Daithi Examiner Dear Irish

Dear Dáithí: I feel so embarrassed — I'm a mum of two and addicted to my phone

"It's time you retook ownership of your life and putting the phone away is a great way to start. Time to stop scrolling and start dreaming again and dreaming beyond the ordinary."

Mon, 21 Oct, 2024

Dear Dáithí: Is my long-term friendship worth saving if she expects too much?

It does sound like you have been very 'available' to her, maybe too available, and now she doesn’t know what to do

Mon, 30 Sep, 2024

Dear Dáithí: My in-laws hate each other — and it makes our visits unbearable

"If this situation were to continue, can you imagine the effect it would have on everyone, especially the grandchildren? They would be asking if this was the norm when you get older, and you’d have a tough time convincing them that it wasn’t."

Mon, 16 Sep, 2024

Dear Dáithí: My sister and her husband have broken up, but he can't afford to move out

Dear Dáithí: My sister invites my abusive ex to family events

"For me, there is no place hot enough in hell for people who are abusive and coercive. It’s all about them and what they can control. So, when you finally said you had enough, it knocked him back on his arse..."

Mon, 09 Sep, 2024

Dear Dáithí: With our youngest off to college, will we be okay on our own?

I can see where you are coming from with this dilemma

Mon, 02 Sep, 2024

Dear Dáithí: I've a good life, but I'd love a partner to share it with

It’s not even about the sex (ok, maybe a little). It’s about the companionship

Sun, 18 Aug, 2024

Dear Dáithí: My mom brings our kids to mass without asking us

I’m so angry but I don’t want to want to lash out in anger

Mon, 12 Aug, 2024

Dear Dáithí: My sister-in-law won't respect my wishes to have an eco-friendly baby shower

Dear Dáithí: My friend's phone use is putting a dampener on nights out

Another problem this week that didn’t exist when we were young but is very common nowadays

Mon, 22 Jul, 2024

Dear Dáithí: Help — my boyfriend's GAA obsession is wearing me down

"Outside of this man’s GAA fetish, he really seems to have a lot going for him and as you say he ticks all the boxes: right age; doesn’t live with his mother, and hasn’t ghosted you."

Mon, 15 Jul, 2024

Dear Dáithí: We agreed — no marriage, no kids — but I feel my partner is changing his mind

Dear Dáithí: My fiancée is making our 'big day' even bigger

"You need to approach this with caution. The ball has started rolling already and it might be hard to slow it down..."

Sun, 07 Jul, 2024

Dear Dáithí: My stingy, competitive in-laws are ruining my holidays

"This is your husband’s doing and you need to tell him that he needs to sort it, straight up, and no messing. You need to explain to him that he didn’t listen to you and that there is now a problem because of that."

Sun, 30 Jun, 2024

Dear Dáithí: My kids won't stop fighting. I've tried everything, what should I do?

I do believe that a family who fights together will also fight for each other, that’s how it was in my house anyway!

Mon, 10 Jun, 2024

Dear Dáithí: My daughter wants to go on a 'Junior Cert holiday' to London

'I think a lot of people will be reading this, and looking over at a son or daughter on the other side of the rooms saying, this lad is writing about you.'

Mon, 03 Jun, 2024

Teenage boy attending to online school class

Dear Dáithí: I'm worried my son is studying too much

He is 18 and an adult and you say you can’t tell him what to do. Of course you can. He can vote for whoever he wants next week, but he can’t vote you out of office

Mon, 27 May, 2024

Dear Dáithí: 'How do I tell my bereaved friend I'm expecting a baby?'

I see why there is a cloud over this for you, but you shouldn’t feel scared when it comes to telling your friend.

Mon, 13 May, 2024

Dear Dáithí: 'My wife is mad because I'm texting a female co-worker - but it's completely innocent'

'I feel it shouldn't matter what gender my friend is, and my wife is being ridiculous. I think she's taking her feelings of frustration out on me - unfairly.'

Mon, 06 May, 2024

Dear Dáithí: My daughter's boyfriend is all muscles and teeth — and not good enough for her

'I don’t want to panic you or upset you here, but because this is her first real relationship, you should talk to her about contraception.'

Mon, 29 Apr, 2024

Dear Dáithí: My husband has changed since our wedding. Should I give him an ultimatum?

Be strong and stick to your values. Follow your gut, don’t settle for half measures!

Mon, 15 Apr, 2024

Dear Dáithí: My sister-in-law won't respect my wishes to have an eco-friendly baby shower

"You’re dealing with someone here who can’t tell the difference between a recycle bin and a jungle gym"

Mon, 08 Apr, 2024

Dear Dáithí: My Dad is finally retired - but he refuses to do anything fun with Mum

"I would also ask him if there is one place he always wanted to go to, and make the first trip about him."

Mon, 01 Apr, 2024

Dear Dáithí: My husband has been secretly paying his brother's bills and loan — I am furious

There's plenty I could be doing with extra money. How can I work it out, so we get the money back without a falling out?

Mon, 25 Mar, 2024

Dear Dáithí: Can I be a godmother if I don’t believe in God?

Dear Dáithí: My estranged sister wants to make peace, but I don't know if I want her back in my life

"You must meet her for coffee and ask her what was going on at that time. Let her do all the talking. You were never in the wrong here and she probably knows that now."

Mon, 18 Mar, 2024

Dear Dáithí: I think my son is confused about his sexuality — he's left the GAA and is wearing nail polish

I even need to think when it comes to the pronouns. We are so used to saying 'he' and 'she', but life has moved on, and we need to move with it

Sun, 10 Mar, 2024

Dear Dáithí: How do I tell my friend I don't want to be her bridesmaid?

'There are so many mini trips away and presents and events before we even talk about the hen, I'm just exhausted thinking about it. The cost of all this is crazy.'

Mon, 04 Mar, 2024

Dear Dáithí: We're just back from honeymoon and I feel crowded by my stepson

I hate when I hear of a part-time dad or mom. Even if people are not together, they still need to be there for the children. This part-time bullshit doesn’t cut it with me.

Mon, 26 Feb, 2024

Dear Dáithí: I want Christmas away with my husband, without his brother ruining everything

Dear Dáithí: My girlfriend follows muscular lads — I'm not muscular, and am now feeling insecure

Dear Dáithí: I'm worrying about my teen's Leaving Cert... and their post-exam holiday

Dear Dáithí: Why can’t I find the perfect soulmate?

Dear Dáithí: I'm so disappointed in my daughter — she is using screens to parent my grandchildren

Dear Dáithí: My daughter is with an older guy — she seems to make all the sacrifice in the relationship