Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

#1191 - Should You Pay for A's? The Pocket Money Debate Mar 03, 2025

Should pocket money be linked to chores? What about paying for good grades? From savings percentages to spending rules, discover why traditional pocket money wisdom might be wrong, and learn a value-based approach that actually works. Plus, find out why regular money conversations matter more than any system you choose.

Quote of the Episode: "Money is just a store of value, and the conversation really should move away from money to how am I adding value in the world?"

Key Insights:

Pocket money should be independent of chores.
Paying for grades can decrease intrinsic motivation.
The Three S's: Spend, Save, Support.
Financial conversations matter more than systems.
Value creation should precede money focus.
Forced savings can build positive habits.
Regular money discussions enhance financial literacy
Stretch goals encourage saving behaviour

Resources Mentioned:

The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
Happy Families newsletter
Happy Families

Action Steps for Parents:

Separate pocket money from household responsibilities.
Implement the Three S's system (Spend, Save, Support).
Have regular conversations about money and value creation.
Set achievable saving goals with matching incentives.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#1190 - The Ultimate Parenting Book List (From Someone Who's Read Them All) Mar 02, 2025

From classic works to cutting-edge neuroscience, discover the books that have shaped modern parenting wisdom. Join Dr Justin Coulson as he shares his carefully curated list of game-changing parenting books, including why each one matters and how they can transform your family life. Plus, hear Kylie's surprising take on which books might matter most of all.

Quote of the Episode: "When I think about the kind of parent that I aspire to be, those two books have had more influence in my life than all the other books combined."

Key Insights:

Great parenting often comes from continuous learning
Different books serve different parenting stages and challenges
Some classics remain relevant despite their age
Picture books can be as influential as academic texts
Cultural perspectives offer valuable parenting insights
Understanding child development enhances parenting approach
Expert knowledge needs to be balanced with practical application
Scientific understanding of child development continues to evolve

Resources Mentioned: (NB. These are affiliate links)

Between Parent and Child by Haim Ginott
Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child by John Gottman
The Emotional Lives of Teenagers by Lisa Damour
Act Natural by Jennifer Traig
Hunt, Gather, Parent by Michaeleen Doucleff
The Myth of the Spoiled Child by Alfie Kohn
Unconditional Parenting by Alfie Kohn
The Secrets of Happy Families by Bruce Feiler
The Teenage Brain by Frances Jensen
I'll Do Better Tomorrow, I Promise by Maureen Adamek
Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney

Action Steps for Parents:

Start with one book that addresses your current parenting challenge
Balance academic texts with accessible, practical guides
Consider including children's books in your parenting resource library
Make regular time for parenting education through reading

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#1189 - Sleep Myths Busted: A Doctor's View Feb 28, 2025

How much sleep do kids really need? From caffeine myths to screen time truths, sleep specialist Dr Moyra Vandeleur from Royal Children's Hospital unpacks the latest research on children's sleep. Learn why teens naturally stay up late, whether weekend sleep-ins matter, and what the science really says about warm milk before bed.

Quote of the Episode: "Sleep, diet and exercise are the three pillars of health - and sleep has only recently been recognized as equally important."

Key Insights:

Recommended sleep varies by age:

Toddlers (1-3): 12-14 hours
Preschoolers (3-6): 10-12 hours
Primary school (5-12): 10-11 hours
Teenagers (13-18): 8-10 hours

Individual sleep needs vary
Quality, quantity and pattern all matter
Teen biology naturally shifts sleep timing later
Caffeine affects sleep for about six hours
Regular exercise improves sleep quality
Screen time before bed doubles sleep difficulties
Snoring more than three nights weekly needs medical attention

Resources Mentioned:

Royal Children's Hospital National Child Health Poll
Sleep guidelines
Happy Families

Action Steps for Parents:

Create Screen-Free Wind Down

No screens one hour before bed
Establish relaxing routines
Keep consistent bedtimes

Monitor Stimulants

Limit caffeine, especially after lunch
Watch for hidden caffeine sources
Exercise earlier in the day

Get Medical Help If:

Child seems tired despite adequate sleep
Regular snoring occurs
Sleep problems persist despite good habits

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#1188 - The Book That Changed Our Fussy Eater Feb 27, 2025

From a ten-year-old willingly trying alfalfa sprouts to teenagers singing while doing dishes, discover how indirect approaches can transform family challenges. Learn why leaving a book about gut bacteria lying around might work better than years of mealtime battles, and how a simple word game can turn kitchen clean-up into family fun.

Quote of the Episode: "Force creates resistance. When you try to make kids eat, as we have for so many years... but instead, she reads it in a book and she's willing to give it a crack because she feels like she's in the driver's seat."

Key Insights:

Indirect approaches often work better than direct instruction
Strategic placement of resources can spark interest
Games can make chores disappear into the background
Family participation makes tasks more enjoyable
Children teach themselves when given the right resources
Time and patience often yield better results than pressure
Fun and connection matter more than task completion
Siblings can create effective solutions

Resources Mentioned:

The Friends You Don't Know You Have by Laney and Jordan Oldfield
Word Association game for family chores
Happy Families

Action Steps for Parents:

For Picky Eaters

Place helpful resources where children will find them
Allow self-directed discovery
Celebrate willing experimentation

For Family Chores

Create games that involve everyone
Focus on fun rather than task completion
Use music and creativity to engage participation

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#1187 - 238 Studies Can't Be Wrong: The Key to Better Parenting Feb 26, 2025

What happens when researchers analyze 238 studies spanning 51 years and 38 countries? They discover one consistent truth: autonomy support leads to thriving kids, while psychological control leads to struggling ones. Learn why guilt, shame and coercion damage child wellbeing, and discover the three practical steps to becoming a more supportive parent. Plus, understand why this holds true across all cultures and age groups.

Quote of the Episode: "If you want to be a great parent, and there was one variable that mattered more than anything else, this is it. It's about autonomy support."

Key Insights:

Meta-analysis covered 238 studies across 51 years
Research included 126,000 participants from 38 countries
Results consistent across cultures and age groups
Psychological control leads to maladaptive perfectionism
Control linked to depression 12 months later
Reducing control improves academic performance
Findings apply from toddlers through adolescence
Three types of control: autonomy support, psychological control, and behavioral control

Resources Mentioned:

Emma Bradshaw's meta-analysis study
The Parenting Revolution book
University of Sydney research
Happy Families

Action Steps for Parents:

Explore: Take your child's perspective and understand their viewpoint
Explain: Provide clear rationales for rules and limits
Empower: Work together to develop frameworks and boundaries

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#1186 - The Sleep Stats That Will Wake You Up Feb 25, 2025

New research from the National Child Health Poll reveals surprising statistics about children's sleep, including why 42% of kids have sleep problems and why parents' beliefs about teen sleep might be wrong. Learn why screen time isn't actually helping kids wind down, how caffeine affects sleep patterns, and discover the biology behind why teenagers really do struggle to wake up early.

Quote of the Episode: "While we're exhausted at 8:30, teenagers are still good to go at 9:00, 9:30 - that's when melatonin starts to kick in."

Key Insights:

42% of children have sleep pattern problems
47% of parents wrongly believe screens help wind down
Caffeine after lunch doubles sleep difficulties
Teen biology affects sleep timing
Melatonin production differs between teens and adults
Regular sleep patterns matter more than total hours
Screen use disrupts natural sleep cycles
Sleep routines remain important for all ages

Resources Mentioned:

National Child Health Poll
Happy Families

Action Steps for Parents:

No Screens Before Bed

Implement one-hour screen-free period
Remove devices from bedrooms

Establish Sleep Hygiene

Consistent bedtime
Regular wake time
Cool, dark, quiet bedroom

Create Bedtime Routines

Age-appropriate wind-down activities
Consistent patterns
Calming environment

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#1185 - Girls and Makeup: The Mecca Meltdown Feb 24, 2025

Is your child begging for makeup while you're desperately trying to preserve their innocence? From church on Sundays to everyday requests, the makeup debate touches deep parental fears about growing up too fast. Discover why parents really resist early makeup use, and learn a practical three-step approach to handling this delicate issue. Plus, hear how six daughters taught these parents that sometimes the biggest parenting battles aren't worth fighting after all.

Quote of the Episode: "Making a big deal about makeup is perhaps a bit unnecessary - we've learned not to sweat the small stuff."

Key Insights:

Most parental concerns about makeup stem from fears about premature maturity
Research shows resistance often comes from conservative backgrounds
Parents worry about beauty standards and self-worth connections
The more parents resist, the more appealing makeup becomes
Force creates resistance in these situations
Family rules evolve with experience and understanding
The Three E's approach works well for makeup discussions
Context and motivation matter more than specific age limits

Resources Mentioned:

Action Steps for Parents:

Explore: Get curious about your child's real motivation
Explain: Share your values and concerns openly
Empower: Work together on solutions that respect both perspectives

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#1184 - 95% of Parents Don’t Have This One Thing - But We All NEED It Feb 23, 2025

Ever cringed at a recording of your own voice? Imagine watching your daily parenting played back on video. In this raw and honest episode, Dr Justin Coulson shares how a humbling surfing experience revealed the game-changing power of self-awareness in parenting. Discover why 95% of parents think they're self-aware (but only 10-15% actually are), and learn the three practical steps to close your own self-awareness gap. Warning: might involve some uncomfortable truths!

Quote of the Episode: "Sometimes our most uncomfortable moments of self-awareness become our greatest opportunities for transformation."

Key Insights:

Only 10-15% of people are truly self-aware, despite 95% thinking they are
Self-aware parents show improved emotional awareness of themselves and their children
Video feedback leads to significant improvements in parenting behaviours
Small, focused improvements are more effective than trying to fix everything at once
Regular feedback and reflection are crucial for growth
Self-awareness impacts relationship quality with children
The gap between perceived and actual parenting skills often requires objective feedback
Incremental improvements lead to sustainable change

Resources Mentioned:

Tasha Eurich's research on self-awareness
Research on video feedback in parenting
Happy Families

Action Steps for Parents:

Create Your Own "Surf Video Moment"

Record interactions with children
Ask for specific feedback from family members
Be prepared for initial discomfort

Ask the "What's One Thing?" Question

Seek specific, focused feedback daily
Make improvements manageable
Focus on one area at a time

Practice Daily Reflection

Spend 5 minutes journaling each evening
Note one positive interaction and one area for improvement
Track progress over time

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#1183 - 71% of Household Mental Load Falls to Mums - Here's Why Feb 21, 2025

The mental load in families isn't just about remembering school events or planning meals - it's an invisible, boundaryless, and enduring form of labour that impacts relationships, careers, and wellbeing. Join Professor Leah Ruppanner from the University of Melbourne as she unpacks groundbreaking research on how mental load affects modern families, why it's not just about task-sharing, and what couples can do to create more balance.

Quote of the Episode: "The mental load is the emotional thinking work that we do to keep our households functioning."

Key Insights:

Women carry 71% of household mental load tasks.
Mental load is invisible, boundary-less, and enduring.
Both partners often duplicate mental load without realising.
Schools generate nearly 3,000 WhatsApp messages per child annually.
Men in equitable relationships report better health, sleep, and life satisfaction.
Single parents (both mums and dads) share similar mental load levels.
Work structures and social norms make it difficult for men to step into care roles.
Mental load cannot be eliminated but can be better understood and managed.

Resources Mentioned:

Fair Play cards system
Goldie app for managing school communications
University of Melbourne research
Misperceived podcast
Professor Leah Ruppanner (@ProfLeah on Instagram)

Action Steps for Parents:

Start conversations about mental load without blame or past baggage.
Consider how technology (like AI assistants) might help manage communications.
Acknowledge both partners' different but equally valid mental burdens.
Practice accepting help and taking breaks without guilt.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#1182 - The Silent Message Your Face Sends Feb 20, 2025

The Silent Message Your Face Sends

When your child walks into the room, what do they see? Drawing from Toni Morrison's profound insight and an Olympic coach's wisdom about competition, discover how subtle expressions shape our children's sense of worth and why measuring against our own progress matters more than beating others. Plus, learn why even well-intentioned critical looks might be sending the wrong message.

Quote of the Episode: "When they walked in the room, I was glad to see them. It's just as small as that... That is how you learn what your value is."

Key Insights:

Children read facial expressions more than words.
Good intentions can still show as criticism.
Competition should focus on personal improvement.
Our reactions shape children's sense of worth.
Joy should be visible, not just felt.
Even caring criticism can appear negative.
Personal bests matter more than winning.
Face-to-face interactions shape self-worth.

Resources Mentioned:

Frank Dick's coaching philosophy
Toni Morrison on the Oprah Show
Happy Families

Action Steps for Parents:

Notice your facial expression when children enter the room..
Focus on personal growth rather than competitive outcomes.
Show joy intentionally in daily interactions
Make delight visible when greeting children.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#1181 - When Mama Bear Strikes: A Deeper Look Feb 19, 2025

A mum's classroom confrontation made headlines, but the full story reveals a more complex reality about school bullying. Learn why traditional approaches often fail, what evidence you need to collect, and when removing your child might be the best option. Plus, discover why building adult relationships could matter more than peer connections.

Quote of the Episode:

"Fundamentally our job is to keep our kids safe. When we can't control others' behaviour, sometimes removing our children is the only option."

Key Insights:

High emotions lead to poor decision-making.
Evidence collection is crucial for intervention.
Restorative practice isn't always effective.
Working within the system brings better results.
Adult mentoring may be more valuable than peer relationships.
System escalation requires documented evidence.
Physical and psychological safety must be priorities.
Traditional age-based socialisation may need rethinking.

Resources Mentioned:

Action Steps for Parents:

Document Everything

Keep interaction records
Save digital evidence
Track all school communications

2. Work Within the System

Follow proper channels
Escalate systematically
Maintain evidence trails

3. Consider Safety Options

Evaluate psychological safety
Consider environment changes
Build adult support networks

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#1180 - Do Helpful Husbands Get Lucky? The Research Says... Feb 18, 2025

Does helping around the house lead to a better love life? In this preview of Saturday's interview with Professor Leah Ruppanner, we explore the surprising truth about mental load duplication in relationships and why keeping score might be missing the point. Plus, discover why men who share the mental load don't just get 'lucky' - they get better sleep, health, and life satisfaction too.

Quote of the Episode: "The load hasn't shifted, it is still as heavy as it was, but now we're shouldering it together."

Key Insights:

Both partners often carry duplicate worries and mental load
Men frequently carry heavy but unspoken burdens
Task division isn't about transactions but teamwork
Mental load reduction isn't about attraction but creating space for connection
Daily vs episodic tasks affect how couples share responsibilities
Working as a team matters more than keeping score
Sharing mental load benefits both partners' wellbeing
Open communication about burdens strengthens relationships

Resources Mentioned:

Professor Leah Ruppanner, University of Melbourne
Research on mental load and marital satisfaction
Happy Families
Full interview airing Saturday

Action Steps for Couples:

Acknowledge both partners' mental burdens without score-keeping
Share loads together rather than carrying them individually
Focus on team approaches rather than transactional divisions
Create space for connection by sharing mental and physical tasks

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#1179 - Why Your Three-Year-Old Seems Possessed (And What to Do) Feb 17, 2025

When everything's a battle with your three-year-old, understanding the developmental realities can transform your approach. Learn why emotional regulation, theory of mind, and language development explain those challenging behaviours, and discover three practical solutions that actually work. Plus, find out why your child might be an angel at daycare but struggle at home - and why that's actually a good sign.

Quote of the Episode: "We expect way too much of our children emotionally and not nearly enough of them physically."

Key Insights:

Emotional regulation begins developing at age 3-4
Theory of Mind develops around ages 4.5-5.5
Language limitations affect behaviour management
Different contexts (home vs daycare) create different behaviours
Connection matters more than correction
Rushing and time pressure escalate emotions
The importance of autonomy for toddler cooperation
Fun can transform routine tasks

Resources Mentioned:

Action Steps for Parents:

Slow Down

Create margin in routines
Reduce rushing
Maintain calm

Build Connection

Focus on feeling seen, heard, and valued
Prioritize emotional availability
Engage in their activities

Make it Fun

Add playful elements to routine tasks
Use music and movement
Transform ordinary moments with simple games

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#1178 - Two People Who Can Change Your Child's School Life Feb 16, 2025

When kids feel they belong at school, the benefits last up to 10 years into their future. Drawing from groundbreaking Monash University research, discover why school belonging trumps academic success for long-term wellbeing, and learn the two key relationships that can transform your child's school experience. Plus, get practical strategies to help your child build stronger school connections, even if they're struggling to fit in.

Quote of the Episode: "Those children who felt a strong sense of belonging in high school experienced fewer mental health challenges in their 20s."

Key Insights:

School belonging impacts mental health well into the mid-20s
Two key factors: one supportive adult and one friend at school
Strong school belonging leads to better engagement and motivation
Social connections act as a resource that helps accumulate more positive relationships
Belonging increases resilience and ability to cope with stress
Effects persist even when controlling for academic performance
Parent involvement can significantly impact school belonging
The impact goes beyond immediate happiness to long-term wellbeing

Resources Mentioned:

Monash University research study
Associate Professor Kellyanne Allen's work
US research on school belonging
Happy Families

Action Steps for Parents:

Partner with the School

Open communication with teachers
Advocate through school counsellors
Support school initiatives and volunteer when possible

Nurture Connections at Home

Provide emotional support
Help develop social skills
Create opportunities for friendship building

Champion Their Interests

Encourage exploration of passions
Celebrate strengths
Support age-appropriate autonomy

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#1177 - The Tech Expert Who's Fighting Big Tech... For Our Kids Feb 14, 2025

Use HAPPY at g-mee.com for a $40 discount on G-Mee Connect Pro (down from $189 to $149).

A former Channel 9 tech commentator reveals why he abandoned his media career to create a safer phone for kids after witnessing the devastating effects of unrestricted device access. In this eye-opening conversation, Charlie Brown shares shocking insider stories about social media dangers and offers hope to parents navigating the digital landscape. If you've ever worried about giving your child a phone, this episode could change everything.

Quote of the Episode: "Do not ever let them have unfettered access to the internet on any device at all, ever." - Charlie Brown

Key Points:

The age of first phone adoption is getting younger while devices are becoming more powerful and potentially dangerous.
Most parental controls have significant limitations or can be circumvented.
Social media platforms deliberately make frequent changes to stay ahead of parental understanding.
The impact of current tech decisions on children won't be fully understood for 5-10 years.
Parents need to work collaboratively with children rather than taking an adversarial approach.
Device-free car rides create opportunities for meaningful family conversation.
The dangers of TikTok extend beyond individual privacy to potential sociopolitical manipulation.

Resources Mentioned:

Action Steps for Parents:

Implement some form of parental controls on all devices.
Create tech-free zones and times (like car rides) for family connection.
Have regular conversations with children about their digital experiences.
Build trust so children feel safe discussing online challenges.
Consider alternatives to standard smartphones for younger children.
Remove unfettered internet access from children's devices.
Model healthy tech habits by reducing your own screen time.
Work collaboratively with children rather than taking a purely restrictive approach.

Use HAPPY at g-mee.com for a $40 discount on G-Mee Connect Pro (down from $189 to $149).

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#1176 - Competition and Kids: A Fresh Perspective Feb 13, 2025

Pink lunch boxes, parenting confessions, and some truly terrible (but hilarious) kid jokes—this episode has it all! Justin shares a surprising "mea culpa" about a parenting stance he might have been too firm on, while Kylie opens up about their daughter's tough transition back to school and how they’re helping her navigate the overwhelm. Plus, a heartfelt listener shoutout and a laugh-out-loud joke about ADHD. Tune in for relatable parenting moments, thoughtful insights, and a few good giggles!

Key Insights:

Teen overwhelm requires patient, curious exploration
Using movies like Inside Out 2 can help explain emotions
Competition's impact depends on context and age
Sometimes feeling competent matters more than winning
Parents can and should revise their positions
The way we process experiences matters more than the experiences themselves
School transitions create multiple layers of challenge
Emotion coaching requires timing and patience

Quote of the Episode: "It's not about doing therapy, it's just about helping her to feel seen, heard, and valued so that you can move to a productive resolution."

Resources Mentioned:

Inside Out 2 movie
9 Ways to a Resilient Child book
9 Ways to a Resilient Child [The Course]
Happy Families

Action Steps for Parents:

Help children identify and understand their emotions before seeking solutions
Use relatable metaphors (like movies) to discuss complex feelings
Reconsider whether protecting children from competition might limit growth opportunities

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#1175 - Why Your Husband's Diet Works (And Yours Doesn't) Feb 12, 2025

From dinosaur cartilage to gluten-free unicorn tears, the wellness industry has gone off the rails. Drawing from viral content creator Caitlin Murray's (@BigTimeAdulting) hilarious take on modern health advice, we unpack why women's health has become so complicated and offer practical alternatives to the supplement-heavy, social-media-driven wellness culture.

