRHQKJ4');; window.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', (event) => { queryly.init("954cd8bb239245f9", document.querySelectorAll("#fusion-app")); }); ;window.isIE = !!window.MSInputMethodContext && !!document.documentMode;</script><script type="text/plain" class="optanon-category-C0002" async="" data-integration="chartbeat" src="https://static.chartbeat.com/js/chartbeat.js"></script><script>!function(n,e,i){if(!n){n=n||{},window.permutive=n,n.q=[],n.config=i||{},n.config.apiKey=e,n.config.environment=n.config.environment||"production";for(var o=["addon","identify","track","trigger","query","segment","segments","ready","on","once","user","consent"],r=0;r<o.length;r++){var t=o[r];n[t]=function(e){return function(){var i=Array.prototype.slice.call(arguments,0);n.q.push({functionName:e,arguments:i})}}(t)}}}(window.permutive, "4888a725-f640-4782-bd70-a3dd37877c2f", { "consentRequired": true }); window.googletag=window.googletag||{},window.googletag.cmd=window.googletag.cmd||[],window.googletag.cmd.push(function(){if(0===window.googletag.pubads().getTargeting("permutive").length){var g=window.localStorage.getItem("_pdfps");window.googletag.pubads().setTargeting("permutive",g?JSON.parse(g):[])}});</script><script async="" src="https://fce2b75e-f11a-48ad-a60f-7e004eb1d340.edge.permutive.app/fce2b75e-f11a-48ad-a60f-7e004eb1d340-web.js"></script><script type="text/plain" class="optanon-category-C0002-C0004">window.addEventListener('OneTrustGroupsUpdated', function() { if (document.cookie.indexOf("OptanonAlertBoxClosed=") >=0 && OptanonActiveGroups.match(/(?=.*,C0002,)(?=.*,C0004,).*/)) { const OTConsentToken = document.cookie .split('; ') .find(row => row.startsWith('OptanonConsent=')) .split('&') .find(row => row.startsWith('consentId')) .split('=')[1]; permutive.consent({ "opt_in": true, "token": OTConsentToken }); } else{ permutive.consent({ "opt_in": false }); } });</script><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"/><link rel="icon" type="image/x-icon" href="/pf/resources/favicon.ico?d=155"/><title>‘My 13-year-old son often wakes up at night and spends ages just lying there worrying that he can’t sleep’ – The Irish Times</title><meta name="description" content="Ask the Expert: Should we tell him to wake us so we can help him or should we encourage him to continue to do it by himself?"/><meta name="twitter:description" content="Ask the Expert: Should we tell him to wake us so we can help him or should we encourage him to continue to do it by himself?"/><meta property="og:description" content="Ask the Expert: Should we tell him to wake us so we can help him or should we encourage him to continue to do it by himself?"/><meta name="keywords" content="for-you"/><meta property="og:title" content="‘My 13-year-old son often wakes up at night and spends ages just lying there worrying that he can’t sleep’"/><meta name="twitter:title" content="‘My 13-year-old son often wakes up at night and spends ages just lying there worrying that he can’t sleep’"/><meta property="og:image" content="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/P6SEBJ3OPJF4XODL4PDCETDS2I.jpg?smart=true&auth=4f31e8d65acc88a52636c73661328f6d19b60678360a1862d94cb93d048ddb2d&width=1200&height=630"/><meta property="og:image:alt" content="Many children and adults experience night-waking and disrupted sleep, which is not only stressful and tiring but also can negatively impact their wellbeing and performance during the day"/><meta name="twitter:image" content="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/P6SEBJ3OPJF4XODL4PDCETDS2I.jpg?smart=true&auth=4f31e8d65acc88a52636c73661328f6d19b60678360a1862d94cb93d048ddb2d&width=1200&height=630"/><meta name="twitter:image:alt" content="Many children and adults experience night-waking and disrupted sleep, which is not only stressful and tiring but also can negatively impact their wellbeing and performance during the day"/><meta property="og:type" content="article"/><meta name="robots" content="noarchive"/><meta property="og:site_name" content="The Irish Times"/><meta property="og:url" content="https://www.irishtimes.com/health/your-family/2024/12/02/my-13-year-old-son-often-wakes-up-at-night-and-spends-ages-just-lying-there-worrying-that-he-cant-sleep/"/><meta name="twitter:site" content="@IrishTimes"/><meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/><link rel="canonical" href="https://www.irishtimes.com/health/your-family/2024/12/02/my-13-year-old-son-often-wakes-up-at-night-and-spends-ages-just-lying-there-worrying-that-he-cant-sleep/"/><link rel="alternate" hrefLang="en-IE" href="https://www.irishtimes.com/health/your-family/2024/12/02/my-13-year-old-son-often-wakes-up-at-night-and-spends-ages-just-lying-there-worrying-that-he-cant-sleep/"/><link id="fusion-template-styles" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/pf/dist/components/combinations/default.css?d=155"/><link id="fusion-siteStyles-styles" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/pf/dist/css/irishtimes.css?d=155"/><style data-styled="" data-styled-version="5.3.5">.dKXkMj{c-expanded-menu;visibility:hidden;position:absolute;left:0px;top:0;}/*!sc*/ data-styled.g2[id="styled__StyledExpandedMenu-sc-1amt4zz-1"]{content:"dKXkMj,"}/*!sc*/ .bTOMGw{display:none;}/*!sc*/ .bTOMGw .arcad > [id^='google_ads_iframe']:not(:empty){max-width:100%;}/*!sc*/ .bTOMGw .arcad > [id^='google_ads_iframe']:not(:empty)::before{content:'ADVERTISEMENT';display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;font-family:star-font,'Roboto',sans-serif;}/*!sc*/ .bTOMGw .arcad > [id^='google_ads_iframe']:empty[style]{width:0 !important;height:0 !important;}/*!sc*/ .gKEhzJ .arcad > [id^='google_ads_iframe']:not(:empty){max-width:100%;}/*!sc*/ .gKEhzJ .arcad > [id^='google_ads_iframe']:not(:empty)::before{content:'ADVERTISEMENT';display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;font-family:star-font,'Roboto',sans-serif;}/*!sc*/ .gKEhzJ .arcad > [id^='google_ads_iframe']:empty[style]{width:0 !important;height:0 !important;}/*!sc*/ .kjbLvz .arcad > [id^='google_ads_iframe']:not(:empty){max-width:100%;}/*!sc*/ .kjbLvz .arcad > [id^='google_ads_iframe']:not(:empty)::before{content:'ADVERTISEMENT';display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;font-family:star-font,'Roboto',sans-serif;display:none;}/*!sc*/ .kjbLvz .arcad > [id^='google_ads_iframe']:empty[style]{width:0 !important;height:0 !important;}/*!sc*/ data-styled.g8[id="default__StyledAdUnit-sc-1moicrg-0"]{content:"bTOMGw,gKEhzJ,kjbLvz,"}/*!sc*/ </style><script type="application/javascript" id="polyfill-script">if(!Array.prototype.includes||!(window.Object && window.Object.assign)||!window.Promise||!window.Symbol||!window.fetch){document.write('<script type="application/javascript" src="/pf/dist/engine/polyfill.js?d=155" defer=""><\/script>')}</script><script id="fusion-engine-react-script" type="application/javascript" src="/pf/dist/engine/react.js?d=155" defer=""></script><script id="fusion-engine-combinations-script" type="application/javascript" src="/pf/dist/components/combinations/default.js?d=155" defer=""></script><script async="" src="https://polyfill-fastly.io/v3/polyfill.min.js?version=3.111.0&features=IntersectionObserver%2CElement.prototype.prepend%2CElement.prototype.remove%2CArray.prototype.find%2CArray.prototype.includes%2CString.prototype.repeat%2CURLSearchParams"></script><script type="text/plain" class="optanon-category-C0004" async="" data-integration="nativo-ad" src="https://s.ntv.io/serve/load.js"></script><script type="text/plain" class="optanon-category-C0002" async="" data-integration="comscore" src="https://sb.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js"></script><script defer="" data-integration="queryly" src="https://www.queryly.com/js/queryly.v4.min.js"></script><script id="xtreme-push" type="text/javascript"> (function(p,u,s,h,e,r,l,i,b) {p['XtremePushObject']=s;p[s]=function(){ (p[s].q=p[s].q||[]).push(arguments)};i=u.createElement('script');i.async=1; i.src=h;b=u.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];b.parentNode.insertBefore(i,b); })(window,document,'xtremepush','https://prod.webpu.sh/tEEXuB8vRMsRMzIydjRZIQjnQzT-EXwR/sdk.js'); xtremepush('ready', function () { if (window.safari !== undefined) { const permission = xtremepush('push', 'permission'); const views = JSON.parse(localStorage.getItem('xtremepush.data'))?.page_views; const sendPush = views % 55 === 0 || views === 1; if ((permission === 'default' || !permission) && (permission !== 'unavailable' && permission !== 'denied' ) && sendPush) { xtremepush('event', 'User Gesture'); } } else { xtremepush('push', 'auto_prompt', true); } }); </script><script type="application/ld+json">{ "@context": "http://schema.org/", "@type": "Organization", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "postOfficeBoxNumber": "PO Box 74", "streetAddress": "24-28 Tara Street", "addressLocality": "Dublin 2", "addressRegion": "County Dublin", "addressCountry": "Ireland", "postalCode": "D02 CX89" }, "contactPoint": [ { "@type": "ContactPoint", "contactType": "Customer Support", "email": "services@irishtimes.com", "telephone": "+353 1 9203901" }, { "@type": "ContactPoint", "contactType": "Sales", "email": "mediasolutions@irishtimes.com", "telephone": "+353 1 5320978" }, { "@type": "ContactPoint", "contactType": "News Desk", "email": "newsdesk@irishtimes.com", "telephone": "" } ], "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "", "width": 1024, "height": 547 }, "name": "The Irish Times", "sameAs": [ "https://www.facebook.com/irishtimes/", "http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-irish-times", "https://www.youtube.com/user/IrishTimes", "https://twitter.com/IrishTimes" ], "url": "https://www.irishtimes.com" }</script><script type="application/ld+json">{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "NewsArticle", "url": "https://www.irishtimes.com/health/your-family/2024/12/02/my-13-year-old-son-often-wakes-up-at-night-and-spends-ages-just-lying-there-worrying-that-he-cant-sleep/", "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "The Irish Times", "url": "https://www.irishtimes.com", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "", "width": 600, "height": 60 } }, "author": [ { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Sharry", "url": "https://www.irishtimes.com/author/john-sharry", "sameAs": "https://www.irishtimes.com/author/john-sharry" } ], "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://schema.org/WebPage", "url": "https://www.irishtimes.com/health/your-family/2024/12/02/my-13-year-old-son-often-wakes-up-at-night-and-spends-ages-just-lying-there-worrying-that-he-cant-sleep/" }, "dateModified": "2024-12-02T06:01:00Z", "datePublished": "2024-12-02T06:01:00.491Z", "headline": "‘My 13-year-old son often wakes up at night and spends ages just lying there worrying that he can’t sleep’", "description": "Ask the Expert: Should we tell him to wake us so we can help him or should we encourage him to continue to do it by himself?", "articleSection": "Your Family", "image": [ "https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/P6SEBJ3OPJF4XODL4PDCETDS2I.jpg?auth=4f31e8d65acc88a52636c73661328f6d19b60678360a1862d94cb93d048ddb2d&smart=true&width=1600&height=900", "https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/P6SEBJ3OPJF4XODL4PDCETDS2I.jpg?auth=4f31e8d65acc88a52636c73661328f6d19b60678360a1862d94cb93d048ddb2d&smart=true&width=1600&height=1200", "https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/P6SEBJ3OPJF4XODL4PDCETDS2I.jpg?auth=4f31e8d65acc88a52636c73661328f6d19b60678360a1862d94cb93d048ddb2d&smart=true&width=1600&height=1600" ], "inLanguage": "", "isAccessibleForFree": "False", "hasPart": { "@type": "WebPageElement", "isAccessibleForFree": "False", "cssSelector": ".paywall" } }</script><link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com"/><link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.gstatic.com" crossorigin=""/><link rel="stylesheet" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Noto+Serif+JP:wght@400;700&family=Roboto:wght@400;700&display=swap"/><script> function PoWaReady() { // 0. DEFAULTS window.PoWaSettings = window.PoWaSettings || []; window.PoWaSettings.advertising = window.PoWaSettings.advertising || []; // 1. CookieBanner ONLOAD window.addEventListener("powaRender", function() { window.PoWaSettings.advertising.adBar = {skipOffset: 6}; if (typeof OptanonActiveGroups==="string" && OptanonActiveGroups.match(/(?=.*,C0002,).*/)) { // 2. Cookies Granted window.PoWaSettings.advertising.gdprConsentGranted = true; } else { // 3. Set Default value window.PoWaSettings.advertising.gdprConsentGranted = window.PoWaSettings.advertising.gdprConsentGranted || false; } }); // 4. CookieBanner ONCLICK window.addEventListener("OneTrustGroupsUpdated", function() { // 1. Set Default value window.PoWaSettings.advertising.gdprConsentGranted = !!OptanonActiveGroups.match(/(?=.,C0002,)./); }); // 5. DataLayer event window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; dataLayer.push({ "has_PoWaSettings_load": true, "event": "donewith_PoWaSettings" }); } var i = 0; function checkIsPoWaReady() { i = i + 1; if (typeof window.PoWaSettings==="object" && typeof OptanonActiveGroups==="string") { //stop the polling PoWaReady(); clearInterval(pollforPoWaReady); } else if (i > 500) { //give up after 5 sec clearInterval(pollforPoWaReady); } } // Start polling var pollforPoWaReady = setInterval(checkIsPoWaReady, 10); </script><script src="https://cdn.cookielaw.org/consent/tcf.stub.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/plain" class="optanon-category-C0004" data-integration="grapeshot" async=""> googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.pubads().setTargeting('gs_cat', []); }); </script></head><body class="custom-it"><noscript data-integration="comscore"><img alt="comscore" src="https://sb.scorecardresearch.com/p?c1=2&c2=8946263&cv=2.0&cj=1"/></noscript><noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-NRHQKJ4" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript><div id="fusion-app"><div id="pw-zpr-modal"></div><div class="b-it-right-rail-advanced"><header class="c-stack b-it-right-rail-advanced__navigation page-header" data-style-direction="vertical" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="unset" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><nav id="main-nav" class="b-header-nav-chain " aria-label="Sections Menu"><div class="b-header-nav-chain__top-layout"><div class="b-header-nav-chain__nav-left"><div class="nav-components--mobile" data-testid="nav-chain-nav-components-mobile-left"><button data-testid="nav-chain-nav-section-button" aria-label="Sections" class="c-button c-button--small c-button--secondary-reverse" type="button"><svg class="c-icon" width="48" height="48" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M25 96C25 78.33 39.33 64 57 64H441C458.7 64 473 78.33 473 96C473 113.7 458.7 128 441 128H57C39.33 128 25 113.7 25 96ZM25 256C25 238.3 39.33 224 57 224H441C458.7 224 473 238.3 473 256C473 273.7 458.7 288 441 288H57C39.33 288 25 273.7 25 256ZM441 448H57C39.33 448 25 433.7 25 416C25 398.3 39.33 384 57 384H441C458.7 384 473 398.3 473 416C473 433.7 458.7 448 441 448Z"></path></svg></button></div><div class="nav-components--desktop" data-testid="nav-chain-nav-components-desktop-left"><button aria-label="Search" class="c-button c-button--small c-button--secondary-reverse" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="48" height="48" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M505 442.7L405.3 343c-4.5-4.5-10.6-7-17-7H372c27.6-35.3 44-79.7 44-128C416 93.1 322.9 0 208 0S0 93.1 0 208s93.1 208 208 208c48.3 0 92.7-16.4 128-44v16.3c0 6.4 2.5 12.5 7 17l99.7 99.7c9.4 9.4 24.6 9.4 33.9 0l28.3-28.3c9.4-9.4 9.4-24.6.1-34zM208 336c-70.7 0-128-57.2-128-128 0-70.7 57.2-128 128-128 70.7 0 128 57.2 128 128 0 70.7-57.2 128-128 128z"></path></svg></span></button><button data-testid="nav-chain-nav-section-button" aria-label="Sections" class="c-button c-button--small c-button--secondary-reverse" type="button"><span>Sections</span><svg class="c-icon" width="48" height="48" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M25 96C25 78.33 39.33 64 57 64H441C458.7 64 473 78.33 473 96C473 113.7 458.7 128 441 128H57C39.33 128 25 113.7 25 96ZM25 256C25 238.3 39.33 224 57 224H441C458.7 224 473 238.3 473 256C473 273.7 458.7 288 441 288H57C39.33 288 25 273.7 25 256ZM441 448H57C39.33 448 25 433.7 25 416C25 398.3 39.33 384 57 384H441C458.7 384 473 398.3 473 416C473 433.7 458.7 448 441 448Z"></path></svg></button></div></div><a title="The Irish Times" class="c-link b-header-nav-chain__logo b-header-nav-chain__logo--center nav-logo-hidden svg-logo" href="/" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"><img src="https://static.themebuilder.aws.arc.pub/irishtimes/1647534191733.svg" alt="The Irish Times" data-chromatic="ignore"/></a><div class="b-header-nav-chain__nav-right"><div class="nav-components--mobile" data-testid="nav-chain-nav-components-mobile-right"><div class="c-stack b-signin-subscribe-block" data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="center" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap" style="--c-stack-gap:1rem"><a target="_blank" style="display:none" rel="noreferrer" class="c-button c-button--link c-button--small c-button--primary b-signin-subscribe-block__subscribe" href="/subscribe"><span><span style="display:none">Subscribe</span></span></a><button class="c-button c-button--small c-button--secondary-reverse b-signin-subscribe-block__btn--signin" type="button"><span><div class="c-stack" data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap" style="--c-stack-gap:0.5rem"><svg width="14" height="16" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><mask id="mask0_757:236487" style="mask-type:alpha" maskUnits="userSpaceOnUse" x="0" y="0" width="24" height="24"><rect width="24" height="24" fill="#C4C4C4"></rect></mask><g mask="url(#mask0_757:236487)"><ellipse cx="9.79117" cy="6.02353" rx="5.02353" ry="5.02353" fill="white"></ellipse><path d="M11.0471 22.35V12.3029H5C2.79086 12.3029 1 14.0938 1 16.3029V20.35C1 21.4546 1.89543 22.35 3 22.35H11.0471Z" fill="white"></path><path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M19.3391 22.1044C19.2762 22.1862 19.1937 22.2477 19.0916 22.2886C18.9894 22.3295 18.8833 22.35 18.7733 22.35C18.5533 22.35 18.3647 22.2681 18.2075 22.1044C18.0504 21.9406 17.9718 21.7441 17.9718 21.5148C17.9718 21.4002 17.9954 21.2896 18.0425 21.1832C18.0897 21.0767 18.1447 20.9907 18.2075 20.9252L20.8478 18.174H14.3839C14.1482 18.174 13.9517 18.0921 13.7946 17.9283C13.6374 17.7646 13.5588 17.568 13.5588 17.3388C13.5588 17.1095 13.6374 16.913 13.7946 16.7492C13.9517 16.5854 14.1482 16.5036 14.3839 16.5036H20.8478L18.2075 13.7277C18.1447 13.6622 18.0897 13.5762 18.0425 13.4698C17.9954 13.3633 17.9718 13.2528 17.9718 13.1382C17.9718 12.9089 18.0504 12.7124 18.2075 12.5486C18.3647 12.3848 18.5533 12.3029 18.7733 12.3029C18.8833 12.3029 18.9894 12.3275 19.0916 12.3766C19.1937 12.4258 19.2762 12.4831 19.3391 12.5486L23.3702 16.7492C23.433 16.8147 23.488 16.9007 23.5352 17.0071C23.5823 17.1136 23.6059 17.2241 23.6059 17.3388C23.6059 17.4534 23.5823 17.5598 23.5352 17.6581C23.488 17.7564 23.433 17.8464 23.3702 17.9283L19.3391 22.1044Z" fill="white"></path></g></svg></div></span></button></div></div><div class="nav-components--desktop" data-testid="nav-chain-nav-components-desktop-right"><div id="fusion-static-enter:html-block-f0f1j0n1myTR7B9-0-0-0" style="display:none" data-fusion-component="html-block-f0f1j0n1myTR7B9-0-0-0"></div><div><iframe scrolling="no" id="fw-desktop" data-src="https://lw.foreca.com/v3/en/site/irishtimes/widget/?name=Dublin&id=102964574" style="width: 85px; height: 40px; border:0; margin: 0; display: flex; align-items: center;"></iframe></div><div id="fusion-static-exit:html-block-f0f1j0n1myTR7B9-0-0-0" style="display:none" data-fusion-component="html-block-f0f1j0n1myTR7B9-0-0-0"></div><div class="c-stack b-signin-subscribe-block" data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="center" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap" style="--c-stack-gap:1rem"><a target="_blank" style="display:none" rel="noreferrer" class="c-button c-button--link c-button--small c-button--primary b-signin-subscribe-block__subscribe" href="/subscribe"><span><span style="display:none">Subscribe</span></span></a><button class="c-button c-button--small c-button--secondary-reverse b-signin-subscribe-block__btn--signin" type="button"><span><div class="c-stack" data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap" style="--c-stack-gap:0.5rem"><svg width="14" height="16" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><mask id="mask0_757:236487" style="mask-type:alpha" maskUnits="userSpaceOnUse" x="0" y="0" width="24" height="24"><rect width="24" height="24" fill="#C4C4C4"></rect></mask><g mask="url(#mask0_757:236487)"><ellipse cx="9.79117" cy="6.02353" rx="5.02353" ry="5.02353" fill="white"></ellipse><path d="M11.0471 22.35V12.3029H5C2.79086 12.3029 1 14.0938 1 16.3029V20.35C1 21.4546 1.89543 22.35 3 22.35H11.0471Z" fill="white"></path><path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M19.3391 22.1044C19.2762 22.1862 19.1937 22.2477 19.0916 22.2886C18.9894 22.3295 18.8833 22.35 18.7733 22.35C18.5533 22.35 18.3647 22.2681 18.2075 22.1044C18.0504 21.9406 17.9718 21.7441 17.9718 21.5148C17.9718 21.4002 17.9954 21.2896 18.0425 21.1832C18.0897 21.0767 18.1447 20.9907 18.2075 20.9252L20.8478 18.174H14.3839C14.1482 18.174 13.9517 18.0921 13.7946 17.9283C13.6374 17.7646 13.5588 17.568 13.5588 17.3388C13.5588 17.1095 13.6374 16.913 13.7946 16.7492C13.9517 16.5854 14.1482 16.5036 14.3839 16.5036H20.8478L18.2075 13.7277C18.1447 13.6622 18.0897 13.5762 18.0425 13.4698C17.9954 13.3633 17.9718 13.2528 17.9718 13.1382C17.9718 12.9089 18.0504 12.7124 18.2075 12.5486C18.3647 12.3848 18.5533 12.3029 18.7733 12.3029C18.8833 12.3029 18.9894 12.3275 19.0916 12.3766C19.1937 12.4258 19.2762 12.4831 19.3391 12.5486L23.3702 16.7492C23.433 16.8147 23.488 16.9007 23.5352 17.0071C23.5823 17.1136 23.6059 17.2241 23.6059 17.3388C23.6059 17.4534 23.5823 17.5598 23.5352 17.6581C23.488 17.7564 23.433 17.8464 23.3702 17.9283L19.3391 22.1044Z" fill="white"></path></g></svg></div></span></button></div></div></div></div><div id="flyout-overlay" data-testid="nav-chain-flyout-overlay" class="c-stack b-header-nav-chain__flyout-overlay closed" data-style-direction="vertical" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="unset" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><div><div class="c-stack b-header-nav-chain__flyout-nav-wrapper closed" data-style-direction="vertical" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="unset" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><div class="b-header-nav-chain__flyout-close-button"><button aria-label="Close" class="c-button c-button--small c-button--secondary-reverse" type="button"><svg class="c-icon" width="24" height="24" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M406.6 361.4C419.1 373.9 419.1 394.15 406.6 406.65C400.4 412.9 392.2 416 384 416C375.8 416 367.62 412.875 361.38 406.625L256 301.3L150.63 406.6C144.38 412.9 136.19 416 128 416C119.81 416 111.63 412.9 105.375 406.6C92.875 394.1 92.875 373.85 105.375 361.35L210.775 255.95L105.375 150.6C92.875 138.1 92.875 117.85 105.375 105.35C117.875 92.85 138.125 92.85 150.625 105.35L256 210.8L361.4 105.4C373.9 92.9 394.15 92.9 406.65 105.4C419.15 117.9 419.15 138.15 406.65 150.65L301.25 256.05L406.6 361.4Z"></path></svg></button></div><div class="nav-menu"><div data-testid="nav-chain-nav-components-mobile" class="c-stack nav-components--mobile" data-style-direction="vertical" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="unset" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><div class="b-subscribe-button-block"><div><iframe scrolling="no" id="fw-mobile" data-src="https://lw.foreca.com/v3/en/site/irishtimes/widget/?name=Dublin&id=102964574" style="width: 85px; height: 40px; border:0; margin: 0;"></iframe></div><a target="_blank" class="c-button c-button--link c-button--full-width c-button--medium c-button--primary" href="/subscribe"><span>Subscribe</span></a></div><button aria-label="Search" class="c-button c-button--small c-button--secondary-reverse" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="48" height="48" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M505 442.7L405.3 343c-4.5-4.5-10.6-7-17-7H372c27.6-35.3 44-79.7 44-128C416 93.1 322.9 0 208 0S0 93.1 0 208s93.1 208 208 208c48.3 0 92.7-16.4 128-44v16.3c0 6.4 2.5 12.5 7 17l99.7 99.7c9.4 9.4 24.6 9.4 33.9 0l28.3-28.3c9.4-9.4 9.4-24.6.1-34zM208 336c-70.7 0-128-57.2-128-128 0-70.7 57.2-128 128-128 70.7 0 128 57.2 128 128 0 70.7-57.2 128-128 128z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div data-testid="nav-chain-nav-components-desktop" class="c-stack nav-components--desktop" data-style-direction="vertical" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="unset" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"></div></div><ul class="c-stack b-header-nav-chain__flyout-nav" data-style-direction="vertical" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="unset" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><a class="c-link" href="/" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Home</a></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><a class="c-link" href="/latest/" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Latest</a></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><a class="c-link" href="/subscriber-only/" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Subscriber Only</a></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><div data-testid="nav-chain-section-item-subsection" class="c-stack b-header-nav-chain__subsection-anchor subsection-anchor " data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><a class="c-link" href="/crosswords-puzzles" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Crosswords & Puzzles</a><button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="header_sub_section_crosswords-puzzles" aria-label="Show Crosswords & Puzzles sub sections" class="c-button c-button--medium c-button--default submenu-caret" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_crosswords-puzzles"><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/crosswords-puzzles/crosaire" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Crosaire</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/crosswords-puzzles/simplex" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Simplex</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/crosswords-puzzles/sudoku" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Sudoku</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/crosswords-puzzles/news-quiz/" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">News Quiz</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><a class="c-link" href="/election2024/" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Election 2024</a></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><div data-testid="nav-chain-section-item-subsection" class="c-stack b-header-nav-chain__subsection-anchor subsection-anchor " data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><a class="c-link" href="/ireland" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Ireland</a><button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="header_sub_section_ireland" aria-label="Show Ireland sub sections" class="c-button c-button--medium c-button--default submenu-caret" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_ireland"><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/ireland/dublin" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Dublin</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/ireland/education" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Education</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/ireland/housing-planning" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Housing & Planning</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/ireland/social-affairs" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Social Affairs</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/ireland/stardust/" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Stardust</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><div data-testid="nav-chain-section-item-subsection" class="c-stack b-header-nav-chain__subsection-anchor subsection-anchor " data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><a class="c-link" href="/politics" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Politics</a><button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="header_sub_section_politics" aria-label="Show Politics sub sections" class="c-button c-button--medium c-button--default submenu-caret" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_politics"><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/election2024/" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Election 2024</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/politics/poll/" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Poll</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/politics/oireachtas" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Oireachtas</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/common-ground/" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Common Ground</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/politics/elections-referendums/" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Elections & Referendums</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><div data-testid="nav-chain-section-item-subsection" class="c-stack b-header-nav-chain__subsection-anchor subsection-anchor " data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><a class="c-link" href="/opinion" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Opinion</a><button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="header_sub_section_opinion" aria-label="Show Opinion sub sections" class="c-button c-button--medium c-button--default submenu-caret" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_opinion"><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/opinion/editorials" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Editorials</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/opinion/an-irish-diary" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">An Irish Diary</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/opinion/letters" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Letters</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/opinion/cartoon" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Cartoon</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><div data-testid="nav-chain-section-item-subsection" class="c-stack b-header-nav-chain__subsection-anchor subsection-anchor " data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><a class="c-link" href="/business" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Business</a><button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="header_sub_section_business" aria-label="Show Business sub sections" class="c-button c-button--medium c-button--default submenu-caret" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_business"><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/business/economy" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Economy</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/business/farming-food" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Farming & Food</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/business/financial-services" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Financial Services</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/business/innovation" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Innovation</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/business/markets" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Markets</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/business/work" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Work</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/property/commercial-property" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Commercial Property</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><div data-testid="nav-chain-section-item-subsection" class="c-stack b-header-nav-chain__subsection-anchor subsection-anchor " data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><a class="c-link" href="/world" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">World</a><button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="header_sub_section_world" aria-label="Show World sub sections" class="c-button c-button--medium c-button--default submenu-caret" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_world"><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/world/us-election/" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">US Election</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/world/europe" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Europe</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/world/uk" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">UK</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/world/us" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">US</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/world/canada" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Canada</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/world/australia" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Australia</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/world/africa" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Africa</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/world/americas" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Americas</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/world/asia-pacific" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Asia-Pacific</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/world/middle-east" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Middle East</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><div data-testid="nav-chain-section-item-subsection" class="c-stack b-header-nav-chain__subsection-anchor subsection-anchor " data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><a class="c-link" href="/sport" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Sport</a><button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="header_sub_section_sport" aria-label="Show Sport sub sections" class="c-button c-button--medium c-button--default submenu-caret" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_sport"><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/sport/gaelic-games" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Gaelic Games</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/sport/rugby" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Rugby</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/sport/soccer" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Soccer</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/sport/golf" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Golf</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/sport/racing" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Racing</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/sport/athletics" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Athletics</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/sport/boxing" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Boxing</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/sport/cycling" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Cycling</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/sport/hockey" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Hockey</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/sport/tennis" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Tennis</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><div data-testid="nav-chain-section-item-subsection" class="c-stack b-header-nav-chain__subsection-anchor subsection-anchor " data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><a class="c-link" href="/your-money" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Your Money</a><button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="header_sub_section_your-money" aria-label="Show Your Money sub sections" class="c-button c-button--medium c-button--default submenu-caret" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_your-money"><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/tags/pricewatch" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Pricewatch</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/budget/" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Budget 2025</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><div data-testid="nav-chain-section-item-subsection" class="c-stack b-header-nav-chain__subsection-anchor subsection-anchor " data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><a class="c-link" href="/crime-law" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Crime & Law</a><button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="header_sub_section_crime-law" aria-label="Show Crime & Law sub sections" class="c-button c-button--medium c-button--default