Our three children have never complained, but this year the eldest, who is 11, has started saying that we’re mean and no fun. So when our children say something like “you’re mean because we didn’t get to visit Lapland”, it can amplify how we were already feeling. Perhaps the next time your 11-year-old accuses you of being mean, reframe it for her as: “I don’t think you mean that. I would encourage you to celebrate Christmas by celebrating the fun in simple, everyday connections. If you have a question for child psychotherapist Dr Joanna Fortune, please send it to parenting@examiner.ie

Source: Irish Examiner December 23, 2025 18:01 UTC