Quote of the Episode: "The best health plan is the one that you can maintain long term."

Key Insights:

Modern wellness culture creates overwhelming and often contradictory advice
Social media amplifies health anxiety and pressure
The wellness industrial complex keeps adding complexity and cost
Simple, sustainable changes often work better than extreme measures
There's a difference between purchasing progress and earning it
Family involvement can make healthy choices more sustainable
Most health improvements require either time or money investment
The basics (movement, whole foods, sleep) still matter most

Resources Mentioned:

BigTimeAdulting (Caitlin Murray) on Instagram
Australian adult physical activity statistics
Happy Families

Action Steps for Parents:

Focus on sustainable, long-term health habits rather than quick fixes
Reduce social media consumption for better mental and physical health
Make healthy choices a family activity rather than an individual burden
Choose whole foods and regular movement over complicated supplement regimens

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#1174 - Meta's Worst Nightmare: Kids Without Phones Feb 11, 2025

Use HAPPY at g-mee.com for a $40 discount on G-Mee Connect Pro (down from $189 to $149).

Why don’t tech executives let their own children use social media? Can teenagers appreciate strict phone boundaries? If you're fighting screen time battles with your kids, this episode offers hope that your children will eventually thank you for protecting them from unrestricted tech access.

Quote of the Episode: "Nobody ever says, 'That was the best weekend ever, just love that! We should do that more often—stare at our phones and ignore each other.'" - Justin Coulson

Key Points:

Meta and other tech platforms are "terrified" of proposed legislation restricting youth access.
Tech executives often ban their own children from using the products they create.
The shift from play-based to screen-based childhood is rewiring children's brains.
Building trust and supporting autonomy helps children understand and accept boundaries.
Regular conversations about technology use are essential for family relationships.
Social media platforms prioritise engagement over user wellbeing.
Children eventually recognise and appreciate parents' protective boundaries.

Resources Mentioned:

Unplug Childhood
Jonathan Haidt's research on "the great rewiring"
Need-supportive parenting approach

Action Steps for Parents:

Include children in technology decision-making processes.
Have regular conversations about tech use rather than one-time discussions.
Build trust while maintaining appropriate boundaries.
Support autonomy within safe limits.
Create tech-free family time.
Share the reasoning behind tech restrictions.
Focus on building real-world connections.
Stay informed about social media risks and platform practices.

Use HAPPY at g-mee.com for a $40 discount on G-Mee Connect Pro (down from $189 to $149).

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#1173 - The Fine Line: Coaching Anxious Kids Without Parent Drama Feb 10, 2025

Your child is hesitant about sports, the coach wants to help, and you're caught in the middle—what now? Today’s tricky question tackles the complex dynamics of youth sports anxiety from both the coach's and parent's perspective.

Quote of the Episode: "Your child signed up for it. Your child wants to play the sport. It's their experience, so let them have that experience."

Key Insights:

Parent involvement can often increase rather than decrease child anxiety.
Individual acknowledgement by name creates belonging and confidence.
Reframing anxiety can help children approach challenges differently.
Trust between parents and coaches is essential for child development.
The "uphill" moments in sports build character and resilience.
Minimising children's feelings about anxiety is counterproductive.
The three E's approach: Explore, Explain, Empower.

Action Steps for Coaches:

Minimise parent involvement during practice/training.
Get curious about individual children and their concerns.
Acknowledge each child by name and build personal connections.

Action Steps for Parents:

Trust the coach and step back from direct involvement.
Embrace the challenging moments ("love the hills").
Validate feelings without minimising them.
Use the three E's: Explore, Explain, Empower.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#1172 - The 3-Step Solution to Better Emotional Regulation Feb 09, 2025

Want to help your child manage big emotions? Start by understanding what emotional regulation really means. In this episode, we unpack why suppressing emotions isn't always bad, how regulation develops from age three onwards, and why parents might need to work on their own regulation first. Plus, discover three practical strategies that actually work—no more ineffective "just calm down" responses. Whether you're dealing with gaming meltdowns or homework frustrations, these solutions will transform how you handle emotional moments.

Quote of the Episode: "They don't need to be reprimanded. They need to be understanded."

Key Insights:

Emotional regulation means expressing or suppressing emotions appropriately for the context.
Self-regulation begins developing at age 3 and stabilises around age 9.
Parents often struggle with their own regulation while expecting it from their children.
Better regulation leads to improved academic performance, relationships, and life outcomes.
Supporting rather than solving builds autonomy, competence, and connection.
Context matters: hunger, tiredness, and stress all impact regulation ability.
The ability to process emotions is more important than suppressing them.
Breaking down overwhelming tasks helps prevent emotional flooding.

Resources Mentioned:

Action Steps for Parents:

Support, Don't Solve: Help children process emotions without fixing everything for them.
Offer Hints: Break down overwhelming tasks into manageable chunks.
Read the Room: Consider factors like hunger, tiredness, and stress before responding to dysregulation.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#1171 - Evidence Based Solutions to Break Screen Addiction with Dr Brad Marshall Feb 07, 2025

New research shows that simple parent-led interventions can reduce gaming disorder and smartphone addiction in children by up to 60% in just six weeks. In this episode, clinician and researcher Dr Brad Marshall breaks down exactly what parents can do to help their children develop healthier relationships with technology, backed by groundbreaking new research from Macquarie University.

Key Points:

About 10% of Australian teens are experiencing problematic screen use and addiction.
A study of 689 families revealed significant improvements in screen addiction through parent-led interventions.
60% of children with gaming disorder showed improvement after 6 weeks.
32% of children with smartphone addiction showed improvement after 6 weeks.
Five key strategies were identified, with WiFi management being among the most effective.

Quote of the Episode: "Parents can have a huge impact on how their kids do stuff online... even without any direct therapeutic intervention."

Key Insights:

Hardware-level controls are more effective than software-based parental controls.
Sometimes parents need to implement boundaries before having conversations.
Simple WiFi management strategies can be more effective than complex behavioural agreements.
Managing mobile data plans is a crucial but longer-term intervention strategy.
Parent-only interventions can be highly effective without direct child involvement.

Personal Stories Shared:

Brad shared his experience testifying before the Senate regarding social media age restrictions.
Justin shared his perspective on occasionally needing to make executive decisions as a parent despite preferring collaborative approaches.

Resources Mentioned:

The Tech Diet for Your Child and Teen book
Mesh router systems for WiFi management
G-Mee phones (Australian smartphone for kids)
Brad Marshall's website (The Unplugged Psychologist)
Macquarie University research study on gaming disorder and smartphone addiction

Action Steps for Parents:

Implement home WiFi limits through mesh router systems.
Place limits on mobile phone data plans
Set clear boundaries around WiFi at bedtime.
Consider hardware-level solutions rather than relying on software controls.
Start with structural changes (WiFi/data management) before focusing on behavioural agreements.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#1170 - When Your Brilliant Schedule Implodes: The Reality Check Feb 06, 2025

Sometimes the most carefully crafted family schedules fall apart spectacularly - and that's perfectly normal. Today, we dive into what happens when the perfect plan meets reality, complete with school transitions, homeschool meltdowns, and endless interruptions. Plus, discover why investing in your relationship might be the secret weapon for weathering family chaos. This is real parenting, unfiltered and unvarnished.

Quote of the Episode: "Sometimes no matter how well we think we've got everything put together, sometimes it just doesn't work. And it doesn't mean you've done something wrong. It just means that this was a hard week."

Key Insights:

Even the most meticulously planned schedules can fall apart when school routines change
Major transitions (like switching from homeschool to traditional school) affect the whole family system
Fresh starts are valuable opportunities to reset and try again
Relationship investment between parents strengthens the whole family
Couples can be completely different yet choose each other daily
Shared experiences matter more than shared interests
Regular date nights and new experiences can revitalize family life
It's normal for plans to need adjustment when reality hits

Resources Mentioned:

Happy Families Newsletter (with new sections: I'm Reading, I'm Watching, I'm Listening, We're Doing)
Lonesome Dove series
Wicked (movie)
Honestly podcast with Barry Weiss (MAHA episode)
HappyFamilies.com.au

Action Steps for Parents:

Accept that perfect plans often need adjustment - it's normal, not failure
Schedule regular relationship-building activities with your partner
Remember that fresh starts (like Monday mornings) are opportunities to reset

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#1169 - Birthday Party Politics Feb 05, 2025

Less is more when it comes to kids' parties. We tackle the thorny issue of birthday party politics in the modern age, from managing invite lists to handling the heartache when your child misses out. Discover why Gen Alpha parties have become more complicated than ever, and learn practical strategies for both hosting and handling party-related disappointments. Plus, find out why McDonald's parties in railway carriages aren't always the answer (just ask Justin!).

Quote of the Episode: "Being invited to a birthday party is a privilege, and we should approach it with sensitivity because not everybody gets an invite."

Key Insights:

Smaller parties often create less social tension than large-scale events
Modern party politics are particularly challenging for Gen Alpha children
The more people invited, the more others expect to be included
Classroom distribution of invitations can create unnecessary drama
Digital invitations and teacher assistance can help maintain discretion
When hosting, clear communication about party size helps manage expectations
Missing out on parties can be a valuable teaching moment for empathy
One-on-one celebrations can be a meaningful alternative to large parties

Resources Mentioned:

Mel Robbins' book "Let Them"
happyfamilies.com.au
Class WhatsApp groups for party planning

Action Steps for Parents:

Keep parties smaller and more intimate to reduce social pressure
Use discrete methods for invitation distribution (through teachers, digital invites, or direct to parents)
When your child isn't invited, focus on teaching resilience and empathy
Consider creating special one-on-one celebrations as alternatives to large parties

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#1168 - Screen Time Wars: The Simple Hardware Fix That Changes Everything Feb 04, 2025

Parents have been fighting the wrong battle in the screen time wars—and the most effective solution isn't about apps, contracts, or consequences at all. In this episode, Dr. Brad Marshall shares the surprisingly simple hardware-level intervention that reduced gaming disorder by 60% in just six weeks.

Key Points:

Managing home WiFi with set limits proved most effective in reducing screen addiction.
Phone-level controls are second most effective but can be circumvented.
Bedtime WiFi boundaries show significant impact.
Traditional methods like contracts and consequences showed less effectiveness.
Hardware-level solutions outperform software controls.

Quote of the Episode: "What fuels all of these devices and their persuasive design and their addictive nature and their dopamine is the WiFi. We know that for a fact."

Key Insights:

Start with the strictest parameters when first giving devices.
Focus on infrastructure control rather than behaviour management.
Device-specific controls allow age-appropriate flexibility.
Hardware solutions (like mesh routers) are more effective than software controls.
Regular parent-child conversations about limits remain important.

Resources Mentioned:

G-mee Phones
Mesh router systems
Dr. Brad Marshall's research paper
The Unplugged Psychologist website
Incharge boxes for device storage

Action Steps for Parents:

Install a mesh router system for device-specific WiFi control.
Set strict initial parameters when introducing new devices.
Implement clear bedtime WiFi boundaries.
Place limits on mobile data plans.
Have regular conversations about screen time limits.
Consider hardware solutions like G-Mee phones for younger children.
Create device-free zones and times in the home.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#1167 - Help! My Teen Only Speaks in Monosyllables Feb 03, 2025

Force creates resistance—especially with teenagers. In this essential episode, we reveal why your teen's silence might actually be normal and share proven strategies to rebuild connection without pushing them away. From the surprising effectiveness of parallel activities to the power of perfect timing, you'll discover how to create spaces where real conversations can naturally emerge. Plus, learn why traditional advice about "getting them to open up" might be exactly what's keeping them closed off.

Quote of the Episode: "People say parenting is the hardest job in the world. It's not. Growing up is." - From Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Key Insights:

By age 13, parents have completed 75-80% of their hands-on parenting.
Teen emotional overwhelm can lead to communication shutdown.
Side-by-side activities often work better than face-to-face conversations.
Written communication can be an effective alternative for some teens.
High emotions equal low intelligence—timing matters for important conversations.
Developmental changes naturally shift influence from parents to peers.
The importance of understanding vs. reprimanding when teens push back

Resources Mentioned:

"Miss Connection," a book about raising teenage girls
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Charles Duhigg interview (Episode 1160, January 25)
HappyFamilies.com.au

Action Steps for Parents:

Create opportunities for parallel activities instead of forcing direct conversations.
Choose timing carefully—car rides, bedtime, or walks often work best.
Consider alternative communication methods (like journaling) if verbal communication is difficult.
Use deeper questions that go beyond "How was your day?" (e.g., "What are you looking forward to?" or "Who did you help today?")

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#1166 - When Your Child is Bullied: The Five Steps That Could Save Your Child Feb 02, 2025

When Your Child is Bullied: The Five Steps That Could Save Your Child
With Australian students among the most bullied in the world and recent tragedies highlighting the devastating consequences, discover the research-backed five-step response plan that empowers children and gives parents practical tools to address bullying before it escalates.

Key Points:

70% of Australian kids aged 12-13 experience bullying
Australia leads Western nations in bullying incidents
Clear definition of what constitutes actual bullying
Status and power dynamics drive bullying behaviour.
Five-step response plan for parents

Quote of the Episode: "Trauma is not a result of the events that happen to you. It's a result of how you process those events."

Key Insights:

Difference between conflict and true bullying
Four types of bullying (physical, verbal, social, cyber)
High-status kids are more likely to bully than low-status
Importance of documentation and proper reporting
Role of mindset in managing bullying impact

Resources Mentioned:

Kids Helpline
Parent Line
Lifeline (13 11 14)
Beyond Blue
Professor Michael Bernard's research

Action Steps for Parents:

Listen and Validate:
- Believe your child's experience
- Show emotional support
- Avoid dismissing their feelings
- Make time to really hear them
Document Everything:
- Keep written records
- Take screenshots
- Save evidence appropriately
- Note dates and details
Involve Authorities:
- Report to school/organisation
- Work collaboratively with staff
- Follow up on actions taken
- Maintain communication
Build Coping Skills:
- Develop positive mindset strategies
- Practice perspective-taking
- Strengthen self-worth
- Minimise social media exposure
Seek Professional Help:
- Recognise when expert help is needed
- Access support services
- Consider counselling options
- Use available helplines

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#1165 - 23% Better School Performance? The Sleep Secret Nobody's Talking About Jan 30, 2025

Want better bedtime routines? Start with wake-up time. In this eye-opening episode, we reveal why your morning routine is the secret weapon for achieving peaceful nights. Backed by fascinating neuroscience from Stanford's Andrew Huberman and real-world success stories, you'll discover how morning sunlight triggers a cascade of sleep-friendly hormones that can transform your family's entire day-night cycle. Plus, learn why letting your teens sleep in might actually be sabotaging their sleep schedule and how early risers show up to 23% better performance in morning classes.

Quote of the Episode: "Exposure to morning sunlight triggers a cascade of hormones that regulate the entire day-night cycle."

Key Insights:

Your wake-up time sets your body's internal stopwatch for the entire day
Teenagers naturally produce melatonin later than adults but still need 9-10 hours of sleep
Weekend sleep-ins create a "mini jet-lag" effect that makes Monday mornings harder
Morning sunlight exposure activates melanopsin-containing retinal cells that signal the brain's master clock
Students with consistent wake times show up to 23% better performance on morning cognitive tests
The brain consolidates learning during sleep, making regular sleep patterns crucial for academic success
Modelling early rising as parents can naturally influence children to adopt better sleep habits

Resources Mentioned:

Andrew Huberman Podcast
Stanford University research on circadian rhythms
HappyFamilies.com.au

Action Steps for Parents:

Establish a consistent wake-up time for the whole family
Get outside for morning sunlight exposure immediately after waking
Minimise screen time in the evening hours and keep bedtime consistent, even on weekends

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#1164 - Why Your Schedule Isn't Working (And How to Fix It) Jan 29, 2025

When the afternoon chaos of activities, homework, and commitments leaves everyone exhausted and frustrated, it's not your organisational skills that need work—it's your approach. Justin and Kylie reveal their game-changing strategy for transforming family schedules from overwhelming to manageable, including the one question that changes everything:
"Does the schedule serve you, or do you serve the schedule?"

Key Points:

Why traditional scheduling often fails families
The importance of regular family meetings
How to experiment with different routines
When and why to scale back activities
The value of involving children in schedule decisions

Quote of the Episode: "Does the schedule serve you, or do you serve the schedule?" - Justin Coulson

Key Insights:

Life is a series of experiments
Children often recognise when they're overcommitted
Family meetings give everyone a voice
Routines need regular adjustment
The best schedule is unique to each family

Resources Mentioned:

"Rethinking" by Adam Grant
"Essentialism" by Greg McKeown
happyfamilies.com.au

Action Steps for Parents:

Schedule a family meeting
List all current commitments
Experiment with different routines
Check in regularly about what's working
Be willing to make changes when needed

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#1163 - Beyond Chore Charts: The Simple Secret to Kid Cooperation Jan 28, 2025

Forget sticker charts and pocket money—the key to getting kids to help around the house isn't about rewards or punishments. Discover why making contribution fun transforms resistance into enthusiasm, and learn the simple system that's getting kids excited about helping at home.

Key Points:

Traditional chore charts often create resistance
Linking chores to pocket money typically backfires
Making contribution fun transforms participation
Togetherness is the key to successful engagement
Timing and clear endpoints matter

Quote of the Episode: "Our kids don't want to feel like our slaves... but they do need to contribute and participate in making the house function and work."

Key Insights:

People tend to overestimate their own contributions while underestimating others'
Forced contribution creates resistance
Music dramatically changes the experience of helping
Clear time limits increase participation
Autonomy in choosing how to contribute matters

Resources Mentioned:

10-minute tidy system
Word Association music game
Mission Impossible challenge concept

Action Steps for Parents:

Implement the 10-Minute Tidy:

Choose three standard-length songs
Get everyone involved simultaneously
Honor the time limit strictly
Make it a daily ritual

Use Music and Games:

Create cleaning playlists
Play word association games
Keep it upbeat and fun
Focus on togetherness

Transform Language and Approach:

Replace "chores" with "contribution"
Ask how they'd like to help
Give choices and autonomy
Prioritise doing things together

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#1162 - The $4.50 Lunch Box: Why Healthy is Actually Cheaper Jan 27, 2025

New research reveals that the "convenient" pre-packaged school lunches are actually the most expensive option - and the least healthy. Discover the simple menu system that saves money, improves nutrition, and gets kids excited about their school lunches.

Key Points:

90% of Australian kids take packed lunches to school
Average lunch box costs $4.50
Pre-packaged foods cost more than fresh options
40% of kids' lunches are filled with pricier, less healthy options
Menu system eliminates daily decision fatigue

Quote of the Episode: "Our family has single-handedly kept a wheat farmer's business going for the last 20 plus years with all those lunches, that probably half of which ended up in the bin."

Key Insights:

Creating a menu system reduces waste and costs
Getting kids involved increases likelihood of eating
Laminated menus with checkboxes make planning easy
Budget constraints can be framed as opportunity for change
Advanced planning eliminates morning stress

Resources Mentioned:

Flinders University and University of Newcastle research (2024)
Hotel/motel breakfast menu system concept
AI tools for menu planning (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini)

Action Steps for Parents:

Create Your Menu System:

Hold a family meeting to discuss food preferences
List all acceptable fruits, vegetables, and sandwich fillings
Create categories (fruits, snacks, main items)
Laminate the menu for reuse
Use checkboxes for daily selections

Implementation Strategy:

Plan selections the night before
Mark unavailable items
Shop according to menu needs
Prep ingredients in advance
Involve kids in preparation

Budget Management:

Focus on fresh ingredients over packaged
Allow one sweet item per lunch
Buy in bulk when possible
Prep and freeze items ahead
Monitor what actually gets eaten

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#1161 - The School Morning Hack That Changes Everything: Getting out the Door Stress Free Jan 26, 2025

The School Morning Hack That Changes Everything: A Slice of Advice on Getting out the Door Stress Free
The secret to peaceful school mornings isn't what you do in the morning at all. Discover the simple evening ritual that transforms chaotic school mornings into manageable moments of connection, and why this one change makes all the difference.

Key Points:

The critical importance of evening preparation
Why decision-making is the biggest morning time-waster
How to implement the "hotel menu" system for meals
The value of creating margin in your morning
Why rushing signals the wrong message to children

Quote of the Episode: "Love is spelled T-I-M-E, but if that's how you spell love, what does 'hurry up' spell to a child?"