submenu-caret" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_crime-law"><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/crime-law/courts" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Courts</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><div data-testid="nav-chain-section-item-subsection" class="c-stack b-header-nav-chain__subsection-anchor subsection-anchor " data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><a class="c-link" href="/property" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Property</a><button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="header_sub_section_property" aria-label="Show Property sub sections" class="c-button c-button--medium c-button--default submenu-caret" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_property"><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/property/residential" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Residential</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/property/commercial-property" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Commercial Property</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/property/interiors" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Interiors</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><div data-testid="nav-chain-section-item-subsection" class="c-stack b-header-nav-chain__subsection-anchor subsection-anchor " data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><a class="c-link" href="/food" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Food</a><button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="header_sub_section_food" aria-label="Show Food sub sections" class="c-button c-button--medium c-button--default submenu-caret" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_food"><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/food/drink" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Drink</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/food/recipes" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Recipes</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/food/restaurants" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Restaurants</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><div data-testid="nav-chain-section-item-subsection" class="c-stack b-header-nav-chain__subsection-anchor subsection-anchor " data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><a class="c-link" href="/health" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Health</a><button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="header_sub_section_health" aria-label="Show Health sub sections" class="c-button c-button--medium c-button--default submenu-caret" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_health"><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/health/your-family" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Your Family</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/health/your-fitness" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Your Fitness</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/health/your-wellness" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Your Wellness</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/health/your-fitness/get-running" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Get Running</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><div data-testid="nav-chain-section-item-subsection" class="c-stack b-header-nav-chain__subsection-anchor subsection-anchor " data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><a class="c-link" href="/life-style" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Life & Style</a><button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="header_sub_section_life-style" aria-label="Show Life & Style sub sections" class="c-button c-button--medium c-button--default submenu-caret" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_life-style"><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/life-style/fashion" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Fashion</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/tags/beauty/" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Beauty</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/life-style/fine-art-antiques" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Fine Art & Antiques</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/life-style/gardening" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Gardening</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/life-style/people" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">People</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/life-style/travel" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Travel</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><div data-testid="nav-chain-section-item-subsection" class="c-stack b-header-nav-chain__subsection-anchor subsection-anchor " data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><a class="c-link" href="/culture" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Culture</a><button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="header_sub_section_culture" aria-label="Show Culture sub sections" class="c-button c-button--medium c-button--default submenu-caret" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_culture"><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/culture/art" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Art</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/culture/books" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Books</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/culture/film" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Film</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/culture/music" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Music</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/culture/stage" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Stage</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/culture/tv-radio" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">TV & Radio</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><div data-testid="nav-chain-section-item-subsection" class="c-stack b-header-nav-chain__subsection-anchor subsection-anchor " data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><a class="c-link" href="/environment" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Environment</a><button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="header_sub_section_environment" aria-label="Show Environment sub sections" class="c-button c-button--medium c-button--default submenu-caret" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_environment"><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/environment/climate-crisis" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Climate Crisis</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><div data-testid="nav-chain-section-item-subsection" class="c-stack b-header-nav-chain__subsection-anchor subsection-anchor " data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><a class="c-link" href="/technology" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Technology</a><button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="header_sub_section_technology" aria-label="Show Technology sub sections" class="c-button c-button--medium c-button--default submenu-caret" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_technology"><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/technology/big-tech" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Big Tech</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/technology/consumer-tech" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Consumer Tech</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/technology/data-security" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Data & Security</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/technology/gaming" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Gaming</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><div data-testid="nav-chain-section-item-subsection" class="c-stack b-header-nav-chain__subsection-anchor subsection-anchor " data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><a class="c-link" href="/science" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Science</a><button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="header_sub_section_science" aria-label="Show Science sub sections" class="c-button c-button--medium c-button--default submenu-caret" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_science"><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/science/space" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Space</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><a class="c-link" href="/media" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Media</a></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><a class="c-link" href="/abroad" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Abroad</a></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><a class="c-link" href="/obituaries" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Obituaries</a></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><a class="c-link" href="/transport" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Transport</a></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><div data-testid="nav-chain-section-item-subsection" class="c-stack b-header-nav-chain__subsection-anchor subsection-anchor " data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><a class="c-link" href="/motors" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Motors</a><button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="header_sub_section_motors" aria-label="Show Motors sub sections" class="c-button c-button--medium c-button--default submenu-caret" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_motors"><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/motors/car-reviews/" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Car Reviews</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><a class="c-link" href="/listen/" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Listen</a></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><div data-testid="nav-chain-section-item-subsection" class="c-stack b-header-nav-chain__subsection-anchor subsection-anchor " data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><a class="c-link" href="/podcasts" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Podcasts</a><button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="header_sub_section_podcasts" aria-label="Show Podcasts sub sections" class="c-button c-button--medium c-button--default submenu-caret" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_podcasts"><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/podcasts/in-the-news" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">In the News Podcast</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/podcasts/inside-politics" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Inside Politics Podcast</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/podcasts/the-womens-podcast" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">The Women's Podcast</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/podcasts/inside-business" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Inside Business Podcast</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/podcasts/ross-ocarroll-kelly" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Ross O'Carroll-Kelly</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/podcasts/the-counter-ruck" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">The Counter Ruck Podcast</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/podcasts/conversations-with-parents" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Conversations with Parents Podcast</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><a class="c-link" href="/video" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Video</a></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><a class="c-link" href="/photography" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Photography</a></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><div data-testid="nav-chain-section-item-subsection" class="c-stack b-header-nav-chain__subsection-anchor subsection-anchor " data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><a class="c-link" href="/history" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">History</a><button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="header_sub_section_history" aria-label="Show History sub sections" class="c-button c-button--medium c-button--default submenu-caret" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_history"><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/history/century" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Century</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><a class="c-link" href="/tuarascail" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Tuarascáil</a></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><a class="c-link" href="/student-hub" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Student Hub</a></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><a class="c-link" href="/offbeat" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Offbeat</a></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><a class="c-link" href="https://notices.irishtimes.com" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Family Notices<span class="visually-hidden">Opens in new window</span></a></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><div data-testid="nav-chain-section-item-subsection" class="c-stack b-header-nav-chain__subsection-anchor subsection-anchor " data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><a class="c-link" href="/sponsored" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Sponsored</a><button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="header_sub_section_sponsored" aria-label="Show Sponsored sub sections" class="c-button c-button--medium c-button--default submenu-caret" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_sponsored"><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/advertising-feature" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Advertising Feature</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/special-reports" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Special Reports</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><a class="c-link" href="/subscriber-rewards/" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Subscriber Rewards</a></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><a class="c-link" href="/competitions" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Competitions</a></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><a class="c-link" href="/weather/" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Weather Forecast</a></li><li class="section-menu--bottom-placeholder"></li></ul></div></div></div></nav><div class="toast-message"></div></header><section role="main" tabindex="-1" class="b-it-right-rail-advanced__main" id="main"><div class="c-stack b-it-right-rail-advanced__full-width-1" data-style-direction="vertical" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="unset" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><div id="arcad-feature-f0fSfuAa9d1X4Jq-1f3a0415df1d03" class="default__StyledAdUnit-sc-1moicrg-0 bTOMGw arcad-feature"><div class="arcad-container width_100" style="max-width:970px"><div id="arcad_f0fSfuAa9d1X4Jq-1f3a0415df1d03" class="arcad ad-970x90"></div></div></div><div id="lazy_38079" class="lazy_container"><div class="b-flex-chain"><div class="b-flex-chain__grid-container b-flex-chain__grid-container__12 gap" style="--c-stack-gap:var(--global-spacing-0)"><div class="c-stack grid-item " data-style-direction="vertical" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="unset" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><div class="c-grid b-it-overline-block"><div class="c-stack wrap" data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="center" data-style-alignment="start" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap" style="--c-stack-gap:0"><span class="c-pill c-it-subscriber-pill b-it-overline-block__subscriber-pill">Subscriber Only</span><span class="c-stack b-it-overline-block__text" data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="center" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="wrap"><a class="c-link false" href="/health/your-family/">Your Family</a></span></div></div><h1 class="b-it-headline align-center">‘My 13-year-old son often wakes up at night and spends ages just lying there worrying that he can’t sleep’</h1></div></div></div></div><h2 class="b-it-subheadline align-center ">Ask the Expert: Should we tell him to wake us so we can help him or should we encourage him to continue to do it by himself?</h2></div><div class="c-grid b-it-right-rail-advanced__rail-container"><div class="c-stack b-it-right-rail-advanced__main-interior-item " data-style-direction="vertical" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="unset" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><div class="c-stack b-it-right-rail-advanced__main-interior-item-1" data-style-direction="vertical" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="unset" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><div class="c-grid b-it-lead-art__wrapper"><figure class="c-media-item b-it-lead-art"><div class="b-it-lead-art__image-wrapper" style="aspect-ratio:1024 / 1024"><img data-chromatic="ignore" alt="Many children and adults experience night-waking and disrupted sleep, which is not only stressful and tiring but also can negatively impact their wellbeing and performance during the day" class="c-image b-it-lead-art__btn-full-screen-open" loading="eager" src="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/P6SEBJ3OPJF4XODL4PDCETDS2I.jpg?auth=4f31e8d65acc88a52636c73661328f6d19b60678360a1862d94cb93d048ddb2d&smart=true&width=1024&height=1024" srcSet="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/P6SEBJ3OPJF4XODL4PDCETDS2I.jpg?auth=4f31e8d65acc88a52636c73661328f6d19b60678360a1862d94cb93d048ddb2d&smart=true&width=400&height=400 400w, https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/P6SEBJ3OPJF4XODL4PDCETDS2I.jpg?auth=4f31e8d65acc88a52636c73661328f6d19b60678360a1862d94cb93d048ddb2d&smart=true&width=440&height=440 440w, https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/P6SEBJ3OPJF4XODL4PDCETDS2I.jpg?auth=4f31e8d65acc88a52636c73661328f6d19b60678360a1862d94cb93d048ddb2d&smart=true&width=800&height=800 800w, https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/P6SEBJ3OPJF4XODL4PDCETDS2I.jpg?auth=4f31e8d65acc88a52636c73661328f6d19b60678360a1862d94cb93d048ddb2d&smart=true&width=1024&height=1024 1024w, https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/P6SEBJ3OPJF4XODL4PDCETDS2I.jpg?auth=4f31e8d65acc88a52636c73661328f6d19b60678360a1862d94cb93d048ddb2d&smart=true&width=1440&height=1440 1440w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 400px, (max-width: 440px) 440px, (max-width: 800px) 800px, (max-width: 1024px) 1024px, (min-width: 1025px) 1440px" width="1024" height="1024"/></div><figcaption class="c-media-item__fig-caption"><span class="c-media-item__caption">Many children and adults experience night-waking and disrupted sleep, which is not only stressful and tiring but also can negatively impact their wellbeing and performance during the day </span></figcaption></figure></div><div class="c-stack b-it-byline-block" data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><div class="b-it-byline-block__author-image"><div style="aspect-ratio:118 / 118;background-color:var(--global-neutral-1)" class="c-it-placeholder"><img data-chromatic="ignore" alt="John Sharry's picture " class="c-image" loading="lazy" src="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Firishtimes%2F887ca0ae-819a-4e55-af1e-a9b0bc75ae84.png?auth=93cb9bc3752c97d26fd2d63ef0f4c74ee6e84d671bc38e16aa867c1bc68b7bcc&width=118" srcSet="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Firishtimes%2F887ca0ae-819a-4e55-af1e-a9b0bc75ae84.png?auth=93cb9bc3752c97d26fd2d63ef0f4c74ee6e84d671bc38e16aa867c1bc68b7bcc&width=78 78w, https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Firishtimes%2F887ca0ae-819a-4e55-af1e-a9b0bc75ae84.png?auth=93cb9bc3752c97d26fd2d63ef0f4c74ee6e84d671bc38e16aa867c1bc68b7bcc&width=118 118w, https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Firishtimes%2F887ca0ae-819a-4e55-af1e-a9b0bc75ae84.png?auth=93cb9bc3752c97d26fd2d63ef0f4c74ee6e84d671bc38e16aa867c1bc68b7bcc&width=158 158w" sizes="(max-width: 440px) 78px, (max-width: 800px) 118px, (min-width: 801px) 158px" width="118"/></div></div><div class="c-stack b-it-byline-block__text" data-style-direction="vertical" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="start" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><div class="author"><span class="author-name"><a class="c-link" href="/author/john-sharry/">John Sharry</a></span></div><div class="b-it-byline-block__date">Mon Dec 02 2024 - 06:01</div></div></div><div class="c-grid b-it-social-share-block b-it-social-share-block__space-above"><div class="c-stack b-it-social-share-block__container" data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="start" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><ul class="c-stack b-it-social-share-block__main-section main_section" data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap" style="--c-stack-gap:0"><li><a href="" title="Listen | 05:36" class="b-it-social-share-block__link social_share_btn_tts article-play-sub-btn" rel="nofollow"><svg class="c-icon" width="48" height="48" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 32C114.52 32 0 146.496 0 288v48a32 32 0 0 0 17.689 28.622l14.383 7.191C34.083 431.903 83.421 480 144 480h24c13.255 0 24-10.745 24-24V280c0-13.255-10.745-24-24-24h-24c-31.342 0-59.671 12.879-80 33.627V288c0-105.869 86.131-192 192-192s192 86.131 192 192v1.627C427.671 268.879 399.342 256 368 256h-24c-13.255 0-24 10.745-24 24v176c0 13.255 10.745 24 24 24h24c60.579 0 109.917-48.098 111.928-108.187l14.382-7.191A32 32 0 0 0 512 336v-48c0-141.479-114.496-256-256-256z"></path></svg></a></li><li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://www.irishtimes.com/health/your-family/2024/12/02/my-13-year-old-son-often-wakes-up-at-night-and-spends-ages-just-lying-there-worrying-that-he-cant-sleep/" title="Facebook" class="b-it-social-share-block__link social_share_btn_facebook " rel="nofollow"><svg class="c-icon" width="48" height="48" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M504 256C504 119 393 8 256 8S8 119 8 256c0 123.78 90.69 226.38 209.25 245V327.69h-63V256h63v-54.64c0-62.15 37-96.48 93.67-96.48 27.14 0 55.52 4.84 55.52 4.84v61h-31.28c-30.8 0-40.41 19.12-40.41 38.73V256h68.78l-11 71.69h-57.78V501C413.31 482.38 504 379.78 504 256z"></path></svg></a></li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://www.irishtimes.com/health/your-family/2024/12/02/my-13-year-old-son-often-wakes-up-at-night-and-spends-ages-just-lying-there-worrying-that-he-cant-sleep/&text=%E2%80%98My%2013-year-old%20son%20often%20wakes%20up%20at%20night%20and%20spends%20ages%20just%20lying%20there%20worrying%20that%20he%20can%E2%80%99t%20sleep%E2%80%99" title="X" class="b-it-social-share-block__link social_share_btn_twitter " rel="nofollow"><svg class="c-icon" width="48" height="48" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M389.2 48h70.6L305.6 224.2 487 464H345L233.7 318.6 106.5 464H35.8L200.7 275.5 26.8 48H172.4L272.9 180.9 389.2 48zM364.4 421.8h39.1L151.1 88h-42L364.4 421.8z"></path></svg></a></li><li><a href="https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=https://www.irishtimes.com/health/your-family/2024/12/02/my-13-year-old-son-often-wakes-up-at-night-and-spends-ages-just-lying-there-worrying-that-he-cant-sleep/" title="WhatsApp" class="b-it-social-share-block__link social_share_btn_whatsapp " rel="nofollow" data-action="share/whatsapp/share"><svg class="c-icon" width="48" height="48" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M380.9 97.1C339 55.1 283.2 32 223.9 32c-122.4 0-222 99.6-222 222 0 39.1 10.2 77.3 29.6 111L0 480l117.7-30.9c32.4 17.7 68.9 27 106.1 27h.1c122.3 0 224.1-99.6 224.1-222 0-59.3-25.2-115-67.1-157zm-157 341.6c-33.2 0-65.7-8.9-94-25.7l-6.7-4-69.8 18.3L72 359.2l-4.4-7c-18.5-29.4-28.2-63.3-28.2-98.2 0-101.7 82.8-184.5 184.6-184.5 49.3 0 95.6 19.2 130.4 54.1 34.8 34.9 56.2 81.2 56.1 130.5 0 101.8-84.9 184.6-186.6 184.6zm101.2-138.2c-5.5-2.8-32.8-16.2-37.9-18-5.1-1.9-8.8-2.8-12.5 2.8-3.7 5.6-14.3 18-17.6 21.8-3.2 3.7-6.5 4.2-12 1.4-32.6-16.3-54-29.1-75.5-66-5.7-9.8 5.7-9.1 16.3-30.3 1.8-3.7.9-6.9-.5-9.7-1.4-2.8-12.5-30.1-17.1-41.2-4.5-10.8-9.1-9.3-12.5-9.5-3.2-.2-6.9-.2-10.6-.2-3.7 0-9.7 1.4-14.8 6.9-5.1 5.6-19.4 19-19.4 46.3 0 27.3 19.9 53.7 22.6 57.4 2.8 3.7 39.1 59.7 94.8 83.8 35.2 15.2 49 16.5 66.6 13.9 10.7-1.6 32.8-13.4 37.4-26.4 4.6-13 4.6-24.1 3.2-26.4-1.3-2.5-5-3.9-10.5-6.6z"></path></svg></a></li><li class="b-it-social-share-block__expanded-section-container"><button class="c-button c-button--small c-button--default b-it-social-share-block__expanded-section-menu-btn" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="48" height="48" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M192.222 100.096C192.222 135.352 220.745 163.875 256 163.875 291.255 163.875 319.778 135.352 319.778 100.096 319.778 64.841 291.255 36.318 256 36.318 220.745 36.318 192.222 64.841 192.222 100.096ZM256 192.221C291.255 192.221 319.778 220.745 319.778 256 319.778 291.255 291.255 319.778 256 319.778 220.745 319.778 192.222 291.255 192.222 256 192.222 220.745 220.745 192.221 256 192.221ZM256 475.682C220.745 475.682 192.222 447.157 192.222 411.902 192.222 376.646 220.745 348.124 256 348.124 291.255 348.124 319.778 376.646 319.778 411.902 319.778 447.157 291.255 475.682 256 475.682Z"></path></svg></span></button><div class="styled__StyledExpandedMenu-sc-1amt4zz-1 dKXkMj"><div class="b-it-social-share-block__expanded-section"><ul class="b-it-social-share-block__button-bar"><li><a href="mailto:?subject=%E2%80%98My%2013-year-old%20son%20often%20wakes%20up%20at%20night%20and%20spends%20ages%20just%20lying%20there%20worrying%20that%20he%20can%E2%80%99t%20sleep%E2%80%99&body=https://www.irishtimes.com/health/your-family/2024/12/02/my-13-year-old-son-often-wakes-up-at-night-and-spends-ages-just-lying-there-worrying-that-he-cant-sleep/" title="Email" class="b-it-social-share-block__link social_share_btn_email " rel="nofollow"><svg class="c-icon" width="48" height="48" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M502.3 190.8c3.9-3.1 9.7-.2 9.7 4.7V400c0 26.5-21.5 48-48 48H48c-26.5 0-48-21.5-48-48V195.6c0-5 5.7-7.8 9.7-4.7 22.4 17.4 52.1 39.5 154.1 113.6 21.1 15.4 56.7 47.8 92.2 47.6 35.7.3 72-32.8 92.3-47.6 102-74.1 131.6-96.3 154-113.7zM256 320c23.2.4 56.6-29.2 73.4-41.4 132.7-96.3 142.8-104.7 173.4-128.7 5.8-4.5 9.2-11.5 9.2-18.9v-19c0-26.5-21.5-48-48-48H48C21.5 64 0 85.5 0 112v19c0 7.4 3.4 14.3 9.2 18.9 30.6 23.9 40.7 32.4 173.4 128.7 16.8 12.2 50.2 41.8 73.4 41.4z"></path></svg></a></li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https://www.irishtimes.com/health/your-family/2024/12/02/my-13-year-old-son-often-wakes-up-at-night-and-spends-ages-just-lying-there-worrying-that-he-cant-sleep/" title="LinkedIn" class="b-it-social-share-block__link social_share_btn_linkedin " rel="nofollow"><svg class="c-icon" width="48" height="48" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M448 32H63.9C46.3 32 32 46.5 32 64.3v383.4C32 465.5 46.3 480 63.9 480H448c17.6 0 32-14.5 32-32.3V64.3c0-17.8-14.4-32.3-32-32.3zM167.4 416H101V202.2h66.5V416zm-33.2-243c-21.3 0-38.5-17.3-38.5-38.5S112.9 96 134.2 96c21.2 0 38.5 17.3 38.5 38.5 0 21.3-17.2 38.5-38.5 38.5zm282.1 243h-66.4V312c0-24.8-.5-56.7-34.5-56.7-34.6 0-39.9 27-39.9 54.9V416h-66.4V202.2h63.7v29.2h.9c8.9-16.8 30.6-34.5 62.9-34.5 67.2 0 79.7 44.3 79.7 101.9V416z"></path></svg></a></li><li><a href="https://reddit.com/submit?url=https://www.irishtimes.com/health/your-family/2024/12/02/my-13-year-old-son-often-wakes-up-at-night-and-spends-ages-just-lying-there-worrying-that-he-cant-sleep/&title=%E2%80%98My%2013-year-old%20son%20often%20wakes%20up%20at%20night%20and%20spends%20ages%20just%20lying%20there%20worrying%20that%20he%20can%E2%80%99t%20sleep%E2%80%99" title="Reddit" class="b-it-social-share-block__link social_share_btn_reddit " rel="nofollow"><svg class="c-icon" width="48" height="48" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M440.3 203.5c-15 0-28.2 6.2-37.9 15.9-35.7-24.7-83.8-40.6-137.1-42.3L293 52.3l88.2 19.8c0 21.6 17.6 39.2 39.2 39.2 22 0 39.7-18.1 39.7-39.7s-17.6-39.7-39.7-39.7c-15.4 0-28.7 9.3-35.3 22l-97.4-21.6c-4.9-1.3-9.7 2.2-11 7.1L246.3 177c-52.9 2.2-100.5 18.1-136.3 42.8-9.7-10.1-23.4-16.3-38.4-16.3-55.6 0-73.8 74.6-22.9 100.1-1.8 7.9-2.6 16.3-2.6 24.7 0 83.8 94.4 151.7 210.3 151.7 116.4 0 210.8-67.9 210.8-151.7 0-8.4-.9-17.2-3.1-25.1 49.9-25.6 31.5-99.7-23.8-99.7zM129.4 308.9c0-22 17.6-39.7 39.7-39.7 21.6 0 39.2 17.6 39.2 39.7 0 21.6-17.6 39.2-39.2 39.2-22 .1-39.7-17.6-39.7-39.2zm214.3 93.5c-36.4 36.4-139.1 36.4-175.5 0-4-3.5-4-9.7 0-13.7 3.5-3.5 9.7-3.5 13.2 0 27.8 28.5 120 29 149 0 3.5-3.5 9.7-3.5 13.2 0 4.1 4 4.1 10.2.1 13.7zm-.8-54.2c-21.6 0-39.2-17.6-39.2-39.2 0-22 17.6-39.7 39.2-39.7 22 0 39.7 17.6 39.7 39.7-.1 21.5-17.7 39.2-39.7 39.2z"></path></svg></a></li><li><a href="https://pinterest.com/pin/create/bookmarklet/?url=https://www.irishtimes.com/health/your-family/2024/12/02/my-13-year-old-son-often-wakes-up-at-night-and-spends-ages-just-lying-there-worrying-that-he-cant-sleep/&description=%E2%80%98My%2013-year-old%20son%20often%20wakes%20up%20at%20night%20and%20spends%20ages%20just%20lying%20there%20worrying%20that%20he%20can%E2%80%99t%20sleep%E2%80%99&media=" title="Pinterest" class="b-it-social-share-block__link social_share_btn_pinterest " rel="nofollow"><svg class="c-icon" width="48" height="48" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M504 256c0 137-111 248-248 248-25.6 0-50.2-3.9-73.4-11.1 10.1-16.5 25.2-43.5 30.8-65 3-11.6 15.4-59 15.4-59 8.1 15.4 31.7 28.5 56.8 28.5 74.8 0 128.7-68.8 128.7-154.3 0-81.9-66.9-143.2-152.9-143.2-107 0-163.9 71.8-163.9 150.1 0 36.4 19.4 81.7 50.3 96.1 4.7 2.2 7.2 1.2 8.3-3.3.8-3.4 5-20.3 6.9-28.1.6-2.5.3-4.7-1.7-7.1-10.1-12.5-18.3-35.3-18.3-56.6 0-54.7 41.4-107.6 112-107.6 60.9 0 103.6 41.5 103.6 100.9 0 67.1-33.9 113.6-78 113.6-24.3 0-42.6-20.1-36.7-44.8 7-29.5 20.5-61.3 20.5-82.6 0-19-10.2-34.9-31.4-34.9-24.9 0-44.9 25.7-44.9 60.2 0 22 7.4 36.8 7.4 36.8s-24.5 103.8-29 123.2c-5 21.4-3 51.6-.9 71.2C73.4 450.9 8 361.1 8 256 8 119 119 8 256 8s248 111 248 248z"></path></svg></a></li><li><a href="" title="Copy Link" class="b-it-social-share-block__link social_share_btn_copy " rel="nofollow"><svg class="c-icon" width="48" height="48" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M326.612 185.391c59.747 59.809 58.927 155.698.36 214.59-.11.12-.24.25-.36.37l-67.2 67.2c-59.27 59.27-155.699 59.262-214.96 0-59.27-59.26-59.27-155.7 0-214.96l37.106-37.106c9.84-9.84 26.786-3.3 27.294 10.606.648 17.722 3.826 35.527 9.69 52.721 1.986 5.822.567 12.262-3.783 16.612l-13.087 13.087c-28.026 28.026-28.905 73.66-1.155 101.96 28.024 28.579 74.086 28.749 102.325.51l67.2-67.19c28.191-28.191 28.073-73.757 0-101.83-3.701-3.694-7.429-6.564-10.341-8.569a16.037 16.037 0 0 1-6.947-12.606c-.396-10.567 3.348-21.456 11.698-29.806l21.054-21.055c5.521-5.521 14.182-6.199 20.584-1.731a152.482 152.482 0 0 1 20.522 17.197zM467.547 44.449c-59.261-59.262-155.69-59.27-214.96 0l-67.2 67.2c-.12.12-.25.25-.36.37-58.566 58.892-59.387 154.781.36 214.59a152.454 152.454 0 0 0 20.521 17.196c6.402 4.468 15.064 3.789 20.584-1.731l21.054-21.055c8.35-8.35 12.094-19.239 11.698-29.806a16.037 16.037 0 0 0-6.947-12.606c-2.912-2.005-6.64-4.875-10.341-8.569-28.073-28.073-28.191-73.639 0-101.83l67.2-67.19c28.239-28.239 74.3-28.069 102.325.51 27.75 28.3 26.872 73.934-1.155 101.96l-13.087 13.087c-4.35 4.35-5.769 10.79-3.783 16.612 5.864 17.194 9.042 34.999 9.69 52.721.509 13.906 17.454 20.446 27.294 10.606l37.106-37.106c59.271-59.259 59.271-155.699.001-214.959z"></path></svg></a></li><li><a href="" title="Print" class="b-it-social-share-block__link social_share_btn_print " rel="nofollow"><svg class="c-icon" width="48" height="48" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M448 192V77.25c0-8.49-3.37-16.62-9.37-22.63L393.37 9.37c-6-6-14.14-9.37-22.63-9.37H96C78.33 0 64 14.33 64 32v160c-35.35 0-64 28.65-64 64v112c0 8.84 7.16 16 16 16h48v96c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h320c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-96h48c8.84 0 16-7.16 16-16V256c0-35.35-28.65-64-64-64zm-64 256H128v-96h256v96zm0-224H128V64h192v48c0 8.84 7.16 16 16 16h48v96zm48 72c-13.25 0-24-10.75-24-24 0-13.26 10.75-24 24-24s24 10.74 24 24c0 13.25-10.75 24-24 24z"></path></svg></a></li></ul></div></div></li></ul></div></div><article class="b-it-article-body article-body-wrapper article-sub-wrapper"><h4 class="b-it-article-body__h4 paywall">Question</h4><p class="c-paragraph"><b>My 13-year-old son is having difficulty sleeping. He has been having a lot of trouble getting up for school and it has become such a stressful rush in the mornings. When we were chatting last week, he revealed that he often wakes up at night and then can’t get back to sleep. He says he spends “ages just lying there” worrying that he can’t sleep.</b></p><p class="c-paragraph paywall"><b>When he was younger he often had trouble like this and would wake us up – we would spend time supporting him back to sleep. Now he seems to be awake by himself – I feel bad that he is left alone like that by himself at night. What should we do to help him? What advise should we give him to get back to sleep?</b></p><p class="c-paragraph paywall"><b>Should we tell him to wake us so we can help him or encourage him to continue to do it by himself? He goes to bed at a reasonable time and is often very tired in the evening and is exhausted in the morning when he has to get up for school.</b></p><p class="c-paragraph paywall"><b>He has no screens in his bedroom and has a relaxing night-time routine as far as I can see.</b></p><div id="fusion-static-enter:html-block-f0frCB4hReP77YJ-3-4-0" style="display:none" data-fusion-component="html-block-f0frCB4hReP77YJ-3-4-0"></div><div><div style="border-block-start: 4px solid var(--global-neutral-2);font-family:var(--font-family-secondary);font-weight: var(--c-heading-font-weight);font-size:1.1rem; padding-top:0.8rem;margin-top:2rem;">READ MORE</div></div><div id="fusion-static-exit:html-block-f0frCB4hReP77YJ-3-4-0" style="display:none" data-fusion-component="html-block-f0frCB4hReP77YJ-3-4-0"></div><div class="c-grid b-top-table-list"><div class="c-grid b-top-table-list-small-container b-top-table-list-small-container--2"><article class="c-grid b-top-table-list-small b-top-table-list-small--right"><h2 class="c-heading"><a class="c-link" href="/health/your-wellness/2024/12/03/social-enterprise-town-scientist-its-given-me-the-motivation-to-say-im-not-just-a-mam-stuck-at-home-with-a-disability-who-cant-do-stuff/">‘It’s given me the motivation to say, I’m not just a mam stuck at home with a disability who can’t do stuff’: Social enterprise Town Scientist</a></h2><a class="c-link" href="/health/your-wellness/2024/12/03/social-enterprise-town-scientist-its-given-me-the-motivation-to-say-im-not-just-a-mam-stuck-at-home-with-a-disability-who-cant-do-stuff/" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"><figure class="c-media-item"><img data-chromatic="ignore" alt="‘It’s given me the motivation to say, I’m not just a mam stuck at home with a disability who can’t do stuff’: Social enterprise Town Scientist" class="c-image" loading="lazy" src="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/W5RSBIWCFNDXBCEVRKMS3UGDSU.jpg?focal=662%2C629&auth=f657eacb0140e7670a266e80e21ae90c88b8d250e8dbaea6d9772f7838e7270a&width=800&height=533" srcSet="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/W5RSBIWCFNDXBCEVRKMS3UGDSU.jpg?focal=662%2C629&auth=f657eacb0140e7670a266e80e21ae90c88b8d250e8dbaea6d9772f7838e7270a&width=400&height=266 400w, https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/W5RSBIWCFNDXBCEVRKMS3UGDSU.jpg?focal=662%2C629&auth=f657eacb0140e7670a266e80e21ae90c88b8d250e8dbaea6d9772f7838e7270a&width=600&height=399 600w, https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/W5RSBIWCFNDXBCEVRKMS3UGDSU.jpg?focal=662%2C629&auth=f657eacb0140e7670a266e80e21ae90c88b8d250e8dbaea6d9772f7838e7270a&width=800&height=533 800w, https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/W5RSBIWCFNDXBCEVRKMS3UGDSU.jpg?focal=662%2C629&auth=f657eacb0140e7670a266e80e21ae90c88b8d250e8dbaea6d9772f7838e7270a&width=1200&height=799 1200w" width="800" height="533"/></figure></a><hr class="c-divider"/></article><article class="c-grid b-top-table-list-small b-top-table-list-small--right"><h2 class="c-heading"><a class="c-link" href="/opinion/2024/11/30/jennifer-oconnell-look-out-ladies-elon-musk-has-plans-for-your-womb/">Look out ladies. Elon Musk has plans for your womb</a></h2><a class="c-link" href="/opinion/2024/11/30/jennifer-oconnell-look-out-ladies-elon-musk-has-plans-for-your-womb/" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"><figure class="c-media-item"><img data-chromatic="ignore" alt="Look out ladies. Elon Musk has plans for your womb" class="c-image" loading="lazy" src="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/GDDVRKAAAM4GFWF4AJ7GSFIBBM.jpg?focal=4459%2C1356&auth=117d82d5220f3bc696c6fe7e06d22fdd0fec3744a1fe781a6a3a3e6c23b4436f&width=800&height=533" srcSet="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/GDDVRKAAAM4GFWF4AJ7GSFIBBM.jpg?focal=4459%2C1356&auth=117d82d5220f3bc696c6fe7e06d22fdd0fec3744a1fe781a6a3a3e6c23b4436f&width=400&height=266 400w, https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/GDDVRKAAAM4GFWF4AJ7GSFIBBM.jpg?focal=4459%2C1356&auth=117d82d5220f3bc696c6fe7e06d22fdd0fec3744a1fe781a6a3a3e6c23b4436f&width=600&height=399 600w, https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/GDDVRKAAAM4GFWF4AJ7GSFIBBM.jpg?focal=4459%2C1356&auth=117d82d5220f3bc696c6fe7e06d22fdd0fec3744a1fe781a6a3a3e6c23b4436f&width=800&height=533 800w, https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/GDDVRKAAAM4GFWF4AJ7GSFIBBM.jpg?focal=4459%2C1356&auth=117d82d5220f3bc696c6fe7e06d22fdd0fec3744a1fe781a6a3a3e6c23b4436f&width=1200&height=799 1200w" width="800" height="533"/></figure></a><hr class="c-divider"/></article><article class="c-grid b-top-table-list-small b-top-table-list-small--right"><h2 class="c-heading"><a class="c-link" href="/life-style/people/2024/11/30/there-could-be-two-cars-but-the-fridge-is-empty-hidden-poverty-in-middle-class-ireland/">‘There could be two cars, but the fridge is empty’: Hidden poverty in middle-class Ireland</a></h2><a class="c-link" href="/life-style/people/2024/11/30/there-could-be-two-cars-but-the-fridge-is-empty-hidden-poverty-in-middle-class-ireland/" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"><figure class="c-media-item"><img data-chromatic="ignore" alt="‘There could be two cars, but the fridge is empty’: Hidden poverty in middle-class Ireland" class="c-image" loading="lazy" src="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/3CYMILO3VNAZFPPXZRLZVUR7AQ.JPG?focal=2743%2C2403&auth=17410ac65b0c4a472b687d631ff94a06bfd0b5f3b9dc6dd952ea081c90cadd02&width=800&height=533" srcSet="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/3CYMILO3VNAZFPPXZRLZVUR7AQ.JPG?focal=2743%2C2403&auth=17410ac65b0c4a472b687d631ff94a06bfd0b5f3b9dc6dd952ea081c90cadd02&width=400&height=266 400w, https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/3CYMILO3VNAZFPPXZRLZVUR7AQ.JPG?focal=2743%2C2403&auth=17410ac65b0c4a472b687d631ff94a06bfd0b5f3b9dc6dd952ea081c90cadd02&width=600&height=399 600w, https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/3CYMILO3VNAZFPPXZRLZVUR7AQ.JPG?focal=2743%2C2403&auth=17410ac65b0c4a472b687d631ff94a06bfd0b5f3b9dc6dd952ea081c90cadd02&width=800&height=533 800w, https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/3CYMILO3VNAZFPPXZRLZVUR7AQ.JPG?focal=2743%2C2403&auth=17410ac65b0c4a472b687d631ff94a06bfd0b5f3b9dc6dd952ea081c90cadd02&width=1200&height=799 1200w" width="800" height="533"/></figure></a><hr class="c-divider"/></article><article class="c-grid b-top-table-list-small b-top-table-list-small--right"><h2 class="c-heading"><a class="c-link" href="/business/work/2024/11/29/is-there-such-a-thing-as-too-much-parental-leave/">Is there such a thing as too much parental leave?</a></h2><a class="c-link" href="/business/work/2024/11/29/is-there-such-a-thing-as-too-much-parental-leave/" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"><figure class="c-media-item"><img data-chromatic="ignore" alt="Is there such a thing as too much parental leave?" class="c-image" loading="lazy" src="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/DABXXOICSNDHLIT6EDDEY7UCMA.jpg?smart=true&auth=071b9c51a1ddffa50244c7e506474be9756b98ecb4215c56c036aec79b3e0848&width=800&height=533" srcSet="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/DABXXOICSNDHLIT6EDDEY7UCMA.jpg?smart=true&auth=071b9c51a1ddffa50244c7e506474be9756b98ecb4215c56c036aec79b3e0848&width=400&height=266 400w, https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/DABXXOICSNDHLIT6EDDEY7UCMA.jpg?smart=true&auth=071b9c51a1ddffa50244c7e506474be9756b98ecb4215c56c036aec79b3e0848&width=600&height=399 600w, https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/DABXXOICSNDHLIT6EDDEY7UCMA.jpg?smart=true&auth=071b9c51a1ddffa50244c7e506474be9756b98ecb4215c56c036aec79b3e0848&width=800&height=533 800w, https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/DABXXOICSNDHLIT6EDDEY7UCMA.jpg?smart=true&auth=071b9c51a1ddffa50244c7e506474be9756b98ecb4215c56c036aec79b3e0848&width=1200&height=799 1200w" width="800" height="533"/></figure></a><hr class="c-divider"/></article></div></div><h4 class="b-it-article-body__h4 paywall"><b>Answer</b></h4><p class="c-paragraph paywall">Many children and adults experience night-waking and disrupted sleep, which is not only stressful and tiring but also can negatively impact their wellbeing and performance during the day.</p><p class="c-paragraph paywall">Many people go in and out of sleep throughout the night. They might wake briefly and then return to sleep easily, barely noticing that they were awake. However, others, once they awake, their mind can become active and full of worries and ruminations. There is a tendency for people to be more hypervigilant in the middle of the night – some experts see this as an evolutionary hangover from when there were actually more dangers at night. As a result, in the dark of the night, worries can seem larger than they actually are and this can disturb your sleep. Once you are agitated then it more difficult to fall back to sleep – the more you try the harder it can become.</p><div id="arcad-feature-f0fA5zOjVt7q5My-3-4-3-1e2cb6f9736181" class="default__StyledAdUnit-sc-1moicrg-0 gKEhzJ arcad-feature"><div class="arcad-container width_100" style="max-width:550px"><div id="arcad_f0fA5zOjVt7q5My-3-4-3-1e2cb6f9736181" class="arcad ad-550x250"></div></div></div><p class="c-paragraph paywall">Sleep is a passive process about relaxing and letting go – it is not an active decision you can make. Also, once you are awake for a short period “tossing and turning” then secondary worries about not sleeping can kick in – you can berate yourself with thoughts such as “Oh no, I am not sleeping, I am going to be really tired in the morning”. Such stressful thoughts just make sleep harder – this is vicious cycle of insomnia. Over time, just lying in the bed becomes associated with stress and worry and not restful sleep.</p><h4 class="b-it-article-body__h4 paywall">Helping your son</h4><p class="c-paragraph paywall">In thinking how to help your son, it is first important to get a full picture of his sleep patterns and what is going on for him through the night. It is great that he has started talking to you about his night-waking, so now encourage him to tell you a bit more. For example, it would be useful to know: What time does he usually wake up at? Is there a particular reason he wakes up? (eg worries or a bad dream, etc). What happens when he tries to get back to sleep when he wakes? Explore also how he falls asleep in the first place when he goes to bed. It is a good sign that he is able to do this, so do take time to identify the different sleep strategies he uses: what he thinks of, what position he lies in, how he relaxes himself, what props he uses. (such as reading, music, comfy pillow, etc). It is best to have this conversation during the day at a calm, relaxed time when you can work on solutions together.</p><p class="c-paragraph b-it-article-body__interstitial-link"><span>[ </span><a aria-label="Open related story" class="c-link" href="https://www.irishtimes.com/life-style/2023/08/30/insomnia-is-no-fun-and-ive-tried-everything-even-brown-noise/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Insomnia is no fun and I’ve tried everything. Even brown noise<span class="visually-hidden">Opens in new window</span></a><span> ]</span></p><h4 class="b-it-article-body__h4 paywall">Make a plan for getting back to sleep</h4><p class="c-paragraph paywall">Encourage your son to make a plan for when he awakes. Below are some ideas that might help</p><p class="c-paragraph paywall">1) Try his normal “fall-asleep strategies” that work when he first goes to bed</p><p class="c-paragraph paywall">2) If after 5-10 minutes he is lying there awake and agitated, it might be useful to get up for a minute to break this pattern. Some people find it helps to read for a few minutes or to do some stretching. One teen I worked with found it useful to do a couple of sit-ups as means of discharging his stress and resetting his system. The key is to break the association of lying in bed with stress and agitation</p><p class="c-paragraph paywall">3) If he has worries on his mind that are preventing his sleep, sometimes it can be useful to jot a few of these down on a note pad and then tell himself that he will deal with them in the morning</p><div id="arcad-feature-f0fq2HIufcDr5Mt-3-4-4-66293d7b789f9" class="default__StyledAdUnit-sc-1moicrg-0 gKEhzJ arcad-feature"><div class="arcad-container width_100" style="max-width:550px"><div id="arcad_f0fq2HIufcDr5Mt-3-4-4-66293d7b789f9" class="arcad ad-550x250"></div></div></div><p class="c-paragraph paywall">4) Once he feels a little more relaxed, then he can go back to bed and restart his relaxing fall-asleep strategies</p><p class="c-paragraph paywall">5) Sometimes an additional prop can help, such as listening to music or a sleep meditation (you can put this on a device with no access to social media to avoid other distractions if need be)</p><p class="c-paragraph paywall">What works in restarting good sleep habits varies greatly from person to person. The most important thing is to be compassionate and encouraging and to break the pattern of worrying that might affect him. For example, if your son lies awake worrying “oh no, I am not sleeping”, you can encourage him to replace that thought with a relaxing manta “oh, it is nice to be lying resting in my bed”. Patience and gentleness are key in building better sleep habits</p><p class="c-paragraph paywall">Finally, you ask in your question whether he should wake you when he is not sleeping. You can of course give him that option for if he really needs to. But waking you up may increase the challenge of getting back to sleep (as well as being stressful for you). Also, I think it is a sign of his maturity that he is trying to deal with this himself – you can of course be a supportive coach for him during the day as he reflects about what he needs and comes up with a plan to manage.</p><ul class="c-unordered-list paywall"><li class="c-list-item paywall"><a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/topics/topics-7.1213540?article=true&tag_person=John+Sharry"><i>John Sharry</i></a><i> is clinical director of the </i><a href="https://parentsplus.ie/"><i>Parents Plus Charity</i></a><i> and an adjunct professor at the </i><a href="https://www.ucd.ie/psychology/"><i>UCD School of Psychology.</i></a><i> He is delivering courses on Supporting Teenagers and Parenting Neurodivergent children starting on January14th and 24th, 2025, respectively. See </i><a href="http://www.solutiontalk.ie/"><i>solutiontalk.ie</i></a></li></ul><div class="paywall"><div><div id="fusion-static-enter:article-html-block-7ROABMHFJVA23A6GCUZNT6H2TI" style="display:none" data-fusion-component="article-html-block-7ROABMHFJVA23A6GCUZNT6H2TI"></div><div class="b-it-article-body__html"><div class="contribly-contribute-v2" data-client="9fc0f2a4-9bf9-4464-8b77-ec351ad0db03" data-assignment="dfea1027-fb44-4a52-be45-3e6c66fc39f9" data-display="inline"></div><script type="text/javascript" src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/contribly-widgets/contribute/contribute-v2.js"></script></div><div id="fusion-static-exit:article-html-block-7ROABMHFJVA23A6GCUZNT6H2TI" style="display:none" data-fusion-component="article-html-block-7ROABMHFJVA23A6GCUZNT6H2TI"></div></div></div></article><div id="lazy_54332" class="lazy_container"><div class="b-flex-chain"><div class="b-flex-chain__grid-container b-flex-chain__grid-container__12 gap"><div class="c-stack grid-item " data-style-direction="vertical" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="unset" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><div data-testid="article-container" class="c-stack b-article-tag" data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="center" data-style-alignment="unset" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="wrap"><a class="c-pill" href="/tags/for-you/">For You</a></div><div class="c-stack b-flex-promo-list-block" data-style-direction="vertical" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="unset" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap" style="--c-stack-gap:1rem"></div><div class="floating-subscribe"></div><div id="arcad-feature-f0fxlXV57SJ370m-3-5-3-23c947a78298f" class="default__StyledAdUnit-sc-1moicrg-0 gKEhzJ arcad-feature"><div class="arcad-container width_100" style="max-width:728px"><div id="arcad_f0fxlXV57SJ370m-3-5-3-23c947a78298f" class="arcad ad-728x90"></div></div></div><hr class="c-divider b-it-divider-block"/><div class="c-grid b-it-header-block"><div class="b-it-header-block__header-block font-normal "><div class="c-stack b-it-header-block__heading-h5 font-normal" data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><div class="c-stack headline-block" data-style-direction="vertical" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="unset" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap" style="--c-stack-gap:0"><h3 as="h5" class="c-heading font-normal margin_none">IN THIS SECTION</h3></div></div></div></div><div class="c-stack b-flex-promo-list-block" data-style-direction="vertical" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="unset" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap" style="--c-stack-gap:1rem"><article class="b-flex-promo-card bottom-divider"><div class="b-flex-promo-card__text"><div class="b-flex-promo-card__text-no-overline"><h3 class="c-heading c-heading__md-sm text-align_left"><a class="c-link font-bold" href="/podcasts/conversations-with-parents/when-does-it-get-easier-and-other-parenting-questions/">‘When does it get easier?’ and other parenting questions</a></h3><div class="b-flex-promo-card__audio"><button aria-label="Listen to ‘When does it get easier?’ and other parenting questions" class="c-button c-button--small c-button--primary-reverse" type="button"><svg class="c-icon" width="48" height="48" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M425 215C439.3 223.8 448 239.3 448 256C448 272.7 439.3 288.2 425 296.1L137.03 472.1C122.21 482 103.66 482.4 88.52 473.9C73.377 465.4 64 449.4 64 432V80C64 62.64 73.377 46.63 88.52 38.13C103.66 29.64 122.21 29.99 137.03 39.04L425 215Z"></path></svg></button><span class="b-flex-promo-card__audio-text">Listen | 39:36</span></div></div></div></article><article class="b-flex-promo-card bottom-divider"><div class="b-flex-promo-card__text"><div class="b-flex-promo-card__text-no-overline"><h3 class="c-heading c-heading__md-sm text-align_left"><a class="c-link font-bold" href="/health/your-family/2024/12/02/my-13-year-old-son-often-wakes-up-at-night-and-spends-ages-just-lying-there-worrying-that-he-cant-sleep/">‘My 13-year-old son often wakes up at night and spends ages just lying there worrying that he can’t sleep’</a></h3></div></div></article><article class="b-flex-promo-card bottom-divider"><div class="b-flex-promo-card__text"><div class="b-flex-promo-card__text-no-overline"><h3 class="c-heading c-heading__md-sm text-align_left"><a class="c-link font-bold" href="/opinion/2024/11/30/jennifer-oconnell-look-out-ladies-elon-musk-has-plans-for-your-womb/">Look out ladies. Elon Musk has plans for your womb</a></h3></div></div></article><article class="b-flex-promo-card bottom-divider"><div class="b-flex-promo-card__text"><div class="b-flex-promo-card__text-no-overline"><h3 class="c-heading c-heading__md-sm text-align_left"><a class="c-link font-bold" href="/podcasts/conversations-with-parents/seamas-oreilly-my-little-boy-is-the-same-age-now-as-i-was-when-my-mother-died/">Séamas O’Reilly: ‘My little boy is the same age now as I was when my mother died’</a></h3><div class="b-flex-promo-card__audio"><button aria-label="Listen to Séamas O’Reilly: ‘My little boy is the same age now as I was when my mother died’" class="c-button c-button--small c-button--primary-reverse" type="button"><svg class="c-icon" width="48" height="48" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M425 215C439.3 223.8 448 239.3 448 256C448 272.7 439.3 288.2 425 296.1L137.03 472.1C122.21 482 103.66 482.4 88.52 473.9C73.377 465.4 64 449.4 64 432V80C64 62.64 73.377 46.63 88.52 38.13C103.66 29.64 122.21 29.99 137.03 39.04L425 215Z"></path></svg></button><span class="b-flex-promo-card__audio-text">Listen | 39:05</span></div></div></div></article><article class="b-flex-promo-card bottom-divider"><div class="b-flex-promo-card__text"><div class="b-flex-promo-card__text-no-overline"><h3 class="c-heading c-heading__md-sm text-align_left"><a class="c-link font-bold" href="/ireland/education/2024/11/26/parents-were-apprehensive-the-school-where-risky-play-is-on-the-timetable/">‘Parents were apprehensive’: the school where ‘risky’ play is on the timetable </a></h3></div></div></article></div><div id="arcad-feature-f0ftR5Zxlqp6ayh-3-5-7-67ab95226f063" class="default__StyledAdUnit-sc-1moicrg-0 kjbLvz arcad-feature"><div class="arcad-container width_100" style="max-width:fluidpx"><div id="arcad_f0ftR5Zxlqp6ayh-3-5-7-67ab95226f063" class="arcad ad-fluid"></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="c-stack b-it-right-rail-advanced__main-interior-item-2" data-style-direction="vertical" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="unset" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><div id="lazy_59425" class="lazy_container"><div class="b-flex-chain"><div class="b-flex-chain__grid-container b-flex-chain__grid-container__12 gap"><div class="c-stack grid-item " data-style-direction="vertical" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="unset" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><div class="c-grid b-it-header-block"><div class="b-it-header-block__header-block font-normal border"><a class="c-link b-it-header-block__link font-normal" href="/most-read/"><div class="c-stack b-it-header-block__heading-h5 font-normal" data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><div class="c-stack headline-block" data-style-direction="vertical" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="unset" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap" style="--c-stack-gap:0"><h3 as="h5" class="c-heading font-normal margin_none"><span class=" font-normal">MOST READ<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="14" height="24" viewBox="0 0 14 24" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" class="c-icon"><path d="M1.13096 0.799122C1.80974 0.102652 2.7203 -0.288062 3.25008 0.255525L13.3161 10.5835C14.2279 11.4523 14.228 12.9331 13.3161 13.802L3.78 23.0857C2.92237 23.9029 2.18997 24.7165 0.637788 22.9345C-0.650965 21.455 0.273466 20.6414 1.1311 19.8243L8.71733 12.5593C8.91647 12.3686 8.92364 12.0527 8.73336 11.8531L0.748709 3.47961C-0.108924 2.6625 0.0713963 1.88627 1.13096 0.799122Z"></path></svg></span></h3></div></div></a></div></div><div class="c-stack b-flex-promo-list-block" data-style-direction="vertical" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="unset" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap" style="--c-stack-gap:1rem"><article class="b-flex-promo-card bottom-divider"><div class="b-flex-promo-card__text"><div class="b-flex-promo-card__text-no-overline"><h3 class="c-heading c-heading__md-sm text-align_left"><a class="c-link font-bold" href="/world/americas/2024/11/30/my-brother-is-doing-the-trump-dance/">My brother is doing the Trump dance</a></h3></div></div></article><article class="b-flex-promo-card bottom-divider"><div class="b-flex-promo-card__text"><div class="b-flex-promo-card__text-no-overline"><h3 class="c-heading c-heading__md-sm text-align_left"><a class="c-link font-bold" href="/culture/film/2024/12/03/humphrey-bogart-and-lauren-bacalls-son-on-his-parents-kids-were-second-to-their-drinking-and-partying/">Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall’s son on his parents: ‘Kids were second to their drinking and partying’</a></h3></div></div></article><article class="b-flex-promo-card bottom-divider"><div class="b-flex-promo-card__text"><div class="b-flex-promo-card__text-no-overline"><h3 class="c-heading c-heading__md-sm text-align_left"><a class="c-link font-bold" href="/crime-law/2024/12/03/a-beautiful-girl-full-of-life-full-of-energy-tributes-paid-to-eight-year-old-girl-killed-in-new-ross-as-man-arrested/">‘A beautiful girl, full of life, full of energy’: Tributes paid to eight-year-old girl killed in New Ross as man arrested</a></h3></div></div></article><article class="b-flex-promo-card bottom-divider"><div class="b-flex-promo-card__text"><div class="b-flex-promo-card__text-no-overline"><h3 class="c-heading c-heading__md-sm text-align_left"><a class="c-link font-bold" href="/ireland/2024/12/03/ripie-removes-condolences-pages-for-padraig-nally-over-anti-traveller-comments/">RIP.ie removes condolences page for Padraig Nally over anti-Traveller comments</a></h3></div></div></article><article class="b-flex-promo-card bottom-divider"><div class="b-flex-promo-card__text"><div class="b-flex-promo-card__text-no-overline"><h3 class="c-heading c-heading__md-sm text-align_left"><a class="c-link font-bold" href="/business/2024/12/03/ireland-has-once-in-a-lifetime-chance-to-fuel-eu-hydrogen-network/">Ireland has ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ chance to fuel EU hydrogen network </a></h3></div></div></article></div></div></div></div></div><div id="lazy_20562" class="lazy_container"><div class="b-flex-chain"><div class="b-flex-chain__grid-container b-flex-chain__grid-container__444 has-divider gap-divider"><div class="c-stack grid-item " data-style-direction="vertical" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="unset" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><div id="arcad-feature-f0fdR5Cf3u5J8U1-5-1-0-13015f4106f75f" class="default__StyledAdUnit-sc-1moicrg-0 kjbLvz arcad-feature"><div class="arcad-container width_100" style="max-width:fluidpx"><div id="arcad_f0fdR5Cf3u5J8U1-5-1-0-13015f4106f75f" class="arcad ad-fluid"></div></div></div></div><div class="c-stack grid-item " data-style-direction="vertical" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="unset" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><div id="arcad-feature-f0fUAqtGfnuJ8p2-5-1-1-f6952fc4d7e23" class="default__StyledAdUnit-sc-1moicrg-0 kjbLvz arcad-feature"><div class="arcad-container width_100" style="max-width:fluidpx"><div id="arcad_f0fUAqtGfnuJ8p2-5-1-1-f6952fc4d7e23" class="arcad ad-fluid"></div></div></div></div><div class="c-stack grid-item " data-style-direction="vertical" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="unset" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><div id="arcad-feature-f0fPkgtFCgrJ8KI-5-1-2-1b18f6f8f93bfb" class="default__StyledAdUnit-sc-1moicrg-0 kjbLvz arcad-feature"><div class="arcad-container width_100" style="max-width:fluidpx"><div id="arcad_f0fPkgtFCgrJ8KI-5-1-2-1b18f6f8f93bfb" class="arcad ad-fluid"></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="c-grid b-it-header-block"><div class="b-it-header-block__header-block font-normal border"><div class="c-stack b-it-header-block__heading-h5 font-normal" data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><div class="c-stack headline-block" data-style-direction="vertical" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="unset" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap" style="--c-stack-gap:0"><h2 as="h5" class="c-heading font-normal margin_none">READ NEXT</h2></div></div></div></div><div class="c-stack b-flex-promo-list-block" data-style-direction="vertical" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="unset" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap" style="--c-stack-gap:1rem"><article class="b-flex-promo-card bottom-divider"><div class="b-flex-promo-card__text"><div class="b-flex-promo-card__text-no-overline"><h2 class="c-heading c-heading__md-sm text-align_left"><a class="c-link font-bold" href="/politics/2024/12/01/miriam-lord-democracy-is-great-but-sometimes-we-can-overdo-it/">For much of the time in the RDS, one of the big questions was: what the hell is going on? </a></h2></div></div></article><article class="b-flex-promo-card"><div class="b-flex-promo-card__text"><div class="b-flex-promo-card__text-no-overline"><h2 class="c-heading c-heading__md-sm text-align_left"><a class="c-link font-bold" href="/ireland/2024/12/02/girl-dies-following-assault-at-house-in-new-ross-co-wexford/">Girl (8) dies following assault at house in New Ross, Co Wexford</a></h2></div></div></article></div></div></div><div class="c-stack b-it-right-rail-advanced__main-right-rail " data-style-direction="vertical" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="unset" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><div class="c-stack b-it-right-rail-advanced__main-right-rail-top" data-style-direction="vertical" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="unset" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><div id="fusion-static-enter:html-block-f0fQOCpO0QdS78i" style="display:none" data-fusion-component="html-block-f0fQOCpO0QdS78i"></div><div><div class="spacer"></div></div><div id="fusion-static-exit:html-block-f0fQOCpO0QdS78i" style="display:none" data-fusion-component="html-block-f0fQOCpO0QdS78i"></div></div><div class="c-stack b-it-right-rail-advanced__main-right-rail-middle" data-style-direction="vertical" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="unset" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"></div><div class="c-stack b-it-right-rail-advanced__main-right-rail-bottom" data-style-direction="vertical" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="unset" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><div class="b-it-sticky-chain sticky-chain"><div><div class="c-grid b-it-header-block"><div class="b-it-header-block__header-block font-normal border"><a class="c-link b-it-header-block__link font-normal" href="/latest/"><div class="c-stack b-it-header-block__heading-h5 font-normal" data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><div class="c-stack headline-block" data-style-direction="vertical" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="unset" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap" style="--c-stack-gap:0"><h2 as="h5" class="c-heading font-normal margin_none"><span class=" font-normal">LATEST STORIES<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="14" height="24" viewBox="0 0 14 24" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" class="c-icon"><path d="M1.13096 0.799122C1.80974 0.102652 2.7203 -0.288062 3.25008 0.255525L13.3161 10.5835C14.2279 11.4523 14.228 12.9331 13.3161 13.802L3.78 23.0857C2.92237 23.9029 2.18997 24.7165 0.637788 22.9345C-0.650965 21.455 0.273466 20.6414 1.1311 19.8243L8.71733 12.5593C8.91647 12.3686 8.92364 12.0527 8.73336 11.8531L0.748709 3.47961C-0.108924 2.6625 0.0713963 1.88627 1.13096 0.799122Z"></path></svg></span></h2></div></div></a></div></div></div><div><div class="c-stack b-flex-promo-list-block" data-style-direction="vertical" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="unset" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap" style="--c-stack-gap:1rem"><article class="b-flex-promo-card bottom-divider"><div class="b-flex-promo-card__text"><div class="b-flex-promo-card__text-no-overline"><h2 class="c-heading c-heading__sm text-align_left"><a class="c-link font-bold" href="/business/2024/12/04/mixed-figures-on-home-completions-and-business-will-miss-the-greens-now-theyre-gone/">Mixed figures on home completions and business will miss the Greens now they’re gone</a></h2></div></div></article><article class="b-flex-promo-card bottom-divider"><div class="b-flex-promo-card__text"><div class="b-flex-promo-card__text-no-overline"><h2 class="c-heading c-heading__sm text-align_left"><a class="c-link font-bold" href="/politics/2024/12/04/fianna-fail-and-fine-gael-begin-government-formation-talks-as-opinion-in-labour-and-soc-dems-hardens/">Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael begin government formation talks as opinion in Labour and Soc Dems hardens</a></h2></div></div></article><article class="b-flex-promo-card bottom-divider"><div class="b-flex-promo-card__text"><div class="b-flex-promo-card__text-no-overline"><h2 class="c-heading c-heading__sm text-align_left"><a class="c-link font-bold" href="/crime-law/2024/12/04/information-sought-on-anniversary-of-sandra-collins-disappearance/">Information sought on anniversary of Sandra Collins disappearance </a></h2></div></div></article><article class="b-flex-promo-card bottom-divider"><div class="b-flex-promo-card__text"><div class="b-flex-promo-card__text-no-overline"><h2 class="c-heading c-heading__sm text-align_left"><a class="c-link font-bold" href="/world/asia-pacific/2024/12/04/south-koreas-leader-warned-to-resign-or-face-impeachment-over-martial-law-decree/">South Korea’s leader warned to resign or face impeachment over martial law decree</a></h2></div></div></article><article class="b-flex-promo-card bottom-divider"><div class="b-flex-promo-card__text"><div class="b-flex-promo-card__text-no-overline"><h2 class="c-heading c-heading__sm text-align_left"><a class="c-link font-bold" href="/world/asia-pacific/2024/12/04/what-we-know-about-south-koreas-declaration-of-martial-law/">What we know about South Korea’s declaration of martial law</a></h2></div></div></article></div></div><div></div><div class="b-it-sticky-chain__container sticky-container"><div><div id="arcad-feature-f0favy1DqY2kdT9-6-0-3-1cb773ad580a43" class="default__StyledAdUnit-sc-1moicrg-0 gKEhzJ arcad-feature"><div class="arcad-container width_100" style="max-width:300px"><div id="arcad_f0favy1DqY2kdT9-6-0-3-1cb773ad580a43" class="arcad ad-300x250"></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></section><footer class="c-stack b-it-right-rail-advanced__footer" data-style-direction="vertical" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="unset" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><div id="lazy_89691" class="lazy_container"><div class="b-flex-chain"><div class="b-flex-chain__grid-container b-flex-chain__grid-container__12 gap"><div class="c-stack grid-item " data-style-direction="vertical" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="unset" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><div id="fusion-static-enter:html-block-f0fbv2KMxkeL6rG-8-0-0" style="display:none" data-fusion-component="html-block-f0fbv2KMxkeL6rG-8-0-0"></div><div><style> /*Override copyright*/ .copyright-column p, .copyright, /*Footer*/ footer .footer-header, footer .footer-section ul, [aria-label="our-partners"], [aria-label="our-partners"] span, .b-links-bar span, footer span { font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; color: #575757; } /* Change the order in the footer*/ footer .legacy-footer-row { position: relative; } /*Hide the logo from the footer*/ footer .primaryLogo, footer hr { display: none!important; } /* Hide the top border in the footer*/ footer .section-separator { border-top: none; } footer .socialBtn-container, footer .socialBtn-container a { border: none; } /*Copyright*/ .copyright-column { width: 82%!important; } .copyright-column p { text-align: right!important; } .copyright { font-size: small; padding: 0; } /* Style our partners*/ [aria-label="our-partners"] { background-color: #f1f1f1; padding-top: 0.75rem; padding-bottom: 0.75rem; margin-bottom: 1rem; } [aria-label="our-partners"] hr, { display: none; } [aria-label="our-partners"]:before { font-size: small; content: 'Our partners: '; font-weight: bold; color: #575757; text-transform: uppercase; } /*Mobile styles*/ @media screen and (max-width: 767px) { footer { margin-bottom: 0 !important; } footer .layout-section>* { margin-bottom: 0; } .legacy-footer-row { display:flex; flex-direction: row; /*background-color:#f1f1f1;*/ width: 100vw; position: relative; left: -20px; padding-top: 2rem; } .footer-header { text-align: center; } .footer-item { text-align: center; font-size: 14px; } [aria-label="our-partners"] { display: block; text-align: center; color: #000; margin-bottom: 0; } [aria-label="our-partners"]:before { text-align: center; display: block; } [aria-label="our-partners"] .b-links-menu { display: flex; flex-direction: column; text-align: center; visibility: hidden; height: 40px; } [aria-label="our-partners"] .b-links-menu a { visibility: visible; } .apps { padding-top: 0.75rem; border-top: 2px solid #000; border-bottom: 2px solid #000; padding-bottom: 1rem; } [aria-label="our-partners"] .c-separator { --separator-content: var(--c-separator-content, none); display: block; margin-bottom: 0.2rem; } .static-footer-links { background-color: #333; padding: 1rem; display: block !important; margin-bottom: 0 !important; } .static-footer-links .static-footer-links-item { border-right: none; } .static-footer-links a { color: #fff !important; border-right: none; padding: 0.5rem; } } </style></div><div id="fusion-static-exit:html-block-f0fbv2KMxkeL6rG-8-0-0" style="display:none" data-fusion-component="html-block-f0fbv2KMxkeL6rG-8-0-0"></div><div class="c-stack b-footer" data-style-direction="vertical" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="unset" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><section class="b-footer__top-container"><div class="b-footer__social-links-container"><div class="c-stack b-footer__social-links" data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="unset" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><a class="c-link" href="https://www.facebook.com/irishtimes/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank"><svg class="c-icon" width="48" height="48" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M504 256C504 119 393 8 256 8S8 119 8 256c0 123.78 90.69 226.38 209.25 245V327.69h-63V256h63v-54.64c0-62.15 37-96.48 93.67-96.48 27.14 0 55.52 4.84 55.52 4.84v61h-31.28c-30.8 0-40.41 19.12-40.41 38.73V256h68.78l-11 71.69h-57.78V501C413.31 482.38 504 379.78 504 256z"></path></svg><span class="visually-hidden">Facebook page</span></a><a class="c-link" href="https://twitter.com/IrishTimes" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank"><svg class="c-icon" width="48" height="48" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M389.2 48h70.6L305.6 224.2 487 464H345L233.7 318.6 106.5 464H35.8L200.7 275.5 26.8 48H172.4L272.9 180.9 389.2 48zM364.4 421.8h39.1L151.1 88h-42L364.4 421.8z"></path></svg><span class="visually-hidden">Twitter feed</span></a></div></div><p class="c-paragraph">© 2024 The Irish Times DAC</p></section><div class="c-grid b-footer__links"><div class="b-footer__links-group"><h3 class="c-heading">Subscribe</h3><ul class="b-footer__links-group-list"><li class="b-footer__links-group-list-item"><a class="c-link" href="/your-subscription/subscription-tour">Why Subscribe?