Key Insights:

Morning chaos often stems from too many decisions being made in the moment
The hotel continental breakfast menu system eliminates morning food decisions
Creating margin allows for meaningful connection and reduces anxiety
Evening preparation includes parent preparation, not just child preparation
Positive emotions broaden thinking and build resources (Fredrickson's theory)

Resources Mentioned:

Barbara Fredrickson's Broaden and Build Theory
Continental breakfast menu system
Mission Impossible gamification example

Action Steps for Parents:

Evening Preparation:

Lay out complete uniform (every piece)
Pack school bag including special items (library books, homework)
Create next day's breakfast and lunch menu
Stock kitchen with necessary ingredients
Plan your own morning routine

Create Systems:

Implement a lunch menu system
Pre-prepare bulk items for freezing
Create breakfast choice cards
Set up designated spots for uniforms and bags

Morning Execution:

Wake up early enough to have margin
Focus on connection over rushing
Allow time for potential anxiety or resistance
Make room for small moments of joy
Keep decisions to a minimum

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#1160 - 3 Types of Conversations Your Family Needs to Master: An Interview With NYT Bestselling Author, Charles Duhigg Jan 24, 2025

Justin interviews Pulitzer Prize winner Charles Duhigg about his groundbreaking book "Super Communicators." Discover the science behind meaningful family conversations and learn practical strategies to transform how you connect with your children and partner.

Key Points:

Understanding the three types of conversations: practical, emotional, and social
Why fixing problems isn't always the answer
How our brains sync during meaningful conversations
The power of deep questions versus shallow ones
Why family interruptions might be healthy

Quote of the Episode: "We tend to remember the conversations that are connection, as opposed to just information exchange." - Charles Duhigg

Key Insights:

The importance of matching conversation types (practical vs. emotional)
How to transform common questions into deeper connections
The value of perspective getting over perspective taking
Why acknowledging awkwardness helps difficult conversations

Best Questions Shared:

"What was the most surprising thing that happened today?"
"What do you admire about [friend's name]?"
"How do you feel about [upcoming event]?" rather than "Are you ready?"

Resources Mentioned:

"Super Communicators" by Charles Duhigg
Harvard Study of Adult Development
Research on neural entrainment and conversation

Action Steps for Parents:

Ask what type of conversation your child wants to have
Practice transforming shallow questions into deep ones
Allow for healthy interruptions in family discussions
Focus on connection over correction

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#1159 - The Monthly Date That Changes Everything Jan 23, 2025

One-on-one time transforms parent-child relationships, but finding that time can seem impossible. Discover the revolutionary monthly date system that's helping parents create deeper connections with each child—and why being truly present matters more than what you actually do together.

Key Points:

Monthly one-on-one dates based on birth date
Importance of intentional planning vs spontaneous moments
Value of side-by-side conversations
Impact of being fully present vs autopilot parenting
How structured time leads to deeper conversations

Quote of the Episode: "The definition of love is bearing witness to one another's lives."

Key Insights:

Advance planning makes experiences more meaningful
Side-by-side activities encourage natural conversation
Removing distractions deepens connection
Multiple possible futures reduce anxiety about paths
Intentional time creates space for vulnerable conversations

Resources Mentioned:

Laura King's research on "best possible future self"
Monthly birthday date system concept
Broaden perspectives on career/life paths
Calendar blocking for intentional connection

Action Steps for Parents:

Schedule Monthly Dates:

Mark each child's birth date on calendar
Plan activities in advance
Make them non-negotiable appointments
Customise for each child's interests

Create Quality Experiences:

Remove distractions (phones, etc.)
Choose side-by-side activities
Allow natural conversation flow
Make it special but not elaborate

Be Fully Present:

Practice active listening
Avoid problem-solving mode
Focus on connection over correction
Create space for deeper sharing

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#1158 - The Upside of Adversity: Children Learn Resilience From Coping With Difficulties Jan 22, 2025

Why Your Kids Should Risk Breaking Their Arm Today

Discover why letting your kids take physical risks - even ones that could land them in the doctor's office - might be exactly what they need for healthy development.

Key Points:

Physical challenges help children develop resilience
Many schools have removed risky play equipment like monkey bars
Stanford research shows parent reactions shape children's mindsets
Developmentally appropriate risk is essential for growth
Modern "safetyism" may be harming children's development

Quote of the Episode: "When we treat all adversity as inherently negative, we do a tremendous disservice to our children and their ability to develop adaptive coping mechanisms."

Key Insights:

Babies look to parents' facial expressions to gauge danger
Physical challenges often lead to better academic and social outcomes
The difference between harmful trauma and beneficial stress
How "safetyism" creates more fearful children
The importance of scaffolding risk appropriately

Resources Mentioned:

Stanford University research on parental mindset
Carol Dweck's growth mindset work
"The Coddling of the American Mind" by Jonathan Haidt
Biosphere 2 experiment
Various physical activities mentioned (bouldering, surfing, ice skating)

Action Steps for Parents:

1. Frame failures as opportunities for growth:

Acknowledge pain/difficulty
Ask "How would you do it differently next time?"
Look for learning moments

2. Create supportive environments for risk-taking:

Stay calm when children fall/fail
Provide appropriate safety measures
Be present but not hovering

3. Allow developmentally appropriate challenges:

Start small and build up
Match activities to age/ability
Provide necessary equipment/support
Consider activities like climbing, skating, or surfing when ready

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#1157 - 3 Conversations Your Family Needs to Master Jan 21, 2025

Understanding the right type of conversation can transform family communication and deepen connections with our children. Justin and Kylie explore insights from Pulitzer Prize winner Charles Duhigg's book "Super Communicators".

Key Points:

Understanding the three types of conversations: practical, emotional, and social
Why fixing problems isn't always what our children need
How to identify which conversation your child wants to have
The importance of asking "Why am I talking?" (WAIT)
When connection matters more than correction

Quote of the Episode: "We tend to remember the conversations that are connection as opposed to just information exchange." - Charles Duhigg

Key Insights:

Most memorable conversations are ones where children do the talking
Parents often default to "fix-it" mode when children need emotional support
Simple questions can reveal what type of conversation is needed
The power of asking "How can I help?" or "What do you need?"

Personal Stories Shared:

Justin's "professor moment" with his daughter walking up the hill
The powerful feedback: "I don't need you to be my psychologist. I need you to be my dad."
Examples of transforming typical parent-child interactions

Action Steps for Parents:

Ask what type of conversation your child wants to have
Practice the WAIT principle (Why Am I Talking?)
Focus on listening more than solving
Learn to identify practical vs. emotional vs. social conversations
Create space for connection rather than correction

Resources Mentioned:

"Super Communicators" by Charles Duhigg
Full interview available in Saturday's episode
happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#1156 - From Buttons to Beards: Why Kids Develop Strange Fears (And How to Help) Jan 20, 2025

How to support children through their fears and phobias - whether it's buttons, beards, or anything in between - without escalating their anxiety.

Key Points:

Children's fears, no matter how irrational they seem, are genuinely frightening to them
Trying to have rational conversations with emotional children is counterproductive
Telling children they have "no choice" increases anxiety rather than reducing it
Creating emotional safety must come before addressing the fear itself
Gentle exposure combined with patience is more effective than forced confrontation

Quote of the Episode: "Your child is not being difficult. He is experiencing a difficulty. There's a really big difference there."

Key Insights:

The importance of validating feelings before problem-solving
Why social normalisation often helps naturally reduce fears
How creating distance between stimulus and response can help
The value of giving children agency in finding solutions
Why parent-led solutions are often sufficient without therapy

Resources Mentioned:

Inside Out 2 movie review episode (January 16th)
Happy Families website
School inclusion policies

Action Steps for Parents:

Acknowledge the fear without trying to talk them out of it
Focus on creating emotional safety before addressing the fear
Look for and celebrate "brave moments"
Give children agency in finding solutions
Consider alternative practical solutions (like wearing sports uniform)
Work with schools to find accommodations when needed
Remember that most childhood fears resolve with patience and support

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#1155 - 2025 Predictions: Everything Changes This Year Jan 19, 2025

Justin and Kylie explore eight bold predictions for parenting and family life in 2025, covering everything from emerging parenting styles to AI's impact on education and the challenges facing young men.

Key Predictions
1. **The Rise of Lighthouse Parenting**
- Moving away from helicopter and free-range parenting extremes
- Parents act as steady guides while children navigate independently
- Balanced approach between oversight and autonomy
2. **AI in the Living Room**
- Explosion of AI use in everyday parenting
- Personalized solutions for family challenges
- Interactive parenting resource for various needs
- Notable energy consumption implications
3. **AI Revolution in Education**
- Traditional schools facing paradigm shift
- Move from standardized to personalized learning
- Emphasis on AI literacy and critical thinking
4. **Homeschooling Growth**
- Increasing mainstream adoption
- Driven by concerns about school environment
- Enhanced by technological capabilities
- Post-pandemic perspective shift
5. **Cost of Living Adaptations**
- Rise in multi-generational living
- "Backyard as the new Byron Bay" - focus on staycations
- Response to economic pressures
6. **YouTube Dominance**
- Shift in children's career aspirations
- Increasing influence over traditional media
- Growing platform preference among Gen Alpha
7. **Phone and Social Media Restrictions**
- Classroom phone bans showing positive results
- New legislation for under-16 social media access
- Australia leading global tech restriction movement
8. **Focus on Boys' Development**
- Addressing educational and social challenges
- Growing concern about male disengagement
- Seeking solutions for the "boy problem"
Notable Quotes
"Lighthouse parents illuminate" - Justin on the new parenting style
"The pandemic was just the trailer. 2025 is the feature film for homeschooling."
Resources Mentioned
- Jonathan Haidt's "The Anxious Generation"
- happyfamilies.com.au
Credits
Produced by Justin Ruillon from Bridge Media
*Note: This is a predictions episode and all forecasts are speculative. Check back at the end of 2025 for accuracy review.*

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#1154 - The Surprising Truth About Sports Success From Australia's Most Decorated Olympian: An Interview With Emma McKeon Jan 17, 2025

Australia's most decorated Olympian, Emma McKeon, shares intimate insights about her journey from young swimmer to Olympic champion, revealing the crucial role her parents played in fostering success without pressure. Her story provides a masterclass in supporting children's sporting endeavors while maintaining joy and balance.

Key Points:

The importance of enjoyment over achievement in youth sports
How parental support without pressure builds self-determination
Managing early-morning training and self-motivation
Balancing multiple activities during teenage years
Transforming competition anxiety into positive energy

Quote of the Episode: "They never pressured me either way to swim or not to swim... They just wanted me to enjoy what I was doing and be happy in what I was doing, find something I was passionate about."

Key Insights:

Success comes from internal motivation, not external pressure
The value of maintaining multiple interests and activities
How to handle failure and setbacks constructively
The importance of supporting children "no matter what"
Why enjoyment must precede excellence

Personal Stories Shared:

Missing the 2012 London Olympics by 0.1 seconds
Early morning training experiences
Having her father as both parent and coach
Balancing swimming with other activities

Resources Mentioned:

Self-Determination Theory
Research on youth sports participation
Multi-sport participation benefits

Action Steps for Parents:

Focus on enjoyment before achievement
Allow children to set their own goals
Support multiple activities and interests
Help reframe anxiety as excitement
Maintain unconditional support regardless of performance

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#1153 - How Doing Nothing Made Us Better Parents Jan 16, 2025

Can a little “selfishness” make you a better parent? Join Kylie and Justin as they share relatable parenting mishaps, with a reminder that taking care of yourself is a gift to everyone around you.

Key Points:

The value of a "do nothing" holiday
Finding permission for personal time
How parenting changes across different children
The impact of slowing down

Quote of the Episode: "We've been trained for so long to believe that taking time out for ourselves is selfish. And we've got to change the narrative." - Kylie Coulson

Key Insights:

Younger children often get different versions of their parents
Taking time for yourself makes you better for everyone else
Growth and maturity in parenting benefit all children differently
Sometimes doing nothing is exactly what families need

Action Steps:

Give yourself permission for personal time
Recognize different seasons of parenting
Look for ways to connect with older children
Create space for new family traditions

Resources Mentioned:

happyfamilies.com.au
Emma McKeon interview (upcoming weekend content)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#1152 - Why Inside Out 2 is Essential Viewing for Every Parent Jan 15, 2025

Inside Out 2 isn’t just a movie—it’s a parenting masterclass on navigating the beautiful chaos of adolescence! Justin and Kylie Coulson explore the profound parenting insights from Inside Out 2, discussing teen brain development, emotional complexity, and why this film offers valuable understanding for parents.

Key Points:

Teen brain development and the "construction zone" phase
The role of anxiety in adolescent decision-making
How emotions work together (or sometimes don't)
Why perfect isn't possible or desirable
The importance of embracing all experiences, both good and bad

Quote of the Episode: "Life is supposed to be joyful. It's just that it can't stay that way all the time." - Justin Coulson

Key Insights:

Understanding teen brain development through visual metaphors
How anxiety can both protect and hinder
The exhaustion of trying to maintain constant positivity
Why difficult experiences contribute to wholeness
The complexity of managing multiple emotions

Research Referenced:

Dr. Lisa Damour's work on teen psychology
Adolescent brain development research
The role of the prefrontal cortex in teen decision-making

Action Steps for Parents:

Watch the film with your teens
Discuss emotional complexity openly
Acknowledge the challenge of growth
Embrace imperfection
Create space for all emotions

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#1151 - Nervous Kids? An Olympic Champion's Surprising Advice Jan 14, 2025

Emma McKeon, with 14 Olympic medals, knows what it takes to excel without burning out—and she credits her parents for getting the balance just right. In this episode, we dive into Emma’s upbringing to uncover strategies for encouraging kids to pursue their passions with joy and self-determination. From transforming performance anxiety into a secret weapon to helping children develop discipline on their own terms, this conversation offers invaluable insights for every parent. Tune in to learn how to support your child’s journey—whether they’re a budding athlete, artist, or simply exploring what they love.
Key Points:
- Finding the balance between encouragement and pressure
- The role of self-determination in achievement
- How to support children through performance anxiety
- Why giving space for autonomy leads to better outcomes
- The importance of maintaining joy in activities

Personal Stories Shared:
- Annie's piano journey from age 3 to 17
- Kylie's telegraph pole experience and anxiety management
- The statistical rarity of Olympic athletes (0.002%)
Quote of the Episode:
"Nerves are showing you that you're doing something brave and worthwhile." - Emma McKeon
Key Insights for Parents:
"Sometimes when our kids are in that tricky space, we often fill that space with unnecessary noise. We call it encouragement. But what they actually need is our quiet patience." - Kylie Coulson
- Allow children to drive their own interests
- Create quiet space for processing anxiety
- Remember it's their life, not ours
Maintaining Perspective:
"It's important that we don't crush what brings them joy... The important thing is that they're doing things that bring them joy and light them up." - Kylie Coulson
- Success looks different for every child
- Focus on enjoyment over achievement
- Allow space for changing interests
The Bigger Picture:
"There are loads and loads of fully functional, wonderful people who quit music or who quit sport and have still gone on to live good lives and even achieve and accomplish in other areas in their lives." - Justin Coulson
- Achievement isn't limited to childhood pursuits
- Life offers multiple paths to success
- Early decisions don't determine lifetime outcomes
Resources Mentioned:
- Dr. Lisa Damour's work on anxiety management
- Emma McKeon's full interview (airing Saturday)
- happyfamilies.com.au
Action Steps for Listeners:
1. Reflect on whether you're supporting or pushing
2. Practice giving space during moments of anxiety
3. Focus on enjoyment over achievement
4. Allow children to set their own goals and pace
5. Remember that quitting one thing doesn't mean failure in life

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#1150 - From 'Mid' to Meaningful: 5 Questions That Get Kids Talking Jan 13, 2025

Ever feel like you’re stuck in the loop of “How was your day?” and hearing “meh” in response? Justin and Kylie share research-backed strategies for having meaningful conversations with your children, including five core questions that build emotional intelligence and resilience. Learn why timing and technique matter more than the questions themselves, and discover how these conversations can significantly reduce anxiety and depression in children.
Key Points:
- The power of well-timed, meaningful conversations
- How conversations build executive function and emotional regulation
- The connection between parent-child discussions and mental health
- Why traditional questions often fail to engage kids
- The importance of timing and technique in family discussions
Research Highlights:
- Harvard's Center on the Developing Child: Back-and-forth conversations build executive function
- Minnesota longitudinal study: Regular meaningful conversations improve emotional intelligence
- Arizona State University: 48% lower rates of anxiety and depression in kids who have regular meaningful discussions with parents
Quote of the Episode:
"Sometimes when we're having difficult conversations, we handle the conversations better if we're actually doing something side by side." - Kylie Coulson
The Five Core Questions:
1. What are some things you're most excited about for 2025?
2. Is there anything you're nervous or worried about this year?
3. What's something you'd love to learn or try this year?
4. When do you feel most like you?
5. What qualities do you admire in others and which ones would you like to develop in yourself?
Key Techniques:
- The WAIT Principle (Why Am I Talking?)
- Using strategic silence
- The power of "Tell me more"
- Avoiding problem-solving unless asked
- Side-by-side conversations
Best Times for Conversations:
- During dinner
- Bedtime
- Walking together
- Car rides
- Over breakfast
Resources Mentioned:
- Harvard's Center on the Developing Child research
- Minnesota longitudinal study
- Dr. Suniya Luther's research at Arizona State University
- happyfamilies.com.au
Action Steps for Parents:
1. Choose the right timing for conversations
2. Practice the WAIT principle
3. Use side-by-side activities for difficult discussions
4. Create regular conversation opportunities at dinner
5. Focus on listening rather than problem-solving

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#1149 - The 2025 Family Reboot: Using The WISE Approach Jan 12, 2025

Justin and Kylie kick off 2025 with a powerful discussion about resetting family life using their WISE Family Reset framework. After experiencing burnout in 2024, they share personal insights about slowing down and making intentional changes for the year ahead.
Quotes of the Episode:

"We're not striving for perfection. We're striving for small, incremental changes." - Justin Coulson
"It's not about getting more things done. It's about getting the right things done." - Greg McKeown
Key Points:
- The challenge of feeling constantly busy but not productive
- How burnout affects family dynamics and personal wellbeing
- The importance of creating space for personal reflection
- Introduction to the WISE Family Reset framework
The WISE Family Reset Framework:
Work out what matters
* Create personal space for reflection
* Understand individual and family priorities
Implement tiny changes
* Start with small, manageable adjustments
* Avoid overwhelming yourself with too many changes at once
Sync as a team
* Get everyone involved in the planning
* Create buy-in through collaboration
Encourage, don't nag
* Focus on positive reinforcement
* Have important conversations at the right time
* Avoid being the "police" when it comes to rules
Resources Mentioned:
Book: "Essentialism" by Greg McKeown
Website: happyfamilies.com.au
Action Steps for Listeners:
1. Schedule some "escape time" for personal reflection
2. Identify one small change to implement this week
3. Plan a family meeting to discuss priorities for 2025
4. Practice encouragement instead of nagging

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#1148 - The 3 Levels of Christmas Dec 19, 2024

Ever wondered how to go beyond the tinsel and treats of Christmas to create a truly holy and meaningful celebration? Justin and Kylie Coulson take you on a journey through the "Three Levels of Christmas," offering heartfelt ideas and inspiring stories to bring joy and purpose to your family’s holiday season.

Whether it's singing carols, setting up nativity scenes, or reflecting on deeper spiritual themes, this episode is full of inspiration for making Christmas a time of connection, love, and purpose.

In this episode:

Understanding different perspectives & beliefs
Creating a Christ-centred Christmas
The three levels of Christmas:
- Level 1: Santa Claus, gifts, & festive indulgence
- Level 2: The nativity story & spiritual reflection
- Level 3: Celebrating Jesus' life & message
Ideas for making Christmas more meaningful, including carolling, nativity scenes, & giving back
Stories from listeners about their faith-centred Christmas traditions

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#1147 - How to Unspoil the Kids at Christmas Dec 18, 2024

Does Christmas gift-giving feel more like a burden than a joy as you try to find a balance between gift-giving and avoiding entitlement?

Dr. Justin Coulson and Kylie discuss how to preserve the magic of the season while avoiding the trap of indulgence and entitlement.

In this episode:

Finding perspective
Reflecting on the true meaning of Christmas
Having zero agenda—relationships, games, joyful moments
What to do when Christmas is hard
Focusing on others—emphasising giving, kindness, and family traditions over materialism
The Secret to Happiness? Giving.—Elizabeth Dunn research

Related Links:

How to Unspoil your Kids this Christmas [Webinar]

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#1146 - Road Trip Sanity Savers Dec 17, 2024

"Are we there yet?"

Long family road trips can definitely be painful, BUT they can also be a great opportunity for some quality family time! We share a list of some helpful road trip games to keep everyone entertained.

I-spy
Spotto
I went to the shops and I bought
The alphabet game
Car cricket
Old MacDonald Had A Farm
The Goanna Gang
Bingo
This Is The Song That Never Ends
Peel The Avocado
The Fart Game
Stay quiet or else!

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#1145 - Merry Movie Marathon Dec 16, 2024

Some Christmas movies that will keep your children from getting underfoot while you get the gifts wrapped!