</a></li><li class="b-footer__links-group-list-item"><a class="c-link" href="/subscribe">Subscription Bundles</a></li><li class="b-footer__links-group-list-item"><a class="c-link" href="/subscriber-rewards/">Subscriber Rewards</a></li><li class="b-footer__links-group-list-item"><a class="c-link" href="/subscribe/student/">Student Subscription</a></li><li class="b-footer__links-group-list-item"><a class="c-link" href="https://help.irishtimes.com/s/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Subscription Help Centre<span class="visually-hidden">Opens in new window</span></a></li><li class="b-footer__links-group-list-item"><a class="c-link" href="http://www.newsdelivery.ie" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Home Delivery<span class="visually-hidden">Opens in new window</span></a></li><li class="b-footer__links-group-list-item"><a class="c-link" href="/subscribe/gift">Gift Subscriptions</a></li></ul></div><div class="b-footer__links-group"><h3 class="c-heading">Support</h3><ul class="b-footer__links-group-list"><li class="b-footer__links-group-list-item"><a class="c-link" href="/about-us/contact-us">Contact Us</a></li><li class="b-footer__links-group-list-item"><a class="c-link" href="https://help.irishtimes.com/s/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Help Centre<span class="visually-hidden">Opens in new window</span></a></li><li class="b-footer__links-group-list-item"><a class="c-link" href="/myaccount">My Account</a></li></ul></div><div class="b-footer__links-group"><h3 class="c-heading">About Us</h3><ul class="b-footer__links-group-list"><li class="b-footer__links-group-list-item"><a class="c-link" href="/about-us/advertise">Advertise</a></li><li class="b-footer__links-group-list-item"><a class="c-link" href="/about-us/contact-us">Contact Us</a></li><li class="b-footer__links-group-list-item"><a class="c-link" href="/about-us/the-irish-times-trust/">The Irish Times Trust</a></li><li class="b-footer__links-group-list-item"><a class="c-link" href="/about-us/career-opportunities">Careers</a></li></ul></div><div class="b-footer__links-group"><h3 class="c-heading">Irish Times Products & Services</h3><ul class="b-footer__links-group-list"><li class="b-footer__links-group-list-item"><a class="c-link" href="/epaper">ePaper</a></li><li class="b-footer__links-group-list-item"><a class="c-link" href="/crosswords-puzzles/">Crosswords & puzzles</a></li><li class="b-footer__links-group-list-item"><a class="c-link" href="/archive">Newspaper Archive</a></li><li class="b-footer__links-group-list-item"><a class="c-link" href="/newsletters">Newsletters</a></li><li class="b-footer__links-group-list-item"><a class="c-link" href="https://www.irishtimes.com/article-index/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Article Index<span class="visually-hidden">Opens in new window</span></a></li><li class="b-footer__links-group-list-item"><a class="c-link" href="https://discountcodes.irishtimes.com/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Discount Codes<span class="visually-hidden">Opens in new window</span></a></li></ul></div></div><figure class="c-media-item"><img alt="The Irish Times" class="c-image b-footer__logo" src="https://static.themebuilder.aws.arc.pub/irishtimes/1647534191733.svg" height="64"/></figure><div></div></div><div id="fusion-static-enter:html-block-f0fcSRSNS9zi6b4-8-0-2" style="display:none" data-fusion-component="html-block-f0fcSRSNS9zi6b4-8-0-2"></div><div><div class="apps text-align_center" style="margin:0 auto;text-align:center;"> <span class="font_bold" style="display:block;"><b>Download the app</b></span> <a target="_blank" href="https://apps.apple.com/ie/developer/the-irish-times-ltd/id365544597"> <img alt="Download on the App Store" src="https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/BJJKNJJHDJDGDDODHEER7FDH44.png" width="108" height="34" loading="lazy"></a>   <a target="_blank" href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/developer?id=The+Irish+Times+Ltd"> <img alt="Download on Google Play" src="https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/T2XGUGDSUZCOZAYIQEKG2TWML4.png" width="108" height="34" loading="lazy"></a> </div> <style> .apps img{ margin-top:0.55rem; } .apps span{position:relative;display:block;margin-bottom:0;padding-bottom:0;color:#575757;font-size:1rem; } </style></div><div id="fusion-static-exit:html-block-f0fcSRSNS9zi6b4-8-0-2" style="display:none" data-fusion-component="html-block-f0fcSRSNS9zi6b4-8-0-2"></div><nav aria-label="our-partners" class="c-stack b-links-bar" data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="center" data-style-alignment="unset" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="wrap"><a class="c-link" href="https://www.myhome.ie" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">MyHome.ie<span class="visually-hidden">Opens in new window</span></a><span class="c-separator"></span><a class="c-link" href="https://www.thegloss.ie" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">The Gloss<span class="visually-hidden">Opens in new window</span></a><span class="c-separator"></span><a class="c-link" href="https://recruitireland.com/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Recruit Ireland<span class="visually-hidden">Opens in new window</span></a><span class="c-separator"></span><a class="c-link" href="https://www.irishtimestraining.com/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Irish Times Training<span class="visually-hidden">Opens in new window</span></a><span class="c-separator"></span><a class="c-link" href="https://rip.ie/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">RIP.ie<span class="visually-hidden">Opens in new window</span></a></nav><hr class="c-divider"/></div></div></div></div></footer></div><ul class="c-stack b-static-footer-links-bar" data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="center" data-style-alignment="unset" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"> <li class="b-static-footer-links-bar__item "><a href="/policy-and-terms/terms-conditions/" class=" b-static-footer-links-bar__item-link">Terms & Conditions</a></li><li class="b-static-footer-links-bar__item "><a href="/policy-and-terms/privacy-policy/" class=" b-static-footer-links-bar__item-link">Privacy Policy</a></li><li class="b-static-footer-links-bar__item "><a href="/policy-and-terms/cookie-policy/" class=" b-static-footer-links-bar__item-link">Cookie Information</a></li><li class="b-static-footer-links-bar__item "><a href="#/" class="ot-sdk-show-settings b-static-footer-links-bar__item-link">Cookie Settings</a></li><li class="b-static-footer-links-bar__item "><a href="/policy-and-terms/community-standards/" class=" b-static-footer-links-bar__item-link">Community Standards</a></li><li class="b-static-footer-links-bar__item "><a href="/policy-and-terms/copyright/" class=" b-static-footer-links-bar__item-link">Copyright</a></li></ul></div><script id="fusion-metadata" type="application/javascript">window.Fusion=window.Fusion||{};Fusion.arcSite="irishtimes";Fusion.contextPath="/pf";Fusion.deployment="155";Fusion.globalContent={"_id":"6KV6U73PXBHRTD2VZEK6MV6QCA","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":336,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/38479503-6ace-4646-82f2-3e3d7c4aea26/versions/1732629813/media/4d5a2815614fc416e6b229f7b7f795e2_compiled.mp3","clipboard":{},"has_published_copy":true},"address":{},"canonical_website":"irishtimes","comments":{"allow_comments":false,"display_comments":false,"moderation_required":false},"content_elements":[{"_id":"74MFMTKSMZFUROWKRQDDZZ6PYQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732627086408,"comments":[],"inline_comments":[]},"content":"Question","level":4,"type":"header"},{"_id":"UYOQLRY3YFAS5GTTREZKODHSKM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732629441801,"comments":[],"inline_comments":[]},"content":"<b>My 13-year-old son is having difficulty sleeping. He has been having a lot of trouble getting up for school and it has become such a stressful rush in the mornings. When we were chatting last week, he revealed that he often wakes up at night and then can’t get back to sleep. He says he spends “ages just lying there” worrying that he can’t sleep.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"5CSJWPSCABC6XB2NLGXEPO6D6Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1732629441802,"comments":[],"inline_comments":[]},"content":"<b>When he was younger he often had trouble like this and would wake us up – we would spend time supporting him back to sleep. Now he seems to be awake by himself – I feel bad that he is left alone like that by himself at night. What should we do to help him? What advise should we give him to get back to sleep?</b>","type":"text","paywall":"paywall"},{"_id":"DY5W4O4UMJCBBPFL2FHCVQ3JVU","additional_properties":{"_id":1732629441803,"comments":[],"inline_comments":[{"comment":".","pos":98}]},"content":"<b>Should we tell him to wake us so we can help him or encourage him to continue to do it by himself? He goes to bed at a reasonable time and is often very tired in the evening and is exhausted in the morning when he has to get up for school.</b>","type":"text","paywall":"paywall"},{"_id":"2MTWJPLB3BA2JFYKVDHRZBYQ2A","additional_properties":{"_id":1732629441804,"comments":[],"inline_comments":[]},"content":"<b>He has no screens in his bedroom and has a relaxing night-time routine as far as I can see.</b>","type":"text","paywall":"paywall"},{"_id":"GMYOUHSMHZGTNLAKQO26JQIMUY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732629441805,"comments":[],"inline_comments":[]},"content":"<b>Answer</b>","level":4,"type":"header"},{"_id":"5P5OPHOE4FHFJMY2KFMF33C4TQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732627086409,"comments":[],"inline_comments":[]},"content":"Many children and adults experience night-waking and disrupted sleep, which is not only stressful and tiring but also can negatively impact their wellbeing and performance during the day.","type":"text","paywall":"paywall"},{"_id":"DLB5BIDHOVEIHG2CUMY4PIJ3ZY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732627086410,"comments":[],"inline_comments":[{"comment":", t","pos":57}]},"content":"Many people go in and out of sleep throughout the night. They might wake briefly and then return to sleep easily, barely noticing that they were awake. However, others, once they awake, their mind can become active and full of worries and ruminations. There is a tendency for people to be more hypervigilant in the middle of the night – some experts see this as an evolutionary hangover from when there were actually more dangers at night. As a result, in the dark of the night, worries can seem larger than they actually are and this can disturb your sleep. Once you are agitated then it more difficult to fall back to sleep – the more you try the harder it can become.","type":"text","paywall":"paywall"},{"_id":"6GIXRGUCJRETXGXQX7HG7SZODI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732629441808,"comments":[],"inline_comments":[]},"content":"Sleep is a passive process about relaxing and letting go – it is not an active decision you can make. Also, once you are awake for a short period “tossing and turning” then secondary worries about not sleeping can kick in – you can berate yourself with thoughts such as “Oh no, I am not sleeping, I am going to be really tired in the morning”. Such stressful thoughts just make sleep harder – this is vicious cycle of insomnia. Over time, just lying in the bed becomes associated with stress and worry and not restful sleep.","type":"text","paywall":"paywall"},{"_id":"DV6ZRGHGINA45OHK7JJ2VSFSPI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732627086411,"comments":[],"inline_comments":[]},"content":"Helping your son","level":4,"type":"header"},{"_id":"OK57QAU7NJCXLBXFRN22VSKMUU","additional_properties":{"_id":1732627086412,"comments":[],"inline_comments":[{"comment":".","pos":387},{"comment":", ","pos":669},{"comment":"?","pos":687},{"comment":"?","pos":713},{"comment":"?","pos":757},{"comment":"e.g. ","pos":759},{"comment":"problem solve together and ","pos":892}]},"content":"In thinking how to help your son, it is first important to get a full picture of his sleep patterns and what is going on for him through the night. It is great that he has started talking to you about his night-waking, so now encourage him to tell you a bit more. For example, it would be useful to know: What time does he usually wake up at? Is there a particular reason he wakes up? (eg worries or a bad dream, etc). What happens when he tries to get back to sleep when he wakes? Explore also how he falls asleep in the first place when he goes to bed. It is a good sign that he is able to do this, so do take time to identify the different sleep strategies he uses: what he thinks of, what position he lies in, how he relaxes himself, what props he uses. (such as reading, music, comfy pillow, etc). It is best to have this conversation during the day at a calm, relaxed time when you can work on solutions together.","type":"text","paywall":"paywall"},{"_id":"PDVEF2ZQSJFYBFN5DLRYM6JZHY","additional_properties":{"_id":"D2KGJ3NTBZCVDL2QYFZNJAAMN4","comments":[]},"content":"Insomnia is no fun and I’ve tried everything. Even brown noise","type":"interstitial_link","url":"https://www.irishtimes.com/life-style/2023/08/30/insomnia-is-no-fun-and-ive-tried-everything-even-brown-noise/"},{"_id":"OCVMZRZEFNDF5M7OUM4IO7HWD4","additional_properties":{"_id":1732627086413,"comments":[],"inline_comments":[]},"content":"Make a plan for getting back to sleep","level":4,"type":"header"},{"_id":"VK4354ULHBE4LLUM26UKXW2DJY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732627086414,"comments":[],"inline_comments":[]},"content":"Encourage your son to make a plan for when he awakes. Below are some ideas that might help","type":"text","paywall":"paywall"},{"_id":"OA4OASE3OVB2DJWTGCIXCOOZDM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732627086415,"comments":[],"inline_comments":[{"comment":"First t","pos":3}]},"content":"1) Try his normal “fall-asleep strategies” that work when he first goes to bed","type":"text","paywall":"paywall"},{"_id":"JAA5IOF6CJHHFKVJDA23JB7W6Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1732627086416,"comments":[],"inline_comments":[{"comment":"– ","pos":63},{"comment":"it","pos":228}]},"content":"2) If after 5-10 minutes he is lying there awake and agitated, it might be useful to get up for a minute to break this pattern. Some people find it helps to read for a few minutes or to do some stretching. One teen I worked with found it useful to do a couple of sit-ups as means of discharging his stress and resetting his system. The key is to break the association of lying in bed with stress and agitation","type":"text","paywall":"paywall"},{"_id":"24NKQHWGKVBCZL5JQB4HIRAYEQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732627086417,"comments":[],"inline_comments":[{"comment":"are ","pos":21},{"comment":"say to","pos":145}]},"content":"3) If he has worries on his mind that are preventing his sleep, sometimes it can be useful to jot a few of these down on a note pad and then tell himself that he will deal with them in the morning","type":"text","paywall":"paywall"},{"_id":"4VILZOIHZJBRNPK3Y7ZHM3Z2UM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732627086418,"comments":[],"inline_comments":[]},"content":"4) Once he feels a little more relaxed, then he can go back to bed and restart his relaxing fall-asleep strategies","type":"text","paywall":"paywall"},{"_id":"ENVVEG4SDFEJRK6LSNE3TZAR5Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1732627086419,"comments":[],"inline_comments":[]},"content":"5) Sometimes an additional prop can help, such as listening to music or a sleep meditation (you can put this on a device with no access to social media to avoid other distractions if need be)","type":"text","paywall":"paywall"},{"_id":"CQ4J7AQHGVCR5IE7RIJEMVPY5Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1732627086420,"comments":[],"inline_comments":[{"comment":",","pos":42},{"comment":"all ","pos":422}]},"content":"What works in restarting good sleep habits varies greatly from person to person. The most important thing is to be compassionate and encouraging and to break the pattern of worrying that might affect him. For example, if your son lies awake worrying “oh no, I am not sleeping”, you can encourage him to replace that thought with a relaxing manta “oh, it is nice to be lying resting in my bed”. Patience and gentleness are key in building better sleep habits","type":"text","paywall":"paywall"},{"_id":"CFANKO72DRHTXDNQ2TVBY7Y2UA","additional_properties":{"_id":1732627086421,"comments":[],"inline_comments":[{"comment":",","pos":33}]},"content":"Finally, you ask in your question whether he should wake you when he is not sleeping. You can of course give him that option for if he really needs to. But waking you up may increase the challenge of getting back to sleep (as well as being stressful for you). Also, I think it is a sign of his maturity that he is trying to deal with this himself – you can of course be a supportive coach for him during the day as he reflects about what he needs and comes up with a plan to manage.","type":"text","paywall":"paywall"},{"_id":"3FEKUQAN2VDZXBOONEC255CVKU","additional_properties":{"_id":1732627086422,"comments":[],"inline_comments":[]},"items":[{"_id":"QHCOYUNFPRFRHCU3R6532QH4PQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732627086422,"comments":[],"inline_comments":[]},"block_properties":{},"content":"<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/topics/topics-7.1213540?article=true&tag_person=John+Sharry\"><i>John Sharry</i></a><i> is clinical director of the </i><a href=\"https://parentsplus.ie/\"><i>Parents Plus Charity</i></a><i> and an adjunct professor at the </i><a href=\"https://www.ucd.ie/psychology/\"><i>UCD School of Psychology.</i></a><i> He is delivering courses on Supporting Teenagers and Parenting Neurodivergent children starting on January14th and 24th, 2025, respectively. See </i><a href=\"http://www.solutiontalk.ie/\"><i>solutiontalk.ie</i></a>","type":"text"}],"list_type":"unordered","type":"list"},{"_id":"7ROABMHFJVA23A6GCUZNT6H2TI","additional_properties":{"_id":"HA22BFCVMRGANEN4LRA73XVJJA","comments":[]},"content":"<div class=\"contribly-contribute-v2\" data-client=\"9fc0f2a4-9bf9-4464-8b77-ec351ad0db03\" data-assignment=\"dfea1027-fb44-4a52-be45-3e6c66fc39f9\" data-display=\"inline\"></div><script type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/contribly-widgets/contribute/contribute-v2.js\"><\/script>","type":"raw_html"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"premium"},"created_date":"2024-11-25T08:47:45.571Z","credits":{"by":[{"_id":"john-sharry","type":"author","version":"0.5.8","name":"John Sharry","image":{"url":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/irishtimes/887ca0ae-819a-4e55-af1e-a9b0bc75ae84.png","version":"0.5.8","type":"image","auth":{"1":"93cb9bc3752c97d26fd2d63ef0f4c74ee6e84d671bc38e16aa867c1bc68b7bcc"}},"description":"John Sharry is a contributor to The Irish Times specialising in parenting","url":"/author/john-sharry/","slug":"john-sharry","social_links":[{"site":"email","url":"health@irishtimes.com"},{"site":"facebook","url":null},{"site":"twitter","url":"JohnSharryIRL"}],"socialLinks":[{"site":"email","url":"health@irishtimes.com","deprecated":true,"deprecation_msg":"Please use social_links."},{"site":"facebook","url":null,"deprecated":true,"deprecation_msg":"Please use social_links."},{"site":"twitter","url":"JohnSharryIRL","deprecated":true,"deprecation_msg":"Please use social_links."}],"additional_properties":{"original":{"_id":"john-sharry","byline":"John Sharry","slug":"john-sharry","firstName":"John","lastName":"Sharry","middleName":null,"bio":"John Sharry is a contributor to The Irish Times specialising in parenting","longBio":"John Sharry is a contributor to The Irish Times specialising in parenting","role":"Contributor","author_type":"Contributor","twitter":"JohnSharryIRL","facebook":null,"status":true,"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/irishtimes/887ca0ae-819a-4e55-af1e-a9b0bc75ae84.png","books":[],"podcasts":[],"education":[],"awards":[],"last_updated_date":"2022-03-11T18:06:53.359Z","email":"health@irishtimes.com","type":"author","bio_page":"/author/john-sharry/","ansImage":{"type":"image","url":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/irishtimes/887ca0ae-819a-4e55-af1e-a9b0bc75ae84.png","auth":{"1":"93cb9bc3752c97d26fd2d63ef0f4c74ee6e84d671bc38e16aa867c1bc68b7bcc"}}}}}]},"description":{"basic":"Ask the Expert: Should we tell him to wake us so we can help him or should we encourage him to continue to do it by himself?"},"display_date":"2024-12-02T06:01:00Z","distributor":{"category":"staff","name":"irishtimes","subcategory":""},"first_publish_date":"2024-12-02T06:01:00.491Z","headlines":{"basic":"‘My 13-year-old son often wakes up at night and spends ages just lying there worrying that he can’t sleep’","meta_title":"","mobile":"","native":"","print":"","tablet":"","web":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"display":true,"text":"5469","url":""},"related_collection":{"display":true,"text":"parenting-links"}},"language":"","last_updated_date":"2024-12-02T06:01:00.491Z","owner":{"id":"irishtimes","sponsored":false},"planning":{"budget_line":"PREMIUM \n\"When he was younger he often had trouble like this and would wake us up – we would spend time supporting him back to sleep. Now he seems to be awake by himself – I feel bad that he is left alone like that by himself at night. What should we do to help him? What advise should we give him to get back to sleep?\"","internal_note":"","scheduling":{"planned_publish_date":"2024-12-02T06:01:00.000Z","will_have_image":true},"story_length":{"character_count_actual":5649,"character_encoding":"UTF-16","line_count_actual":43,"word_count_actual":1076}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"P6SEBJ3OPJF4XODL4PDCETDS2I","additional_properties":{"fullSizeResizeUrl":"/resizer/RVvZ9sFChRH59HyFTx9Ml0SPf1U=/arc-photo-irishtimes/eu-central-1-prod/public/P6SEBJ3OPJF4XODL4PDCETDS2I.jpg","galleries":[],"ingestionMethod":"manual","iptc_source":"iStockphoto","iptc_title":"Contributor","mime_type":"image/jpeg","originalName":"John3-A.jpg","originalUrl":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/P6SEBJ3OPJF4XODL4PDCETDS2I.jpg","owner":"dcullen@irishtimes.com","proxyUrl":"/resizer/RVvZ9sFChRH59HyFTx9Ml0SPf1U=/arc-photo-irishtimes/eu-central-1-prod/public/P6SEBJ3OPJF4XODL4PDCETDS2I.jpg","published":true,"resizeUrl":"/resizer/RVvZ9sFChRH59HyFTx9Ml0SPf1U=/arc-photo-irishtimes/eu-central-1-prod/public/P6SEBJ3OPJF4XODL4PDCETDS2I.jpg","restricted":false,"takenOn":"2013-05-05T00:00:00Z","thumbnailResizeUrl":"/resizer/Nvv0hBhE8Vo5NecHw2vht8zBlak=/300x0/arc-photo-irishtimes/eu-central-1-prod/public/P6SEBJ3OPJF4XODL4PDCETDS2I.jpg","usage_instructions":"Not Released (NR) ","version":0,"template_id":314},"address":{},"auth":{"1":"4f31e8d65acc88a52636c73661328f6d19b60678360a1862d94cb93d048ddb2d"},"caption":"Many children and adults experience night-waking and disrupted sleep, which is not only stressful and tiring but also can negatively impact their wellbeing and performance during the day","created_date":"2024-11-26T13:34:17Z","credits":{"affiliation":[{"name":"Getty Images","type":"author"}],"by":[{"byline":"Imane","name":"Imane","type":"author"}]},"distributor":{"category":"wires","mode":"custom","name":"Agency Photos "},"height":3155,"image_type":"photograph","last_updated_date":"2024-11-26T13:34:17Z","licensable":false,"owner":{"id":"irishtimes","sponsored":false},"slug":"1487764984","source":{"name":"Agency Photos ","source_type":"wires","additional_properties":{"editor":"photo center"},"edit_url":"","system":"photo center"},"subtitle":"Sleepless boy has insomnia or sleeping disorder stay awake and cannot sleep on bed","taxonomy":{"associated_tasks":[]},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/P6SEBJ3OPJF4XODL4PDCETDS2I.jpg","version":"0.10.9","width":3155,"syndication":{},"creditIPTC":"Getty Images"}},"publish_date":"2024-12-02T06:01:00.491Z","related_content":{"basic":[],"redirect":[]},"revision":{"branch":"default","editions":["default"],"parent_id":"YEULXR2OCJAT5BUN7NQ6GYOXA4","published":true,"revision_id":"VY7QNYCNFFHBLHOJB6RGJUNPQU","user_id":"pjsmyth@irishtimes.com"},"slug":"hs3john","source":{"name":"irishtimes","source_type":"staff","system":"composer"},"subheadlines":{"basic":"Ask the Expert: Should we tell him to wake us so we can help him or should we encourage him to continue to do it by himself?"},"subtype":"columnist","taxonomy":{"primary_section":{"_id":"/health/your-family","_website":"irishtimes","type":"section","version":"0.6.0","name":"Your Family","path":"/health/your-family","parent_id":"/health","parent":{"default":"/health"},"additional_properties":{"original":{"_id":"/health/your-family","navigation":{"nav_title":"Your Family"},"_admin":{"alias_ids":["/health/your-family"]},"metadata":{"metadata_title":"Your Family | The Irish Times","metadata_description":"Family and parenting news, including advice on newborns, babies, toddlers, children, teens, pregnancy, fertility and more brought to you by the definitive brand of quality journalism. Read The Irish Times."},"Paywall":{"paywall-status":"free"},"_website":"irishtimes","name":"Your Family","order":{"hamburger-menu":2001,"App-Hamburger":2001,"default":2002,"composer-relevant-sections":2001,"section-page-subnavs":2001},"parent":{"default":"/health","hamburger-menu":"/health","App-Hamburger":"/health","navbar-NU":null,"Comopser":null,"composer-relevant-sections":"/health","section-page-subnavs":"/health","sitemap-section":null},"ancestors":{"default":["/health"],"hamburger-menu":["/","/health"],"App-Hamburger":["/","/health"],"navbar-NU":[],"Comopser":[],"composer-relevant-sections":["/health"],"section-page-subnavs":["/health"],"sitemap-section":[]},"inactive":false,"node_type":"section"}}},"primary_site":{"_id":"/health/your-family","type":"site","version":"0.5.8","name":"Your Family","path":"/health/your-family","parent_id":"/health","additional_properties":{"original":{"_id":"/health/your-family","navigation":{"nav_title":"Your Family"},"_admin":{"alias_ids":["/health/your-family"]},"metadata":{"metadata_title":"Your Family | The Irish Times","metadata_description":"Family and parenting news, including advice on newborns, babies, toddlers, children, teens, pregnancy, fertility and more brought to you by the definitive brand of quality journalism. Read The Irish Times."},"Paywall":{"paywall-status":"free"},"name":"Your Family","order":{"hamburger-menu":2001,"App-Hamburger":2001,"default":2002,"composer-relevant-sections":2001,"section-page-subnavs":2001},"parent":{"default":"/health","hamburger-menu":"/health","App-Hamburger":"/health","navbar-NU":null,"Comopser":null,"composer-relevant-sections":"/health","section-page-subnavs":"/health","sitemap-section":null},"ancestors":{"default":["/health"],"hamburger-menu":["/","/health"],"App-Hamburger":["/","/health"],"navbar-NU":[],"Comopser":[],"composer-relevant-sections":["/health"],"section-page-subnavs":["/health"],"sitemap-section":[]},"inactive":false,"node_type":"section"}}},"sections":[{"_id":"/health/your-family","_website":"irishtimes","type":"section","version":"0.6.0","name":"Your Family","path":"/health/your-family","parent_id":"/health","parent":{"default":"/health"},"additional_properties":{"original":{"_id":"/health/your-family","navigation":{"nav_title":"Your Family"},"_admin":{"alias_ids":["/health/your-family"]},"metadata":{"metadata_title":"Your Family | The Irish Times","metadata_description":"Family and parenting news, including advice on newborns, babies, toddlers, children, teens, pregnancy, fertility and more brought to you by the definitive brand of quality journalism. Read The Irish Times."},"Paywall":{"paywall-status":"free"},"_website":"irishtimes","name":"Your Family","order":{"hamburger-menu":2001,"App-Hamburger":2001,"default":2002,"composer-relevant-sections":2001,"section-page-subnavs":2001},"parent":{"default":"/health","hamburger-menu":"/health","App-Hamburger":"/health","navbar-NU":null,"Comopser":null,"composer-relevant-sections":"/health","section-page-subnavs":"/health","sitemap-section":null},"ancestors":{"default":["/health"],"hamburger-menu":["/","/health"],"App-Hamburger":["/","/health"],"navbar-NU":[],"Comopser":[],"composer-relevant-sections":["/health"],"section-page-subnavs":["/health"],"sitemap-section":[]},"inactive":false,"node_type":"section"}},"_website_section_id":"irishtimes./health/your-family"},{"_id":"/health","_website":"irishtimes","type":"section","version":"0.6.0","name":"Health","path":"/health","parent_id":"/","parent":{"default":"/"},"additional_properties":{"original":{"_id":"/health","navigation":{"nav_title":"Health"},"_admin":{"alias_ids":["/health"]},"metadata":{"metadata_description":"The latest Health news, analysis and comment brought to you by the definitive brand of quality journalism. Read The Irish Times.","metadata_title":"Health | The Irish Times"},"Newsletter":{"newsletterid":"News Digest"},"Paywall":{"paywall-status":"free"},"_website":"irishtimes","name":"Health","order":{"default":1009,"+ add":1008,"hamburger-menu":1016,"App-Hamburger":1016,"composer-relevant-sections":1009,"section-page-subnavs":1012,"sitemap-section":1009},"parent":{"default":"/","+ add":"/","hamburger-menu":"/","App-Hamburger":"/","navbar":null,"navbar-NU":null,"Comopser":null,"composer-relevant-sections":"/","section-page-subnavs":"/","App-Links-Navigation":null,"sitemap-section":"/","links-bar":null},"ancestors":{"default":[],"navbar":[],"+ add":["/"],"hamburger-menu":["/"],"App-Hamburger":["/"],"navbar-NU":[],"Comopser":[],"composer-relevant-sections":[],"section-page-subnavs":["/"],"App-Links-Navigation":[],"sitemap-section":[],"links-bar":[]},"inactive":false,"node_type":"section"}},"_website_section_id":"irishtimes./health"}],"sites":[{"_id":"/health/your-family","type":"site","version":"0.5.8","name":"Your Family","path":"/health/your-family","parent_id":"/health","additional_properties":{"original":{"_id":"/health/your-family","navigation":{"nav_title":"Your Family"},"_admin":{"alias_ids":["/health/your-family"]},"metadata":{"metadata_title":"Your Family | The Irish Times","metadata_description":"Family and parenting news, including advice on newborns, babies, toddlers, children, teens, pregnancy, fertility and more brought to you by the definitive brand of quality journalism. Read The Irish Times."},"Paywall":{"paywall-status":"free"},"name":"Your Family","order":{"hamburger-menu":2001,"App-Hamburger":2001,"default":2002,"composer-relevant-sections":2001,"section-page-subnavs":2001},"parent":{"default":"/health","hamburger-menu":"/health","App-Hamburger":"/health","navbar-NU":null,"Comopser":null,"composer-relevant-sections":"/health","section-page-subnavs":"/health","sitemap-section":null},"ancestors":{"default":["/health"],"hamburger-menu":["/","/health"],"App-Hamburger":["/","/health"],"navbar-NU":[],"Comopser":[],"composer-relevant-sections":["/health"],"section-page-subnavs":["/health"],"sitemap-section":[]},"inactive":false,"node_type":"section"}}},{"_id":"/health","type":"site","version":"0.5.8","name":"Health","path":"/health","parent_id":"/","additional_properties":{"original":{"_id":"/health","navigation":{"nav_title":"Health"},"_admin":{"alias_ids":["/health"]},"metadata":{"metadata_description":"The latest Health news, analysis and comment brought to you by the definitive brand of quality journalism. Read The Irish Times.","metadata_title":"Health | The Irish Times"},"Newsletter":{"newsletterid":"News Digest"},"Paywall":{"paywall-status":"free"},"name":"Health","order":{"default":1009,"+ add":1008,"hamburger-menu":1016,"App-Hamburger":1016,"composer-relevant-sections":1009,"section-page-subnavs":1012,"sitemap-section":1009},"parent":{"default":"/","+ add":"/","hamburger-menu":"/","App-Hamburger":"/","navbar":null,"navbar-NU":null,"Comopser":null,"composer-relevant-sections":"/","section-page-subnavs":"/","App-Links-Navigation":null,"sitemap-section":"/","links-bar":null},"ancestors":{"default":[],"navbar":[],"+ add":["/"],"hamburger-menu":["/"],"App-Hamburger":["/"],"navbar-NU":[],"Comopser":[],"composer-relevant-sections":[],"section-page-subnavs":["/"],"App-Links-Navigation":[],"sitemap-section":[],"links-bar":[]},"inactive":false,"node_type":"section"}}}],"tags":[{"description":"A selection of the best human interest reporting, interviews, opinion and lifestyle features. ","slug":"for-you","text":"For You"}]},"type":"story","version":"0.10.10","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/health/your-family","navigation":{"nav_title":"Your Family"},"_admin":{"alias_ids":["/health/your-family"]},"metadata":{"metadata_title":"Your Family | The Irish Times","metadata_description":"Family and parenting news, including advice on newborns, babies, toddlers, children, teens, pregnancy, fertility and more brought to you by the definitive brand of quality journalism. Read The Irish Times."},"Paywall":{"paywall-status":"free"},"_website":"irishtimes","name":"Your Family","order":{"hamburger-menu":2001,"App-Hamburger":2001,"default":2002,"composer-relevant-sections":2001,"section-page-subnavs":2001},"parent":{"default":"/health","hamburger-menu":"/health","App-Hamburger":"/health","navbar-NU":null,"Comopser":null,"composer-relevant-sections":"/health","section-page-subnavs":"/health","sitemap-section":null},"ancestors":{"default":["/health"],"hamburger-menu":["/","/health"],"App-Hamburger":["/","/health"],"navbar-NU":[],"Comopser":[],"composer-relevant-sections":["/health"],"section-page-subnavs":["/health"],"sitemap-section":[]},"inactive":false,"node_type":"section","children":[],"Newsletter":{"newsletterid":"News Digest"}},"website_url":"/health/your-family/2024/12/02/my-13-year-old-son-often-wakes-up-at-night-and-spends-ages-just-lying-there-worrying-that-he-cant-sleep/"}},"workflow":{"note":"","status_code":6},"canonical_url":"/health/your-family/2024/12/02/my-13-year-old-son-often-wakes-up-at-night-and-spends-ages-just-lying-there-worrying-that-he-cant-sleep/","publishing":{"scheduled_operations":{"publish_edition":[],"unpublish_edition":[]}},"website":"irishtimes","website_url":"/health/your-family/2024/12/02/my-13-year-old-son-often-wakes-up-at-night-and-spends-ages-just-lying-there-worrying-that-he-cant-sleep/"};Fusion.globalContentConfig={"source":"content-api-it","query":{"uri":"/health/your-family/2024/12/02/my-13-year-old-son-often-wakes-up-at-night-and-spends-ages-just-lying-there-worrying-that-he-cant-sleep/","website_url":"/health/your-family/2024/12/02/my-13-year-old-son-often-wakes-up-at-night-and-spends-ages-just-lying-there-worrying-that-he-cant-sleep/","arc-site":"irishtimes"}};Fusion.lastModified=1733295174920;Fusion.contentCache={"signing-service":{"{\"id\":\"P6SEBJ3OPJF4XODL4PDCETDS2I\"}":{"data":{"hash":"4f31e8d65acc88a52636c73661328f6d19b60678360a1862d94cb93d048ddb2d","type":"sha256","_id":"6c8a1b51dfb1c02d5dd9f26ccd36eb8c840fdca618e9f15bf781a2060bc8f35b"},"expires":1764831173820,"lastModified":1733295173657},"{\"id\":\"https://static.themebuilder.aws.arc.pub/irishtimes/1647534191476.png\"}":{"data":{"hash":"631eeaa12e7a61c005c8eb0bbf348f785c131b10c4d6b25c28247a15965b5a36","type":"sha256","_id":"8bd659e252b82de6c27bac42028373920e436646b273a5c0296651a455305fed"},"expires":1764810210075,"lastModified":1733274209832},"{\"id\":\"https://s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/irishtimes/887ca0ae-819a-4e55-af1e-a9b0bc75ae84.png\"}":{"data":{"hash":"93cb9bc3752c97d26fd2d63ef0f4c74ee6e84d671bc38e16aa867c1bc68b7bcc","type":"sha256","_id":"7903ae59ef82bdf499bec09aad0c9e22a5ed95692a724fc9db310e5ac38c4ce2"},"expires":1764758411698,"lastModified":1733222411484}},"site-service-hierarchy":{"{\"feature\":\"header-nav-chain\",\"hierarchy\":\"hamburger-menu\"}":{"data":{"children":[{"_id":"link-MY7K0TYT012WZ0V1ZB8PHF0MJC","children":[],"display_name":"Home","node_type":"link","url":"/"},{"_id":"link-TB2EY564VN0N56D137NVP6G5MW","children":[],"display_name":"Latest","node_type":"link","url":"/latest/"},{"_id":"link-ZNGH139WJX4419P1E6XFB2YQBM","children":[],"display_name":"Subscriber Only","node_type":"link","url":"/subscriber-only/"},{"_id":"/crosswords-puzzles","children":[{"_id":"link-9RFF8NMDUX08917NND3Z3M1JDR","display_name":"Crosaire","node_type":"link","url":"/crosswords-puzzles/crosaire"},{"_id":"link-31JQ6NX1K92T907WWAU7P7R5RG","display_name":"Simplex","node_type":"link","url":"/crosswords-puzzles/simplex"},{"_id":"link-FVP3FUVCB93Z5DEH56JPZQA70C","display_name":"Sudoku","node_type":"link","url":"/crosswords-puzzles/sudoku"},{"_id":"link-OZWXQ6FKZNAJJGASG6FTFLQRC4","display_name":"News Quiz","node_type":"link","url":"/crosswords-puzzles/news-quiz/"}],"name":"Crosswords & Puzzles","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"link-ZUXJST6ABZAHDLVMEJXZPJA2VA","children":[],"display_name":"Election 2024","node_type":"link","url":"/election2024/"},{"_id":"/ireland","children":[{"_id":"/ireland/dublin","name":"Dublin","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/ireland/education","name":"Education","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/ireland/housing-planning","name":"Housing & Planning","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/ireland/social-affairs","name":"Social Affairs","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"link-432NSPB3WJAAXKSTOTZHACT5EA","display_name":"Stardust","node_type":"link","url":"/ireland/stardust/"}],"name":"Ireland","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/politics","children":[{"_id":"link-3MPXCZUI25G5XOQ3KWGMIXOMSI","display_name":"Election 2024","node_type":"link","url":"/election2024/"},{"_id":"link-MWT7CPJ6Z906HA5HZY5HARQ548","display_name":"Poll","node_type":"link","url":"/politics/poll/"},{"_id":"/politics/oireachtas","name":"Oireachtas","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"link-OVTSEK2LEVCQ7GP5I7N7EIKPG4","display_name":"Common Ground","node_type":"link","url":"/common-ground/"},{"_id":"link-8RRAYZT2TN65HCHPB8CHE4QEPR","display_name":"Elections & Referendums","node_type":"link","url":"/politics/elections-referendums/"}],"name":"Politics","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/opinion","children":[{"_id":"/opinion/editorials","name":"Editorials","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/opinion/an-irish-diary","name":"An Irish Diary","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/opinion/letters","name":"Letters","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/opinion/cartoon","name":"Cartoon","node_type":"section"}],"name":"Opinion","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/business","children":[{"_id":"/business/economy","name":"Economy","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/business/farming-food","name":"Farming & Food","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/business/financial-services","name":"Financial Services","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/business/innovation","name":"Innovation","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/business/markets","name":"Markets","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/business/work","name":"Work","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"link-WE72QDDTEN5EFDZ52U3CGYEZGC","display_name":"Commercial Property","node_type":"link","url":"/property/commercial-property"}],"name":"Business","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/world","children":[{"_id":"link-DZGPIZSZWJENRN4XBSEET57Q7M","display_name":"US