G-rated options:

The Polar Express
Klaus
Arthur Christmas
Elf
Home Alone
Santa Clause

Honourable (grown up) mentions:

Christmas Chronicles
Bad Santa
The Holiday

Nativity movies:

The Nativity Story (2006)
Chasing The Star (2017)
VeggieTales: The Little Drummer Boy (2011)
The Star (2017)
Journey to Bethlehem (a musical) (2023)
The First Christmas (1998)

Purchase Tis the Season to be Cranky or How to Unspoil your Kids this Christmas

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#1144 - Our Favourite Christmas Traditions Dec 15, 2024

Christmas is a time where we can really lean into and celebrate family traditions!

Christmas traditions:

Gifts, Santa. decorating
Spending time with loved ones
Advent, carols, the nativity
Christmas Eve, stockings, pyjamas, Jolabokaflod
Christmas ninjas - giving & serving others

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#1143 - Getting Clear on What You Want Dec 12, 2024

Feel like you're drowning in a sea of Christmas "shoulds" and "musts" as a parent? Or that you're constantly running on empty, with no energy left to enjoy moments with your kids?

This episode of I'll Do Better Tomorrow addresses the burnout that many parents experience during the holiday season and beyond.

Listen in to hear Justin and Kyle share their own struggles and insights, as well as some helpful tips on how to break free from the cycle of exhaustion and find joy in the simple things again.

In this episode:

Kylies in a flunk in the lead up to Christmas, feeling burnt out and stressed
Prioritising tasks
Introjection motivation
What is it that you want?
Taking time to reflect on what has worked in the past for mental, physical, and emotional well-being
Alfie Kohn
Do one thing well
Making time for loved ones

Related Links:

Self Care Strategies That Really Work
We Need to Talk About Parent Wellbeing [ Webinar ]
Burnt Out [ FREE webinar ]

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#1142 - Getting It Royally Wrong on Social Media Dec 11, 2024

This episode unpacks Australia's groundbreaking social media ban for kids under 16, set to roll out by Christmas 2025. With tech giants stepping up enforcement, parents are relieved, while teens face digital detoxes.

Join the discussion as we explore Prince Harry’s surprising critique, parents’ joys and woes, and strategies for tackling this new era of tech parenting.

In this episode:

New legislation
Australia's incoming social media ban cannot be considered overreach | Sky News
Bullying over social media
Parental reactions
Prince Harry's comments
Why Harry has it royally wrong on social media dangers | Daily Telegraph
Implementation, digital IDs
Navigating conversations with kids
Acknowledging sadness and disappointment, FOMO
The flow-on effect of the ban
The 3 Es of Effective Discipline: Explore, Explain, Empower

Related Links:

Super Solutions for Technology Troubles [Webinar]
Unplug Childhood - join the village

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#1141 - The Best Christmas Story Ever Dec 10, 2024

This episode takes a heartfelt turn as we delve into one of the most touching Christmas stories ever written—O. Henry’s The Gift of the Magi. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the tale or hearing it for the first time, its timeless message of love and sacrifice is sure to move you.

In this episode:

A reflection on Christmas storytelling
O. Henry’s The Gift of the Magi
Sacrifice, love, and the spirit of giving

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#1140 - 5 Ways to Make Christmas Awesome Dec 09, 2024

Christmas is almost here! In this festive episode, we share five simple yet impactful ways to elevate your holiday celebrations. Whether it’s through meaningful traditions, playful gift exchanges, or acts of kindness, we’re here to help you focus on what truly matters—time, connection, and joy.

In this episode:

Focus on time together
Fun with gifts
Christmas Eve traditions
Jolabokaflod - Icelandic book tradition
Acts of service
Neighbourhood connections

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#1139 - The Top 5 Episodes of 2024 Dec 08, 2024

As the end of the year closes in us, we take a look back at 2024 and the top five episodes you listened to this year.

Click on the links to go back and listen to an episode.

Number 5 - #1041 Screens Suck
Number 4 - #1042 Work & Home School Life Balance
Number 3 - #1009 ADHD in Adults & Toddlers
Number 2 - #1038 Managing Emotional Dysregulation
Number 1 - #1055 Why The Kids Don't Listen

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#1138 - Do Better, Do Less Dec 05, 2024

It's the weekly wrap up, where we look back at the week that was and figure out ways that we can improve in our parenting.

In this episode:

Despite being guaranteed downtime this year, Kylie is feeling more tired than ever.
If we want to do better, we need to do less.
Self awareness is a game changer.
Putting your whole self into whatever you are doing.

Related Links:

Leidy Klotz - Subtract

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#1137 - P's on Earth: The 4 P's You Need This Christmas Dec 04, 2024

This Christmas, skip the shopping stress and focus on what really matters.

From creating a stress-free environment to embracing meaningful traditions, we explore how these intangible gifts—none of which require wrapping paper or a credit card—can bring joy and connection to your family.

In this episode:

Peace
Presence not presents
Playfulness
Purpose
Family traditions
Reject the pursuit of perfection
3 Levels of Christmas

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#1136 - Everything You Need to Know About eSafety, with Julie Inman-Grant Dec 03, 2024

What happens when online bullying transcends the screen and starts shaping young lives in tragic ways?

With eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, we uncover the harsh realities of cyberbullying, sextortion, and the online traps facing today’s youth.

Learn about innovative tools and strategies available to parents, educators, and schools to protect children, as well as the importance of staying engaged in your kids’ digital lives.

In this episode:

The role of Australia's eSafety Commissioner
Cyberbullying & mental health
Emerging online threats (doxing, sextortion, violent language, isolating victims)
Contagion effect of self harm
Parental awareness & responsibility
Cooperation from platforms
Removing content
Tools and resources for parents and educators
Teaching kids to report bullying & collect evidence
Setting boundaries & modelling respectful communication at home
Strategies for managing kids' screen time

Related Links:

#639 Online Sextortion With Detective Superintendent Jayne Crossling
Lifeline Australia - 13 11 14
Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800
13YARN Australia | For First Nation Australians - 13 92 76

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#1135 - School Readiness With Zoe Wragg Dec 02, 2024

As the holidays approach, many parents are preparing their children for the transition into school.

Zoe Wragg, a parent educator and former primary school teacher, shares practical advice on making this major change easier. From understanding what school readiness really means to offering tips for supporting reading development, Zoe will help ease your worries.

Plus—strategies for a smooth start to 2025 with simple, actionable tips that parents can apply during the holidays.

In this episode:

Transitioning children to school
School readiness
Overcoming overwhelm in preparing children for school
Reading skills and supporting beginning readers
Free school readiness checklist
Tips for parents navigating the holidays and preparing for school next year
www.edzocate.com.au

Related Links:

Starting School Activity Book [A free Happy Families resource!]
The Big Debate: Should you Delay your Child’s Start in School?
Facing First Day Fears [Webinar]

Find massive savings during the Happy Families Black Friday Sale

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#1134 - Australian Age-Based Social Media Bans Are Now Law [R] Dec 01, 2024

A few months ago we spoke about the momentum that was building for age restrictions around social media for children under 16. On Friday those laws were passed in the Australian Parliament, so we thought this was the perfect opportunity to replay this episode, as it will help your family navigate the changes that are ahead.

In Australia, children below a certain age will be banned from social media as part of a national plan to counter its negative effects on youth. We discuss the government's commitments, the challenges this new legislation may face, and what parents can do now to protect their kids in a screen-saturated world.

In this episode:

'National Social Media Age Limit' | A Current Affair
Why 13+ is the current legal age
Collecting personal data
Politics and obstacles facing this legislation
The impact of social media on kids
Using screens well: with intentionality, self-regulation, limits
Play-based childhood vs screen-based childhood
Holding tech companies accountable
What parents can do while waiting for legislation to pass
Kids need smart parents not smartphones
Building community
Unplug Childhood - sign the pledge & join the village today!
The Screen Smart Series: 'Unplug Childhood' & 'Tweens, Teens & Screens' (included in membership).

Related links:

Black Friday sale ends tonight!

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#1133 - Did We Embrace Our Words of the Year? Nov 28, 2024

It's Friday, which means our weekly 'I'll Do Better Tomorrow' reflections, looking back on the week that was and thinking of ways we can improve as parents.

As the year winds down, Kylie and Justin reflect on their goals and parenting approaches, offering a mix of humor, candid thoughts, and lessons learned.

Topics discussed in this episode:

Our words of the year - EMBRACE (Kylie) and PRESENT (Justin) - did we live up to them?
Justin putting the important things on hold to have fun with the kids.
The "good enough" parent
Fun pool games
Homeschool reflections
Kylie discovering that the things we have always held tightly to, may not be what's important now.

Find massive savings during the Happy Families Black Friday Sale

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#1132 - This Week in Parenting: Woolies x Roblox & Fully Nic-Sick Nov 27, 2024

Dive with us into three issues impacting parents today:

Woolies has partnered with Roblox (and parents are mad!).
The rise of nicotine pouches among teens as a discreet alternative to vaping or smoking.
Proposed legislation to ban kids under 16 from accessing social media and the challenges of enforcement.

In this episode:

Roblox Rewards at Woolies
Thousands of Australians Call for Woolworths to Axe Partnership with Gaming App Roblox | Daily Telegraph
Teens getting "nic-sick" with zyns
Addictive, hard to detect, easy to procure
Nicotine pouches gaining popularity with teens despite being illegal in Australia | ABC News
Opposition to the social media legislation
Finding refuge & safety online
Policing legislation
Unplug Childhood

Related Links:

#974 Roblox Rules
The Screen Smart Series [Webinars]
Smells Like Teen Spirit Summit (More nirvana. Less drama.)
Bad Influence of Influencers

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#1131 - Consent and Porn, with Dan Principe Nov 26, 2024

How do we teach our boys about consent in a world filled with mixed messages and harmful influences? Daniel Principe shares his experience working with boys, schools, and families to address this challenge.

From tackling online influences to reshaping outdated notions of masculinity, Daniel paints a hopeful yet realistic picture of where we stand and what needs to improve. He explains why starting conversations early and normalising openness can make all the difference—and why no child is ever beyond hope.

Daniel Principe is a boys' advocate, speaker, Australian of the Year nominee, and Consent Can't Wait ambassador.

In this episode:

Consent & boys: what's working & what's not?
Exposure to harmful online content
Normalising open conversations about consent, porn & relationships
Building emotional literacy
Reshaping societal ideas about masculinity
How to protect your child from becoming victims or perpetrators of harmful behaviours
Removing punishment & shame
No Matter What
Building strong men of the future

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#1130 - Should Your Child Repeat a Year? Nov 25, 2024

Is repeating a year of school really the best solution for struggling students?

Join us as we unpack the research, share personal stories, and discuss why alternatives like tailored teaching/differentiation, extra support, and starting school at the right age may yield better outcomes for your child.

Whether you’re grappling with this decision or curious about educational trends, this episode offers valuable insights to guide you.

In this episode:

Pros/cons of grade retention
Differences in learning (heterogeneity)
Delaying the start of formal education (redshirting)
Competency & self-esteem
Global trends in repeating a school year
Effectiveness of grade retention: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Social consequences
Alternatives to retention
Practical advice for parents with struggling students

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#1129 - Gentlemen, Your Presents Is Required Nov 24, 2024

With Christmas just around the corner, it's time for men to step up and do some shopping! Don't let Mum be the only one without a present under the tree this year.

This episode explores why many far too mums feel left out during the festive season and just want to be thought of by their family. Tune in for practical tips, heartfelt conversations, and a reminder that the best gifts don't have to break the bank.

In this episode:

The cognitive load of gift-giving
Not enough men are buying the women in their lives Christmas presents
Money & budgets
Materialism
Unique gift ideas
Supporting local charities
Giving Machine | Light The World

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#1128 - You Find What You're Looking For Nov 21, 2024

Parenting isn’t always smooth sailing, especially with a teenager in the house. In this reflective episode, Justin shares a wake-up call about his own negativity bias and how shifting his focus transformed a tricky relationship. Kylie brings balance with a reminder that kids spell love as T-I-M-E.

Whether you’re juggling the chaos of year-end or simply trying to connect better, this episode offers inspiration to help you do better tomorrow.

In this episode:

Parenting teenagers
Teens & screens
Relationship bucket
Focusing on the negative vs finding the positives in relationships
#148 Flecks of Gold
Intentional 1-1 time with each child
Kids spell love T.I.M.E

Related Links:

Building Strong Parent-Child Connections That Last
Miss-Connection Webinar (Why Your Teenage Daughter “Hates” You, Expects the World, and Needs to Talk)
Intentional vs. Unintentional Parenting

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#1127 - Home School Check In Nov 20, 2024

Curious about homeschooling? After a year of diving into this countercultural approach to education, Justin and Kylie share the surprising benefits, the unexpected challenges, and the transformative impact it’s had on their family.

In this episode:

Highs & lows of homeschooling
Facebook post - join the conversation!
Emotional regulation
Neurodivergence
#1111 - Home Schooling 101 With Brett Campbell of Euka
Freedom, flexibility & tailored learning
Challenges - financial constraints, socialisation, expectations
De-schooling
Unrealistic expectations
Connection with friends

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#1126 - Why Consent Can't Wait with Chanel Contos Nov 20, 2024

Consent, respect, and healthy relationships—how can parents prepare their children for these crucial aspects of life?

Chanel Contos, founder of the Teach Us Consent movement, joins Justin to discuss the challenges of addressing normalised sexual violence, the role parents play in creating open dialogues, and the crucial inclusion of boys in these conversations.

In this episode:

Talk About Consent | consent.gov.au
Normalised sexual violence
Pornography
Consent Laid Bare: Sex, Entitlement & the Distortion of Desire by Chanel Contos
Educating parents & teachers
Age-appropriate conversations
Respect, boundaries & removing shame
Lifeline Australia - 13 11 14
Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800
13YARN Australia | For First Nation Australians - 13 92 76

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#1125 - Social Kung Fu With Matt Purcell Nov 18, 2024

Are we giving kids the equivalent of car keys to a digital world they're not prepared to navigate?

In this episode, Dr. Justin Coulson and guest Matt Purcell dive into the complex issue of kids and social media. From the psychological toll it takes on young users to the uphill battle parents face in managing screen time, we explore practical solutions and innovative tools like 'Social Kung Fu' to empower families and to protect our children.

In this episode:

Impact of social media on youth mental health
Age restrictions for social media
Balancing online independence & safety
Forming alliances among families (The Heads Up Alliance, Unplug Childhood)
Algorithms
Holding social media accountable
Social Kung Fu - equipping kids with verbal & cyber self-defence skills
Code of conduct with devices

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#1124 - Emma Watkins on Post Wiggles Life, Following Dreams, and Goats Nov 17, 2024

Dr Emma Watkins is bringing something new to the table with an exclusive project every parent will want to hear about. Join us for a behind-the-scenes look into her inspiring journey!

In this episode:

The Wiggles
Emma Memma
Dr Emma Watkins' PhD Abstract
Sign-language
Self-care & goats
Balancing dreams with realistic goals
Endometriosis & fertility challenges
A Dream for Every Night with Emma Watkins - Audible Book

Related links:

Self Care Strategies That Really Work

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#1123 - Leading by Example Nov 14, 2024

Ever faced the uphill battle of convincing your kids to put down their devices, step into nature, and engage with life?

I'll Do Better Tomorrow: Justin and Kylie chat about dealing with pushback when you know what's best for your kids, but they resist.

In this episode:

Tech-free teens
Firm but loving encouragement to step outside comfort zones
Modelling active engagement
Motivating teenagers
Wild Robots movie
Making bids for connection
Tough love

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#1122 - From the Doctor's Desk: Low Income = High Stress & Is Smacking All That Bad Nov 13, 2024

Dive into cutting-edge studies on parenting and child development, from income's role in behaviour to the debate over smacking's effects. Find out what the latest research says about the best ways to support our kids’ growth!

In this episode:

Impact of income on children's behaviour & development
New study...better support would bring lifelong benefits | The Conversation
Preschoolers: physical activity, screen time & sleep
Study reveals most three and four-year-olds don’t get enough exercise or sleep, but too much screen time | The West Australian
School mobile phone bans
‘Protecting a generation’: School phone bans pass the test | The Daily Telegraph
Smacking harms child development
Negative effects of childhood spanking may be overstated, study claims | NY Post
Study published in the Marriage & Family Review
Data vs morality & philosophy
The Parenting Revolution by Dr Justin Coulson

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#1121 - What Neurodivergent Kids Need at School With Madonna King & Rebecca Sparrow Nov 12, 2024

Raising a neurodivergent child can feel like an uphill battle, especially within a rigid school system. In this episode, Dr. Justin Coulson, along with Madonna King and Rebecca Sparrow, share essential strategies for empowering neurodivergent children and offer hope to parents navigating this challenging path.

In this episode:

Out of the Box: A Guide to Navigating Neurodivergence by Madonna King and Rebecca Sparrow
Common struggles of ND kids
Undiagnosed girls
Masking & camouflaging
Lack of training & resources in schools
3 basic psychological needs
Parent-school partnerships
Homeschooling
Tips for ND kids starting a new school

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#1120 - Savouring Time With Our Kids Nov 11, 2024

At a recent Fathers of Girls conference, Kylie brought a room full of dads to tears as she spoke about the power of time and connection in parenting. Listen to her heartfelt message, reminding us that it is the time we spend with our children that truly matters.

In this episode:

Personal Progress Interviews
Creating a safe space
Having your child's back no matter what
Love is spelt T.I.M.E
Fostering deep connections with your child

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#1119 - Two Top Tips for Schoolies Nov 10, 2024

Schoolies Week can be a thrilling time for teens, but it’s often a nerve-wracking experience for parents. In this episode, we share two essential strategies every parent needs to help their teens navigate Schoolies Week safely and responsibly.

In this episode:

Schoolies: a rite of passage?
Open, honest communication (before and during Schoolies)
Safety planning
Creating strong support networks
Boundaries
Peer pressure
Responsible drinking
Consent
"Strong and safe"

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#1118 - Don't Sweat the Small Stuff... Like Nutella Nov 07, 2024

Every Friday we do "I'll Do Better Tomorrow", where Justin and Kylie reflect on the week that was, and how they can be better parents tomorrow.

In this episode:

Dads and straight up conversations
Girls are layered
Dadding vs Babysitting
Not dropping your son-in-law in it.
Don't sweat the small stuff

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#1117 - Little Niggle or Big Drama? Nov 06, 2024

"Region Beta Paradox"is a phenomenon where minor annoyances that don't seem urgent can actually cause more stress over time if left unaddressed.

We apply this concept to parenting, showing how minor behaviours in children, like whining or sibling squabbles, can escalate if repeatedly ignored, affecting both the child's development and the parent's well-being.

In this episode:

The Region Beta Paradox
Why small annoyances can harm us more than big disruptions | PSYCHE
Parenting implications of ignoring minor behaviours
Psychological toll on parents
Importance of empathy and emotional regulation in responding to children
Solutions for parents
Self-care and setting boundaries
Avoiding screens

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#1116 - What to Do About Bullying: A Parenting Couch Interview Nov 05, 2024

Bullying can have a huge impact on our kids' lives.

Recently, Dr Justin had a conversation with Rachel and Sarah on their podcast The Parenting Couch. Today's snippet from that covers definitions of bullying, how to open up conversations about it, and what steps to take when your child is involved. Find the link to the full conversation in our show notes.

In this episode:

What is bullying? Verbal, physical, repeated, cyber-bullying
Having conversations with your kids
Emotions
Feeling seen, heard, valued
Encouraging empathy and "upstanding" behaviour
What to do when bullying happens
When to involve other parents

Related Links:

Stop the Bully: Proven Strategies to Empower Your Child, with Dr Justin Coulson | The Parenting Couch Podcast

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#1115 - Q&A: Inappropriate Photos Nov 04, 2024

*Listener discretion advised*

A concerned parent, Emily, has sent in a sensitive but increasingly relevant question. Emily’s seven-year-old son confided that his friend was suggesting inappropriate behaviours, including taking photos of private areas.

Listen in for guidance on handling difficult conversations, protecting children’s safety, and fostering trust.

In this episode:

Importance of a trusting parent-child relationship
Developmental appropriate behaviour
Girlfriend/boyfriend in primary school
Guidance on sensitive conversations
Steps for addressing friend's behaviour
Age-appropriate education on bodies, boundaries, consent
Empowering children
Ongoing vigilance and support

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#1114 - How Many Times Do I Have to Tell You? Nov 03, 2024

Why do our kids seem like they're never listening, no matter how many times we repeat ourselves?

Today, we share nine practical strategies that can help you to communicate more effectively with your kids, reduce those frustrating moments, and strengthen family connections... without repeating yourself over and over (and over!) again.

In this episode:

Why repeating instructions doesn’t work
Common misunderstandings between parents and kids
How to improve communication

Related Links:

What To Do When Kids Won’t Listen
How to Get Your Kids to Really Listen [Ebook + AudioBook]

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#1113 - Connection is King Nov 03, 2024

The secret ingredient every child craves for feeling loved and understood is their parent's undivided time and attention.

Discover why making small sacrifices in your busy schedule to connect with your kids can have a profound impact on your relationship with them.

In this episode:

Halloween
Fathers of Girls
QLD politics & corporal punishment
Kylie's riding, Justin's writing
Love is spelt T.I.M.E
Making time for the things that matter most
Intentional connection

Don't miss the final intake for our Supporting Autistic Children Course with Dr Justin Coulson & Dr Joey Lawrence

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#1112 - Help for Halloween Oct 30, 2024

Halloween can be an equal mix of excitement for the kids and chaos for parents, right? And finding a balance between our children's desire for independence (to have fun, to explore, and to eat ALL the sugar) whilst maintaining a sense of safety is a challenge.

We share some practical tips to help make Halloween meaningful for your family, from building community connections to teaching social skills, plus some fun twists on the classic trick-or-treat! 🎃👻

In this episode:

Balancing fun & safety for kids
Setting boundaries & rules
Alternative Halloween celebrations
Trunk-or-treat
Cultural differences (gore vs fun)
Community & family bonding
Teaching social skills and life lessons

Related Links:

Don't miss the final intake for our Supporting Autistic Children Course with Dr Justin Coulson & Dr Joey Lawrence

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#1111 - Home Schooling 101 With Brett Campbell of Euka Oct 29, 2024

Is homeschooling right for your family? A rising number of Australian parents are questioning if this alternative path could truly work for them and their children’s unique needs.

We delve into the realities of homeschooling with Brett Campbell, CEO of Australia’s largest homeschooling provider, Euka, as he shares insights, data, and tips that could transform the way you think about your child’s education.

In this episode:

Top reasons for homeschooling
Flexible schedule
Socialisation
Finding community
University Pathway – Grade 11 & 12 Options
Future Learners Podcast
Misconceptions about homeschooling

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#1110 - Is Birth Order Legit, or a Sham? Oct 28, 2024

Are the classic birth order stereotypes of the responsible eldest, the overlooked middle child, and the free-spirited youngest really grounded in science—or are we just buying into myths?

Join us as we unpack the surprising research behind these family labels and discover what truly shapes your child’s personality, beyond their place in the sibling lineup.

In this episode:

Birth order stereotypes
What your sibling birth order does—and doesn’t—explain | VOX
Birth Order Theory - Alfred Adler
Gender roles & family dynamics
Family size, age gaps, & unique circumstances
Confirmation bias
Personality traits & birth order
Avoiding rigid labels

Supporting Autistic Children Course with Dr Justin Coulson & Dr Joey Lawrence

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#1109 - This Week in Parenting: Sports Shift - From Footy to Yoga Oct 27, 2024

Three news stories for 'This Week in Parenting':

Is your phone getting in the way of quality time with your kids? Research shows that when parents are glued to their devices, children are more likely to struggle with anxiety, depression, and attention issues!

A proposal to replace team sports with yoga and pilates in Victorian schools raises concerns about the balance between physical activity and academic focus.

Plus, why homeschooling is booming in QLD!

In this episode:

Parents Distracted By Smartphones Linked To Higher Anxiety In Kids | Forbes
Negative impact on child development
Being intentional with screen use
Feeling seen, heard & valued
Private schools ditch footy for yoga in APS shake-up | Herald Sun
Mindfulness
Team sports & competition
Sedentary learning
Home-schooling explosion in Qld fed by bullied children | The Courier Mail

Related Links:

#1107 - This Week in Parenting: Roblox Hell & Parental Health Hazards
Our Phones Are Wrecking Us
Supporting Autistic Children Course with Dr Justin Coulson & Dr Joey Lawrence

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#1108 - The Roblox War Oct 24, 2024

When a child is upset or angry, it’s easy to think their outburst is about the immediate problem. The real challenge for parents is identifying the deeper emotions driving these reactions. Kylie shares a conversation with her daughter that started as a fight over Roblox but ended with heartfelt tears over a completely different issue.

By taking the time to talk with our kids, we can help them uncover the true reasons behind their strong feelings.

In this episode:

Play dates & Roblox
14 reasons why....
Homeschooling
Need for connection
Hindenburg Research: Roblox
Roblox - a tool for sexual predators
The 3 Es of Effective Discipline: Explore, Explain, and Empower

Related Links:

Keeping kids safe on Roblox
Why Your Kids Need a Tribe
Supporting Autistic Children Course with Dr Justin Coulson & Dr Joey Lawrence

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#1107 - This Week in Parenting: Roblox Hell & Parental Health Hazards Oct 23, 2024

This Week in Parenting:

Roblox is a ridiculously popular game—but not just with kids..and not always for gaming! We take a quick look at the dark side of this platform and how parents can keep children safe online.

While a recent report warns that parenting can harm mental health, Justin and Kylie suggest that parenting doesn't need to be stressful—we just need a little less pressure and a lot more fun.

Finally, Meta has shifted the responsibility of protecting kids online to parents, while failing to adequately safeguard children on their platforms.

In this episode:

Roblox: a paedophile hellscape
Roblox Inflated Data And Doesn’t Protect Underage Gamers | Forbes
Parental stress & isolation
Where is the village?
Parenting Is Hazardous to Your Health, the Surgeon General Warns | WSJ
Age-verification for social media
Meta wants app stores and Aussie parents to act as social media age limit 'gateway' | The Daily Telegrap
Parental Guidance Season 3 applications open
Supporting Autistic Children Course (early bird pricing ends soon!)

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#1106 - Love Your Guts With Karina Savage Oct 22, 2024

Paediatric Dietician Karina Savage, founder of Nourishing Kids, chats with Justin about gut microbiome, sharing practical tips for parents on creating a healthy eating environment for children.

In this episode:

Good bugs, bad bugs - gut bacteria
Symbiosis/dysbiosis & immunity
Fussy eating
Leaky gut
Probiotics & prebiotics (fibre)
Force creates resistance (or anxiety)
Nourish With Karina
The Easy Feed Podcast with Karina Savage (Paediatric Dietician)

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#1105- Q&A: Rough Play Headaches & Battle Scars Oct 21, 2024

Neda's 3-year-old son enjoys rough play but struggles to dial it back with his younger sibling, sometimes leading to unintentional harm. Dr. Justin offers six strategies to help every parent manage this lack of regulation in little ones.

Emma from Brisbane knows that picking your battles is a pro-parenting tip. But the challenge of knowing when to enforce clear and consistent boundaries and when to step back (without becoming "white noise" to your kids!) can be relentless.

In this episode:

Cognitive development
Lack of regulation
Boys & rough play
Quality time
Risky, active play
Building sibling bonds
Family meetings: 3 questions
Asking kids for consent before sharing consent/correction
"But why?"

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#1104 - I Don't Like Your Friends Oct 20, 2024

Has your child been hanging around with a friend that you don't approve of? Does your kid's behaviour change when they spend time with certain friends? Perhaps you've been thinking of stepping in and putting some control around who your kids are friends with.

In this episode:

Is it a good idea to control our children's friendships?
Relationships are hard
Relationships are two ways
Whey stepping in may hinder learning and growth

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#1103 - The Simple Things Matter Oct 17, 2024

Are you feeling a little overwhelmed with parenting and in your home-work-life balance? You're not alone! For 'I'll Do Better Tomorrow' we discuss the importance of structure—the foundation of building competence—and how it provides the framework and tools for parents and children alike to feel effective.

In this episode:

“A compliment is not an insult to the other”
Kylie is training for a triathlon
Parental overwhelm
Structure
3 basic psychological needs
Homeschool
Being a good friend
Bedtime routines

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#1102 - From the Doctor's Desk: The Bottle Shop of Mum & Dad Oct 16, 2024

Justin and Kylie dive into the latest research to help parents raise healthier, happier kids.

With schoolies, summer BBQs, and end-of-year celebrations just around the corner, we look at data around the effects of alcohol on teens and the risks associated with parental supply. Plus, why digital switching leaves you feeling less satisfied and refreshed, and a simple "thank you" can lower parental stress and increase relationship satisfaction.

In this episode:

Think giving your teen alcohol is safe? Read this - Sarah Perillo| | Herald Sun
Parental supply of alcohol
Risks associated with teen drinking
Myth - The Mediterranean Effect
Fast-forward to boredom: How switching behavior on digital media makes people more bored | Journal of Experimental Psychology
Digital Switching
Boredom
‘Thank You’ really would be nice: Perceived gratitude in family relationships | The Journal of Positive Psychology
Feeling appreciated and valued
Family chaos
Expressing gratitude

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#1101 - Fussy to Healthy Eaters With Karina Savage Oct 15, 2024

Karina Savage, Paediatric Dietician and founder of Nourishing Kids, chats with Justin about some of the most common challenges parents have with feeding kids, and what parents can do to help create healthy eaters in a stress-free way.

In this episode:

Nourish With Karina
The Easy Feed Podcast with Karina Savage (Paediatric Dietician)
Fussy eating habits, sensory issues
Healthy eating behaviours
Lack of food standards / regulations in Australia
Safe foods
Recognising small wins
Family meal times
'Feeding ecosystem' - getting the fundamentals right
Understanding the why behind fussy eating
Gut health

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#1100 - Happy Go Lucky Teen (and Husband) Oct 14, 2024

Today we have an anonymous question from a mum who's got a happy go lucky teenager, happy to coast through life, as well as a husband who is coasting through the chores with his earbuds in.

Does she need to change either of these behaviours?

In this episode:

Giving kids autonomy
Force creates resistance
Perspective
Upside-Downside conversation
Connection
Boundaries, expectations, finding compromise
Explore underlying dynamics

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#1099 - Stress, Sweat, and Scores: The Exam Pressure Epidemic Oct 13, 2024

The harmful message being pushed onto senior students—that individual academic success is the ultimate priority in their final years of school—sends Mrs. Happy Families on an angry rant!

You can help guide your senior student towards a healthy balance between academic achievement and the joy, connection, and recreation that are essential for their well-being.

In this episode:

Preparing for final year of school
Scarcity mentality & competition
Coping with stress/anxiety
Finding balance
Heavy focus on results & unhealthy elevation of university
Drop-out rates in first year university
Multiple pathways after school
The importance of self-control
3 E’s conversation with senior students: Explore, Explain, Empower
- What’s important to you educationally?
- What do you need and how can we support you?

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#1098 - Check In, Don't Check Out Oct 10, 2024

"I’ll Do Better Tomorrow"—looking back on the week that has been: what we are doing right, what we are doing wrong, and how we can be better parents.

In this episode:

Family meetings
Check in with each member of the family
3 questions: What’s going well in your life at the moment? What’s not? What can we do better?
The power of emotional availability
One-on-one time with kids
The need to feel seen
Family holidays

Related links:

#1045 – The Art & Science of Family Meetings

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#1097 - October Book Club: Fiction Ain't That Bad Oct 09, 2024

In today's Book Club episode, Justin and Kyle share what they have been reading this month!

Kylie's books:

Justin's books:

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#1096 - Age-Based Consent Conversations Oct 08, 2024

Most people recognise that consent is essential for a healthy sexual experience, yet many still find it challenging to fully understand its meaning. In this conversation, we'll explore the complexities and nuances of consent and how we can address these crucial topics with our children, step by step, as they grow.

In this episode:

Consent Can't Wait | consent.gov.au
Body safety, boundaries, respect
Consent in play
When consent is taken to the extreme
Verbal and non-verbal communication
Developing identity and voice
Critical thinking
Compliance and obedience
Teenagers and romantic relationships
Withdrawing consent
Alcohol, drugs, maturity, impairments
Teaching ethics, empathy, rights, bodily autonomy

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#1095 - Exams: Less Stress More Success Oct 07, 2024

Term 4 is crunch time, with the stress of end-of-year (or final!) exams, report cards, deadlines, and more, leaving students feeling under pressure!

Today's conversation includes our top tips to help parents reduce exam stress and guide kids to exam success.

In this episode:

Hope
The marshmallow test
Self-control
Resilience and wellbeing
The role of failure
Taking the pressure off
Strategies and tips for parents
The 3 Es of Effective Discipline: Explore, Explain, and Empower
Finding balance
Time management
Teaching mindfulness and self-care

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#1094 - Dude Ranch or Spa Retreat? Oct 06, 2024

Is it okay to go away with your friends and leave your partner at home managing everything and everyone? How do you make it work, and should you even try?

A successful trip without your partner hinges on a strong, trusting relationship. Open communication, mutual respect, and a willingness to support one another are crucial. With the right approach, solo trips can enrich both your individual experiences and your relationship, creating a healthy balance for both partners.

In this episode, we dive into the key considerations you need to be mindful of when planning time away without your significant other. From potential challenges to the points of friction that can arise, we explore how to navigate these moments with care.

In this episode:

Affordability, logistics
What's your intention behind the trip?
Supportive partners
Differences between girl and boy getaways
Emotional intensity - deep conversations, bonding
Choosing companions who elevate you
Strategic incompetence
Resentment and communication challenges
Contingency plans for partner at home

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#1093 - Early Talent Promotion [R] Oct 03, 2024

Are we doing more harm than good by pushing our children to excel early? The pursuit of excellence can feel rewarding for parents and children alike, but scientific evidence highlights the conflict between short-term gains and long-term success.

Today, we say a sad farewell to Craig Bruce as he concludes his remarkable tenure as Executive Producer of this podcast, and a heartfelt thank you from the entire Happy Families team for the extraordinary contributions Craig has made to Happy Families!

(R) This episode originally aired 15/7/24.

In this episode:

Pushing kids to succeed
Acceleration programs for young children
Effects of Early Talent Promotion on Junior and Senior Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Harmonious passion VS Obsessive passion
Intrinsic motivation
Gifted and talented children
Happiness and wellbeing levels
Finding healthy balance and having varied experiences
No wasted knowledge in life

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#1092 - When the 3 E's Don't Work [R] Oct 02, 2024

Dr Justin’s 3 E’s (explore, explain, and empower) are the pillars of autonomy-supportive parenting. But there are times when they just do not work (we are all only flawed humans after all!). Today's tips will help you calmly and confidently navigate through the heat of these challenging moments.

(R) This episode originally aired 3/6/24.

In this episode:

The 3 Es of Effective Discipline: Explore, Explain, and Empower
Self-determination theory
Basic psychological needs of every human
Relatedness, competence, autonomy
Need-supportive parenting
High emotions = low intelligence
Being ok with our children's discomfort
Patience and practice
Fast is slow, and slow is fast
Neurodiversity
Turn towards your child in challenging times

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#1091 - The Anxious Generation With Jonathan Haidt [R] Oct 01, 2024

Justin shares four big ideas based on Jonathan Haidt's new book in the hope that it generates some constructive conversations with your kids at home:

The key to building a resilient child,
Getting comfy with our children experiencing a healthy level of discomfort in life,
The impact of social media on the brain development of teens, and
Looking at problematic use of or addiction to social media.

(R) This episode originally aired 01/5/24.

In this episode:

Healthy/unhealthy childhood stressors
Supportive parenting vs "tough love" or over-protective parenting
Resilience
Anxiety
The cycle of incompetence
Anti-fragility
Impact of social media on teenage brain development
Social media addiction / problematic use

Links:

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#1090 - Putting Mum on Your Resume [R] Sep 30, 2024

Are you wanting to return to work but struggling to know what on Earth to write on your resume after years out of the workforce? Listen in for some ideas that will inspire and encourage mothers to confidently claim the skills, strengths, and unique value you possess and can offer the world!

(R) This episode originally aired 29/4/24.

In this episode:

Cost-of-living increase
Returning to work
Motherhood
Being a mum is valid and valuable work, so I put it on my CV - ABC Everyday
Writing a resume
Parental responsibilities, skills, unique value
Stay-at-home-mums (SAHM)
Kylie's resume – Happy Families

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#1089 - Am I The Only One Not Interested in Intimacy? [R] Sep 29, 2024

If you are struggling to "keep the spark alive" with your loved one, you're not alone. Exhaustion, screen addiction, lack of time, resentment - all these issues (and more!) can lead to zero interest in nurturing intimacy. Today we share some surprising secrets to sustaining a strong sexual connection!

(R) This episode originally aired 2/05/24.

In this episode:

Reasons for having zero interest in intimacy
Connection and friendship
Prioritising sex
Slowing things down
Female pleasure
Book recommendations

Links:

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#1088 - Are You Over Sleepovers? [R] Sep 26, 2024

Is it just me...or are sleepovers a really bad idea?

(R) This episode originally aired 28/3/24.

In this episode:

Pros and cons of sleepovers
Social development
Memories
Safety concerns
Peer pressure/exclusion
Screens
Prearming your kids
#926 Who Tops the List of Child Sexual Abusers? – Happy Families
Being on the Outer – Happy Families
Are Sleepovers OK? – Happy Families

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#1087 - The Secret to Regulating Emotions [R] Sep 25, 2024

The meltdown out of nowhere, an angry and aggressive child, the emotionally flooded teen - kids of all ages have BIG emotions, and experience emotional dysregulation!

Discover the tools and skills that will help you respond to your child with compassion and kindness - and build emotional awareness and regulation for you both.

(R) This episode originally aired 17/10/23.

Topics in this episode:

No Matter What
Emotion regulation
The magic of Nature
Moving forward, finding solutions
Responding with compassion and gentleness
Emotion Coaching- a Happy Families article
Little People, Big Feelings - a Happy Families webinar
The Secret to Regulating Emotions - a Happy Families article

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#1086 - The 5 Marriage I Don'ts [R] Sep 24, 2024

Marriage is not just about the "happily ever after", but rather the real-world benefits of a life of meaning, joy, purpose, and growth. Keep your relationship strong by avoiding 5 things that harm marriage the most.

[R] This episode originally aired on 7/3/24.

In this episode:

Damaging mindsets
Commitment, trust, connection
Intention vs action
Divorce contagion
Provocative statistics
Get Married by Brad Wilcox
Positive outcomes for children
Household work, mental load

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#1085 - The Sordid World of Honey Traps With Julie Inman Grant [R] Sep 23, 2024

*Content warning: parental discretion advised*

Australia's e-Safety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant describes the fast-paced and aggressive tactics used by sexual extortionists targeting children and young adults. She gives clear directives to parents on how to prevent online harm, and what to do if your child experiences sexual extortion.

[R] This episode originally aired on 27/2/24.

In this episode:

Online sexual extortionists targeting kids
Screen rules, limits, safety measures, and supervision
Honey trap tactics
Fast-paced escalation from charm to harm
What to do if this happens to your child
Keeping your child safe online
How to report abuse or content to eSafety | eSafety Commissioner
Parents | eSafety Commissioner
Sextortion | ACCCE
The Teenage Brain – Happy Families
Screens in Bedrooms? – Happy Families

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#1084 - A Real World Honey Trap [R] Sep 22, 2024

*Content warning: parental discretion advised*

In a brave and vulnerable conversation, Jake and his mother Hayley talk about their 'honey trap' experience when Jake was 15, sharing just how quickly and easily this can happen to a child or adolescent.

(R) This episode originally aired 26/2/24.

In this episode:

Honey traps and online safety
Real-life experience of a 15-year-old boy
Advice from Hayley and Jake
"No Matter What"

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#1083 - Go Get Your Self Care On Sep 19, 2024

When your child wants to quit an activity, especially one they’re good at, it can be challenging to know the right thing to do! Should you encourage them to push through, knowing the long-term benefits, or let them move on to something new?

And then there's self-care—how do we even fit it into our hectic, overwhelming lives? It's so easy to let it fall by the wayside, especially for busy parents. But self-care can be more achievable than you think, with little things we can do on a daily basis that provide a moment to breathe and rejuvenate—without breaking the bank or needing more hours in the day.

In this episode:

When an adult child moves back home - how does it work?
Change brings anxiety
Resilience [Webinar]
The Secret to Regulating Emotions (train analogy)
What should you do when a child wants to quit an activity?
Overwhelm and burn-out
Pippin Girl | Happy, healthy, confident girls
Self-care

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#1082 - The Sunday (or Anyday) Roast Sep 18, 2024

A lot of families love to "roast" or tease one another as a means of good-natured camaraderie. When done well (in the right circumstances, the right tone, and for the right reasons), this kind of humour can increase connection. However, when done wrong, it can be disastrous, particularly when children are involved, as they may not understand nuance and sarcasm and tend to internalise this style of humour.

Justin and Kylie discuss the role of humour within families, the importance of empathy, and an alternative to roasting and sarcasm that can lead to happier, healthier family relationships.

In this episode:

ChatGPT “roast my Insta feed”
Humour - the good, the bad, the ugly
The roast of Tom Brady
Sarcasm, trash-talking, 'burning', baiting
Verbal sparring, quick thinking, witty banter
3 benefits of "roasting" within a family
Building resilience, connection, confidence
3 challenges and concerns of using this humour
Building a culture of disrespect
The art of laughing at your own mistakes
Empathy

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#1081 - An Adventurous Life Sep 17, 2024

Would you let your 9-year-old ride the NY subway alone or your 15-year-old son travel abroad with friends? For doing just that, one mother received the label of "world's worst mum," and another was reported to social services!