Election","node_type":"link","url":"/world/us-election/"},{"_id":"/world/europe","name":"Europe","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/world/uk","name":"UK","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/world/us","name":"US","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/world/canada","name":"Canada","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/world/australia","name":"Australia","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/world/africa","name":"Africa","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/world/americas","name":"Americas","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/world/asia-pacific","name":"Asia-Pacific","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/world/middle-east","name":"Middle East","node_type":"section"}],"name":"World","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/sport","children":[{"_id":"/sport/gaelic-games","name":"Gaelic Games","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/sport/rugby","name":"Rugby","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/sport/soccer","name":"Soccer","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/sport/golf","name":"Golf","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/sport/racing","name":"Racing","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/sport/athletics","name":"Athletics","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/sport/boxing","name":"Boxing","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/sport/cycling","name":"Cycling","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/sport/hockey","name":"Hockey","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/sport/tennis","name":"Tennis","node_type":"section"}],"name":"Sport","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/your-money","children":[{"_id":"link-C1H4ZB3MP50VZ1C521YDGVJEXR","display_name":"Pricewatch","node_type":"link","url":"/tags/pricewatch"},{"_id":"link-Y4XAEWLBNJH7DOEQJ3UQ4UXOOU","display_name":"Budget 2025","node_type":"link","url":"/budget/"}],"name":"Your Money","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/crime-law","children":[{"_id":"/crime-law/courts","name":"Courts","node_type":"section"}],"name":"Crime & Law","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/property","children":[{"_id":"/property/residential","name":"Residential","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/property/commercial-property","name":"Commercial Property","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/property/interiors","name":"Interiors","node_type":"section"}],"name":"Property","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/food","children":[{"_id":"/food/drink","name":"Drink","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/food/recipes","name":"Recipes","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/food/restaurants","name":"Restaurants","node_type":"section"}],"name":"Food","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/health","children":[{"_id":"/health/your-family","name":"Your Family","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/health/your-fitness","name":"Your Fitness","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/health/your-wellness","name":"Your Wellness","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/health/your-fitness/get-running","name":"Get Running","node_type":"section"}],"name":"Health","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/life-style","children":[{"_id":"/life-style/fashion","name":"Fashion","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"link-54NMKENEB5ALXEEOCI6MUIRMDI","display_name":"Beauty","node_type":"link","url":"/tags/beauty/"},{"_id":"/life-style/fine-art-antiques","name":"Fine Art & Antiques","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/life-style/gardening","name":"Gardening","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/life-style/people","name":"People","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/life-style/travel","name":"Travel","node_type":"section"}],"name":"Life & Style","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/culture","children":[{"_id":"/culture/art","name":"Art","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/culture/books","name":"Books","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/culture/film","name":"Film","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/culture/music","name":"Music","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/culture/stage","name":"Stage","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/culture/tv-radio","name":"TV & Radio","node_type":"section"}],"name":"Culture","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/environment","children":[{"_id":"/environment/climate-crisis","name":"Climate Crisis","node_type":"section"}],"name":"Environment","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/technology","children":[{"_id":"/technology/big-tech","name":"Big Tech","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/technology/consumer-tech","name":"Consumer Tech","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/technology/data-security","name":"Data & Security","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/technology/gaming","name":"Gaming","node_type":"section"}],"name":"Technology","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/science","children":[{"_id":"/science/space","name":"Space","node_type":"section"}],"name":"Science","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/media","children":[],"name":"Media","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/abroad","children":[],"name":"Abroad","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/obituaries","children":[],"name":"Obituaries","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/transport","children":[],"name":"Transport","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/motors","children":[{"_id":"link-9JYG4R2HT934Q3XVN59UWD3R44","display_name":"Car Reviews","node_type":"link","url":"/motors/car-reviews/"}],"name":"Motors","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"link-TW6BFCQ2W149F0E26FF5PJ8AEM","children":[],"display_name":"Listen","node_type":"link","url":"/listen/"},{"_id":"/podcasts","children":[{"_id":"/podcasts/in-the-news","name":"In the News Podcast","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/podcasts/inside-politics","name":"Inside Politics Podcast","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/podcasts/the-womens-podcast","name":"The Women's Podcast","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/podcasts/inside-business","name":"Inside Business Podcast","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/podcasts/ross-ocarroll-kelly","name":"Ross O'Carroll-Kelly","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/podcasts/the-counter-ruck","name":"The Counter Ruck Podcast","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/podcasts/conversations-with-parents","name":"Conversations with Parents Podcast","node_type":"section"}],"name":"Podcasts","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/video","children":[],"name":"Video","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/photography","children":[],"name":"Photography","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/history","children":[{"_id":"/history/century","name":"Century","node_type":"section"}],"name":"History","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/tuarascail","children":[],"name":"Tuarascáil","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/student-hub","children":[],"name":"Student Hub","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/offbeat","children":[],"name":"Offbeat","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"link-60C66RDFC91ZZ7GZUA0N497XAC","children":[],"display_name":"Family Notices","node_type":"link","url":"https://notices.irishtimes.com"},{"_id":"/sponsored","children":[{"_id":"/advertising-feature","name":"Advertising Feature","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/special-reports","name":"Special Reports","node_type":"section"}],"name":"Sponsored","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"link-20YXWFDCNH4233PCDANMHA4VT8","children":[],"display_name":"Subscriber Rewards","node_type":"link","url":"/subscriber-rewards/"},{"_id":"/competitions","children":[],"name":"Competitions","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"link-2YA5DNVQF928HEF4EKE1Q0AMEM","children":[],"display_name":"Weather Forecast","node_type":"link","url":"/weather/"}],"_id":"/"},"expires":1733295391435,"lastModified":1733295091136},"{\"feature\":\"footer\",\"hierarchy\":\"footer\"}":{"data":{"children":[{"_id":"/subscribe","children":[{"_id":"link-DGDAM5YPRN6XFDAP5JVDMNAVVC","display_name":"Why Subscribe?","node_type":"link","url":"/your-subscription/subscription-tour"},{"_id":"link-CM7751G0QH6MZDQGFJ2U872KJW","display_name":"Subscription Bundles","node_type":"link","url":"/subscribe"},{"_id":"link-20YXWFDCNH4233PCDANMHA4VT8","display_name":"Subscriber Rewards","node_type":"link","url":"/subscriber-rewards/"},{"_id":"link-INNQ4KIFSFDWHLJIC7INQXWWGY","display_name":"Student Subscription","node_type":"link","url":"/subscribe/student/"},{"_id":"link-MFHX19ZTJ90JDAV1MZWFRRRCBR","display_name":"Subscription Help Centre","node_type":"link","url":"https://help.irishtimes.com/s/"},{"_id":"link-5YM8CZDMVH2CQ08T2B33MHANWR","display_name":"Home Delivery","node_type":"link","url":"http://www.newsdelivery.ie"},{"_id":"link-QUQFWNZ8197RQBK5CKWCM4T8HW","display_name":"Gift Subscriptions","node_type":"link","url":"/subscribe/gift"}],"name":"Subscribe","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/support","children":[{"_id":"link-G3XEUGHAGT79B4DJ5W73WNFQY0","display_name":"Contact Us","node_type":"link","url":"/about-us/contact-us"},{"_id":"link-C8T475KX5D1KDAW12U8Q12T5MC","display_name":"Help Centre","node_type":"link","url":"https://help.irishtimes.com/s/"},{"_id":"link-NV2UTHTYXX1EN982NWZ92BVPZW","display_name":"My Account","node_type":"link","url":"/myaccount"}],"name":"Support","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/about-us","children":[{"_id":"link-Z9KM76KCK1375DMR7HKZ3BAAYG","display_name":"Advertise","node_type":"link","url":"/about-us/advertise"},{"_id":"link-C0YP70N1BT3BTF13YZ3GQFFW5R","display_name":"Contact Us","node_type":"link","url":"/about-us/contact-us"},{"_id":"link-HPPYKQZRWN3T10Y4E0NXN002NC","display_name":"The Irish Times Trust","node_type":"link","url":"/about-us/the-irish-times-trust/"},{"_id":"link-YV5H3Y4TQH5AVE8N4AUH222RK4","display_name":"Careers","node_type":"link","url":"/about-us/career-opportunities"}],"name":"About Us","node_type":"section"},{"_id":"/product-and-services","children":[{"_id":"link-QR4AME90917AK29M6XVEJMX9N8","display_name":"ePaper","node_type":"link","url":"/epaper"},{"_id":"link-8XJ7X9GPZX2H11NJE3GWW45748","display_name":"Crosswords & puzzles","node_type":"link","url":"/crosswords-puzzles/"},{"_id":"link-B7ENRD4YCD77ZCV67531F5ZEP8","display_name":"Newspaper Archive","node_type":"link","url":"/archive"},{"_id":"link-7XMTETWQ05553ADVQ26YD2PN5M","display_name":"Newsletters","node_type":"link","url":"/newsletters"},{"_id":"link-QKK62NMCJT4751EU158MVUQ6J8","display_name":"Article Index","node_type":"link","url":"https://www.irishtimes.com/article-index/"},{"_id":"link-1YQEPDVX8X06D9BVQXQZ2U9GWM","display_name":"Discount Codes","node_type":"link","url":"https://discountcodes.irishtimes.com/"}],"name":"Irish Times Products & Services","node_type":"section"}],"_id":"/"},"expires":1733295422856,"lastModified":1733295122364}},"site-service-hierarchy-it":{"{\"arcSite\":\"irishtimes\",\"hierarchy\":\"Logged-in-navigation\"}":{"data":{"children":[{"display_name":"My Account;Manage your account","url":"/myaccount"},{"display_name":"Digital Subscriptions; Frequently asked questions and support","url":"https://help.irishtimes.com"},{"display_name":"Subscriber Only Articles;Specially selected and available only to our subscribers","url":"/subscriber-only/"},{"display_name":"Crosswords & Puzzles;Digital Simplex and Crosaire crosswords","url":"/crosswords-puzzles/"},{"display_name":"Subscriber Rewards;Discover a selection of rewards just for you","url":"/subscriber-rewards/"},{"display_name":"Newsletters;Sign up to get the stories you want delivered to your inbox","url":"/newsletters/"},{"display_name":"Subscriber Tour;Explore the features of your subscription","url":"https://www.irishtimes.com/your-subscription/subscription-tour"},{"display_name":"Newspaper Archive;150 years of Irish Times journalism","url":"https://www.irishtimes.com/premium/loginpage"},{"display_name":"Mobile app;Our Apple and Android apps to read on the go","url":"/apps/"}],"_id":"/"},"expires":1733295435465,"lastModified":1733295135398},"{\"feature\":\"links-bar\",\"hierarchy\":\"our-partners\",\"sectionId\":\"\"}":{"data":{"children":[{"_id":"link-RZ2ANKYPEH3D10YNR9JVH7VNMC","display_name":"MyHome.ie","node_type":"link","url":"https://www.myhome.ie"},{"_id":"link-B11GV8GN694GF8VF4DABJK72P4","display_name":"The Gloss","node_type":"link","url":"https://www.thegloss.ie"},{"_id":"link-TW1E9G03UX64TE4GX1KT8AC2U8","display_name":"Recruit Ireland","node_type":"link","url":"https://recruitireland.com/"},{"_id":"link-H2ZDK285TX65VCFVDB90GEG8K0","display_name":"Irish Times Training","node_type":"link","url":"https://www.irishtimestraining.com/"},{"_id":"link-LTCTRPJE2FGBLF7UZ2SSX7NBME","display_name":"RIP.ie","node_type":"link","url":"https://rip.ie/"}],"_id":"/"},"expires":1733295366895,"lastModified":1733295066653}},"alert-bar-collections":{"{\"from\":0,\"site\":\"irishtimes\",\"size\":1}":{"data":{"_id":"DL4WZLD3QVA55FOFBOQ3ZET6TY","version":"0.10.6","created_date":"2022-02-02T13:23:38.460Z","headlines":{"basic":"Breaking News Alert"},"last_updated_date":"2024-12-03T16:39:45.610Z","type":"collection","canonical_website":"irishtimes","websites":{"irishtimes":{}},"content_elements":[],"description":{"basic":"This collection powers the Alert Bar block on the website"},"content_aliases":["alert-bar"],"owner":{"id":"irishtimes"},"revision":{"branch":"default","published":true},"canonical_url":null,"publishing":{"scheduled_operations":{"publish_edition":[],"unpublish_edition":[]}},"website":"irishtimes"},"expires":1733295190882,"lastModified":1733295070845}},"content-api-collections":{"{\"content_alias\":\"parenting-links\",\"feature\":\"top-table-list\",\"from\":0,\"size\":5}":{"data":{"content_elements":[{"_id":"6NX63OWGJFHJXHUJEIZNWY7LRU","credits":{"by":[{"_id":"sheila-wayman","additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Sheila Wayman"}},"name":"Sheila Wayman","type":"author","url":"/author/sheila-wayman/"}]},"description":{"basic":"Sessions developed by engineer, scientist, writer and performer Dr Niamh Shaw inspire parents to start new conversations around the kitchen table"},"display_date":"2024-12-03T05:31:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"‘It’s given me the motivation to say, I’m not just a mam stuck at home with a disability who can’t do stuff’: Social enterprise Town Scientist"},"label":{},"owner":{"sponsored":false},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"W5RSBIWCFNDXBCEVRKMS3UGDSU","auth":{"1":"f657eacb0140e7670a266e80e21ae90c88b8d250e8dbaea6d9772f7838e7270a"},"focal_point":{"x":662,"y":629},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/W5RSBIWCFNDXBCEVRKMS3UGDSU.jpg"}},"type":"story","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/health/your-wellness","name":"Your Wellness"},"website_url":"/health/your-wellness/2024/12/03/social-enterprise-town-scientist-its-given-me-the-motivation-to-say-im-not-just-a-mam-stuck-at-home-with-a-disability-who-cant-do-stuff/"}}},{"_id":"ISE4QKXLQ5HCDIIP6M5OATKVAQ","credits":{"by":[{"_id":"jennifer-oconnell","additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Jennifer O'Connell"}},"name":"Jennifer O'Connell","type":"author","url":"/author/jennifer-oconnell/"}]},"description":{"basic":"The pronatalist movement has roots in creepy tradwife visions, but does that matter if it leads to financial supports for families?"},"display_date":"2024-11-30T07:10:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Look out ladies. Elon Musk has plans for your womb"},"label":{},"owner":{"sponsored":false},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"GDDVRKAAAM4GFWF4AJ7GSFIBBM","auth":{"1":"117d82d5220f3bc696c6fe7e06d22fdd0fec3744a1fe781a6a3a3e6c23b4436f"},"focal_point":{"x":4459,"y":1356},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/GDDVRKAAAM4GFWF4AJ7GSFIBBM.jpg"}},"type":"story","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/opinion","name":"Opinion"},"website_url":"/opinion/2024/11/30/jennifer-oconnell-look-out-ladies-elon-musk-has-plans-for-your-womb/"}}},{"_id":"MCMAKU4ELFBVTF7BMYYH74Y4AM","credits":{"by":[{"_id":"rosita-boland","additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Rosita Boland"}},"name":"Rosita Boland","type":"author","url":"/author/rosita-boland/"}]},"description":{"basic":"A day spent in the Vincent de Paul southeast region office reveals the large number of requests from vulnerable seeking help with everything from food and utility bills to rent arrears and broken toilets"},"display_date":"2024-11-30T06:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"‘There could be two cars, but the fridge is empty’: Hidden poverty in middle-class Ireland"},"label":{},"owner":{"sponsored":false},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"3CYMILO3VNAZFPPXZRLZVUR7AQ","auth":{"1":"17410ac65b0c4a472b687d631ff94a06bfd0b5f3b9dc6dd952ea081c90cadd02"},"focal_point":{"x":2743,"y":2403},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/3CYMILO3VNAZFPPXZRLZVUR7AQ.JPG"}},"type":"story","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/life-style/people","name":"People"},"website_url":"/life-style/people/2024/11/30/there-could-be-two-cars-but-the-fridge-is-empty-hidden-poverty-in-middle-class-ireland/"}}},{"_id":"2EPMKFF23ZD6TIAFXUPFVHIK3I","credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Soumaya Keynes","type":"author"}]},"description":{"basic":"The economic benefits of maternity leave do appear to have a limit in terms of mothers returning to work and promotion"},"display_date":"2024-11-29T11:58:03.528Z","headlines":{"basic":"Is there such a thing as too much parental leave?"},"label":{},"owner":{"sponsored":false},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"DABXXOICSNDHLIT6EDDEY7UCMA","auth":{"1":"071b9c51a1ddffa50244c7e506474be9756b98ecb4215c56c036aec79b3e0848"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/DABXXOICSNDHLIT6EDDEY7UCMA.jpg"}},"type":"story","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/business/work","name":"Work"},"website_url":"/business/work/2024/11/29/is-there-such-a-thing-as-too-much-parental-leave/"}}},{"_id":"2EV3G3DV5FGYNGFTCE4WTSBRZI","credits":{"by":[{"_id":"jen-hogan","additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Jen Hogan"}},"name":"Jen Hogan","type":"author","url":"/author/jen-hogan/"}]},"description":{"basic":"Conversations with Parents podcast with Jen Hogan"},"display_date":"2024-11-26T06:15:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Séamas O’Reilly: ‘My little boy is the same age now as I was when my mother died’"},"label":{},"owner":{"sponsored":false},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"ANGJ6TAD3ZEHFFLO4ZNAXEPVGQ","auth":{"1":"50164b2f8bd5c79ea663cedb270c09ab3f451db3370ecec44d623f89c05ad715"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/ANGJ6TAD3ZEHFFLO4ZNAXEPVGQ.jpg"}},"type":"story","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/podcasts/conversations-with-parents","name":"Conversations with Parents Podcast"},"website_url":"/podcasts/conversations-with-parents/seamas-oreilly-my-little-boy-is-the-same-age-now-as-i-was-when-my-mother-died/"}}}],"_id":"NDKLFMDPURBVLGC7UDBSW44EZ4"},"expires":1733295408001,"lastModified":1733295107850}},"related-content":{"{\"_id\":\"6KV6U73PXBHRTD2VZEK6MV6QCA\",\"feature\":\"top-table-list\"}":{"data":{"content_elements":[],"_id":"cbeb882bd5e6eac050100fdfb71b296e0ff856b5eb25d0e162f213176e19d44e"},"expires":1733295473715,"lastModified":1733295173668},"{\"_id\":\"6KV6U73PXBHRTD2VZEK6MV6QCA\",\"feedOffset\":0,\"feedSize\":1}":{"data":{"content_elements":[],"_id":"cbeb882bd5e6eac050100fdfb71b296e0ff856b5eb25d0e162f213176e19d44e"},"expires":1733295473722,"lastModified":1733295173670}},"story-feed-sections":{"{\"feedOffset\":0,\"feedSize\":5,\"includeSections\":\"/health/your-family\"}":{"data":{"content_elements":[{"_id":"4GYG22O7EBHS3A6MHRWINKAHVM","additional_properties":{},"canonical_url":"/podcasts/conversations-with-parents/when-does-it-get-easier-and-other-parenting-questions/","content_elements":[{"_id":"QGYRJEIVEBE3LGB5FFIHPFVVOU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733151962553},"content":"Does parenting with the seemingly never-ending juggle of work, home-life, and trying to be everything to everyone, actually get any easier? What about if you have a child struggling with anxiety, where do you begin in the search for meaningful support? Siblings; ready-made friends, or sworn enemies - how do you manage sibling conflict? And does it really matter if parents share pictures of their children online?","type":"text"},{"_id":"JLYYNFYIJVDTJPCMEE7HQS4H4M","additional_properties":{"_id":1733151962554},"content":"These are just some of the many questions that came in to us from listeners to our Conversations with Parents podcast. And, in this special episode, Jen Hogan sits down with the podcast’s producer, Aideen Finnegan, to discuss and answer a selection of your questions.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3PZ3IPJN55DIXBADJMBJHJMPRY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733151962555},"content":"Plus, the pair discuss some of the strong and varied reactions that followed some unexpectedly contentious takes on parenting, as guests openly and honestly shared their own unique experiences of raising children.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3KD37Q5Y2JCVZMYPVB7ZJESH6I","additional_properties":{"_id":1733151962556},"content":"From à la carte Catholicism, to box-ticking inclusion, to some very different views on allowing children be the ones who dictate the terms of, well everything really, there has been no shortage of things to discuss.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NEUSDWNWAZCWVIH2AQX6LI6HVM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733151962557},"content":"You can listen to the latest episode of Conversations with Parents on the player above, or wherever you get your podcast.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PEZPRGXZMZBVRBT3T347QHKNEA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733151962558},"content":"We, at Conversations with Parents, love to hear from you, so please continue to send your emails with your feedback, questions and even guest suggestions to <a href=\"mailto:parentspod@irishtimes.com\">parentspod@irishtimes.com</a>. And don’t forget to follow us on your preferred podcast platform to make sure you never miss an episode.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[]},"description":{"basic":"Conversations with Parents podcast with Jen Hogan"},"display_date":"2024-12-03T06:15:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"‘When does it get easier?’ and other parenting questions","native":""},"label":{},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"LHKCBDUHLZBT5BUAXTXCSRXPEE","auth":{"1":"4119434d4017dfe7853f0b62a894c55648e36a1286dee7b10e93eee7f49ace12"},"url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/LHKCBDUHLZBT5BUAXTXCSRXPEE.jpg"},"podcast":{"embed":{"config":{"duration":2376.053333,"episodeTitle":"Conversations with Parents - the debrief","imageUrl":"https://assets.pippa.io/shows/66dace753eb5a88941553994/1727965962669-4e38364f-9f5a-450f-a2c1-48407f5ff0ee.jpeg","showTitle":"Conversations with Parents ","streamUrl":"https://feeds.acast.com/public/streams/66dace753eb5a88941553994/episodes/674dcae085ae82730a1fcee7.mp3"}}}},"subtype":"podcast","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Conversations with Parents Podcast"},{"name":"Your Family"},{"name":"Podcasts"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/podcasts/conversations-with-parents/when-does-it-get-easier-and-other-parenting-questions/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/podcasts/conversations-with-parents","additional_properties":{"original":{"Podcast":{"podcast_logo":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/FBLLZCTAXRHGHPGQSF7Q242DOM.jpg"}}},"name":"Conversations with Parents Podcast"}}}},{"_id":"6KV6U73PXBHRTD2VZEK6MV6QCA","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":336,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/38479503-6ace-4646-82f2-3e3d7c4aea26/versions/1732629813/media/4d5a2815614fc416e6b229f7b7f795e2_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/health/your-family/2024/12/02/my-13-year-old-son-often-wakes-up-at-night-and-spends-ages-just-lying-there-worrying-that-he-cant-sleep/","content_elements":[{"_id":"74MFMTKSMZFUROWKRQDDZZ6PYQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732627086408},"content":"Question","type":"header"},{"_id":"UYOQLRY3YFAS5GTTREZKODHSKM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732629441801},"content":"<b>My 13-year-old son is having difficulty sleeping. He has been having a lot of trouble getting up for school and it has become such a stressful rush in the mornings. When we were chatting last week, he revealed that he often wakes up at night and then can’t get back to sleep. He says he spends “ages just lying there” worrying that he can’t sleep.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"5CSJWPSCABC6XB2NLGXEPO6D6Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1732629441802},"content":"<b>When he was younger he often had trouble like this and would wake us up – we would spend time supporting him back to sleep. Now he seems to be awake by himself – I feel bad that he is left alone like that by himself at night. What should we do to help him? What advise should we give him to get back to sleep?</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"DY5W4O4UMJCBBPFL2FHCVQ3JVU","additional_properties":{"_id":1732629441803},"content":"<b>Should we tell him to wake us so we can help him or encourage him to continue to do it by himself? He goes to bed at a reasonable time and is often very tired in the evening and is exhausted in the morning when he has to get up for school.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"2MTWJPLB3BA2JFYKVDHRZBYQ2A","additional_properties":{"_id":1732629441804},"content":"<b>He has no screens in his bedroom and has a relaxing night-time routine as far as I can see.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"GMYOUHSMHZGTNLAKQO26JQIMUY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732629441805},"content":"<b>Answer</b>","type":"header"},{"_id":"5P5OPHOE4FHFJMY2KFMF33C4TQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732627086409},"content":"Many children and adults experience night-waking and disrupted sleep, which is not only stressful and tiring but also can negatively impact their wellbeing and performance during the day.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DLB5BIDHOVEIHG2CUMY4PIJ3ZY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732627086410},"content":"Many people go in and out of sleep throughout the night. They might wake briefly and then return to sleep easily, barely noticing that they were awake. However, others, once they awake, their mind can become active and full of worries and ruminations. There is a tendency for people to be more hypervigilant in the middle of the night – some experts see this as an evolutionary hangover from when there were actually more dangers at night. As a result, in the dark of the night, worries can seem larger than they actually are and this can disturb your sleep. Once you are agitated then it more difficult to fall back to sleep – the more you try the harder it can become.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6GIXRGUCJRETXGXQX7HG7SZODI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732629441808},"content":"Sleep is a passive process about relaxing and letting go – it is not an active decision you can make. Also, once you are awake for a short period “tossing and turning” then secondary worries about not sleeping can kick in – you can berate yourself with thoughts such as “Oh no, I am not sleeping, I am going to be really tired in the morning”. Such stressful thoughts just make sleep harder – this is vicious cycle of insomnia. Over time, just lying in the bed becomes associated with stress and worry and not restful sleep.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DV6ZRGHGINA45OHK7JJ2VSFSPI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732627086411},"content":"Helping your son","type":"header"},{"_id":"OK57QAU7NJCXLBXFRN22VSKMUU","additional_properties":{"_id":1732627086412},"content":"In thinking how to help your son, it is first important to get a full picture of his sleep patterns and what is going on for him through the night. It is great that he has started talking to you about his night-waking, so now encourage him to tell you a bit more. For example, it would be useful to know: What time does he usually wake up at? Is there a particular reason he wakes up? (eg worries or a bad dream, etc). What happens when he tries to get back to sleep when he wakes? Explore also how he falls asleep in the first place when he goes to bed. It is a good sign that he is able to do this, so do take time to identify the different sleep strategies he uses: what he thinks of, what position he lies in, how he relaxes himself, what props he uses. (such as reading, music, comfy pillow, etc). It is best to have this conversation during the day at a calm, relaxed time when you can work on solutions together.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PDVEF2ZQSJFYBFN5DLRYM6JZHY","additional_properties":{"_id":"D2KGJ3NTBZCVDL2QYFZNJAAMN4"},"content":"Insomnia is no fun and I’ve tried everything. Even brown noise","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"OCVMZRZEFNDF5M7OUM4IO7HWD4","additional_properties":{"_id":1732627086413},"content":"Make a plan for getting back to sleep","type":"header"},{"_id":"VK4354ULHBE4LLUM26UKXW2DJY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732627086414},"content":"Encourage your son to make a plan for when he awakes. Below are some ideas that might help","type":"text"},{"_id":"OA4OASE3OVB2DJWTGCIXCOOZDM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732627086415},"content":"1) Try his normal “fall-asleep strategies” that work when he first goes to bed","type":"text"},{"_id":"JAA5IOF6CJHHFKVJDA23JB7W6Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1732627086416},"content":"2) If after 5-10 minutes he is lying there awake and agitated, it might be useful to get up for a minute to break this pattern. Some people find it helps to read for a few minutes or to do some stretching. One teen I worked with found it useful to do a couple of sit-ups as means of discharging his stress and resetting his system. The key is to break the association of lying in bed with stress and agitation","type":"text"},{"_id":"24NKQHWGKVBCZL5JQB4HIRAYEQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732627086417},"content":"3) If he has worries on his mind that are preventing his sleep, sometimes it can be useful to jot a few of these down on a note pad and then tell himself that he will deal with them in the morning","type":"text"},{"_id":"4VILZOIHZJBRNPK3Y7ZHM3Z2UM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732627086418},"content":"4) Once he feels a little more relaxed, then he can go back to bed and restart his relaxing fall-asleep strategies","type":"text"},{"_id":"ENVVEG4SDFEJRK6LSNE3TZAR5Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1732627086419},"content":"5) Sometimes an additional prop can help, such as listening to music or a sleep meditation (you can put this on a device with no access to social media to avoid other distractions if need be)","type":"text"},{"_id":"CQ4J7AQHGVCR5IE7RIJEMVPY5Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1732627086420},"content":"What works in restarting good sleep habits varies greatly from person to person. The most important thing is to be compassionate and encouraging and to break the pattern of worrying that might affect him. For example, if your son lies awake worrying “oh no, I am not sleeping”, you can encourage him to replace that thought with a relaxing manta “oh, it is nice to be lying resting in my bed”. Patience and gentleness are key in building better sleep habits","type":"text"},{"_id":"CFANKO72DRHTXDNQ2TVBY7Y2UA","additional_properties":{"_id":1732627086421},"content":"Finally, you ask in your question whether he should wake you when he is not sleeping. You can of course give him that option for if he really needs to. But waking you up may increase the challenge of getting back to sleep (as well as being stressful for you). Also, I think it is a sign of his maturity that he is trying to deal with this himself – you can of course be a supportive coach for him during the day as he reflects about what he needs and comes up with a plan to manage.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3FEKUQAN2VDZXBOONEC255CVKU","additional_properties":{"_id":1732627086422},"type":"list"},{"_id":"7ROABMHFJVA23A6GCUZNT6H2TI","additional_properties":{"_id":"HA22BFCVMRGANEN4LRA73XVJJA"},"content":"<div class=\"contribly-contribute-v2\" data-client=\"9fc0f2a4-9bf9-4464-8b77-ec351ad0db03\" data-assignment=\"dfea1027-fb44-4a52-be45-3e6c66fc39f9\" data-display=\"inline\"></div><script type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/contribly-widgets/contribute/contribute-v2.js\"><\/script>","type":"raw_html"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"premium"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"John Sharry"}},"name":"John Sharry"}]},"description":{"basic":"Ask the Expert: Should we tell him to wake us so we can help him or should we encourage him to continue to do it by himself?"},"display_date":"2024-12-02T06:01:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"‘My 13-year-old son often wakes up at night and spends ages just lying there worrying that he can’t sleep’","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"P6SEBJ3OPJF4XODL4PDCETDS2I","auth":{"1":"4f31e8d65acc88a52636c73661328f6d19b60678360a1862d94cb93d048ddb2d"},"url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/P6SEBJ3OPJF4XODL4PDCETDS2I.jpg"}},"subtype":"columnist","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Your Family"},{"name":"Health"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/health/your-family/2024/12/02/my-13-year-old-son-often-wakes-up-at-night-and-spends-ages-just-lying-there-worrying-that-he-cant-sleep/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/health/your-family","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Your Family"}}}},{"_id":"ISE4QKXLQ5HCDIIP6M5OATKVAQ","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":373,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/956fea96-fd17-4c90-ba78-5fccd4bff8aa/versions/1732883999/media/685c5f9adef4b69511ec0d708b7fb4d9_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/opinion/2024/11/30/jennifer-oconnell-look-out-ladies-elon-musk-has-plans-for-your-womb/","content_elements":[{"_id":"TTXD3TZ7OBHGNHRRHXKRK5DNTY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732876398474},"content":"It’s hard to imagine anything less likely to encourage you to rip off your clothes and start procreating than having <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/elon-musk/\" target=\"_blank\">Elon Musk</a> held up as a paragon of fecundity. No reflection on the charms of his numerous offspring, little X Æ A-Xii, Techno Mechanicus, Exa Dark Sideræl (who is just two, but has already changed her name to the deep, existential cry of “Y, Why, or ?”), and their nine siblings, but there is something deeply, for want of a better word, prophylactic about the kind of man who goes on a solo run to reverse the downward trajectory in global fertility rates. Musk has characterised the decline in women having children as “one of the biggest risks to civilisation”. In October, he <a href=\"https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1841635259382710619\" target=\"_blank\">posted on X</a>: “Birth rates that low will lead to mass extinction of entire nations!” Not on his watch, ladies.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QCHLFVAXONHRZODODG6Q537PMQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732876398475},"content":"Similar concerns about fertility rates have been expressed by another big risk to civilisation. <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/donald-trump/\" target=\"_blank\">Donald Trump</a>, himself a father of five children by three wives, recently promised to fund access to IVF in the US because “we want more babies, to put it nicely”. His future vice-president <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/jd-vance/\" target=\"_blank\">JD Vance</a> has a well-publicised aversion to “childless cat ladies” and says societies with low birth rates are “pretty icky and pretty gross”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"63ACBY3LZRA4BIKRAMOZOGWIFE","additional_properties":{"_id":1732876398476},"content":"As a rule, men who are in favour of women giving birth, but very much not in favour of women generally, ought to make us suspicious. When they say “we want more babies, to put it nicely” what they tend to mean is “we like our women barefoot and pregnant, and our children numerous enough to be able to pay for us in our old age”. Perhaps that’s unfair. They do like children – maybe not as individuals with their own rights, identity and destiny, but as symbols of their masculinity, like a pair of bespoke Gucci crocodile skin loafers. Remember Trump boasting about how he would like to date Ivanka? That was the biggest compliment he could pay himself.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IRBAWGJZYZH27LALGVELVZKX2Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1732876398477},"content":"As global fertility rates continue to fall – and the decline is precipitous in Ireland, with <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2024/05/24/irish-birth-and-fertility-rates-continue-to-decline-cso-figures-show/#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20CSO%2C%20there,2013%20to%201.5%20in%202023.\" target=\"_blank\">the average age of first-time mothers climbing to 31.6</a>, and the average number of children per woman now 1.85, down from 4.06 30 years ago – the gaping maws of the culture wars have locked on to the issue of motherhood. Women who have long been banging the drum for better access to fertility treatment and more financial supports for <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/parenting/\" target=\"_blank\">parents</a> have been bewildered to find themselves on the same side as the pronatalist movement of conservative politicians and Silicon Valley tech bros. “Parents and parents-to-be need to have long-term stability and a reliable financial situation.” Who said that? Was it Holly Cairns? Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez? Sheila Heti? Nope, it was Hungary’s <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/viktor-orban/\" target=\"_blank\">Viktor Orban</a>.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MYEPHM7KSZE5PKYXG64DLPFVCQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732876398478},"content":"With birth rates in Europe below the replacement level of 2.1, and surveys suggesting that young Europeans would like to have more children, the populist right has a renewed interest in family planning. In October last year, Orban – who is deeply concerned about what he charmingly calls “civilisational suicide” – hosted a two-day summit of pronatalists including conservative Canadian psychologist <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/jordan-peterson/\" target=\"_blank\">Jordan Peterson</a> and Italy’s <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/giorgia-meloni/\" target=\"_blank\">Giorgia Meloni</a>, on how to persuade Europeans to have more children.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Y4V34VBPXRDBRMCKWRRWHWRGBQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"YYSVMWVMBRHLNKIFRDVLX7AIDQ"},"content":"Ireland’s demographic time bomb: too many retirees and too few babies","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"MYIQQMAKQ5D6LL4KPVCKLK6VOI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732876398479},"content":"“Cash” is usually the conclusion arrived at by these high-level think-ins. At the milder end of pronatalist measures is <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/emmanuel-macron/\" target=\"_blank\">Emmanuel Macron</a>’s programme of “demographic rearmament” or Fine Gael’s baby bonus of €1,000 for every newborn. At the more extreme is<a href=\"https://helsinki.mfa.gov.hu/assets/59/19/40/51495279420a1817043db761a69f20d1dd4e58ce.pdf\"> Orban’s offer of a loan of €31,250</a> to every married couple, with the total debt written off entirely after the third child, and a lifetime exemption on income tax for women who have four or more children or who <a href=\"https://www.hungarianconservative.com/articles/culture_society/hungarian-family-policy_children_marriage_maria-kopp-institute_family-friendly-government_fertility/\" target=\"_blank\">start having children before the age of 30</a>.","type":"text"},{"_id":"F5QBO4ND4BBKHELPL6GEST76WQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732876398480},"content":"The pronatalist movement is associated with creepy visions of a society of tradwives, but does that matter if the net result is better supports for families? The problem is that throwing piles of money at young families does little to address the real reasons couples are opting out of parenthood. Financial incentives have “no or only modestly positive effects on fertility”, as <a href=\"https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/sites/918d8db3-en/1/3/1/index.html\" target=\"_blank\">an OECD report</a> last summer puts it.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HQPF5MCWM5DAZJUS6LMOPT6EZY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732876398481},"content":"Those reasons are complex. They include changing gender roles; women’s desire or need to work; and a more intense approach to parenting that leaves little room, financial or otherwise, for anything else. “In the absence of work-life balance options, increased female labour participation leads to declining fertility rates,” the report states. Meanwhile, the more men are involved in the demanding, day-to-day grind of parenting, the fewer children couples are likely to have.","type":"text"},{"_id":"AD4QNTG5ARC7NJDSJKELGWFMEQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732876398482},"content":"We didn’t need the OECD to spell any of this out. In an ideal world, making the decision that you’re ready to have a child could involve some or all of the following: being in a relationship; having somewhere to live; earning enough to meet your expenses; being set up in a career; having access to childcare; having a general sense of the world as the kind of place you are comfortable bringing a child into. And wanting to be a parent. These days, many people will never tick all those boxes.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ICXOYMQXSZASZKNNYUB6FWEJHA","additional_properties":{"_id":"52Y3DAU4SBHRHMYASRK7RJLKGY"},"content":"Martin Wolf: Falling fertility rates are one of the biggest challenges facing our world","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"FUBGL3OP3REETPT6FVG4E7PW54","additional_properties":{"_id":1732876398483},"content":"Arguably, women and men who decide not to have children are making an entirely rational choice in a society that is not set up to support them; one that continues to be structured as though for every child, there’s one parent at home full-time – without putting any of the supports in place to make that possible. A €1,000 or a €30,000 baby bonus won’t address the climate crisis or buy you a house. It won’t even arrange to pick your child up at 2.10pm when your working day doesn’t finish until 5.30pm. And until those things are no longer an issue, fertility rates will continue to fall. No amount of bribes or Musk fretting about mass extinction is going to make a difference.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"premium"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Jennifer O'Connell"}},"name":"Jennifer O'Connell"}]},"description":{"basic":"The pronatalist movement has roots in creepy tradwife visions, but does that matter if it leads to financial supports for families?"},"display_date":"2024-11-30T07:10:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Look out ladies. Elon Musk has plans for your womb","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"GDDVRKAAAM4GFWF4AJ7GSFIBBM","auth":{"1":"117d82d5220f3bc696c6fe7e06d22fdd0fec3744a1fe781a6a3a3e6c23b4436f"},"focal_point":{"x":4459,"y":1356},"url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/GDDVRKAAAM4GFWF4AJ7GSFIBBM.jpg"}},"subtype":"columnist","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Opinion"},{"name":"Health"},{"name":"Your Family"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/opinion/2024/11/30/jennifer-oconnell-look-out-ladies-elon-musk-has-plans-for-your-womb/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/opinion","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Opinion"}}}},{"_id":"2EV3G3DV5FGYNGFTCE4WTSBRZI","additional_properties":{},"canonical_url":"/podcasts/conversations-with-parents/seamas-oreilly-my-little-boy-is-the-same-age-now-as-i-was-when-my-mother-died/","content_elements":[{"_id":"3IMIZ6K3KNAELO6YSIH7RDHWF4","additional_properties":{"_id":1732540132837},"content":"Be careful what you put on social media, or you might just go viral and end up with a whole new career, as author, Observer columnist and now dad of two, Séamas O’Reilly discovered when he replied to a tweet asking “what’s the worst day you ever had at work?”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WQISOTYRFBCR5NVOHOQMXZIJAY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732540132838},"content":"In the latest episode of Conversations with Parents, Séamas who has 10 siblings, (or ‘10 siblings!’ as Tommy Bowe might say) talks to Jen Hogan about serving drinks to President Mary McAleese, aged 18, while being under the influence of an illegal substance. And how 80 million views, and a mention in the New York Times, later he was able to quit a job he didn’t like and take up writing for a living.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZKCHHQNBYRGVNBAWHJPGP52ZWQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732540132839},"content":"The author of the award winning, Did Ye Hear Mammy Died?, shares his experiences of growing up in a large family, having lots of teenage sisters at the one time, and coping with the loss of his mother when he was just five years old, leaving his father to raise 11 children alone.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KTBW3SEPRBEG3AMD47TO3JG7FM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732540132840},"content":"As Séamas’s own son reaches the same age Séamas was when his mother died, he reflects on how his experience of bereavement at such a young age has affected his parenting.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NKOWTBVYTNGOLNGCJG4CVM5M5M","additional_properties":{"_id":1732540132841},"content":"“My son, just about three months ago, he turned the same age that I was when my mum died. I don’t know what kind of sadist mathematician in me ever made me work it out, but I worked it out sometime and I had it in a calendar”, he explains, discussing how this milestone has given him a new insight into and appreciation of just how small he was when he lost his mother.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PWA276UXX5D2JCLAE4UPX76KJE","additional_properties":{"_id":1732540132842},"content":"Plus, how do you cope when you’re an Irishman whose children support the English football team? What are Séamas’ takes on modern parenting phenomena? Would he consider having a large family himself? And do kids really say the darnedest things?","type":"text"},{"_id":"HGMKIL2NIJD67GEH22X5QRXMUM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732540132843},"content":"You can listen to this episode of Conversations with Parents on the player above. Or listen to Conversations with Parents wherever you get your podcasts.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3XLBSRLGFZFCBGKUNYMHZDRNWI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732540132844},"content":"And if you’d like to get in touch with the show, you can email us at <a href=\"mailto:parentspod@irishtimes.com\" target=\"_blank\">parentspod@irishtimes.com</a>","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Jen Hogan"}},"name":"Jen Hogan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Conversations with Parents podcast with Jen Hogan"},"display_date":"2024-11-26T06:15:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Séamas O’Reilly: ‘My little boy is the same age now as I was when my mother died’","native":""},"label":{},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"ANGJ6TAD3ZEHFFLO4ZNAXEPVGQ","auth":{"1":"50164b2f8bd5c79ea663cedb270c09ab3f451db3370ecec44d623f89c05ad715"},"url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/ANGJ6TAD3ZEHFFLO4ZNAXEPVGQ.jpg"},"podcast":{"embed":{"config":{"duration":2345.405333,"episodeTitle":"The award-winning writer on grief, big families and *that* famous catchphrase","imageUrl":"https://assets.pippa.io/shows/66dace753eb5a88941553994/1727965962669-4e38364f-9f5a-450f-a2c1-48407f5ff0ee.jpeg","showTitle":"Conversations with Parents ","streamUrl":"https://feeds.acast.com/public/streams/66dace753eb5a88941553994/episodes/6744ad1cc11fbabc61b49c73.mp3"}}}},"subtype":"podcast","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Conversations with Parents Podcast"},{"name":"Your Family"},{"name":"Podcasts"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/podcasts/conversations-with-parents/seamas-oreilly-my-little-boy-is-the-same-age-now-as-i-was-when-my-mother-died/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/podcasts/conversations-with-parents","additional_properties":{"original":{"Podcast":{"podcast_logo":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/FBLLZCTAXRHGHPGQSF7Q242DOM.jpg"}}},"name":"Conversations with Parents Podcast"}}}},{"_id":"O37AIYJ6AFH67ATVMFV5JRK66Y","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":463,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/295f9bd8-5a17-4a62-b1b3-b193718aa3ae/versions/1731580540/media/445aadab989a2c30f55f8787e270b104_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/ireland/education/2024/11/26/parents-were-apprehensive-the-school-where-risky-play-is-on-the-timetable/","content_elements":[{"_id":"MWRUOKOLWVGVVJXC7DR5GBAA3M","additional_properties":{"_id":1731520565929},"content":"Imagine a school where children are allowed to climb trees and scale walls in the school grounds and then come downhill at speed on scooters. Well, that’s exactly what happens at Slane National School, Co Meath, where teachers Ruth Collins and Lorna Murphy have introduced adventurous play into the school day for all pupils.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6NE4IQGYE5DJVLHNYIJ3WJNH6M","additional_properties":{"_id":1731520565930},"content":"“We started by bringing small groups of junior infants out to look for plants and to rake up leaves in the autumn, and later developed an outdoor play area with a mud kitchen, sand pit, wigwam and a tunnel with grass over it to roll down,” says Collins.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RK3AEGIGHBC6XPCUECWEA53GVQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1731520565931},"content":"Once the birch trees in the school grounds became strong enough to bear the weight of the children, the teachers allowed them to climb the trees during play time.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RUIA7MWWV5F4LNBN6TWILACGBI","additional_properties":{"_id":1731520565932},"content":"“It was all in a very controlled manner, but there have been fewer accidents since we started,” says Murphy.","type":"text"},{"_id":"EXPXSAQ73ZGNPIXIL5JJLCKIHA","additional_properties":{"_id":1731520565933},"content":"As part of the process, teachers asked the schoolchildren what extra equipment they would like in the playground.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NQOQIHLGINCJZDW4MFP5RBEPYU","additional_properties":{"_id":1731520565934},"content":"“We got all kinds of suggestions like a swimming pool with water slides,” says Collins. “But most of them wanted a treehouse on stilts with a fireman’s pole, a ladder and a climbing wall, which was then funded by the parents’ association.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"VTJUURV7LZG3ZKESOIWEC6AO7A","additional_properties":{"_id":1731520565935},"content":"While one or two parents questioned the wisdom of such outdoor play, teachers at Slane National School were widely supported by their principal and the wider school community.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6DMKZ2FYDVB5RGWFPVN5EHJ3AI","additional_properties":{"_id":1731520565936},"content":"“In fact, parents tell us that they hear more about what goes on at school because the children are outside,” says Murphy. “They are so engaged with their outdoor activities that there aren’t any behavioural issues when they come back indoors.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"AQAHOQBQUFA67LDMSNSMLVE4C4","additional_properties":{"_id":"WPKLDKXHNJBAZGGKNMX73PLPHE"},"subtype":"pullquote","type":"quote"},{"_id":"LVU57LXLABD3ZMG7BT2KMU4QYY","additional_properties":{"_id":1731520565937},"content":"Outdoor activities are either linked to the school curriculum, led by the teachers, or involve child-led play, where children learn to negotiate the space they share with others.","type":"text"},{"_id":"746XF3FW3FCRRPAZIURQOISSFM","additional_properties":{"_id":1731520565938},"content":"In Slane National School, junior and senior infants children have wet gear and Wellington boots as part of their uniform for outdoor play in all weathers.","type":"text"},{"_id":"53FP4KQGDBBB5D7IY4PNPD4OUM","additional_properties":{"_id":1731520565939},"content":"Collins and Murphy are part of a small group of teachers who are introducing children to outdoor activities that give them experiences of height, speed and the use of so-called dangerous tools.","type":"text"},{"_id":"L4FXEHJXINCTXKVYZZJ4PABLLE","additional_properties":{"_id":1731520565940},"content":"The new primary school curriculum encourages playful experiences – both teacher-led and child-led outdoor play – for all primary schoolchildren.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BFZX7NQMBZEZHKCXPXZIBEOQBY","additional_properties":{"_id":"I2YELRBTJRHCLPVROCZHC2W7GQ"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"K3VQMFHKFJHGHI7FZKH73HV5UY","additional_properties":{"_id":1731520565941},"content":"Rachel Rafferty – on a career break in New Zealand – taught third-class boys in Scoil Phádraig Cúil an tSúdaire in Portarlington, Co Laois, from 2018 to 2022.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3IE7XWZD6FHWJO5RJQ5GN4F3KU","additional_properties":{"_id":1731520565942},"content":"“This was my first job after my undergraduate degree ... and I noticed that the children weren’t really engaged in the environment, despite being within walking distance of the woods,” says Rafferty.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CZ4G6PY6VJC5TDHYYGSZZFXNBE","additional_properties":{"_id":1731520565943},"content":"So she started bringing the boys for “thematic learning sessions” in the local woods. “Some of them were apprehensive to begin with due to their lack of exposure to the outdoors but, after a few weeks, it became a normal learning environment,” she says.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4F6JKW22EZFSPODESIQNFB54KQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1731520565945},"content":"Thematic learning is an approach that amalgamates different subjects – such as science, art, literacy and mathematics – into a holistic learning experience.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GGTACGSM4VDHZN3SAYI6PBB5VA","additional_properties":{"_id":1731520565946},"content":"Rafferty quickly began to realise that children who rarely put up their hands in class or those who struggled to make eye contact became the ones who were most engaged in the outdoor setting.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HZQNACJT3RH7BJJ3HDYRIJLPAQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1731520565947},"content":"“They would run up to me with questions,” she says.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DBGRJWJHNJHZ3I7EHH4XPJUO7A","additional_properties":{"_id":"33J7K2HDDVBZRFJXX4XWUUUIYM"},"content":"‘How do we grow if we don’t take chances?’: Letting children take risks is terrifying but beneficial","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"OMXEU5Y7A5D7JKZ6T6JGMNONCM","additional_properties":{"_id":1731520565948},"content":"Rafferty went on to do a master’s in outdoor learning at DCU in which she developed the links between competencies of learner identity (choice, teamwork, leadership, reflection, and so on) and learning outdoors.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TBG7NY5B55FH5JITVSQUMXKM5M","additional_properties":{"_id":1731520565949},"content":"“I would always design my lessons so that children could develop these competences,” she says. “So, for example, we studied Stone Age tools and children were put into groups to make tools out of what was on the forest floor, each with a different role as manager, designer, builder.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"XDLOZVJHX5CZTLFOXW4TC32VVQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"OOFMU3LPPFFLLAQQCSZGD4HRUM"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"HXBCHXSCJNB65AGUJVY6K5OCJE","additional_properties":{"_id":1731520565950},"content":"Dr Orla Kelly, associate professor in social, environmental and scientific education at DCU’s institute of education, would like to see outdoor adventurous play for children built into teacher education programmes.","type":"text"},{"_id":"66M7P364GBGWFHFT4ASEZ4ZDQM","additional_properties":{"_id":1731520565951},"content":"“Giving children opportunities to be in situations where they have to navigate and assess risk helps build their resilience and self confidence,” she says. “These are challenging forms of play which are exciting but can make them a bit nervous too so it’s important to engage with children where they are at themselves.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"6AJ7O3HSFBBPTEPI4LAL2LXAII","additional_properties":{"_id":1731520565952},"content":"She says that as a society we have become more risk averse and children often don’t have the same access to adventurous or risky play that previous generations did.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KSN5362E2JCBDP3MAVF7LWFQDE","additional_properties":{"_id":1731520565953},"content":"“So, it’s important that schools can build it in with resources, materials and guidance for teachers,” says Kelly.","type":"text"},{"_id":"E4TEOHKVIFCF7CEAFDE4VZKOSA","additional_properties":{"_id":1731520565954},"content":"She admits that some teachers can be a bit reticent about doing this. “Most primary schoolteachers aren’t experienced in this sort of adventurous/risky play as it only makes up a little – if any – of their initial teacher education and they are unlikely to see it on placement either,” she says. “So, they may not have the competence and confidence to adopt it.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"4M4FG7X5K5DXZOSPQOKXZQIBAM","additional_properties":{"_id":1731520565955},"content":"Parents, too, can be apprehensive. “Some think a little bit is good to do as long as it isn’t taking away from the children’s learning,” says Kelly. “There is still a sense that play is not real learning. Other parents think it is okay as long as it’s not too wet or too cold outside.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZW6N25XBXJGWJJTQLS5JHKGQQM","additional_properties":{"_id":1731520565956},"content":"Tomas Aylward, a lecturer in outdoor education at Munster Technological University, is a strong advocate of outdoor learning and adventurous play for all children, especially those with physical disabilities who, he says, are “often wrapped in cotton wool because the care ethic is greater than the educational ethic”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"53J4DSTQHREIBJJIWPZXU6M6TI","additional_properties":{"_id":1731520565957},"content":"“Risky play is very important for society, and there are consequences if we don’t have it,” says Aylward. “I experience this in the 18-19-year-olds at university who haven’t had risky experiences in childhood. They then engage in risky activities – drugs, alcohol, sex and antisocial behaviour – without filters. And we end up with less capable young citizens.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"342XFWNVIVFC7F7XQRM4VT7ZXM","additional_properties":{"_id":"3VN5CKPGZRD43DTVZONUN2WO4Y"},"subtype":"pullquote","type":"quote"},{"_id":"KL7EXW3I3NB5RDAP2ZFKMWG5GE","additional_properties":{"_id":1731520565958},"content":"He recounts an outdoor learning experience with five-year-old children from Ardfert National School in Co Kerry as an example of teacher-led learning.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LASBI4UMHJFI5DJWI3MSMJDLCY","additional_properties":{"_id":1731520565959},"content":"We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, the classic children’s picture book, is the story of a family outing in which everyone has to navigate their way through a field, a river, a muddy swamp, a snowstorm, and so on, repeating courageously “we’re not scared” before approaching each obstacle.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ULXHP2RIXNGGBFRMPOUWY37UXI","additional_properties":{"_id":1731520565960},"content":"Aylward says the children enacted the book with wood, grass, a cave and a tarpaulin as the river as a way of teaching “prepositional language”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"F7N6G7IXUNBZ5OTF46PO7SBU3E","additional_properties":{"_id":1731520565961},"content":"“The children embodied the experience and became more self-directed, focused and engaged in their learning through these activities,” he says. “Parents who insulate their children from risky activities prevent them from making small micro-decisions about risk-taking. There is a dignity that comes with taking risks.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"O7FAW2QIENGXTGHOSADJZKZCIA","additional_properties":{"_id":1731520565963},"content":"He refers teachers to the book, Adventurous Learning: A Pedagogy for a Changing World by Mike Brown and Simon Beames, which explores how authenticity (something real that children can interact with), mastery (how they can improve their skills), agency (with self-directed choices) and uncertainty need to be incorporated.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OPLD2UXP2JCATLGWRJZKYH4HZM","additional_properties":{"_id":1731520565964},"content":"“The uncertainty is the catalyst and the key element as not being 100 per cent sure what will happen is good for human beings,” says Alyward. “The challenge now is that children’s lives are so engaged with screens that we have to help them find other connections to place – in the school grounds or in their local communities.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VA6C7G25NRE2FHXGFPN6R7AB3U","additional_properties":{"_id":1731520565966},"content":"“For example, doing rubbings of old grave stones to find when people passed away and researching these names or connecting with what’s on their local beach. Start local and help them feel a connection to their locality and bring that into outdoor learning and risky play.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"PI5ZAPFIB5BQHI2EPNR56JDR4U","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Sylvia Thompson"}},"name":"Sylvia Thompson"}]},"description":{"basic":"Some teachers believe climbing trees and other outdoor self-directed controlled risk-taking are crucial for fostering self-confidence and resilience"},"display_date":"2024-11-26T06:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"‘Parents were apprehensive’: the school where ‘risky’ play is on the timetable ","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"5DX35TALUBE45JWTNNA2CHGYWE","auth":{"1":"fb1f4be8811e0137254ce4734ba36de9b2a4a707e95a5d466d69d67fbc85f366"},"url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/5DX35TALUBE45JWTNNA2CHGYWE.jpg"}},"subtype":"feature","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Education"},{"name":"Health"},{"name":"Your Family"},{"name":"Ireland"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/ireland/education/2024/11/26/parents-were-apprehensive-the-school-where-risky-play-is-on-the-timetable/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/ireland/education","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Education"}}}}],"count":2098,"_id":"116bf53a59a64c460459761db779d4d827a12b6e3034dbff7db3e4511703b654"},"expires":1733295282656,"lastModified":1733294982525}},"most-popular":{"{\"feedOffset\":0,\"feedSize\":5,\"section\":0,\"size\":5}":{"data":{"content_elements":[{"_id":"AAGTMLVP4RHNVNJ6KZZRGZ2SWE","canonical_url":"/world/americas/2024/11/30/my-brother-is-doing-the-trump-dance/","display_date":"2024-11-30T19:07:31.289Z","headlines":{"basic":"My brother is doing the Trump dance","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"WJWR4NI45CG6MIX66WPSEZX6TU","auth":{"1":"a114cc709b6772f6aec7abe7209d38097cf7464da7ebdb2c666d9608593bcc43"},"url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/WJWR4NI45CG6MIX66WPSEZX6TU.jpg"}},"taxonomy":{},"website_url":"/world/americas/2024/11/30/my-brother-is-doing-the-trump-dance/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/world/us","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"US"}}}},{"_id":"2ORVN2SFUZFMLCC6AQ2244RIHU","canonical_url":"/culture/film/2024/12/03/humphrey-bogart-and-lauren-bacalls-son-on-his-parents-kids-were-second-to-their-drinking-and-partying/","display_date":"2024-12-03T05:48:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall’s son on his parents: ‘Kids were second to their drinking and partying’","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"QJMIYZ25Q5GTXPT6K7EOZJZXDE","auth":{"1":"ffb6ade9a585f16e9b32af07b0b1857814be4edbce7af0434735ebb1c5b5126e"},"focal_point":{"x":2044,"y":1487},"url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/QJMIYZ25Q5GTXPT6K7EOZJZXDE.jpg"}},"taxonomy":{},"website_url":"/culture/film/2024/12/03/humphrey-bogart-and-lauren-bacalls-son-on-his-parents-kids-were-second-to-their-drinking-and-partying/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/culture/film","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Film"}}}},{"_id":"YN4BD3I3URAGTEUUNYOBU4QM3U","canonical_url":"/crime-law/2024/12/03/a-beautiful-girl-full-of-life-full-of-energy-tributes-paid-to-eight-year-old-girl-killed-in-new-ross-as-man-arrested/","display_date":"2024-12-03T18:20:40.052Z","headlines":{"basic":"‘A beautiful girl, full of life, full of energy’: Tributes paid to eight-year-old girl killed in New Ross as man arrested","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"MA3QKPOYQBHSNBPO2SNE5XHDMA","auth":{"1":"2003f7bb4067be3abfcdfc07997ab2e6a2980d1c40812bac8b3a13bfc14a082a"},"focal_point":{"x":232,"y":248},"url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/MA3QKPOYQBHSNBPO2SNE5XHDMA.jpg"}},"taxonomy":{},"website_url":"/crime-law/2024/12/03/a-beautiful-girl-full-of-life-full-of-energy-tributes-paid-to-eight-year-old-girl-killed-in-new-ross-as-man-arrested/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/crime-law","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Crime & Law"}}}},{"_id":"TH776QCSPFCEDF5HMXXRVC2PAA","canonical_url":"/ireland/2024/12/03/ripie-removes-condolences-pages-for-padraig-nally-over-anti-traveller-comments/","display_date":"2024-12-03T12:33:35.859Z","headlines":{"basic":"RIP.ie removes condolences page for Padraig Nally over anti-Traveller comments","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"UZJGMSSFQVB5PKXCRAUDAQ5GTU","auth":{"1":"552d525927e47a256d8f405d981a4d705b06ef44ed3d0b503f67b6b90706c5bd"},"url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/UZJGMSSFQVB5PKXCRAUDAQ5GTU.jpg"}},"taxonomy":{},"website_url":"/ireland/2024/12/03/ripie-removes-condolences-pages-for-padraig-nally-over-anti-traveller-comments/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/ireland","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Ireland"}}}},{"_id":"BXEPDKVSYFDEVPQ2LN7U6FG64Y","canonical_url":"/business/2024/12/03/ireland-has-once-in-a-lifetime-chance-to-fuel-eu-hydrogen-network/","display_date":"2024-12-03T17:31:28.34Z","headlines":{"basic":"Ireland has ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ chance to fuel EU hydrogen network ","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"MQCRQDNY4ND73NLL2OILFAXQSA","auth":{"1":"b290ce9c522c8f6e5705e70b09a0f6312fbc622c215ff47f69d1d98fb2408387"},"url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/MQCRQDNY4ND73NLL2OILFAXQSA.jpg"}},"taxonomy":{},"website_url":"/business/2024/12/03/ireland-has-once-in-a-lifetime-chance-to-fuel-eu-hydrogen-network/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/business","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Business"}}}}],"count":5,"_id":"e3224fc45549e1e1e95be3ff0141019c9a87f3fa5888b4ca45ed9c17a4b713c7"},"expires":1733295374280,"lastModified":1733295070453}},"article-recommendations":{"{\"contentId\":\"6KV6U73PXBHRTD2VZEK6MV6QCA\",\"feedOffset\":0,\"feedSize\":2,\"size\":2}":{"data":{"content_elements":[{"_id":"WF6DF4UJ6RFFXPDXB6EWMBM6EE","canonical_url":"/politics/2024/12/01/miriam-lord-democracy-is-great-but-sometimes-we-can-overdo-it/","display_date":"2024-12-02T07:10:16.123Z","headlines":{"basic":"For much of the time in the RDS, one of the big questions was: what the hell is going on? ","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"},"basic":{"display":true,"text":"Election 2024","url":"/election2024/"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"BRJOYLZCOPRDHWL4VO6DKYXZYE","auth":{"1":"1e93b622b557581ebfdf6e939bb63dec9201c1b078880bb7915aec1517b8e7fd"},"url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/BRJOYLZCOPRDHWL4VO6DKYXZYE.jpg"},"overline_logo":{"_id":"QSWFXEVMGBHWPCSR4TJ3B6FKJQ","auth":{"1":"146656f9244eb8ce84d36fd4e3c519672cca8c4da72f47512b76196f1b454a7f"},"url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/QSWFXEVMGBHWPCSR4TJ3B6FKJQ.png"}},"website_url":"/politics/2024/12/01/miriam-lord-democracy-is-great-but-sometimes-we-can-overdo-it/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/politics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Politics"}}}},{"_id":"NZNR3K7P2NAV3H6NYU2C5ZGX5Q","canonical_url":"/ireland/2024/12/02/girl-dies-following-assault-at-house-in-new-ross-co-wexford/","display_date":"2024-12-02T14:39:28.564Z","headlines":{"basic":"Girl (8) dies following assault at house in New Ross, Co Wexford","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"3CAZ4E76H5FFVKGBJL2NFSPBZ4","auth":{"1":"c31792dc76151accec9d55d03271a6f60d688730a9ee2331cf7ececf4033902f"},"url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/3CAZ4E76H5FFVKGBJL2NFSPBZ4.jpg"}},"website_url":"/ireland/2024/12/02/girl-dies-following-assault-at-house-in-new-ross-co-wexford/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/ireland","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Ireland"}}}}],"count":2,"_id":"d61df9018682776e635fcb521aab505f018e87e919b04d6544e23bff050b69b0"},"expires":1733295474893,"lastModified":1733295173712}},"story-feed-query":{"{\"feedOffset\":0,\"feedSize\":5,\"offset\":0,\"query\":\"(taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\\\/abroad* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\\\/business* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\\\/crime-law* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\\\/culture* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\\\/environment* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\\\/food* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\\\/health* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\\\/history* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\\\/ireland* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\\\/life-style* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\\\/media* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\\\/motors* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\\\/obituaries* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\\\/offbeat* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\\\/opinion* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\\\/photography* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\\\/podcasts* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\\\/politics* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\\\/property* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\\\/science* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\\\/sport* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\\\/technology* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\\\/transport* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\\\/tuarascail* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\\\/world* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\\\/your-money* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\\\/podcasts*) AND (subtype:\\\"default\\\" OR subtype:\\\"analysis\\\" subtype:\\\"feature\\\" OR subtype:\\\"opinion\\\" OR subtype:\\\"showcase\\\" OR subtype:\\\"columnist\\\" OR subtype:\\\"live-story\\\" OR subtype:\\\"podcast\\\" OR subtype:\\\"editors-note\\\") -(taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\\"/opinion/letters\\\" OR subtype:\\\"live-story-writer\\\")\",\"size\":5}":{"data":{"content_elements":[{"_id":"74QJJVW3B5E6RAT4JUAGLNZ2UM","additional_properties":{},"canonical_url":"/business/2024/12/04/mixed-figures-on-home-completions-and-business-will-miss-the-greens-now-theyre-gone/","content_elements":[{"_id":"BXHKW3U5GZBI7N5HO4ZLFYY52M","additional_properties":{"_id":1733257930265},"content":"Housing was, as expected, the issue most on the minds of voters as they went to vote, according to the exit poll. New figures from the Central Statistics Office show <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2024/12/03/homebuilding-up-44-in-third-quarter-compared-to-last-year/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>home completions</b></a> were up 4.4 per cent in the third quarter compared to the same period last year. But, they were down on the second quarter and, at 21,634 so far this year, also down on the 22,325 built by the end of September last year, writes Colin Gleeson. With the Government now setting itself a target of 50,500 a year, starting with 41,000 next year, the incoming government has a challenge to frame policy that can deliver those numbers.