In today's risk-averse society, our children lack adventure. We want resilient children, and yet we try to control them in the name of safety, preventing them from being too adventurous. The problem is that if our kids don't do hard things, they don't get to be resilient.

Justin and Kylie share why playing it safe may just be the biggest risk of all!

Kirstie Allsopp reported to social services for allowing son,15, to travel abroad | The Guardian
Free range kids
What if...?
Resilience malaise
I let my 9-year-old ride the subway alone. I got labeled the 'world's worst mum' | Lenore Skenazy | Washington Post
Developmentally appropriate independence
Finding purpose and direction through adventure and risk-taking
The Least Interesting Generation | Brett McKay | The Art of Manliness
Resilience

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#1080 - Q&A: Lazy Husband & Sleep Struggles Sep 16, 2024

An anonymous listener shares their frustration and exhaustion with a husband who feels more like an additional child than a partner, offering little support with household and family responsibilities. Justin unpacks "weaponised incompetence" and the unfairness and resentment that build when one parent is left carrying the load and provides guidance on how to address the issue in a way that avoids blame, accusations, and an all-out conflict.

Michelle, from Victoria, has a daughter experiencing mental illness, with chronic insomnia, anxiety, and friendship issues—all leading to a feeling of exhaustion and desperation in the home. Justin shares some ideas with Michelle that will help her struggling daughter, emphasising the importance of finding what ignites delight in your child—and giving them more of it!

In this episode:

Weaponised incompetence
When one parent feels overwhelmed, exhausted, resentful
Be honest (without accusations or blame)
Setting clear expectations and solutions
NDIS
Couples meeting
Getting on the same page
Enabling laziness
Autism, ADHD, chronic insomnia, anxiety
Importance of sleep and bedtime routine
Extra-curricular activities
Validating emotions
3 basic psychological needs: autonomy, competence, connection

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#1079 - Age-Based Social Media Bans Gathering Momentum Sep 15, 2024

In Australia, children below a certain age will be banned from social media as part of a national plan to counter its negative effects on youth. We discuss the government's commitments, the challenges this new legislation may face, and what parents can do now to protect their kids in a screen-saturated world.

In this episode:

'National Social Media Age Limit' | A Current Affair
Why 13+ is the current legal age
Collecting personal data
Politics and obstacles facing this legislation
The impact of social media on kids
Using screens well: with intentionality, self-regulation, limits
Play-based childhood VS screen-based childhood
Holding tech companies accountable
What parents can do while waiting for legislation to pass
Kids need smart parents not smartphones
Building community
Unplug Childhood - sign the pledge & join the village today!
The Screen Smart Series: 'Unplug Childhood' & 'Tweens, Teens & Screens' (included in membership)

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#1078 - Choose Life Not Dishes Sep 13, 2024

Justin shares his disappointment in unwittingly missing out on the opportunity to share meaningful, heartfelt words with the people he loves after choosing to clean the kitchen during an extended family get-together rather than participating in a family activity.

We all have a need to belong. You can help your child to have a sense of who they are and how they belong by creating family traditions and sharing family stories with them. Kylie shares how she included son-in-law Jared in one of their traditions by writing him into their family 'birth" story.

In this episode:

Missed opportunity
Getting priorities right
"If tomorrow never comes..." Ronan Keating
Why vulnerability is hard!
Using technology to check in with people we love
Coulson daughter #2 has returned from Europe
The need to belong
Family traditions and stories
Adoption
Knowing family roots- -> increased resilience
Teaching kids about positive relationships

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#1077 - From the Doctor's Desk: Funny Families & Relocation Repercussions Sep 11, 2024

A recent study has shown that parents who use humour have better relationships with their kids. But does all humour work in the same way? Are Dad jokes ok? Can sarcasm or roasting your child play a a positive role in parenting? And what are the consequences for our children when humour goes wrong?

In a large-scale Denmark study, data from 1.1 million people has shown associations between moving house in childhood and increased risk of depression later in life. We look at ways that parents can support their child during big transitions and soften the impact of the uprooting experience of moving house.

In this episode:

Humour in parenting: Does it have a role? | PLOS One
Defining humour
The consequences when humour goes wrong
Funny = reciprocal/consensual
The effects of house moves during early childhood on child mental health at age 9 years | Springer Link
Bluey 'The Sign'
Resilience
Parental guilt regarding moving
Association versus causation
Smoothing transitions for your child

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#1076 - 13's a Lucky Number For Foster Care Week Sep 10, 2024

Have you ever wondered if becoming a foster carer is something you could do?

Our guest today, Belinda Baxter, has 13 children (6 biological, 7 foster) and joins us for an important conversation about foster care: what it looks like for her family, the challenges and the rewards, and what you can do to get the process started.

This week, communities across Australia come together to celebrate Foster Care Week, an annual event dedicated to recognising the invaluable contributions of foster and kinship carers.

In this episode:

Foster Care Week
Types of foster care (full-time, kinship, respite, emergency)
Family dynamics
Boundaries and foundations
Independent living skills
The process of becoming a carer
Challenges and difficulties of caring for other people's children

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#1075 - Are Emotions Too Important? Sep 09, 2024

This episode originally appeared as episode #1013.

When we make feelings “King”, our children can become stuck in their emotion, unable to regulate or move forward. Justin shares the right way to respond to feelings, helping them understand, process, and then move through their emotional state.

In this episode:

Revolutionary change in how parents respond to emotions
Impact of TikTok parenting influencers
Validating emotions
Feeling seen, heard, valued
Ways to regulate and tame emotions
Parent or therapist?
#822 The Emotional Lives of Teenagers - Part 1
#827 The Emotional Lives of Teenagers - Part 2
#976 Abigail Shrier's Bad Therapy
How to help your child process their emotion and move on from it

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#1074 - R U OK: Tips For Parents Sep 08, 2024

Dr Hannah Brown, Campaign Manager for Education and Young People for RU OK?, is working to decrease the stigma of mental health and to provide Australians with the skills and confidence to check in with one another EVERY day, and not just RU OK? day.

Hannah shares advice for parents who may be dealing with a child who is not ok—how to have this conversation with them and support them through their struggles.

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In this episode:

What to do when someone struggling says "I'm fine!"
It's not our job to fix, but to notice, listen, and support
Parent-to-child conversations
Child-to-child conversations
ALEC - Ask, Listen, Encourage Action, Check-in
Teaching kids to be kind and respectful to their friends/classmates
Building skills for strong and trusting relationships
If you are not OK, please reach out for help:

- Kids Help Line 1800 55 1800
- Parent Line (different number for each state)
- Lifeline 13 11 14
- 13YARN (for First Nations Australians) 13 92 76

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#1073 - A Father's Day Bromance Sep 05, 2024

'I'll Do Better Tomorrow' is a review of the week that was.

With more work-related travel than ever before, Justin still managed to make it home for Father's Day—his best one yet with a peak "life moment" involving son-in-law Jared! Listen in to hear how their relationship has moved from reluctant acceptance to that of deep friendship because of a conscious decision to love unconditionally.

Plus, some sobering facts from Lifeline's Annual Gala Ball: Over a million calls are made to Lifeline every single year. 3000 phone calls per day, which means that somebody is in crisis every 28 seconds! Thank you to all of Lifeline's volunteers, sponsors, workforce, and other contributors. We recognise the importance of this service and are so very grateful for the wonderful work you do.

In this episode:

Lifeline's Annual Gala Ball
Father's Day
Low expectations, no pressure, time with family
Being a grandparent on Father's Day
Reaping what you sow
Unconditional love
Lifeline: Help is available. Speak with someone today! Call 13 11 14

Related links:

Fatherhood Redefined [Webinar] Use coupon code "Spring15" to receive $15 discount! Sale ends tonight.
Present Dads, Healthy Kids
#890 How You Know You’re Loved

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#1072 - Does Parenting Have a PR Problem? Sep 04, 2024

Journalist Angela Mollard writes that "[a]n age of confession and vulnerability has seen parenting rebranded as a challenging, joyless, expensive, and freedom-sapping decision. They forgot the awesome bits."

On the podcast today, Angela chats with Justing about finding the joy in parenting, the importance of perspective and gratitude, and why we must speak of the great parts of parenthood—because although parenting is hard, it's absolutely worth it!

In this episode:

The vulnerabilities VS the joys of parenting
Parenting needs a PR job? Blame the mummy bloggers | Angela Mollard | The Daily Telegraph

Finding fulfilment in parenting
Generational differences
Gratitude
Look for the 'glimmers' every day
#148 Flecks of Gold
Perspective
Being present
What Your Child Needs From You by Dr Justin Coulson (use coupon code SPRING15 for a sneaky discount! Ends 6/5/24)

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#1071 - Body Boundaries With Jayneen Sanders Sep 03, 2024

It's National Child Protection Week!

Today's conversation is with author, publisher, mother, and educator Janeen Sanders, a strong public advocate for children’s safety, education, and empowerment.

Jayneen joins Dr Justin to speak on the importance of teaching consent and body safety to children of all ages and how parents can do this in age-appropriate ways. This is an essential skill for every parent: to keep our children safe from sexual abuse and sexual predators.

In this episode:

Statistics
The younger a child, the more vulnerable and at-risk they are
Online grooming
#926 Who Tops the List of Child Sexual Abusers?
Using correct anatomical names
Teaching body boundary and consent
Grandparents and hugging
Creating a safety network for your child

.

Jayneen Sander's resources:

Body Safety Red Flags by Jayneen Sanders
My Body! What I Say Goes! by Jayneen Sanders
Body Safety and Consent VALUE BUNDLE by Jayneen Sanders
My Body Safety Rules - FREE POSTER
Head to the Educate 2 Empower website for more books, lesson plans, posters, and other resources for parents and teachers.

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#1070 - Q&A: Teen School Refusal & Motivation Styles Sep 02, 2024

Robert asks, What can you do when your teenager won’t go to school? Throw in the complexity of neurodivergence, and this becomes a tough situation!

Plus, a question from Sian about managing the inconsistency between a reward/token system at school and what is going on at home. Can two very different structures coexist and work for your child?

In this episode:

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Emotion-Based School Avoidance
Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) or Persistent Desire for Autonomy
Conflict around gaming
Connection vs control
Explore, explain, empower
Emotional valence (the extent to which an emotion is pleasant or unpleasant, ranging from negative to positive)
Intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation
Building structure in the home

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#1069 - Should You Tidy Your Teen's Room? Sep 01, 2024

Is cleaning your teenage son's room every day reinforcing outdated gender roles and enabling a future of entitlement? Or is it an act of love, showing care and understanding for a busy, tired teenager?

No matter where you stand, Justin and Kylie delve into what truly matters in a thoughtful discussion about kids, chores, and their role in contributing to the household.

In this episode:

Mom tidies teen's room each morning as a kind act of service, prompting a fascinating debate | Upworthy
Social media - the good, the bad, the ugly
Gratitude
Chores, schedules, jobs
Gendered expectations?
Division of labour, working together
Explore, explain, empower

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#1068 - A Screen Breakthrough Aug 29, 2024

Got a tech-savvy teen who dodges screen-time limits or constantly craves social media validation? Justin and Kylie share how their weekly family meetings provide time and space for ongoing conversations about screen use, leading to personal accountability and self-evaluation, with increased buy-in from the whole family!

In this episode:

'Word of the year' review
Why Grandparents matter
Developmental paediatricians
Family meetings
Screen use
Sneaky teens - getting around screen-time limits
Toxic need for validation on social media
Force creates resistance
Motivation contiuum
Phubbing

Related Links:

#845 Phones, Phubbing & Relationship Satisfaction
Register for The Screen Smart Series - 'Unplug Childhood' and 'Tweens, Teens & Screens'
#1049 Q&A – The Benefits of Plants & Grandparents
Learn more about the motivation continuum in our webinar Carrots & Sticks: How Rewards and Punishments Hurt Our Kids, and What to do Instead

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#1067 - A Brief History of Dad Jokes Aug 28, 2024

With Father's Day just around the corner, Justin & Kylie go head to head in a battle for gold in the UFC (Ultimate Father Comedy) before stepping back in time to discover the origins of the comedy equivalent of comfort food: the "Dad Joke"!

Humour can be a quick and easy way to build connection with your kids; but don't just rely on a good dad joke to get the fun flowing! Learn what else you can do to help your kids feel seen, heard, and valued this Father's Day and beyond.

In this episode:

A history of dad jokes
Dad jokes: intentional, predictable, cheesy, wholesome
Building connection
To a child, love is spelled T.I.M.E
Finding opportunities to have fun
The Neurological Dance of Parental Bonding: Unraveling The Oxytocin Connection | KoolkKats

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#1065 - Being an ADHD Mum With Jane McFadden Aug 27, 2024

The ADHD experience is increasingly common and most people with a diagnosis (or seeking one), or who are parenting ADHD children are struggling in some way.

Jane McFadden, host of the Australian podcast "ADHD Mums," shares her lived experience of receiving a shock adult ADHD diagnosis following a period of burnout, overwhelm, and mental health struggles, and the unique challenges she faces as a neurodivergent mum to neurodivergent children.

In this episode:

Adult ADHD diagnosis
Neurodivergent parents
Assessment criteria for adult ADHD
Masking and camouflaging
Setting up systems, scaffolding, and accommodation
Mental health and comorbidities of ADHD
Labels
Benefits of a diagnosis
Sensory issues

Related Links:

Help For the ADHD Parent [Article]
Join the Waitlist: Parenting ADHD [The Course]
Parenting an ADHD Child [Article]

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#1064 - Q&A: Light Sleepers & Light Fingers Aug 26, 2024

You know the feeling - it's the middle of the night and a small human wakes you from your slumber and takes up residence in your bed. Caroline wants to know if it's normal for a nine year old to continue wanting to sleep in her bed, and what (if anything), she should do about it.

Kate has discovered that her five year old has a tendency for being light fingered and stealing things from her purse. Should she be worried about the stealing and sneaky behaviour?

In this episode:

Anxiety at night
Co-sleeping
Evolving ideas around childhood
Building connection, wellbeing, belonging
Emotional regulation
Sleep matters!
Thumb-sucking
Low impulse control and executive function
Theory of mind
What to do if your child is stealing
Explore, explain, empower
Teaching values

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#1063 - Hurting Kids on Purpose Aug 25, 2024

Evidence suggests that META and other big tech companies are purposefully hurting kids through their lack of content moderation and their choice of harmful persuasive design features.

Justin and Kylie discuss how you can protect your children from online exploitation and manipulation by giving them a play-based childhood. Join the village, sign the pledge to delay smartphones and social media, and “Unplug Childhood” with us!

In this episode:

The Surgeon General Has New Social Media Guidelines. Minnesota Already Made Some of Them Into Law | After Babel Substack | Ravi Dyer
META whistleblower reports
Social media algorithms
Prioritising engagement over content quality
Kids exposed to unwanted contact, sexual advances
REPORT on addictive design of online services and consumer protection in the EU single market | European Parliament
What is persuasive design?
Unplug Childhood - sign the pledge

Related Links:

#1002 Kylie Can’t Get Enough Snapchat
#1060 – No Hang-Ups With School Phone Bans (Heads Up Alliance interview)
Unplugging Parenthood
The Screen Smart Series: Unplug Childhood + Tweens, Teens & Screens

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#1062 - Who Let the Dog Out? Aug 22, 2024

Family life is a constant challenge of working out where your priorities are at any moment: Justin and Kylie must choose between a quick weekend getaway and tackling their to-do list! Plus, the flow-on effect of reducing screen time usage, removing the family TV and cancelling Netflix has been revolutionary - but how did the Coulsons get all the kids on board?

In this episode:

A weekend of chores and to-do lists!
Creating margin
Being present
Super Saturday
Family meetings
Accountability and intentionality
Screens

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#1061 - This Week in Parenting: Raygun, Lost High-Fives & Panic Attacks Aug 21, 2024

This Week in Parenting:

Perhaps the most polarising Paris Olympic story was that of Aussie Olympic breakdancer Rachel Gunn. International meme fodder, or pure gold for sparking meaningful conversations with our kids, encouraging critical thinking, and creating empathy?
A beautiful example of understanding and compassion in the workplace and from the world at large occurred after ABC presenter Nate Byrne experienced a panic attack live on air.
Something is wrong when a top Crossing Supervisor is banned from high-fiving kids as they walk to school.
A fascinating story on reversing autism highlights the need for good-quality research and responsible reporting.
There's a mental health crisis among our young people: why are we getting it so wrong, and what needs to be done?

In this episode:

"Raygun" Olympic breakdancing controversy
Turning media hype into constructive conversation, critical thinking, and empathy
Hidden signs of panic attacks
Presenter has panic attack live on the ABC
Support structures for mental health
Open communication and understanding in the workplace
Brutal nature of social media
Beloved lollipop man banned from high-fiving primary students after parent complaint | News.com.au
Responsible reporting
‘Autism can be reversed’, scientists claim | The Telegraph
Safeguarding mental health of Australian youth
Major contributors to the rise in mental health challenges
‘Danger zone’ for mental health, says global study | The Australian

Related Links:

#990 Mental Health Challenges with Anne Hollonds

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#1060 - No Hang-Ups With School Phone Bans Aug 20, 2024

Today, I had an insightful interview with Dany Elachi, founder of The Heads Up Alliance, examining the No Phones policy that every school in the country should be implementing—the benefits, the evidence, and the challenges. Dany shares how community is the solution to an issue that so many parents feel they are facing alone—how to say "not yet" to a smartphone and/or social media.

In this episode:

Forming alliances with other families
Keeping teens off social media
Creating a consistent phone-free environment in Australian schools
Empirical vs anecdotal evidence
Behavioural challenges in schools
Mental health, bullying, academic outcomes
Catholic and Independent Schools
Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport
The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
Dr Michael Carr-Gregg: “A no brainer from the university of bleeding obvious”
THE HEADS UP ALLIANCE | Instagram, Facebook Linktree

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#1059 - Q&A: Reality Check & Conforming at Kindy Aug 19, 2024

If your family was invited to participate in a reality TV show would it be an easy "yes!", a "no way!", or would you deliberate? Alan, from the USA, asks Dr Justin for his opinion.

Kirsty questions if she should be worried about her 5 year old son, with teachers concerned he is not conforming at preschool, and wants to know how she can help him. Is preschool a time and place where conformity should be encouraged, or is it stifling individuality?

In this episode:

Child on-screen exploitation
Potential life-long ramifications
Pros and cons of participating
Questions to ask the producer
Conformity is a dirty word!
Arguments for and against conformity
Importance of context
Motivation
Teachers usually know what they're talking about!
Gain child's perspective
Explore solutions with child

Relevant Links:

What to do when kids won’t listen [Webinar]

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#1058 - NAPLAN Nation: Failing our Kids Aug 18, 2024

The 2024 NAPLAN results have shown that one in three students are below educational standards, with almost 400,000 students requiring catch up tutoring.

The results also show that around a quarter of the over 1 million students tested are said to be 'developing' - which just means they're failing to pass the minimum standards required.

What's gone wrong with education in Australia? Natasha Bita is the education editor of The Australian, and has won numerous awards for her work, including a Walkley Award (Australia’s most prestigious journalism award).

In this episode:

2024 NAPLAN results
Epic fail: NAPLAN reveals one in three students below standard | Natasha Beta
View a video version of Natasha's story on YouTube
Screens in schools
Schools manipulating NAPLAN data
Positives of NAPLAN
Impact of teacher shortages and wellbeing on student learning
Going back to basics (phones etc)

Read more from Natasha on The Australian's website.

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#1057 - Getting the Guideposts Right Aug 15, 2024

Parenting and family life is a continuous striving to get the balance right. Family meetings can help with this struggle, providing guideposts so that everyone is on the same page. Inviting kids to be part of this process keeps everyone accountable and moving in the same direction.

In this episode:

Parenting teenagers
Reducing screen use
Family meetings
Accountability
Getting on the same page
Super Saturday
The Adventure Challenge: Activity book, scratch off family activities

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#1055 - Why the Kids Don't Listen Aug 13, 2024

The reality is that our children can hear. They are listening. They just won't do as they are asked! We share five things you can do to make your kids WANT to listen, building stronger relationships with them along the way.

In this episode:

Free hearing test
Carefactor = zero
5 reasons kids aren't listening
Egocentric
Attentional capacity
Silence and refusal
Immediate compliance
Connection vs correction
Be involved and patient
Accountability
Fun, calm, and kind leads to a better relationship

Relevant Links:

How to Get Your Kids to Really Listen [PDF download]

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#1054 Q&A: 24/7 Tech & School vs Home Behaviour Aug 12, 2024

Justin is answering two listener questions in this episode.

Christina from the United States is wondering how she can get a less than cooperative teenager to put away the screens and get to bed, even though she has already compromised on them staying up later than she would like.