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5WD4WS2DKNBEHPV76SSQ3AWXOM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733257930266},"content":"Separate data from the CSO showed that the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2024/12/03/irelands-income-gap-is-widening-cso-figures-show/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>pay gap</b></a> between Ireland’s top and bottom earners has widened considerably in the last 10 years in findings that run counter to other reports which have suggested income inequality in Ireland has remained relatively stable since the 2008 financial crash. Eoin Burke-Kennedy reports.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KYULX7IZYJHAPPEYVTG4LXE6PA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733257930267},"content":"Ireland has a “once in a lifetime” opportunity to deliver on the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2024/12/03/ireland-has-once-in-a-lifetime-chance-to-fuel-eu-hydrogen-network/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>potential for green hydrogen</b></a>, according to Germany’s ministerial envoy, Jürgen Friedrich. In Dublin yesterday, he told a conference that offshore wind energy from Ireland’s west coast was one of the few completely reliable sources of renewable energy in the world. Ronan McGreevy was there.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LTVER652P5ELPFDKQWBUPBUELA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733257930268},"content":"<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2024/12/03/greencore-signals-earnings-may-hit-pre-covid-levels/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>Greencore chief executive Dalton Philips</b></a> says he aims to return the convenience foods group to the acquisitions trail for the first time since before the Covid pandemic, saying he “would love” in time to buy something that would see the former Irish Sugar Company manufacturing in Ireland again. Meanwhile, the group reported profits ahead of forecasts that had been upgraded three times in the past year, pushing the shares ahead by almost 12 per cent. Joe Brennan reports.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7NVRZNPJTVCPVPUFPUBIHXR7OU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733257930269},"content":"The abrupt departure of <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2024/12/03/intels-ceo-departure-opens-door-to-fresh-deal-discussions/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>Intel chief executive Pat Gelsinger</b></a> offers a fresh opportunity for the troubled chipmaker to consider potential deal options, including scenarios that he rejected during his time running the chipmaker such as a split of Intel’s factory and product-design businesses.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MH45A5R5RRHXHHSZA65VLG5SNY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733257930270},"content":"Also in trouble, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2024/12/03/sean-dunnes-motions-challenging-bankruptcy-officials-appointments-dismissed-by-high-court/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>boom-time developer Seán Dunne</b></a> had various motions he brought to dislodge officials overseeing his bankruptcy dismissed with Mr Justice Liam Kennedy saying the now 70-year-old Mr Dunne had taken a procedurally incorrect legal route in seeking to challenge the validity of two officials’ appointments within the original bankruptcy case.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7C33F7OKLNHVPARLQQJ4V3ZQNY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733257930271},"content":"In Money Matters, with festive shopping in full swing, Joanne Hunt cautions about getting too attached to the concept of <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/your-money/2024/12/04/the-perils-of-buy-now-pay-later/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>buy now, pay later</b></a>. The upfront payments can look appealing but these are loans and you can quickly get hit with charges if you miss a payment.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZN56URTLSNE6PFQ3NYJDMIBUFE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733257930272},"content":"We also have a full eight-page supplement looking at all aspects of the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/property/commercial-property/2024/12/04/shopping-centres-apartments-and-logistics-the-top-commercial-property-deals-of-2024/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>commercial property market</b></a> as the year comes to a close.","type":"text"},{"_id":"B5LMCTDUFZHSRFRSRF5FCKS4CA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733257930273},"content":"Finally, John McManus says <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2024/12/04/business-will-miss-the-green-party-now-it-is-gone/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>business will miss the Green Party</b></a> now that it will no longer be in government. Businesses associate the party with carbon taxes and other measures that push up their costs and get in the way of making money. But the consequences of climate change are not up for debate, and neither are the costs it will ultimately impose on business.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TOGJ6PSGNZH4PNBMDOX5JDLNPE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733256264256},"content":"Stay up to date with all our business news: sign up to our <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/newsletters/\" target=\"_blank\">Business Today</a> daily email news digest. If you’d like to read more about the issues that affect your finances try signing up to <a href=\"https://theirishtimes.lt.emlnk1.com/Prod/link-tracker?redirectUrl=aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cuaXJpc2h0aW1lcy5jb20lMkZuZXdzbGV0dGVycyUzRnV0bV9zb3VyY2UlM0ROZXdzbGV0dGVyJTI2dXRtX21lZGl1bSUzRGVtYWlsJTI2dXRtX2NvbnRlbnQlM0RSU1MlMjUzQUlURU0lMjUzQVRJVExFJTI2dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduJTNEYnVzaW5lc3NfdG9kYXlfZGlnZXN0&sig=4kSj6MVtJhDySXD8zno7jMoXwZGc1dpLM3xhR9Fc9b5k&iat=1673852841&a=%7C%7C89275494%7C%7C&account=theirishtimes%2Eactivehosted%2Ecom&email=Dc0R66saiYNu2sbROXCOD2QOP8ZXmRzMvz3Yw%2BcA7gI%3D&s=0d5371d23ecde798f8f0f88cc635413b&i=21237A21683A12A963031\">On the Money</a>, the weekly newsletter from our personal finance team, which will be issued every Friday to Irish Times subscribers.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"premium"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Dominic Coyle"}},"name":"Dominic Coyle"}]},"description":{"basic":"The best news, analysis and comment from The Irish Times business desk"},"display_date":"2024-12-04T06:47:07.678Z","headlines":{"basic":"Mixed figures on home completions and business will miss the Greens now they’re gone","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"},"basic":{"display":true,"text":"Business Today Newsletter"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"5WJGAZDMYQZEUDWKP6CTO47QNE","auth":{"1":"c8e464f1d65bf0211681672915a7cf65d95846603582f1669274d22ffc525335"},"url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/5WJGAZDMYQZEUDWKP6CTO47QNE.jpg"}},"subtype":"editors-note","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Business"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/business/2024/12/04/mixed-figures-on-home-completions-and-business-will-miss-the-greens-now-theyre-gone/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/business","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Business"}}}},{"_id":"SMKWWPK7CVCLHNO32NTZTZAYH4","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":247,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-h0e8gjgjaqe0egb7.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/c7dad98d-96a3-4933-9f03-ef37275353c9/versions/1733259641/media/fc8b86cb61de65c81a947f66e62ca616_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/politics/2024/12/04/fianna-fail-and-fine-gael-begin-government-formation-talks-as-opinion-in-labour-and-soc-dems-hardens/","content_elements":[{"_id":"XOF7DX3QLJGPXKQANWXZBQT44Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1733257215744},"content":"The leaders of <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/fianna-fail/\" target=\"_blank\">Fianna Fáil</a> and <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/fiane-gael/\" target=\"_blank\">Fine Gael</a> will receive a mandate from their parties on Wednesday to begin government formation talks, amid a fresh push from within both camps for serious negotiations with Independent TDs.","type":"text"},{"_id":"X2HQ43CCOFD2HMEPITEYRG4BA4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733257215745},"content":"Both parties will hold their first post-election parliamentary party meetings on Wednesday where newly elected TDs will give their views on potential coalition options. Fine Gael leader <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/simon-harris\" target=\"_blank\">Simon Harris</a> and Fianna Fáil leader <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/micheal-martin\" target=\"_blank\">Micheál Martin</a> are expected to receive a mandate from their TDs to begin exploratory discussions with each other, parties of the left and Independents who are seen as reliable. Detailed negotiations on a programme for government are unlikely for some weeks, however.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IS5565B3RNAT3PHNFGDJMOOLJM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733257215746},"content":"The Social Democrats held its first post-election parliamentary party meeting on Tuesday afternoon, with some divisions emerging there on whether they should go into government or not. One source said the party would go through the machinations of talks with parties on the left and then the larger parties, but there was a view that Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil would not facilitate their red lines in negotiations.","type":"text"},{"_id":"N7RAKRCGKFHR3F7TKDFN4MLH5M","additional_properties":{"_id":1733257215747},"content":"Another source said, however, that they firmly wanted to see the Social Democrats in government. Amid hesitancy in both the Social Democrats and Labour, there is a renewed push from within both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil to hold serious negotiations with Independent TDs. With 86 seats between them, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are just shy of the 88-seat majority.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OKWGN5J3AJEIJMPMZEUW4TKTSI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733257215748},"content":"Micheál Martin said on Tuesday that the first government he served in was reliant on three Independent TDs and was effectively a minority government, but survived for five years.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PNN55ENKBZECXBKBPFW5QU5YZ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733257215749},"content":"“A lot depends on the character of those who are supporting you. What I mean by that is people who can take the rough with the smooth and have the backbone to see it through.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PBBCOZHLQNBJVFSCVRNWUKRH7M","additional_properties":{"_id":1733257215750},"content":"“The numbers is one aspect of it, but the degree of commitment that individuals can give to a government is another.” He said he wanted “to test the waters too and see what others are saying”. Mr Martin also said it was unlikely that a new government would be in place by Christmas but said he wanted a new coalition to be formed as quickly as possible.","type":"text"},{"_id":"S3KEWWKA4VFHFLWXF5P4VYTPQ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733257215751},"content":"Opinion in the Labour Party, meanwhile, continues to harden against going into coalition if the Social Democrats are not also on board. Speaking privately, one Labour Party TD expressed particular reservations about going into government without the Social Democrats, saying that while they had concerns about the policy direction of a Fine Gael-Fianna Fáil government propped up by Independents, it “would be suicide for us to go in without the SocDems”, adding that Labour had “worked too long and too hard to get to this point where we are a viable political force again to go in and have that wiped out in a couple of years”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YTAGAFPBTBHD7CBLFB6T4I37EE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733257215752},"content":"Former Labour leader and one-time Cabinet minister <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/alan-kelly\" target=\"_blank\">Alan Kelly</a> is among those who has publicly stated that the party should be open to government, while <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/ged-nash\" target=\"_blank\">Ged Nash</a>, the party’s finance spokesman, said over the weekend that the party wanted to be in government and that he wanted a full Cabinet portfolio.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SWTTEGZXFFECFHHVJVBT4RYYF4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733257215753},"content":"Another Labour Party TD said they would “not be going near government”, explaining: “The numbers are not there for us, there’s enough for Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and gene pool Independents and we need to continue to build.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"Q3AHZZIGBBDLDA5B5FGTZG3SVA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733257215754},"content":"Meanwhile, Independent TDs continue to express interest in entering coalition talks, with Tipperary South’s <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/mattie-mcgrath\" target=\"_blank\">Mattie McGrath</a> the latest to do so on Tuesday. A bypass for Tipperary town, a relief road for Clonmel and “support the farmers instead of crucifying them” would be among his asks in talks. Sinn Féin will also hold a parliamentary party meeting on Wednesday, and talks with smaller parties later in the week.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Jennifer Bray"}},"name":"Jennifer Bray"},{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Harry McGee"}},"name":"Harry McGee"},{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Pat Leahy"}},"name":"Pat Leahy"},{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Jack Horgan-Jones"}},"name":"Jack Horgan-Jones"},{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Cormac McQuinn"}},"name":"Cormac McQuinn"}]},"description":{"basic":"There is a renewed push from within both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil to hold serious negotiations with Independent TDs"},"display_date":"2024-12-04T06:32:50.462Z","headlines":{"basic":"Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael begin government formation talks as opinion in Labour and Soc Dems hardens","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"},"basic":{"display":true,"text":"Election 2024","url":"/election2024/"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"VD6PKWMYPNFRBL27226EDLHW24","auth":{"1":"e0760f2a378961d1e51361a694bf5fcdbce471dc1a74fb0b841fc9d9b4fe1849"},"url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/VD6PKWMYPNFRBL27226EDLHW24.JPG"},"overline_logo":{"_id":"QSWFXEVMGBHWPCSR4TJ3B6FKJQ","auth":{"1":"146656f9244eb8ce84d36fd4e3c519672cca8c4da72f47512b76196f1b454a7f"},"url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/QSWFXEVMGBHWPCSR4TJ3B6FKJQ.png"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Politics"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/politics/2024/12/04/fianna-fail-and-fine-gael-begin-government-formation-talks-as-opinion-in-labour-and-soc-dems-hardens/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/politics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Politics"}}}},{"_id":"RI7VNXFL3VBFXMLI77DR2C6MHY","additional_properties":{},"canonical_url":"/crime-law/2024/12/04/information-sought-on-anniversary-of-sandra-collins-disappearance/","content_elements":[{"_id":"ZIMFW7RMGVFMDAFAYEJ63VZM44","additional_properties":{"_id":1733268228824},"content":"An appeal has been renewed for information on the disappearance of Sandra Collins 24 years ago on Wednesday.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5EDGNJ5H5BAW5EFSLBYNVOX75Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1733268228825},"content":"Ms Collins was last seen on the night of Monday, December 4th, 2000 at approximately 11pm at the Country Kitchen premises on George’s Street, Killala, Co Mayo.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UGVGCLJCA5F7ZIMGCMTUMM54LM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733268228826},"content":"She had bought chips in a local takeaway. A pink fleece, later identified as hers, was found on the pier in Killala. She was 28 years of age at the time of her disappearance.","type":"text"},{"_id":"S4NJRPJCLVA67KCM7ZTEL6Y7OY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733293707197},"content":"Gardaí in Killala have renewed their appeal for members of the public with any piece of information they feel might be relevant to the investigation.","type":"text"},{"_id":"27LIWDMSSRGNNOHBWYEAEQN5AI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733268228827},"content":"“We want to thank the public who have been of assistance in this investigation to date. We are now appealing to those who may have additional information to please get in contact,” said Detective Inspector John Costello. “Perhaps you have information you thought was insignificant at the time, or it could be that after 24 years have passed, your circumstances have now changed.","type":"text"},{"_id":"R7FQ3K7VOVASROWOOCJADF3QWA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733268228828},"content":"“Relationships change, loyalties change and people may not now be constrained by the set of circumstances that existed for them some 24 years ago. With that passage of time, people may feel more comfortable sharing information with us.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"OHJEMSB25RFMJNCJ2SNUO5H5WE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733268228829},"content":"Anyone who can provide information will be treated in the strictest of confidence and can contact Ballina Garda station at (096) 20560, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any station.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Mark Hilliard"}},"name":"Mark Hilliard"}]},"description":{"basic":"Mayo woman was last seen on December 4th, 24 years ago"},"display_date":"2024-12-04T06:29:14.409Z","headlines":{"basic":"Information sought on anniversary of Sandra Collins disappearance ","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"GWV7IQYOFALZLY6QPLINWVN4WY","auth":{"1":"39db621fb3a137c9694ceb75ee23f524d8b57cb6def81b6af08d2d32c8a07737"},"url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/GWV7IQYOFALZLY6QPLINWVN4WY.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Crime & Law"},{"name":"Ireland"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/crime-law/2024/12/04/information-sought-on-anniversary-of-sandra-collins-disappearance/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/crime-law","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Crime & Law"}}}},{"_id":"MCJPBFAU5ZAB7POM37C3PE7Z6Q","additional_properties":{},"canonical_url":"/world/asia-pacific/2024/12/04/south-koreas-leader-warned-to-resign-or-face-impeachment-over-martial-law-decree/","content_elements":[{"_id":"J7L3FAIJINACZHLCSYFBWXFYZM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733293144533},"content":"South Korea’s main opposition party has called on President Yoon Suk Yeol to resign immediately or face impeachment, hours after he declared a short-lived martial law that prompted troops to encircle parliament before MPs voted to lift it.","type":"text"},{"_id":"N4SQGOJJWJDIJB2MVNEQE4FHLE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733293144534},"content":"On Tuesday night, Mr Yoon abruptly imposed the emergency martial law, vowing to eliminate “anti-state” forces after he struggled to push forward his agenda in the opposition-dominated parliament.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Y6ZUO6PUL5CCTHDW3AQGZDXNB4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733293144535},"content":"But his martial law was effective for only about six hours, as the National Assembly voted to overrule the president. The declaration was formally lifted about 4.30am during a cabinet meeting.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LQEVC7UTDVAGJLRTQ74OSYGOXI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733293144536},"content":"The liberal opposition Democratic Party, which holds a majority in the 300-seat parliament, said on Wednesday that its MPs decided to call on Mr Yoon to quit immediately or they would take steps to impeach him.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RPCFMEE4TVHG7CY64M2QHQ5BXA","additional_properties":{"_id":"UCVJDJKNKFEP7GKI2I42PTBEJM"},"content":"What we know about South Korea’s declaration of martial law","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"SB2W72SKPENLZ3VMP3D753N44Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1733293144537},"type":"image"},{"_id":"ILMGWMG55JAR5MKSCNSHVJFQVQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733293144538},"content":"“President Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law declaration was a clear violation of the constitution. It didn’t abide by any requirements to declare it,” the Democratic Party said in a statement.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Q2X7YEAAKJE6FEOR7XQ6NLY4XY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733293144539},"content":"“His martial law declaration was originally invalid and a grave violation of the constitution. It was a grave act of rebellion and provides perfect grounds for his impeachment.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"O27XEQOAARGZ3FA2WYUI2G4KHM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733293144540},"content":"Impeaching him would require support from two-thirds of the parliament, or 200 of its 300 members. The Democratic Party and other small opposition parties together have 192 seats.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UJQWGONZ55FKXETO6PWDGPSMJA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733293144541},"content":"But when the parliament rejected Mr Yoon’s martial law declaration in a 190-0 vote, about 10 MPs from Mr Yoon’s ruling People Power Party cast ballots supporting the rejection, according to National Assembly officials.","type":"text"},{"_id":"X53KISESEJAIVFIJ7MYNSFE5R4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733293144542},"content":"If Mr Yoon is impeached, he will be stripped of his constitutional powers until the Constitutional Court can rule on his fate. Prime minister Han Duck-soo, the second highest ranking member of the South Korean government, would take over his presidential responsibilities.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VHGXE46UPRB27AKHL6SJ7OD3OI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733293144543},"content":"Mr Yoon’s martial law declaration, the first of its kind in more than 40 years, harkened to South Korea’s past military-backed governments when authorities occasionally proclaimed martial law and other decrees that allowed them to station combat soldiers, tanks and armoured vehicles on streets or at public places like schools to prevent anti-government demonstrations.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BUTSZ3LQKNHZ7HKSKG5GKQ6EDY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733293144544},"content":"Such scenes of military intervention had not been seen since South Korea achieved a genuine democracy in the late 1980s until Tuesday night.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6VBZMNA3ISYAPSITR4V6RV2IRA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733293144545},"type":"image"},{"_id":"3WDOO754CZDQHLBEMS7OAWXOPQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733293144546},"content":"After Mr Yoon’s declaration, troops carrying rifles and police officers were quickly deployed at parliament to ban the entrance of people, as protesters crowded outside the parliamentary compound.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7P3ACG4CCRDBJNAPXCPU6THLBA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733293144547},"content":"At least three helicopters, likely from the military, were seen landing inside the Assembly grounds, while two or three helicopters circled above the site.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YKU56ST7F5BH7K4JKA6QHFXIBU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733293144548},"content":"No major violence was reported. The troops and police personnel were later seen leaving the ground of the National Assembly after the parliamentary vote to lift the martial law.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RTR54OKPCZHJLBATEHEFCDA3ZE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733293144549},"content":"National Assembly speaker Woo Won Shik said: “Even with our unfortunate memories of military coups, our citizens have surely observed the events of today and saw the maturity of our military.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"QYXVXLLXGRAGHFAIRENGEGEL3I","additional_properties":{"_id":1733293144550},"content":"Ruling People Power Party leader Han Dong-hun demanded that Mr Yoon explain his decision and fire defence minister Kim Yong Hyun, who he said recommended the martial law decree to Mr Yoon. The Defence Ministry has not commented.","type":"text"},{"_id":"EZS7OIXLKVAARDFPJV2YRYLRAY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733293144551},"content":"South Korean media reported that presidential advisers and secretaries for Mr Yoon offered to resign and Mr Yoon also put off his official schedule on Wednesday morning. The presidential office could not immediately confirm the reports.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FTAVYKV7KRBSFONSC74W464RO4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733293144552},"content":"Under South Korea’s constitution, the president can declare martial law during “wartime, war-like situations or other comparable national emergency states” that require the use of military force to restrict the freedom of press, assembly and other rights to maintain order. Many observers question whether South Korea is currently in such a state.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2HNGHGWOXBGPHGFIWXIAN7GC4E","additional_properties":{"_id":1733293144553},"content":"The constitution also states that the president must oblige when the National Assembly demands the lifting of martial law with a majority vote.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QA4XYUX6SVUAVXRIGBBVYCWYE4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733293144554},"type":"image"},{"_id":"ASJUE74XTVERLFWLFXMSOWLJYI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733293144555},"content":"Some experts say Mr Yoon clearly violated the constitution in how he imposed martial law. While martial law allows “special measures” to restrict individual freedoms and the authority of agencies and courts, the constitution does not permit the functions of parliament to be restricted.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BGFXPBP7PVAUHBAF7XEAOENAEE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733293144556},"content":"But in following Mr Yoon’s declaration on Tuesday, South Korea’s military proclaimed parliamentary activities were suspended and deployed troops to try to block lawmakers from entering the National Assembly.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HLJP4KUJZBCDDPLEFUS3A3C2JA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733293144557},"content":"Park Chan-dae, the Democratic Party’s floor leader, called for Mr Yoon to be immediately investigated on charges of rebellion over the way he deployed troops to the parliament.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CX6UXGZTNVAWHNTHTMSR43WLB4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733293144558},"content":"While the president mostly enjoys immunity from prosecution while in office, the protection does not extend to alleged rebellion or treason.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VVHTGV4NPBGUTFYEDITKTXYHSA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733293144559},"content":"In Washington, the White House said the US was “seriously concerned” by the events in Seoul.","type":"text"},{"_id":"34KYSZRPQBFNLA67FLJDM2HTVI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733293994692},"content":"A spokesperson for the National Security Council said the Biden administration was not notified in advance of the martial law announcement and was in contact with the South Korean government.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Y7422CS3RVDMHEJFHXGKGDVWSU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733293144560},"content":"Pentagon spokesman Major General Pat Ryder said there was no effect on the more than 27,000 US service members based in South Korea.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5VQDNUTS3ZDIFJFPFSTFVNWQTI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733293144561},"content":"Mr Yoon’s government and ruling party have been embroiled in an impasse with the Democratic Party over next year’s budget bill and a Democratic Party-led attempt to to impeach three top prosecutors.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OYYOV24ABVAY7HH6SGDEVFWVJY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733293144562},"content":"During his televised announcement, Mr Yoon also described the opposition as “shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces who are plundering the freedom and happiness of our citizens”. He did not elaborate.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ROWU5IICMBG3LG7RMH5YSFDHDE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733293994696},"content":"North Korea had no immediate comment. - AP","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"name":"Kim Tong-Hyung, Associated Press"}]},"description":{"basic":"Measure was effective for only about six hours before National Assembly voted to overrule president"},"display_date":"2024-12-04T06:25:57.222Z","headlines":{"basic":"South Korea’s leader warned to resign or face impeachment over martial law decree","native":""},"label":{},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"RYX5PBPYWICNZN4NUHTOH6FT5A","auth":{"1":"1d54445aa9488756cf7dc134ca27d914018f8e621df39bab27e7e7e2547e2765"},"url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/RYX5PBPYWICNZN4NUHTOH6FT5A.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Asia-Pacific"},{"name":"World"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/world/asia-pacific/2024/12/04/south-koreas-leader-warned-to-resign-or-face-impeachment-over-martial-law-decree/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/world/asia-pacific","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Asia-Pacific"}}}},{"_id":"IYLDASABBNG75LS5GTAJLZGONI","additional_properties":{},"canonical_url":"/world/asia-pacific/2024/12/04/what-we-know-about-south-koreas-declaration-of-martial-law/","content_elements":[{"_id":"A7WKMKUZ2NFCRMGICP7ZJ57OQQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733291396873},"content":"South Korean MPs on Wednesday called for the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol after he <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/world/asia-pacific/2024/12/04/south-koreas-leader-warned-to-resign-or-face-impeachment-over-martial-law-decree/\" target=\"_blank\">declared martial law only to reverse the move hours later, </a>triggering the biggest political crisis in decades in Asia’s fourth-largest economy.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IZCJAFJR2ZCTDDXC56V6UW6UDI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733291396874},"content":"The move late on Tuesday shocked South Koreans, with Yoon calling in the military which released a decree banning protests and activity by parliament and political parties, and placing media under government control.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ATQE53U4GZGEFCETCCLXNYB7BM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733291396875},"content":"But 190 of the National Assembly's 300 members defied police and military cordons to vote against the declaration, which Yoon then lifted.","type":"text"},{"_id":"REZO4WAVJJA7NKV3ZQZRCL5R6M","additional_properties":{"_id":1733291396876},"content":"Here is what we know so far:","type":"text"},{"_id":"IDRF4BSM2NBHBJO7PWRSLCIOUA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733291396877},"content":"Why did Yoon declare martial law?","type":"header"},{"_id":"HZKFKAF2JRH7RG7732XBRHWBMM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733291396878},"content":"Yoon said opposition parties had taken the parliamentary process hostage.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UHHILUD42JGJLEIHO2HS3AK5AI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733291396879},"content":"\"I declare martial law to protect the free Republic of Korea from the threat of North Korean communist forces, to eradicate the despicable pro-North Korean anti-state forces that are plundering the freedom and happiness of our people, and to protect the free constitutional order,\" Yoon said.","type":"text"},{"_id":"EOPPYJ7RNBGU7H5WBCB3KDSHU4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733291396880},"content":"He did not cite any specific threat from the nuclear-armed North, instead focusing on his domestic political opponents. He complained of 22 impeachment motions filed against administration officials since he took office in May 2022.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GIGD6AKGHFC47PWXTEKTTZ2UNI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733291396882},"content":"The president's approval ratings have hovered near record lows amid a burgeoning influence peddling scandal and clashes with the opposition-controlled parliament over budgets and investigations.","type":"text"},{"_id":"J2V45GCNJZEXTFPHYDNJ467WFY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733291396883},"content":"What steps did the military take?","type":"header"},{"_id":"UY3F6BA4FRGOPJ4LJOYX7QFC4Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1733291396884},"content":"The military named Army Chief of Staff General Park An-su, a four-star general, to head a martial law command and released the decree effective at 11pm on Tuesday.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ICULXUYG3RBNPM2NZKGVX7VFFM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733291396885},"content":"Besides banning political activity and restricting the media, the decree also ordered striking doctors back to work.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7I7QTXNWVZECFBLWAUKUK2JXII","additional_properties":{"_id":1733291396886},"content":"Those who violated martial law could be arrested without a warrant, it said.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QCRIL4D6F5HGLIZ3TC7B3YXOTU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733291396887},"content":"Masked troops equipped with rifles, body armour and night-vision equipment entered the National Assembly where they faced off with staffers who opposed them with fire extinguishers.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VAMPQDLOJ5HDPF6DKNIR47AMMU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733291396888},"content":"What was the response?","type":"header"},{"_id":"IWDYSC2XKRH3FJLIZS5CEB4TM4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733291396889},"content":"Thousands of demonstrators gathered outside the parliament where there were minor clashes with police and military.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6XIE5IE4QVG2PBFRYGP57QGGBA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733291396890},"content":"MPs gathered to vote against martial law, as both opposition politicians and members of Yoon’s own party decried it as unconstitutional.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6SEIT2TF5BCJJM3XKLY432MHOU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733291396891},"content":"All 190 of the MPs present voted to lift martial law, including 18 from Yoon’s own party.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3DSYGXD4GZHNHPRCQSIBX7UZGI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733291396892},"content":"Yoon ordered troops to pull back and later lifted the decree after convening a cabinet meeting.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5MIP4AJ5PZHVZO7FGLSRSRYMCA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733291396893},"content":"Some foreign embassies in Seoul warned their citizens to take caution. Officials in the United States, Britain, Germany, and elsewhere said they were concerned about the developments and said peaceful rule of law should prevail.