Kate is wondering why her five year old's behaviour is so different between school and home. How can a 'model student' melt down over simple requests like being asked to take her plate to the kitchen after dinner?

In this episode:

Screen limits and teenagers
Sleep
#1003 When the 3 E’s Don’t Work
Force creates resistance
Jocelyn Brewer - The 3 M's of Digital Nutrition
Differences in school and home environment
Kids feel safe at home
Masking at school
Allow time to decompress after school
#866 Creating Margin

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#1053 - Is Risky Play Worth the Risk? Aug 11, 2024

Does "risky play" make you excited or very nervous? The research is clear regarding the many benefits to children who engage in risky play. With it becoming increasingly hard to find public spaces that allow for risky play, we share ideas and tips for how parents can encourage and support their children to engage in risky play at home.

In this episode:

Old-school playgrounds
What is risky play?
Healthy childhood development through outdoor risky play: Navigating the balance with injury prevention | Canadian Paediatric Society
How to encourage risky play at home
"You want your kids to be as safe as necessary, not as safe as possible”
The importance of agency and autonomy in play
Roald Dahl quote on kids and risks
Physical development
Emotional resilience
Social skills and mental health
Solving problems
Risk assessment

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#1052 - Other People Matter Aug 08, 2024

Saying goodbye to loved ones has been the cause for much reflection for Justin, including the acknowledgment that owning our own mortality allows us to invest more fully in life.

Kylie describes a recent family meeting, and how the buy in that comes when everybody takes accountability for the part they play in how a family feels and functions can be life-changing.

In this episode:

Losing loved ones
Treasure every moment of life
Terror Management Theory
Don't count the days; allow the days to count!
Family meetings
Accountability
How to get buy-in from the kids
Exercise and routine

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#1051 - From the Doctor's Desk: Peanut Allergies & ASD Touch Reactions Aug 07, 2024

From the Doctor's Desk today we unpack three studies relevant to parents and families.

First, an intervention that could decrease the likelihood of developing a peanut allergy by 71% (N.B. we are not sharing medical advice!). The second study - another intervention involving a 2 week screen-free media reduction for participants, with fantastic results! And the third, a study looking at differences between neurotypical and neurodivergent responses to touch, and some helpful tips for parents of neurodivergent children when it comes to understanding and navigating these responses.

In this episode:

Peanut allergies
The danger of becoming risk-adverse
Screen Media Use and Mental Health of Children and Adolescents: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial | Media and Youth | JAMA Network Open
A happier child in 2 weeks?
Emotional dysregulation
Parental responsibility with screens
Follow-up to Adolescence after Early Peanut Introduction for Allergy Prevention | NEJM Evidence
Why touch matters
Sensory issues, autism
Differences in neurodivergent vs neurotypical response to touch
Consent
Autonomic and hedonic response to affective touch in autism spectrum disorder - Capiotto - 2024 - Autism Research - Wiley Online Library

Relevant Links:

Tech giants are ANTI-kids
Unplug Childhood - join the village today
#1016 – From The Doctor’s Desk: Touch Good, Anger Bad

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#1050 - Adam Voigt: What's Really Going On In the Classroom Aug 06, 2024

A conversation with Adam Voigt, Founder and CEO of Real Schools on the importance of student engagement, how parents can support and advocate for teachers, and why we need to make schools a diverse environment - where all children can come together to learn.

In this episode:

Teacher stress
Additional needs
Supporting teachers
Schools and parents working together
Student engagement
The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt | Penguin Books
Too much tech in the classroom?
Mobile phone bans
Does going to a selective school make you more likely to go to uni, get a job and be satisfied in life? | The Conversation
Selective schools
Importance of diversity
Parental guilt

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#1049 Q&A - The Benefits of Plants & Grandparents Aug 05, 2024

Amy from Melbourne has been trying to boost her families wellbeing, and while she's been doing all of the tried and traditional methods, she is wondering what the benefits of indoor plants are for her family.

Jenny from West Australia is seeking some advice around grandparents looking after her three year old, despite some of their parenting styles being quite different to hers.

Related links:

Check out our recent From the Doctor's Desk episode - #1036 Screen Use Bad, Green Space Good
What to Do When Parents and Grandparents Disagree [Article]

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#1048 - Raising an Olympian Aug 04, 2024

If you have a child with a natural talent or a burning desire to succeed in a sport or other activity, how do you cultivate a successful (perhaps even elite) level of performance and raise them to have perspective? Justin and Kylie offer four ideas to help your children be engaged in their athletic and competitive pursuits in healthy, balanced ways.

In this episode:

US Gymnast Alexandra Raismen - parent reaction
Finding a healthy balance
Professionalization of youth sports can lead to burnout | AAP Publications
What is the purpose of sport?
Physical, cognitive, social, emotional benefits
Competence and mastery
#1033 – Early Talent Promotion
Motivation and losing perspective
Unconditional love

Related links:

How To Keep Kids Motivated To Play Sport

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#1047 - Playing To Win (and Losing the Plot) Aug 01, 2024

There are times when a parent's relationship with their child feels strained and difficult. Kylie shares what it can look like to cultivate these challenging relationships, giving hope to any parent deep in the trenches of raising hard kids.

More often than not, when we lose the plot as adults, it is because of unmet expectations. A games night in the Coulson household did NOT meet Justin's expectations, leading to one very grumpy dad!

In this episode:

I'll Do Better Tomorrow, I Promise - Maurine Reynolds Adamek
5 star reviews - thank you!
Cultivating relationships
No Matter What
Hope for the parent who thinks they can't keep going
Resilience
Family games night turns sour
Expectations vs reality
Unmet needs
Bedtime
Even the parenting expert gets parenting wrong
Be where your feet are

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#1046 - A Very Peachy Book Club Jul 31, 2024

Book Club - the episode where Justin and Kylie forget about the parenting stuff and share what they have been reading. Today, a book review from a very special guest: their 10-year-old daughter Emilie.

In this episode:

The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt | Penguin Books (4.5 stars)
Unplug Childhood - Join the village!
The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien | Abbeys (5 stars)
James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl | Dymocks (4.7 stars)

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#1045 - The Art & Science of Family Meetings Jul 30, 2024

Building strong, lasting family relationships is a long-term process. When done well, regular family meetings can completely change how your family feels and functions now and in the future

Justin and Kylie share six practical tips for family meetings that will help your family relationships flourish, ensuring that everyone feels seen, heard, and valued along the way.

In this episode:

Could family meetings help you get on better with your kids? Yes – but they can also go horribly wrong | The Conversation
James Clear, author of Atomic Habits 5 year quote
Not a time to air grievances or critique others
Risk of family meetings
Creating a vision
Benefits when meeting is done well
Frustration tolerance
Learning social skills and emotional regulation
Getting on the same page

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Family Goal Setting

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#1044 - Q&A: Tearaway Toddlers & Staying in School Jul 29, 2024

Bec, from Sydney, has a 2-year-old who keeps running towards the road when out at parks, playgrounds, and shops. Running away is developmentally normal: little kids love to explore. But it's also very scary! There are four things parents can do to keep their "runner" safe when out and about.

Karen, from Brisbane, asks how to navigate the ongoing challenge of school refusal. Ongoing conversations with both child and school are important when school attendance is a challenge. Dr Justin shares some questions to ask, and four ideas to increase engagement, competence, and confidence for your struggling student.

In this episode:

Developmental Milestones [Part 2: Toddlers]
Curious, exploring, developmentally appropriate
Hunt, Gather, Parent by Dr. Michaeleen Doucleff | Dymocks
Ongoing conversations on safety
Solutions to keep child safe
Pros and cons of giving kids mental health days
Problematic school avoidance
Working with the school
Three basic psychological needs
Attaching education to child's goals
Alternatives to school

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#1043 - Forcing Kids to Apologise Jul 28, 2024

Should we be making our children apologise when they do the wrong thing? What does a sincere apology look like?

In this episode:

Parental Guidance (S1): “Forcing children to apologise is teaching children to lie”
Victim mentality
People pleasing
Ruptured relationships
The Parenting Revolution, by Dr Justin Coulson
Motivation Continuum - extrinsic, introjected, identified, integrated, intrinsic
Is It Wrong to Tell Kids to Apologize? | The Atlantic
Theory of Mind
Why do children apologise under coercion?
Feeling seen, heard, and valued
Repairing relationships
Why don't kids want to apologise?
4 components of a sincere apology

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#1042 - Work & Home School Life Balance Jul 25, 2024

It has been 9 months of homeschooling for the Coulson crew, with plenty of ups and downs and many lessons learned. One of those lessons is that homeschool is not and cannot just be "school at home". When a child is struggling in a school setting, taking them out of that environment only to set up the same structures and lessons at home doesn't change the challenges that your child is experiencing!

In this episode:

Resilient Kids Conference - (recording available)
Help, hug, or space?
When school isn't working
Homeschooling is not school at home
Letting go of expectations/perceptions
Self-directed learning
Autonomy
Exercise - cycling, swimming
Working from home
Setting boundaries
Steven Covey's "Big Rocks of Life" analogy
The overwhelm of to-do lists

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#1041 - Screens Suck Jul 24, 2024

Devices can calm our emotional children - but does a screen actually help them to emotionally regulate or is it just distracting them from their emotions in the heat of the moment? Are there long term consequences to letting screens "manage" a child's emotions?

We also talk about a controversial topic - using "screen-time" as a reward! There is an important connection between screen use and children's executive function and emotional regulation, and it's not good news!

In this episode:

Your words have power: @always.upper.elementary
Toothpaste Words: The most important back to school lesson you can do
Should we comment on someone's appearance?
Cure for tantrums? Longitudinal associations between parental digital emotion regulation and children's self-regulatory skills
Using devices as digital pacifiers
Frustration tolerance
Unplug Childhood: Join the village, sign the petition
#1038 - Managing Emotional Dysregulation
Tolerable discomfort
Resilience
Associations between media parenting practices and early adolescent screen use
Social media
Using screens as punishment or reward leads to higher screen use
Alfie Kohn, author of 'Punished by Rewards'
Positive/negative reinforcement
The most important "app" for our children

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#1040 - Raising Good Humans With Beck Delahoy Jul 23, 2024

Our goal as parents is to raise good humans, but sometimes we actually get in the way of doing that! Beck Delahoy shares three things parents can do to move away from centuries of unhelpful patterns to a better way of parenting.

In this episode:

Lessons Learned | Beck Delahoy | Substack
John B. Watson - 1920's behaviourist
What do we want to do as parents to raise good humans?
- teaching thoughts, values, feelings, acceptable behaviour
History of parenting
Long-term consequences of punishment/reward
- Calculation of Risks
- Blind Conformity
- Revolt
Fostering acceptable behaviour
Moral development
Building emotional regulation

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#1039 - Q&A: Teacher Struggles & Home School Hacks Jul 22, 2024

Two questions from listeners: Emma asks for advice on helping her 10 year old son who is struggling with being at school, withdrawing from friends, and feeling sad. And Kari, a homeschooling mum of 3 little boys, has requested an update on the Coulson's Homeschooling experience!

In this episode:

The 3 basic psychological needs
Supporting children at school
'School Can't'
Building frustration tolerance
Attention amplifies discomfort
Changing classroom or school
Persistence and consistency
Homeschooling update
Euka Curriculum
Autonomy-supportive structure
Emotional regulation wins

.

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#1038 - Managing Emotional Dysregulation Jul 21, 2024

A conversation about what it means to be emotionally regulated or dysregulated, with five quick ideas for parents to help their children regulate well.

In this episode:

What are emotions?
Maladaptive responses
Etymology of 'emotion'
- French: to excite
- Latin: to move
Emotional regulation: The ability to control your emotional state.
Emotional dysregulation: When your emotions are stronger than your ability to act with autonomy.
Amygdala triggers survival/fight/flight mode
Spanish: Tengo hambre (I have hunger)
Developmental realities
Creating a safe and predictable environment
Brené Brown on emotions
#822 The Emotional Lives of Teenagers (Part 1)
Homeschooling

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The Secret to Regulating Emotions
Emotion Coaching [ Webinar - if you are a HF member you can find this in your video library]

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#1037 - Creating Holiday Traditions Jul 18, 2024

Family holidays and traditions are important! Sometimes though, they can feel out of reach - perhaps unaffordable or even impossible. The good news is that traditions don't have to be big, or cost any money, and you don't even need to leave home to create them!

In this episode:

Why traditions matter
Avoid big holidays with little kids
Stick to pools/beaches when they are young
What the research says
Family meals, meetings, or games
One-on-one time with children
Marking milestones
Hamish Blake's epic birthday cake tradition!

.

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Family Traditions Help Kids Make Sense of Life

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#1036 - From the Doctor's Desk: Screen Use Bad, Green Space Good Jul 17, 2024

Are our attention spans decreasing? Is it possible that the kids really are listening to you but just disagree with what you have to say? Do house plants impact mental health and wellbeing? How does parental screen use affect teen screen use, and why should we avoid using punishments and rewards when it comes to screens? We unpack four studies that will help make your family happier and give you practical tips you can use today!

In this episode:

Are attention spans decreasing?
Short-form videos
Examining the Influence of Short Videos on Attention Span and its Relationship with Academic Performance
Speaking of Psychology: Why our attention spans are shrinking, with Gloria Mark, PhD
Not listening, or just not agreeing?
Disagreement Gets Mistaken for Bad Listening
Green space and mental health benefits
The nature gaze: Eye-tracking experiment reveals well-being benefits derived from directing visual attention towards elements of nature
Indoor / house plants
Physiological Benefits of Viewing Nature: A Systematic Review of Indoor Experiments
Parent screen use VS teen screen use
Impact of screens at the dinner table and in bedrooms
Screen time, video gaming, social media, mobile phone use
Using punishments and rewards around screens leads to lousy outcomes
Associations between media parenting practices and early adolescent screen use

.

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#1035 - Adolescent Anxiety With Dr Jodie Lowinger Jul 16, 2024

Dr Jodie Lowinger is recognised as one of the world’s leading anxiety, mindset, and resilience experts. Jodie was a guest speaker in the groundbreaking Breaking Point Digital Conference and today we share a snapshot from her session on 'Girls and Mental Health'.

In this episode:

Sydney Anxiety Clinic - Psychologists
Author of The Mind Strength Method: Four steps to curb anxiety, conquer worry and build resilience
The prevalence of anxiety among adolescent girls
Anxiety is part of our human condition
Gender and anxiety
Multidimensional factors contributing to adolescent anxiety:
- Biological (hormones, genetic predisposition)
- Environmental (social, psychological, technology/social media, FOMO, life experiences)
Parents as therapists?
Emotional intelligence
Empowering parents with skills and tools to build emotional literacy
The need for consistent language
Parents, educators, therapists, child - getting on the same page!
The power of relationship
Parents want to fix things
Undermining a child's capacity to build resilience

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#1034 - Q&A: Making Siblings BFF's & Emotional Expression Jul 15, 2024

Every Tuesday Dr Justin answers listener questions about making your family happier! Today we have questions about sibling friendships/conflict, and helping children learn emotional regulation.

Question 1: What can parents do to make their children best friends, and how can sibling conflict/rivalry be eliminated?

Question 2: How can we control our 11 year old son's emotions so that he doesn't get bullied or teased due to his consistent crying at school when things don't go his way?

In this episode:

Conflict in every relationship is normal
Rupture and repair
Four main characteristics of sibling relationships
How can we get our kids to like one another?
The 3 Es of Effective Discipline (Explore, Explain, Empower)
Gender differences in expression of emotions
Externalised vs internalised emotions
Emotion-focused coping vs problem-focused coping
Maladaptive/adaptive strategies
Making emotions 'King'
Podcast with Lisa Damour Part 1 & Part 2
The Secret to Regulating Emotions

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Related links:

10 Steps to Reducing Sibling Conflict
Emotion Coaching [ Webinar - if you are a HF member you can find this in your video library]
Teaching Kids Kindness [ Webinar]

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#1033 - Early Talent Promotion Jul 14, 2024

Are we doing more harm than good by pushing our children to excel early? The pursuit of excellence can feel rewarding for parents and children alike, but scientific evidence highlights the conflict between short-term gains and long-term success.

Today, we say a sad farewell to Craig Bruce as he concludes his remarkable tenure as Executive Producer of this podcast, and a heartfelt thank you from the entire Happy Families team for the extraordinary contributions Craig has made to Happy Families!

In this episode:

Pushing kids to succeed
Acceleration programs for young children
Effects of Early Talent Promotion on Junior and Senior Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Harmonious passion VS Obsessive passion
Intrinsic motivation
Gifted and talented children
Happiness and wellbeing levels
Finding healthy balance and having varied experiences
No wasted knowledge in life

.

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#1032 - Stop and Smell the Flowers Jul 11, 2024

It's normal and natural for young children to want to take their time exploring the world around them, and it's also normal for parents to want to get things done quickly! Could it be possible to do both? Can we slow down and be more productive at the same time?

There are practical and simple solutions that will help you to maintain the fun, build relationships, AND be productive—all while slowing life down for your child!

Rushing our children through tasks
Competition
Developmental and gender reality
Mum guilt
Emotional regulation
Solutions
Introducing routine & structure
Transitions
Wiggle room or wriggle room?
Breathing techniques

(R) This episode originally aired 27/6/23.

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#1031 - 7 People of Highly Effective Villages Jul 10, 2024

It takes a village to raise a family. Community-oriented relationships are so important for the well being of our children and for us as parents, but building them takes time, involvement, and effort. How can we create a village when we are time-poor parents, and where do we even start to find this supportive community?

Building a safe neighbourhood
Teachers
Friendships - in and out of school
Community leaders, coaches
Medical professionals
Surrogate Aunts & Uncles
Surrogate Grandparents

(R) This episode originally aired 7/8/23.

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#1030 - Name It & Tame It Jul 09, 2024

Justin and Kylie respond to a listener question about emotional volcanoes

Name it to tame it
Emotional regulation
High emotions – low intelligence
Tunnel vision/rigid thinking
Seen, heard & valued

(R) This episode originally aired 15/8/23.

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#1029 - What's My Age Again? Jul 08, 2024

It's a question parents ask time and time again: What is the right age for my kids to do [insert risk]?

Justin and Kylie look at a number of hot topics and discuss the appropriate/legal age for children to be allowed to do each of these.

Staying at home alone
The laws in QLD
Putting in place contingency plans
Mobile phones, school devices, burner phones
Kids need smart parents, not smart phones
Smart parents give their kids dumb phones (Unplug Childhood)
Boyfriends & girlfriends
#816 Tween Relationships: How Young is Too Y oung?
Sleepovers
Walking to school or the shops alone
Ear piercing

(R) This episode originally aired 28/8/23.

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#1028 - Getting on the Same Page Jul 07, 2024

Is there tension and disagreement in your home when it comes to parenting? You are not alone! The most commonly asked question we receive is "How do you get on the same page in parenting?" We share three simple questions that can help to create alignment in your parenting-relationship, and make your family happier.

(R) This episode originally aired 5/9/23.

In this episode:

Weekly couple’s meeting
Three questions to ask
Creating the space
Daily habits
Getting your systems right
Finances, goals, holidays
Creating alignment
Parenting on the Same Page – A Happy Families webinar

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#1027 - 6 Phrases You Should Say to Your Kids Jul 04, 2024

When our children are experiencing challenges or behaving in a challenging way, there are things we can do and say that will help them get through these rough times and transform our relationship with them in the process. We would love to hear the phrases you say to your children - record a voice memo here or email your recording to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

(R) This episode originally aired 30/5/22.

In this episode:

The magic of an apology
Correction and direction vs connection
The power of 'yet'
People matter, things don't
You’ve gotta love the hills
Unconditional love

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#1026 - Growing Growing, Not Gone Jul 03, 2024

It can be easy to forget who we were before becoming parents. But that’s part of the beauty of parenthood! Being a parent allows us to experience personal growth as we tap into new strengths and creativity. We get to make intentional choices about who we will become, and to change the trajectory of our lives. Why then do we often think that we're boring now that we’re parents?

(R) This episode originally aired 13/10/22.

In this episode:

Kylie’s friend who feels lost after becoming a mum
"I'm so boring!"
Ideas for creativity through those hard years when you feel exhausted
Why we keep growing all throughout life
Finding joy in the mundane
Missing life before kids
Dan Gilbert: The psychology of your future self | TED

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#1025 - Dan Pink: The Power of Regret Jul 02, 2024

Regret is often seen as a negative emotion to be avoided, but what if it holds the key to better parenting? Dr Justin Coulson and author Dan Pink uncover the surprising ways regret can teach us valuable lessons, helping us to be kinder, more thoughtful parents, and ultimately, better people.

(R) This episode originally aired 2/11/22.