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YK2NHYSFRND4XFGX7CAKSFKVYA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733291396895},"content":"How did markets react?","type":"header"},{"_id":"QDQMMJGTQFDMXDZ3RNWJOLSCJI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733291396896},"content":"The won tumbled to a two-year low before steadying as dealers reported suspected intervention by South Korean authorities, while stocks in Seoul fell about 2 per cent on Wednesday. The finance ministry said it was ready to deploy “unlimited” liquidity into financial markets if needed, and the Bank of Korea also pledged support.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CF7IYBXFP5FLJGXFJO2FWW6AIU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733291396897},"content":"What happens next?","type":"header"},{"_id":"734PQOJWENAX3KF624NYTSWXRE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733291396898},"content":"The opposition called on Yoon to resign or face impeachment. His chief of staff and other officials offered to resign en masse, while the leader of his ruling party called for the defence minister to be fired and the entire cabinet to resign.","type":"text"},{"_id":"L632OIFOA5CPFPZUIR7R35WENA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733291396899},"content":"More protests are expected with South Korea's largest union coalition, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, planning to hold a rally in Seoul and vowing to strike until Yoon resigns.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4P64TMCUQFCRLDS2OPWKMGXWIU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733291396900},"content":"Diplomatic engagements, including a visit by the prime minister of Sweden and a meeting of the US-South Korea Nuclear Consultative Group, were postponed. - Reuters","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[]},"description":{"basic":"President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law before rescinding it hours later"},"display_date":"2024-12-04T06:16:32.699Z","headlines":{"basic":"What we know about South Korea’s declaration of martial law","native":""},"label":{},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"4HGZ7DHDC4KUQZZQFIDSJHSL7Q","auth":{"1":"b8cc77b47026459f6b5af80b60e8384dd7275dd3e0181d9899c68be301693a45"},"url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/4HGZ7DHDC4KUQZZQFIDSJHSL7Q.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Asia-Pacific"},{"name":"World"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/world/asia-pacific/2024/12/04/what-we-know-about-south-koreas-declaration-of-martial-law/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/world/asia-pacific","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Asia-Pacific"}}}}],"count":10000,"_id":"571ae81e5b07bcb360e6b252de262a0d165d833caf43c46b13ca989605096a9b"},"expires":1733295195426,"lastModified":1733294894958}}};Fusion.layout="right-rail-advanced";Fusion.metas={"page-type":{"value":"article","html":true},"og:title":{"value":"{{globalContent.headlines.tablet}}","html":true},"twitter:title":{"value":"{{globalContent.headlines.tablet}}","html":true}};Fusion.outputType="default";Fusion.template="template/tzqpZHSPprwPkVcHs";Fusion.tree={"collection":"layouts","type":"right-rail-advanced","props":{"collection":"layouts","type":"right-rail-advanced","id":"right-rail-advanced","childProps":[{"collection":"sections","id":0},{"collection":"sections","id":1},{"collection":"sections","id":2},{"collection":"sections","id":3},{"collection":"sections","id":4},{"collection":"sections","id":5},{"collection":"sections","id":6},{"collection":"sections","id":7},{"collection":"sections","id":8}]},"children":[{"collection":"sections","props":{"collection":"sections","id":0},"children":[{"collection":"chains","type":"@wpmedia/header-nav-chain-block/header-nav-chain-block","props":{"collection":"chains","type":"@wpmedia/header-nav-chain-block/header-nav-chain-block","id":"c0fzcNuChemWcwR","customFields":{"hierarchy":"hamburger-menu","signInOrder":null,"logoAlignment":"center","horizontalLinksHierarchy":null,"showHorizontalSeperatorDots":true,"leftComponentMobile1":"menu","leftComponentDesktop1":"queryly","leftComponentCustomIndexDesktop1":null,"leftComponentDesktop2":"menu","rightComponentMobile1":"custom","rightComponentCustomIndexMobile1":3,"rightComponentDesktop1":"custom","rightComponentCustomIndexDesktop1":1,"rightComponentDesktop2":"custom","rightComponentCustomIndexDesktop2":3,"menuComponentMobile1":"custom","menuComponentCustomIndexMobile1":2,"menuComponentMobile2":"queryly","menuComponentCustomIndexMobile2":null,"menuComponentDesktop1":"none","menuComponentDesktop2":"none","desktopNavivationStartHeight":null,"shrinkDesktopNavivationHeight":null,"ariaLabel":null,"ariaLabelLink":null,"leftComponentCustomIndexMobile1":null,"leftComponentCustomIndexDesktop2":null,"menuComponentCustomIndexDesktop1":null,"menuComponentCustomIndexDesktop2":null},"displayProperties":{}},"children":[{"collection":"features","type":"@wpmedia/htmlbox-block/htmlbox","props":{"collection":"features","type":"@wpmedia/htmlbox-block/htmlbox","id":"f0f1j0n1myTR7B9-0-0-0","contentConfig":{"contentService":"","contentConfigValues":{},"inherit":true},"customFields":{"HTML":"<iframe scrolling=\"no\" id=\"fw-desktop\" data-src=\"https://lw.foreca.com/v3/en/site/irishtimes/widget/?name=Dublin&id=102964574\" style=\"width: 85px; height: 40px; border:0; margin: 0; display: flex; align-items: center;\"></iframe>","pbInternal_cloneId":"f0f1j0n1myTR7B9"},"displayProperties":{},"localEdits":{},"variants":{}}},{"collection":"features","type":"subscribe-button/default","props":{"collection":"features","type":"subscribe-button/default","id":"f0fcuF3rugfL8OV-0-0-1","contentConfig":{"contentService":"","contentConfigValues":{},"inherit":true},"customFields":{"customTopHtml":"<iframe scrolling=\"no\" id=\"fw-mobile\" data-src=\"https://lw.foreca.com/v3/en/site/irishtimes/widget/?name=Dublin&id=102964574\" style=\"width: 85px; height: 40px; border:0; margin: 0;\"></iframe>"},"displayProperties":{},"localEdits":{},"variants":{}}},{"collection":"features","type":"signin-subscribe/default","props":{"collection":"features","type":"signin-subscribe/default","id":"f0fe6HNJvtOK8J1-0-0-2","contentConfig":{"contentService":"","contentConfigValues":{},"inherit":true},"customFields":{"loggedInNavigationTitle":"Logged-in-navigation"},"displayProperties":{},"localEdits":{},"variants":{}}}]},{"collection":"features","type":"zephr-target/default","props":{"collection":"features","type":"zephr-target/default","id":"f0f4mS6b0Xgh746","contentConfig":{"contentService":"","contentConfigValues":{},"inherit":true},"customFields":{"targetClass":"toast-message"},"displayProperties":{},"localEdits":{},"variants":{}}},{"collection":"features","type":"@wpmedia/alert-bar-block/alert-bar","props":{"collection":"features","type":"@wpmedia/alert-bar-block/alert-bar","id":"f0f6HaUvneMX4PQ","contentConfig":{"contentService":"","contentConfigValues":{},"inherit":true},"customFields":{"ariaLabel":null},"displayProperties":{},"localEdits":{},"variants":{}}}]},{"collection":"sections","props":{"collection":"sections","id":1},"children":[{"collection":"features","type":"global/ads-block","props":{"collection":"features","type":"global/ads-block","id":"f0fSfuAa9d1X4Jq","contentConfig":{"contentService":"","contentConfigValues":{},"inherit":true},"customFields":{"adType":"970x250|970x90|728x90|320x50","lazyLoad":false,"displayAdLabel":true,"reserveSpace":false},"displayProperties":{},"localEdits":{},"variants":{}}},{"collection":"chains","type":"flex-chain","props":{"collection":"chains","type":"flex-chain","id":"c0fQvlnw0JXH5zY","customFields":{"linkText":"","linkUrl":"","layout":"[[12],[12],[]]","column1":2,"column2":0,"column3":0,"column4":0,"column5":0,"spacing":"spacing-0"},"displayProperties":{}},"children":[{"collection":"features","type":"overline/default","props":{"collection":"features","type":"overline/default","id":"f0fIpzndS9yH7IP","contentConfig":{"contentService":"","contentConfigValues":{},"inherit":true},"customFields":{"displayCenter":true,"paywallStatus":"premium","displayTransparency":true},"displayProperties":{},"localEdits":{},"variants":{}}},{"collection":"features","type":"headline/default","props":{"collection":"features","type":"headline/default","id":"f0fuMnCKJOOU7i2","contentConfig":{"contentService":"","contentConfigValues":{},"inherit":true},"customFields":{"displayCenter":true,"lightFontColor":false,"lightFontWeight":false},"displayProperties":{},"localEdits":{},"variants":{}}}]},{"collection":"features","type":"subheadline/default","props":{"collection":"features","type":"subheadline/default","id":"f0fsCpJX63bTbtU","contentConfig":{"contentService":"","contentConfigValues":{},"inherit":true},"customFields":{"valueToDisplay":"Subheadline","displayCenter":true,"lightFontColor":false},"displayProperties":{},"localEdits":{},"variants":{}}}]},{"collection":"sections","props":{"collection":"sections","id":2},"children":[{"collection":"features","type":"@wpmedia/htmlbox-block/htmlbox","props":{"collection":"features","type":"@wpmedia/htmlbox-block/htmlbox","id":"f0fQOCpO0QdS78i","contentConfig":{"contentService":"","contentConfigValues":{},"inherit":true},"customFields":{"HTML":"<div class=\"spacer\"></div>"},"displayProperties":{},"localEdits":{},"variants":{}}}]},{"collection":"sections","props":{"collection":"sections","id":3},"children":[{"collection":"features","type":"article/lead-art","props":{"collection":"features","type":"article/lead-art","id":"f0fenCnQ446i5at","contentConfig":{"contentService":"","contentConfigValues":{},"inherit":true},"customFields":{"shrinkToFit":true,"viewportPercentage":65,"hideTitle":true,"hideCredits":true,"imageLoadingStrategy":"eager"},"displayProperties":{},"localEdits":{},"variants":{}}},{"collection":"features","type":"byline/default","props":{"collection":"features","type":"byline/default","id":"f0fUdI9FjWZX2m","contentConfig":{"contentService":"","contentConfigValues":{},"inherit":true},"customFields":{"displayImage":true},"displayProperties":{},"localEdits":{},"variants":{}}},{"collection":"features","type":"social-share-bar/default","props":{"collection":"features","type":"social-share-bar/default","id":"f0fddMYUi5ML6bL","contentConfig":{"contentService":"","contentConfigValues":{},"inherit":true},"customFields":{"showCloseButtonLP":true,"spaceAbove":true,"pbInternal_duplicateId":"f0fddMYUi5ML6bL"},"displayProperties":{},"localEdits":{},"variants":{}}},{"collection":"features","type":"sponsored-byline/default","props":{"collection":"features","type":"sponsored-byline/default","id":"f0fXrbknecML6fD","contentConfig":{"contentService":"","contentConfigValues":{},"inherit":true},"customFields":{"pbInternal_duplicateId":"f0fXrbknecML6fD"},"displayProperties":{},"localEdits":{},"variants":{}}},{"collection":"chains","type":"article-body","props":{"collection":"chains","type":"article-body","id":"c0fJSEbeEowT539","customFields":{"elementPlacement":{"1":"4","2":"4","3":"4","4":"6","5":"12","6":"18","7":"24","8":"30"},"hideImageTitle":true,"hideImageCredits":true,"hideGalleryTitle":true,"hideGalleryCredits":true,"hideVideoTitle":true,"hideVideoCredits":false,"lazyLoad":null,"hideImageCaption":null,"hideGalleryCaption":null,"hideVideoCaption":null},"displayProperties":{}},"children":[{"collection":"features","type":"@wpmedia/htmlbox-block/htmlbox","props":{"collection":"features","type":"@wpmedia/htmlbox-block/htmlbox","id":"f0frCB4hReP77YJ-3-4-0","contentConfig":{"contentService":"","contentConfigValues":{},"inherit":true},"customFields":{"HTML":"<div style=\"border-block-start: 4px solid var(--global-neutral-2);font-family:var(--font-family-secondary);font-weight: var(--c-heading-font-weight);font-size:1.1rem; padding-top:0.8rem;margin-top:2rem;\">READ MORE</div>"},"displayProperties":{},"localEdits":{},"variants":{}}},{"collection":"features","type":"@wpmedia/top-table-list-block/top-table-list","props":{"collection":"features","type":"@wpmedia/top-table-list-block/top-table-list","id":"f0f548OrkIMEaKw-3-4-1","contentConfig":{"contentService":"","contentConfigValues":{},"inherit":true},"customFields":{"listContentConfig":{"contentService":"content-api-collections","contentConfigValues":{"content_alias":"parenting-links","from":0,"size":5}},"showOverlineXL":true,"showHeadlineXL":true,"showImageXL":true,"showDescriptionXL":true,"showBylineXL":true,"showDateXL":true,"imageRatioXL":"4:3","showBottomBorderXL":true,"shrinkToFitXL":true,"viewportPercentageXL":65,"showOverlineLG":true,"showHeadlineLG":true,"showImageLG":true,"showDescriptionLG":true,"showBylineLG":true,"showDateLG":true,"imageRatioLG":"4:3","showBottomBorderLG":true,"shrinkToFitLG":true,"viewportPercentageLG":65,"showHeadlineMD":true,"showImageMD":true,"showDescriptionMD":true,"showBylineMD":true,"showDateMD":true,"imageRatioMD":"16:9","showBottomBorderMD":true,"showHeadlineSM":true,"showImageSM":true,"imageRatioSM":"3:2","storiesPerRowSM":2,"imagePositionSM":"right","showBottomBorderSM":true,"extraLarge":0,"large":0,"medium":0,"small":4},"displayProperties":{},"localEdits":{},"variants":{}}},{"collection":"features","type":"@wpmedia/top-table-list-block/top-table-list","props":{"collection":"features","type":"@wpmedia/top-table-list-block/top-table-list","id":"f0f8sVpeXAfUiR-3-4-2","contentConfig":{"contentService":"","contentConfigValues":{},"inherit":true},"customFields":{"listContentConfig":{"contentService":"related-content","contentConfigValues":{"_id":"6KV6U73PXBHRTD2VZEK6MV6QCA"}},"showOverlineXL":true,"showHeadlineXL":true,"showImageXL":true,"showDescriptionXL":true,"showBylineXL":true,"showDateXL":true,"imageRatioXL":"4:3","showBottomBorderXL":true,"shrinkToFitXL":true,"viewportPercentageXL":65,"showOverlineLG":true,"showHeadlineLG":true,"showImageLG":true,"showDescriptionLG":true,"showBylineLG":true,"showDateLG":true,"imageRatioLG":"4:3","showBottomBorderLG":true,"shrinkToFitLG":true,"viewportPercentageLG":65,"showHeadlineMD":true,"showImageMD":true,"showDescriptionMD":true,"showBylineMD":true,"showDateMD":true,"imageRatioMD":"16:9","showBottomBorderMD":true,"showHeadlineSM":true,"showImageSM":true,"imageRatioSM":"3:2","storiesPerRowSM":2,"imagePositionSM":"right","showBottomBorderSM":true,"extraLarge":0,"large":0,"medium":0,"small":4,"pbInternal_cloneId":"f0fKVozHijTt4pR","pbInternal_clipboardId":"f0f8sVpeXAfUiR"},"displayProperties":{},"localEdits":{},"variants":{}}},{"collection":"features","type":"global/ads-block","props":{"collection":"features","type":"global/ads-block","id":"f0fA5zOjVt7q5My-3-4-3","contentConfig":{"contentService":"","contentConfigValues":{},"inherit":true},"customFields":{"adType":"300x250","lazyLoad":false,"displayAdLabel":true,"reserveSpace":false},"displayProperties":{},"localEdits":{},"variants":{}}},{"collection":"features","type":"global/ads-block","props":{"collection":"features","type":"global/ads-block","id":"f0fq2HIufcDr5Mt-3-4-4","contentConfig":{"contentService":"","contentConfigValues":{},"inherit":true},"customFields":{"adType":"300x250","lazyLoad":true,"displayAdLabel":true,"reserveSpace":false,"pbInternal_cloneId":"f0fq2HIufcDr5Mt"},"displayProperties":{},"localEdits":{},"variants":{}}},{"collection":"features","type":"global/ads-block","props":{"collection":"features","type":"global/ads-block","id":"f0f8wZfBvAILa7G-3-4-5","contentConfig":{"contentService":"","contentConfigValues":{},"inherit":true},"customFields":{"adType":"300x250","lazyLoad":true,"displayAdLabel":true,"reserveSpace":false,"pbInternal_cloneId":"f0f8wZfBvAILa7G"},"displayProperties":{},"localEdits":{},"variants":{}}},{"collection":"features","type":"global/ads-block","props":{"collection":"features","type":"global/ads-block","id":"f0fNnztKDMLLaTe-3-4-6","contentConfig":{"contentService":"","contentConfigValues":{},"inherit":true},"customFields":{"adType":"300x250","lazyLoad":true,"displayAdLabel":true,"reserveSpace":false,"pbInternal_cloneId":"f0fNnztKDMLLaTe"},"displayProperties":{},"localEdits":{},"variants":{}}},{"collection":"features","type":"global/ads-block","props":{"collection":"features","type":"global/ads-block","id":"f0fn39YE5eOLals-3-4-7","contentConfig":{"contentService":"","contentConfigValues":{},"inherit":true},"customFields":{"adType":"300x250","lazyLoad":true,"displayAdLabel":true,"reserveSpace":false,"pbInternal_cloneId":"f0fn39YE5eOLals"},"displayProperties":{},"localEdits":{},"variants":{}}}]},{"collection":"chains","type":"flex-chain","props":{"collection":"chains","type":"flex-chain","id":"c0fiocHOYWML64P","customFields":{"lazyLoad":false,"layout":"[[12],[],[]]","column1":9,"column2":0,"column3":0,"column4":0,"column5":0,"pbInternal_duplicateId":"c0fiocHOYWML64P","linkText":null,"linkUrl":null,"showDividersDesktop":null,"showDividersTablet":null,"showDividersMobile":null},"displayProperties":{}},"children":[{"collection":"features","type":"@wpmedia/article-tag-block/tag","props":{"collection":"features","type":"@wpmedia/article-tag-block/tag","id":"f0fzfhSzpIFR4wM-3-5-0","contentConfig":{"contentService":"","contentConfigValues":{},"inherit":true},"customFields":{"pbInternal_cloneId":"f0fzfhSzpIFR4wM"},"displayProperties":{},"localEdits":{},"variants":{}}},{"collection":"features","type":"flex-promo/default","props":{"collection":"features","type":"flex-promo/default","id":"f0fjuGVBiIIF1fb-3-5-1","contentConfig":{"contentService":"","contentConfigValues":{},"inherit":true},"customFields":{"itemContentConfig":{"contentService":"related-content","contentConfigValues":{"_id":"6KV6U73PXBHRTD2VZEK6MV6QCA","feedSize":1,"feedOffset":0}},"sizeOverride":6,"allowSpeechKit":false,"overlineAlignment":"Left","showCloseButton":true,"fontSize":"Small","headlineWeight":"Bold","headlineTextAlignment":"text-align_left","showHeadline":true,"showOverline":false,"showByline":false,"showDateTime":false,"showLiveStoryTimeline":false,"liveStoryEntriesCount":4,"showImageDesktop":false,"imageRatioDesktop":"1:1","imagePositionDesktop":"left","showImageMobile":false,"imageRatioMobile":"1:1","imagePositionMobile":"left","paywallStatus":"premium","lastBottomDividerDesktop":false,"lastBottomDividerTablet":false,"lastBottomDividerMobile":false,"offsetOverride":4,"bottomDividerDesktop":true,"bottomDividerTablet":true,"bottomDividerMobile":true,"pbInternal_clipboardId":"f0fjuGVBiIIF1fb"},"displayProperties":{},"localEdits":{},"variants":{}}},{"collection":"features","type":"zephr-target/default","props":{"collection":"features","type":"zephr-target/default","id":"f0f69tdHNKpc86r-3-5-2","contentConfig":{"contentService":"","contentConfigValues":{},"inherit":true},"customFields":{"targetClass":"floating-subscribe","pbInternal_cloneId":"f0f69tdHNKpc86r"},"displayProperties":{},"localEdits":{},"variants":{}}},{"collection":"features","type":"global/ads-block","props":{"collection":"features","type":"global/ads-block","id":"f0fxlXV57SJ370m-3-5-3","contentConfig":{"contentService":"","contentConfigValues":{},"inherit":true},"customFields":{"adType":"728x90|300x250","lazyLoad":true,"displayAdLabel":true,"reserveSpace":false,"pbInternal_cloneId":"f0fxlXV57SJ370m"},"displayProperties":{},"localEdits":{},"variants":{}}},{"collection":"features","type":"divider/default","props":{"collection":"features","type":"divider/default","id":"f0flxKEZ1WTh8cK-3-5-4","contentConfig":{"contentService":"","contentConfigValues":{},"inherit":true},"customFields":{},"displayProperties":{},"localEdits":{},"variants":{}}},{"collection":"features","type":"header/default","props":{"collection":"features","type":"header/default","id":"f0felen1B5ph8hf-3-5-5","contentConfig":{"contentService":"","contentConfigValues":{},"inherit":true},"customFields":{"text":"IN THIS SECTION","size":"Small","lightFontWeight":true},"displayProperties":{},"localEdits":{},"variants":{}}},{"collection":"features","type":"flex-promo/default","props":{"collection":"features","type":"flex-promo/default","id":"f0fpeZrktEok1QX-3-5-6","contentConfig":{"contentService":"","contentConfigValues":{},"inherit":true},"customFields":{"itemContentConfig":{"contentService":"story-feed-sections","contentConfigValues":{"includeSections":"/health/your-family","feedSize":5,"feedOffset":0}},"sizeOverride":5,"allowSpeechKit":false,"overlineAlignment":"Left","showCloseButton":false,"fontSize":"Medium Small","headlineWeight":"Bold","headlineTextAlignment":"text-align_left","showHeadline":true,"showOverline":false,"showByline":false,"showDateTime":false,"showImageDesktop":true,"imageRatioDesktop":"16:9","imagePositionDesktop":"left","showImageMobile":true,"imageRatioMobile":"3:2","imagePositionMobile":"right","paywallStatus":"premium","lastBottomDividerDesktop":true,"lastBottomDividerTablet":true,"lastBottomDividerMobile":true,"offsetOverride":0,"bottomDividerDesktop":true,"bottomDividerTablet":true,"bottomDividerMobile":true},"displayProperties":{},"localEdits":{},"variants":{}}},{"collection":"features","type":"global/ads-block","props":{"collection":"features","type":"global/ads-block","id":"f0ftR5Zxlqp6ayh-3-5-7","contentConfig":{"contentService":"","contentConfigValues":{},"inherit":true},"customFields":{"adType":"Fluid","lazyLoad":true,"displayAdLabel":false,"reserveSpace":false},"displayProperties":{},"localEdits":{},"variants":{}}}]}]},{"collection":"sections","props":{"collection":"sections","id":4},"children":[]},{"collection":"sections","props":{"collection":"sections","id":5},"children":[{"collection":"chains","type":"flex-chain","props":{"collection":"chains","type":"flex-chain","id":"c0f5A1yGsC1o8SO","customFields":{"lazyLoad":false,"layout":"[[12],[],[]]","column1":2,"column2":0,"column3":0,"column4":0,"column5":0,"linkText":null,"linkUrl":null,"showDividersDesktop":null,"showDividersTablet":null,"showDividersMobile":null},"displayProperties":{}},"children":[{"collection":"features","type":"header/default","props":{"collection":"features","type":"header/default","id":"f0fsbRYV0R9s2qx-5-0-0","contentConfig":{"contentService":"","contentConfigValues":{},"inherit":true},"customFields":{"size":"Small","text":"MOST READ","showBorder":true,"link":"/most-read/","lightFontWeight":true},"displayProperties":{},"localEdits":{},"variants":{}}},{"collection":"features","type":"flex-promo/default","props":{"collection":"features","type":"flex-promo/default","id":"f0fcWvV6MWCs2Eg-5-0-1","contentConfig":{"contentService":"","contentConfigValues":{},"inherit":true},"customFields":{"itemContentConfig":{"contentService":"most-popular","contentConfigValues":{"size":5,"section":0,"feedSize":5,"feedOffset":0}},"sizeOverride":5,"allowSpeechKit":false,"overlineAlignment":"Left","showCloseButton":false,"fontSize":"Medium Small","headlineWeight":"Bold","headlineTextAlignment":"text-align_left","showHeadline":true,"showOverline":false,"showByline":false,"showDateTime":false,"showImageDesktop":true,"imageRatioDesktop":"16:9","imagePositionDesktop":"left","showImageMobile":true,"imageRatioMobile":"3:2","imagePositionMobile":"right","paywallStatus":"premium","lastBottomDividerDesktop":true,"lastBottomDividerTablet":true,"lastBottomDividerMobile":true,"offsetOverride":0,"bottomDividerDesktop":true,"bottomDividerTablet":true,"bottomDividerMobile":true},"displayProperties":{},"localEdits":{},"variants":{}}}]},{"collection":"chains","type":"flex-chain","props":{"collection":"chains","type":"flex-chain","id":"c0fWUyJOvhkn82F","customFields":{"lazyLoad":false,"layout":"[[4,4,4],[],[]]","column1":1,"column2":1,"column3":1,"column4":0,"column5":0,"showDividersDesktop":true,"showDividersTablet":true,"linkText":null,"linkUrl":null,"showDividersMobile":null},"displayProperties":{}},"children":[{"collection":"features","type":"global/ads-block","props":{"collection":"features","type":"global/ads-block","id":"f0fdR5Cf3u5J8U1-5-1-0","contentConfig":{"contentService":"","contentConfigValues":{},"inherit":true},"customFields":{"adType":"Fluid","lazyLoad":true,"displayAdLabel":false,"reserveSpace":false},"displayProperties":{},"localEdits":{},"variants":{}}},{"collection":"features","type":"global/ads-block","props":{"collection":"features","type":"global/ads-block","id":"f0fUAqtGfnuJ8p2-5-1-1","contentConfig":{"contentService":"","contentConfigValues":{},"inherit":true},"customFields":{"adType":"Fluid","lazyLoad":true,"displayAdLabel":false,"reserveSpace":false,"pbInternal_cloneId":"f0fUAqtGfnuJ8p2"},"displayProperties":{},"localEdits":{},"variants":{}}},{"collection":"features","type":"global/ads-block","props":{"collection":"features","type":"global/ads-block","id":"f0fPkgtFCgrJ8KI-5-1-2","contentConfig":{"contentService":"","contentConfigValues":{},"inherit":true},"customFields":{"adType":"Fluid","lazyLoad":true,"displayAdLabel":false,"reserveSpace":false,"pbInternal_cloneId":"f0fPkgtFCgrJ8KI"},"displayProperties":{},"localEdits":{},"variants":{}}}]},{"collection":"features","type":"header/default","props":{"collection":"features","type":"header/default","id":"f0fXCO7bnPzWwA-5-2-0","contentConfig":{"contentService":"","contentConfigValues":{},"inherit":true},"customFields":{"text":"READ NEXT","size":"Small","lightFontWeight":true,"showBorder":true},"displayProperties":{},"localEdits":{},"variants":{}}},{"collection":"features","type":"flex-promo/default","props":{"collection":"features","type":"flex-promo/default","id":"f0fw7HLpnPzWTQ-5-2-1","contentConfig":{"contentService":"","contentConfigValues":{},"inherit":true},"customFields":{"itemContentConfig":{"contentService":"article-recommendations","contentConfigValues":{"contentId":"6KV6U73PXBHRTD2VZEK6MV6QCA","size":2,"feedSize":2,"feedOffset":0}},"sizeOverride":2,"allowSpeechKit":false,"overlineAlignment":"Left","showCloseButton":true,"fontSize":"Medium Small","headlineWeight":"Bold","headlineTextAlignment":"text-align_left","showHeadline":true,"showOverline":false,"showByline":false,"showDateTime":false,"showLiveStoryTimeline":false,"liveStoryEntriesCount":4,"showImageDesktop":true,"imageRatioDesktop":"16:9","imagePositionDesktop":"left","showImageMobile":true,"imageRatioMobile":"3:2","imagePositionMobile":"top","paywallStatus":"premium","lastBottomDividerDesktop":true,"lastBottomDividerTablet":false,"lastBottomDividerMobile":false,"offsetOverride":0,"bottomDividerMobile":true,"bottomDividerTablet":true,"bottomDividerDesktop":true},"displayProperties":{},"localEdits":{},"variants":{}}}]},{"collection":"sections","props":{"collection":"sections","id":6},"children":[{"collection":"chains","type":"sticky-chain","props":{"collection":"chains","type":"sticky-chain","id":"c0f1JtqXopQedA","customFields":{"stickyItem":4},"displayProperties":{}},"children":[{"collection":"features","type":"header/default","props":{"collection":"features","type":"header/default","id":"f0fn2j3ZMLLo3Ng-6-0-0","contentConfig":{"contentService":"","contentConfigValues":{},"inherit":true},"customFields":{"text":"LATEST STORIES","link":"/latest/","size":"Small","showBorder":true,"lightFontWeight":true},"displayProperties":{},"localEdits":{},"variants":{}}},{"collection":"features","type":"flex-promo/default","props":{"collection":"features","type":"flex-promo/default","id":"f0fVIfoZgBSrcoS-6-0-1","contentConfig":{"contentService":"","contentConfigValues":{},"inherit":true},"customFields":{"itemContentConfig":{"contentService":"story-feed-query","contentConfigValues":{"query":"(taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\/abroad* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\/business* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\/crime-law* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\/culture* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\/environment* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\/food* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\/health* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\/history* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\/ireland* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\/life-style* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\/media* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\/motors* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\/obituaries* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\/offbeat* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\/opinion* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\/photography* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\/podcasts* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\/politics* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\/property* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\/science* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\/sport* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\/technology* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\/transport* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\/tuarascail* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\/world* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\/your-money* OR taxonomy.primary_section._id:\\/podcasts*) AND (subtype:\"default\" OR subtype:\"analysis\" subtype:\"feature\" OR subtype:\"opinion\" OR subtype:\"showcase\" OR subtype:\"columnist\" OR subtype:\"live-story\" OR subtype:\"podcast\" OR subtype:\"editors-note\") -(taxonomy.primary_section._id:\"/opinion/letters\" OR subtype:\"live-story-writer\")","size":5,"offset":0,"feedSize":5,"feedOffset":0}},"sizeOverride":5,"allowSpeechKit":false,"overlineAlignment":"Left","showCloseButton":true,"fontSize":"Small","headlineWeight":"Bold","headlineTextAlignment":"text-align_left","showHeadline":true,"showOverline":false,"showByline":false,"showDateTime":false,"showImageDesktop":false,"imageRatioDesktop":"1:1","imagePositionDesktop":"left","showImageMobile":false,"imageRatioMobile":"1:1","imagePositionMobile":"left","paywallStatus":"premium","lastBottomDividerDesktop":true,"lastBottomDividerTablet":true,"lastBottomDividerMobile":true,"offsetOverride":0,"bottomDividerDesktop":true,"bottomDividerTablet":true,"bottomDividerMobile":true},"displayProperties":{},"localEdits":{},"variants":{}}},{"collection":"features","type":"Newsletter-Signup/default","props":{"collection":"features","type":"Newsletter-Signup/default","id":"f0f1Df1mqY2kd24-6-0-2","contentConfig":{"contentService":"","contentConfigValues":{},"inherit":true},"customFields":{"inheritGlobalContent":true,"imagePos":"top","lazyLoad":false,"topDividerDesktop":false,"topDividerTablet":false,"topDividerMobile":true,"bottomDividerDesktop":true,"bottomDividerTablet":true,"bottomDividerMobile":true},"displayProperties":{},"localEdits":{},"variants":{}}},{"collection":"features","type":"global/ads-block","props":{"collection":"features","type":"global/ads-block","id":"f0favy1DqY2kdT9-6-0-3","contentConfig":{"contentService":"","contentConfigValues":{},"inherit":true},"customFields":{"adType":"300x250|300x600","lazyLoad":true,"displayAdLabel":true,"reserveSpace":false},"displayProperties":{},"localEdits":{},"variants":{}}}]}]},{"collection":"sections","props":{"collection":"sections","id":7},"children":[]},{"collection":"sections","props":{"collection":"sections","id":8},"children":[{"collection":"chains","type":"flex-chain","props":{"collection":"chains","type":"flex-chain","id":"c0f0sdIqCVzi5zA","customFields":{"layout":"[[12],[12],[]]","column1":4,"column2":1,"column3":1,"column4":1,"column5":1,"lazyLoad":null,"linkText":null,"linkUrl":null,"showDividersDesktop":null,"showDividersTablet":null,"showDividersMobile":null},"displayProperties":{}},"children":[{"collection":"features","type":"@wpmedia/htmlbox-block/htmlbox","props":{"collection":"features","type":"@wpmedia/htmlbox-block/htmlbox","id":"f0fbv2KMxkeL6rG-8-0-0","contentConfig":{"contentService":"","contentConfigValues":{},"inherit":true},"customFields":{"HTML":"<style>\n/*Override copyright*/\n.copyright-column p,\n.copyright,\n/*Footer*/\nfooter .footer-header,\nfooter .footer-section ul,\n[aria-label=\"our-partners\"],\n[aria-label=\"our-partners\"] span,\n.b-links-bar span,\nfooter span {\n font-family: Roboto, sans-serif;\n color: #575757;\n}\n\n/* Change the order in the footer*/\nfooter .legacy-footer-row {\n position: relative;\n}\n\n/*Hide the logo from the footer*/\nfooter .primaryLogo,\nfooter hr {\n display: none!important;\n}\n\n/* Hide the top border in the footer*/\nfooter .section-separator {\n border-top: none;\n}\n\nfooter .socialBtn-container,\nfooter .socialBtn-container a {\n border: none;\n}\n\n/*Copyright*/\n.copyright-column {\n width: 82%!important;\n}\n\n.copyright-column p {\n text-align: right!important;\n}\n\n.copyright {\n font-size: small;\n padding: 0;\n}\n\n/* Style our partners*/\n[aria-label=\"our-partners\"] {\n background-color: #f1f1f1;\n padding-top: 0.75rem;\n padding-bottom: 0.75rem;\n margin-bottom: 1rem;\n}\n\n[aria-label=\"our-partners\"] hr,\n {\n display: none;\n}\n\n[aria-label=\"our-partners\"]:before {\n font-size: small;\n content: 'Our partners: ';\n font-weight: bold;\n color: #575757;\n text-transform: uppercase;\n}\n\n\n/*Mobile styles*/\n@media screen and (max-width: 767px) {\n footer {\n margin-bottom: 0 !important;\n }\n\n footer .layout-section>* {\n margin-bottom: 0;\n }\n\n .legacy-footer-row {\n display:flex;\n flex-direction: row;\n /*background-color:#f1f1f1;*/\n width: 100vw;\n position: relative;\n left: -20px;\n padding-top: 2rem;\n }\n\n .footer-header {\n text-align: center;\n }\n\n .footer-item {\n text-align: center;\n font-size: 14px;\n }\n\n [aria-label=\"our-partners\"] {\n display: block;\n text-align: center;\n color: #000;\n margin-bottom: 0;\n }\n\n [aria-label=\"our-partners\"]:before {\n text-align: center;\n display: block;\n }\n\n [aria-label=\"our-partners\"] .b-links-menu {\n display: flex;\n flex-direction: column;\n text-align: center;\n visibility: hidden;\n height: 40px;\n }\n\n\n [aria-label=\"our-partners\"] .b-links-menu a {\n visibility: visible;\n }\n\n .apps {\n padding-top: 0.75rem;\n border-top: 2px solid #000;\n border-bottom: 2px solid #000;\n padding-bottom: 1rem;\n }\n[aria-label=\"our-partners\"] .c-separator\n {\n --separator-content: var(--c-separator-content, none);\n display: block;\n margin-bottom: 0.2rem;\n}\n .static-footer-links {\n background-color: #333;\n padding: 1rem;\n display: block !important;\n margin-bottom: 0 !important;\n }\n\n .static-footer-links .static-footer-links-item {\n border-right: none;\n }\n\n .static-footer-links a {\n color: #fff !important;\n border-right: none;\n padding: 0.5rem;\n }\n\n}\n\n</style>"},"displayProperties":{},"localEdits":{},"variants":{}}},{"collection":"features","type":"@wpmedia/footer-block/footer","props":{"collection":"features","type":"@wpmedia/footer-block/footer","id":"f0flUJg92ynm6Pm-8-0-1","contentConfig":{"contentService":"","contentConfigValues":{},"inherit":true},"customFields":{"navigationConfig":{"contentService":"site-service-hierarchy","contentConfigValues":{"hierarchy":"footer"}},"lazyLoad":false},"displayProperties":{},"localEdits":{},"variants":{}}},{"collection":"features","type":"@wpmedia/htmlbox-block/htmlbox","props":{"collection":"features","type":"@wpmedia/htmlbox-block/htmlbox","id":"f0fcSRSNS9zi6b4-8-0-2","contentConfig":{"contentService":"","contentConfigValues":{},"inherit":true},"customFields":{"HTML":"<div class=\"apps text-align_center\" style=\"margin:0 auto;text-align:center;\">\n <span class=\"font_bold\" style=\"display:block;\"><b>Download the app</b></span>\n <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://apps.apple.com/ie/developer/the-irish-times-ltd/id365544597\">\n <img alt=\"Download on the App Store\" src=\"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/BJJKNJJHDJDGDDODHEER7FDH44.png\" width=\"108\" height=\"34\" loading=\"lazy\"></a>\n \n <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://play.google.com/store/apps/developer?id=The+Irish+Times+Ltd\">\n <img alt=\"Download on Google Play\" src=\"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/T2XGUGDSUZCOZAYIQEKG2TWML4.png\" width=\"108\" height=\"34\" loading=\"lazy\"></a>\n</div>\n<style>\n.apps img{\nmargin-top:0.55rem;\n}\n.apps span{position:relative;display:block;margin-bottom:0;padding-bottom:0;color:#575757;font-size:1rem; }\n</style>"},"displayProperties":{},"localEdits":{},"variants":{}}},{"collection":"features","type":"@wpmedia/links-bar-block/links-bar","props":{"collection":"features","type":"@wpmedia/links-bar-block/links-bar","id":"f0fUmIxk2ynm6t2-8-0-3","contentConfig":{"contentService":"","contentConfigValues":{},"inherit":true},"customFields":{"navigationConfig":{"contentService":"site-service-hierarchy-it","contentConfigValues":{"hierarchy":"our-partners","sectionId":""}},"ariaLabel":"our-partners"},"displayProperties":{},"localEdits":{},"variants":{}}}]}]}]};Fusion.spa=false;Fusion.spaEnabled=false;</script><script type="application/javascript"> setTimeout(function () { var permutiveSdk = permutive || window.permutive; if (permutiveSdk) { var cookieArr = document.cookie.split(';'); for (var i = 0; i < cookieArr.length; i++) { var cookiePair = cookieArr[i].split('='); if ('blaize_tracking_id' === cookiePair[0].trim()) { var blaizeTrackingIdCookie = decodeURIComponent(cookiePair[1]); permutiveSdk.identify(blaizeTrackingIdCookie); break; } } } }, 100); setTimeout(function () { var permutiveSdk = permutive || window.permutive; if (permutiveSdk) { permutiveSdk.segments(function (segments) { var retrieveSegmentsXhr = new (XMLHttpRequest || ActiveXObject)('MSXML2.XMLHTTP.3.0'); retrieveSegmentsXhr.open('POST', '/plugins/public/permutive/update-segments', true); retrieveSegmentsXhr.setRequestHeader('Content-type', 'application/json'); retrieveSegmentsXhr.withCredentials = true; retrieveSegmentsXhr.send(JSON.stringify(segments)); }); } }, 1000); </script></body></html>