Topics included in this episode –

The Power of Regret: How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward, by Daniel Pink
Why do people say that they don’t have regrets?
Your regrets say a lot about you as a person
Your regrets can inform your future decisions
Reframing regret
Inward, outward, forward
“At-least”ing and “if-only”ing
Dan’s advice for time poor parents
Normalising the emotion of regret
Talk to your kids about your regrets
Dan shares some of his regrets

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Last chance to register for the Supporting Autistic Children course

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#1024 - Mirror, Mirror On The Wall Jul 01, 2024

A listener has asked, “Should we tell our kids they are beautiful?”

It's ok to tell our kids they're beautiful, but we must ensure their sense of worth isn't solely tied to their looks. Focusing too much on appearance can make children rely on external validation and set them up to have a limited view of themselves. We share some helpful ways that you can encourage your child so they know they are enough, exactly as they are.

(R) This episode originally aired 16/8/22.

In today’s episode:

Should we tell our kids that they’re beautiful?
Renee Engeln – Beauty Sick
Justin shares some ideas from his book Miss-Connection
Teach your daughters media literacy
Try to not comment on appearance when you bump into a friend
Focus on your child’s inner strengths/beauty, personality, values
“Instead of watching what goes into our kid’s mouths, we should watch what comes out of ours.” – James Corden

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#1023 - 10 Fights Worth Having Jun 30, 2024

It is not worth going to war with your child over their preferences. There are going to be more important issues that will require you to stand your ground. These moments can end in a full-blown battle with your child, or by reframing the conversation, you can work through these tough issues, avoiding conflict while still keeping your kids healthy and safe. Listen in to find out how!

(R) This episode originally aired 6/6/22.

Topics discussed in today’s podcast:

Common fights parents have with children
Sleeping, eating
Friends, parties, sleepovers
Social media, alcohol & drugs, intimacy, pornography, dress
Conflict is normal
Is your child's safety at risk?
Control and power struggles
Conversations without conflict
Justin’s ladder metaphor
Prioritising relationship
Preferences vs. principles

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#1022 - The Pursuit of Happiness Jun 27, 2024

Are parents really responsible for their kids’ happiness? Doing things purely to make our children happy often results in disappointment—for them and for us. Instead of trying to satisfy our children's insatiable craving for happiness, we share four things to teach them that will help build happiness as a by-product rather than an end in and of itself.

(R) This episode originally aired 1/8/22.

In this episode:

Myth – It’s our job to make our kids happy
Things that could go wrong if you think it’s your job to make your kids happy
Setting our kids up to fail
What ARE we responsible for?
Emotion coaching
Do hard things
Building positive relationships

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Hopeful Kids Are Happy Kids
Helping Our Kids Feel Good By Doing Good
Purchase Better Together on the Happy Families website – Because a happy family doesn’t just happen.

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#1021 - Parenting Myths Pt 3 Jun 26, 2024

Many myths surround parenting, including the misguided beliefs that you can maintain your pre-child lifestyle or that you will instantly connect with your baby or even that teenagers are stupid. Discover why these and other common misconceptions need to be debunked.

(R) This episode originally aired 28/7/22.

In today’s episode:

Babies are intense!
Feeding/sleeping challenges
Pre-child life and routine
Motherhood can be all encompassing
Accepting limitations and boundaries that come with children
Dads bonding with baby
Birth experience can affect connection
Emergency caesarean, postnatal depression
Connection can take time, may require interventional help
Challenging kids
The teenage brain

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#1020 - James Anderson: How to Create Skilful Learners Jun 25, 2024

How can we help our children become better learners? When learning is seen as a process of creating abilities rather than discovering abilities, children can embrace challenges as opportunities for growth instead of avoiding them due to fear of failure.

James Anderson and Justin Coulson explore how parents can help children leave their comfort zone and step into their learning zone, to understand that struggle and discomfort are natural and temporary parts of the learning journey and that investing effort results in hard things becoming easy. (R)

This episode originally aired 27/7/22.

In today’s episode:

#529 The Growth Mindset with James Anderson
Learnership
Mindset – fixed vs growth.
Lifelong learners, performance learners, non-learners
Finding and following your strengths
Choosing what you want to become
Learning zones
Comfort zone – easy things you haven’t done yet
You don't get better by doing your best
Effort is the cost of growth
That which we persist in doing becomes easier to do, not that the nature of the thing has changed but that our power to do has increased.”― Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Learn more about James Anderson – LEARNERSHIP: The Skill Of Learning
The Most Powerful Words We Can Say to Our Children

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#1019 - Parenting Myths Part 2 Jun 24, 2024

Myth: "Parents cannot be friends with their child."

Relationships that are based on trust, appropriate disclosure, and respect are still friendships, regardless of whether they are egalitarian or not. Our children need these kinds of relationships with us. But there are limits to this friendship. Justin & Kylie examine the nature of parent-child friendships and how this relationship morphs and grows over time from the early years right up to adulthood.

In this episode:

Can you be friends with your kids?
Parent before friend
What our children need from us
Mistakes parents make when trying to be their child's friend
Permissive parenting
Can you tell whether someone is a good parent by how good their kids turn out?
High level of control can lead to rebellious children
At what point is a child a good person?
Mental health and wellbeing, special needs
Challenging behaviours
Judging parents on a child's behaviour
Children make their own choices
Be the best parent you can be

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#1018 - Parenting Myths Part 1 Jun 23, 2024

Are you tired of feeling like your worth as a parent hinges on your child's achievements? In today's podcast, we debunk common parenting myths and explore why it's unhealthy to measure your parenting success by your child's performance.

We discuss the importance of self-care, the balance between personal needs and parental duties, and the critical role of maintaining a strong relationship with your spouse for a thriving family life.

(R) This episode originally aired 25/7/22.

In this episode:

Each child brings a new parenting challenge
Parenting teaches you a lot about yourself
How do we measure our success as a parent?
Balancing the needs of children with self-care
Prioritising your relationship with partner/spouse
What does it mean to be a good parent?

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#1017 - Life Lessons From Laundry Jun 20, 2024

Justin is on a mission to use his phone less. Find out what he has done this week that has been a freeing (albeit slightly inconvenient) experience.

In response to last week's episode 'Mum Break', a lot of women are saying they could never leave the kids and go away for a week! Kylie and Justin discuss why this is the case and what can be done to support and encourage mums to take some time out for themselves.

In this episode:

Unplug Childhood
Deleting apps from devices
Dropping social media
The never ending laundry cycle
A shout out to all the extraordinary single parents listening!
"Mum breaks" - why they aren't happening more
The 'martyr syndrome' of motherhood
Dads need to step up

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#1016 - From The Doctor's Desk: Touch Good, Anger Bad Jun 19, 2024

We unpack the latest science for parents with three fascinating studies this week: the positive outcomes that come from connecting online, the power of touch and how it has the capacity to ease pain, anxiety, and depression, and how anger is worse for us than we thought.

In this episode:

A Multiverse Analysis of the Associations Between Internet Use and Well-Being by Matti Vuorre and Andrew K. Przybylski
Internet connection and wellbeing
Brain development
Getting the balance right
The power of touch
Vagus nerve and Karen Young
A systematic review and multivariate meta-analysis of the physical and mental health benefits of touch interventions
Stress hormones damage us
Anger Does a Lot More Damage to Your Body Than You Realize
Anger Kills, by Dr Redford Williams
Anger is normal
Stephen Covey - the space between stimulus and response

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#1015 - Beck Delahoy Says Raising Kids is Easy Jun 18, 2024

Beck Delahoy explores the paradox of modern parenting: while raising children has never been easier thanks to advancements in health, education, and living standards, parenting itself has become increasingly challenging. However, with these advancements, a "slow life strategy" has emerged, leading to intensive parenting practices doing more harm than good. It’s time to ease up on the intensive parenting and embrace a simpler, more fulfilling approach to raising children.

In this episode:

Beck Delahoy's 'Lessons Learned' Parenting Substack
Life expectancy's pre 1900s
Why raising children into adulthood has never been easier
The 'slow life strategey'
Intensive parenting
Parenting is harder
Time to lower the parenting bar

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What Your Child Needs From You [Webinar]

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#1014 - The Peace Keeper & The People Pleaser Jun 17, 2024

Conflict is a normal, natural part of every healthy relationship, but sometimes our children can become fearful and anxious when parents argue. You can have more productive arguments and model healthy conflict resolution by focusing on the quality of the interaction—the regulation—rather than the resolution itself.

Brittany asks, "How do you teach empathy without creating a people-pleaser?"

We want our children to be helpful, kind, and considerate of others, but not at the expense of their own wellbeing or with unhealthy levels of self-sacrifice. There are three things you can teach your child to prevent them from becoming people-pleasers.

In this episode:

When children become concerned and try to keep the peace between parents
Be attentive to your child's worries
Is it ever ok to argue in front of the kids?
Examples of unhealthy conflict
Respectful, productive conflict
How to focus on regulation over resolution (4 things to model)
John Gottman, Esther Perez
People-pleasing VS empathy, consideration of others
Where does your child get their value or sense of identity from?

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#523 Should We Argue In Front Of The Kids?

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#1013 - Are Emotions Too Important? Jun 16, 2024

When we make feelings “King”, our children can become stuck in their emotion, unable to regulate or move forward. Justin shares the right way to respond to feelings, helping them understand, process, and then move through their emotional state.

In this episode:

Revolutionary change in how parents respond to emotions
Impact of TikTok parenting influencers
Validating emotions
Feeling seen, heard, valued
Ways to regulate and tame emotions
Parent or therapist?
#822 The Emotional Lives of Teenagers - Part 1
#827 The Emotional Lives of Teenagers - Part 2
#976 Abigail Shrier's Bad Therapy
How to help your child process their emotion and move on from it

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#1012 - A Mum's Break Jun 13, 2024

Kylie is away on a kid-free adventure with a friend...and loving it! Has Justin been surviving without her? Listen in to hear the challenges, the fun, and the lessons they are both experiencing during this extended time apart.

In this episode:

A girls week away
Friendships
Pressures of family life
Importance of stability and routine

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#1011 - This Week in Parenting: Smacking & Socials Jun 12, 2024

This Week In Parenting: why Australian parents are more open to smacking children than other countries, and how we can reduce peer pressure for kids and for parents by joining forces and creating community.

In this episode:

Smacking and corporal punishment
Australian parents most open to smacking kids in international study | 9News
The Parenting Revolution
Can Australia make age verification work for social media? | The Guardian
Momentum is building!
36 Months - sign the petition
Let kids be kids - have a play-based childhood
Peer pressure for kids and for parents too
Unplug Childhood - join the village & take the pledge

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#1010 - The Behaviour Curriculum With Susie O'Brien Jun 11, 2024

Journalist and author Susie O'Brien chats with Justin about the current situation in schools regarding student behaviour and classroom management, with a recent senate inquiry suggesting that it's time to go back to basics and teach children how to behave at school.

In this episode:

A Senate Inquiry is Calling For a New 'Behaviour Curriculum' to Tackle Classroom Disruptions | Monash University
Getting back to basics with classroom behaviour
Explicit Teaching Push in New Behaviour Curriculum | Education Review
What do teachers want?
Lack of support from principals and parents
Regressive or progressive?

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#1009 ADHD in Adults & Toddlers Jun 10, 2024

Three-year-olds are exhausting! Energetic, emotionally reactive, and uninhibited—all the things that can make a parent begin to question if their child has ADHD! Today, Dr Justin looks at the developmentally normal behaviours of a three-year-old and shares four things they need in order to learn, grow, and thrive.

Plus, three tips for neurodivergent parents trying to hold it all together while navigating the chaos of family life and struggling with their own ADHD.

In this episode:

ADHD, ODD, or just three?
Developmental Milestones - Preschoolers
Little People, Big Feelings (Webinar)
What Your Child Needs From You
Why saying "use your words" isn't helpful
Theory of mind
Diagnosing ADHD
What 3-year-olds need
Neurodivergent parents
Challenges of ADHD as an adult
Help For the ADHD Parent - from the Happy Families team

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#1008 - Family Dinner Deep Dive Jun 09, 2024

Are you overthinking family meals? Do you want a little more peace and a lot less chaos at the dinner table? How can a family dinner fit in amongst work commitments and extra-curricular activities? We take a look at the research behind what was once considered the norm - family dinners, and share some tips to ease the pressure.

In this episode:

San Remo market research
Chaos of mealtimes
YOYO (You're On Your Own) night
Screens and mealtimes
Extra-curricular activities for kids AND parents are impacting family meals
5 tips to ease the pressure
Are we overthinking family meals? 5 realistic tips to ease the pressure | The Conversation
Rituals of connection

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#1007 - Let's Unplug Childhood Jun 06, 2024

We know that giving children access to social media and devices is not in their best interests. Our children deserve—and need—a play-based childhood. Join the village today and “Unplug Childhood” with us!

In this episode:

"It was the damn phones" by Kori Jane | Instagram
The “Unplug Childhood” movement
The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness, by Jonathan Haidt
Make some noise and get on board!
Why this matters
No social media before age 13
Give kids a play-based childhood
Make the pledge today

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#1006 - Book Club: Why is Kylie Reading Kid's Books? Jun 05, 2024

In between homeschooling, 7 seasons of House, and a lot of travel, Justin and Kylie still managed to do some reading this month. Listen in to hear reviews of a classic children's book, a terrifying, heartbreaking YA novel, a disappointing flop filled with falsehoods, a warts and all memoir, and a contender for book of the year!

Kylie's books:

Justin's books:

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#1005 - 2 Books on Neurodivergence That You Must Read Jun 04, 2024

Life can be really challenging for neurodivergent kids growing up in a world where they don't seem to fit in. Justin speaks with two authors about their fabulous books, and why representation in literature is so important for our children.

Square Me, Round World by Chelsea Luker is a collection of short stories describing what life can feel like when you are a person growing up in a world not built for you and Wonderfully Wired by Stacey Lucas-Toumbourou celebrates the strengths and differences of 100 neurodivergent individuals who changed the world

In this episode:

Square Me, Round World, by Chelsea Luker | Booktopia
The importance of representation
Raising neurodivergent children
Wonderfully Wired, by Stacey Lucas-Toumbourou

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#1004 Ditching Screens as a Grown Up Jun 03, 2024

Screen struggles are something that every family is dealing with - and not just with the kids! We share some small changes you can make to help you find a healthier and more balanced relationship with your phone.

Does it feel like your child knows exactly which buttons to push to trigger you? News flash: YOU are the only one that can choose how YOU respond! Learn how to increase your competence (and confidence!) in holding personal boundaries and regulating your own emotions, and watch your relationship with your child improve in the process.

In this episode:

We Are Social 2023 Digital Report
How to turn your phone screen to grayscale
Parental triggers
Neurodiversity
Setting and respecting boundaries
The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey
You choose your response
Parenting competence
Building relationships

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#1003 When the 3 E's Don't Work Jun 02, 2024

Dr Justin’s 3 E’s (explore, explain, and empower) are the pillars of autonomy-supportive parenting. But there are times when they just do not work (we are all only flawed humans after all!). Today's tips will help you calmly and confidently navigate through the heat of these challenging moments.

In this episode:

The 3 Es of Effective Discipline: Explore, Explain, and Empower
Self-determination theory
Basic psychological needs of every human
Relatedness, competence, autonomy
Need-supportive parenting
High emotions = low intelligence
Being ok with our children's discomfort
Patience and practice
Fast is slow, and slow is fast
Neurodiversity
Turn towards your child in challenging times

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#1002 Why Kylie Loves Snapchat May 30, 2024

Connecting with your teenager on their terms gives you the opportunity to engage with their world in a meaningful way. Being on the same digital platforms as your child allows for greater understanding, better conversations, and stronger connections, keeping them safe along the way.

In this episode:

Connection - feeling seen, heard, and valued
The joy of Snapchat filters
Understanding our teenager's world
Doing housework with your child
Daddy-daughter dates

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#1001 Gentle Parenting Under Fire May 29, 2024

'Gentle Parenting' is a mindset with an emphasis on the child’s feelings. It may sound lovely and calm, but in reality, this "way of being" has a tendency to indulge emotions at the expense of effective family functioning, leaving parents feeling like they are hanging on for dear life—exhausted, incompetent, and emotionally drained!

Justin and Kylie share four essential steps for parenting gently in a way that ensures our children feel safe, secure, and loved.

In this episode:

Defining "gentle parenting"
Parental Guidance Season 1
Different parenting styles
Gentle parenting the polar opposite of authoritarian
“The Rise of the Accidentally Permissive Parent
Anne Pezalla – Gentle Parenting Can Be Really Hard On Parents | The Conversation
John Gottman - Raising An Emotionally Intelligent Child
Emotion coaching gone wrong
Indulging emotions at the expense of all else
Autonomy-supportive parenting
Kind and present parents
Boundaries and limits

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#1000 Reflecting on 1000 Episodes! May 28, 2024

Reflecting on 1000 episodes of Australia’s leading parenting podcast, we cover the highs and the lows of family life, from farewells to celebrations and everything in-between.

Today’s episode is a celebration of Kylie's big heart, Justin's big brain, the best of some really bad jokes, and of course, you, our wonderful listeners—our Happy Families family!

(With a special appearance from Hamish Blake!)

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#999 When Dad Isn't There & School Bus Stress May 27, 2024

Anonymous asks, "My 3-year-old is asking questions about his absent father. How do I answer in a way that supports my young son's mental health and self-esteem?". Justin gives examples of a healthy and developmentally appropriate response to this difficult situation in a way that honours the father, supports the child, and also advocates for our anonymous listener.

Lisa, from Canada, is concerned that catching the school bus will potentially expose her 11-year-old daughter to explicit material. Justin shares some suggestions that will help every parent safely lead their child along the path to independence.

In this episode:

Single parent
Absent father
Mental health
Answering sensitive questions age appropriately
Honesty and transparency
Children need to feel safe, secure, loved
Building independence, confidence & self-efficacy
Cocooning, pre-arming, deference
The Three E's (Explore, Explain, Empower)

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#998 Social Media Shutdown May 26, 2024

There is a growing movement to commit to giving our primary-aged children unplugged childhoods! Dr Justin shares four things you can do NOW to give your children a play-based childhood, free from digital distractions and social media.

Subscribe to the Happy Families newsletter for more details!

In this episode:

How would an enforcement even work?
Censorship
Age-verification for social media
Importance of holding platforms accountable
A movement to keep smartphones and social media out of primary school
Unplugged childhood
Kids need smart parents not smart phones

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#997 A Dog's Life May 23, 2024

Justin reads a personal letter aloud to his children, sharing insights into what life was like for him growing up.

In this episode:

Sharing childhood memories with your kids
Pets
Give your child roots
Benefits to keeping a journal
Rituals of connection
To a child, love is spelled T.I.M.E

.

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#996 From the Doctor's Desk - Weight Stigma & Baby Language May 22, 2024

Study 1: Is your child feeling unhappy, pressured, or teased about their weight? Navigating growing up in a society so focused on physical appearance is difficult, but there are practical steps parents can take to decrease the risk of internalised stigma and other challenges around weight.

Study 2: So, you think you can read a baby's cry? Think again!

Study 3: The secret to getting your teen to listen to you can be found in the very foundation of what Dr Justin teaches in The Parenting Revolution!

In this episode:

Teasing children about weight increases risk of self-stigma as adults, study finds | The Guardian
Weight stigma - what is it?
Internalised incompetence and low sense of self-worth
Babies’ cries alone don’t convey what they want | The British Psychological Society
Dunstan Baby Language
The secret to getting your teen to listen to you | The British Psychological Society
Autonomy support
Unsolicited advice from parents
How to talk to teens about hard stuff

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#995 Why Ratings Matter With Liz Handsley May 21, 2024

Most families have screens in their home, which means a steady stream of movies, TV shows, games, apps, and more! How can parents know what content is or isn't appropriate for our children, when ratings are so broad and arbitrary?

In today's interview with Prof. Elizabeth Handsley, President of CMA, we explore why it is so hard for parents to navigate the current classification system, and share some helpful resources and advice to minimise the risk that our children will be exposed to inappropriate content.

In this episode:

Children and Media Australia - supporting children and families to thrive in the expanding world of screen media
Ratings and classifications
Movies, apps, games,
Inquiry into the Australian Classification Scheme
Aged-based and research-based information
Dose-response relationship to media
Children become desensitised to content

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#994 Resetting Sibling Dynamics May 20, 2024

On Tuesdays, we answer listener questions about making your family happier!

Separation anxiety at school drop-off is a daily struggle for many families, including Kirsty and her 5-year-old son. Justin shares some helpful tips that will make saying goodbye easier for both the parent and child.

Mum of 3, Michala, is dealing with constant sibling rivalry and conflict. Listen in for some important, ongoing conversations to have with your children as you help to build their character, and teach empathy and kindness.

In this episode:

Sibling rivalry, conflict, and strife
Building character
Teaching compassion and empathy
Repairing relationship ruptures
Separation anxiety
Emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA)
Making mornings calm
Validating emotions
Basic psychological needs
Strong parent-school partnership
Flexibility

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#993 Schoolyard Misogyny with Stephanie Westcott May 19, 2024

Andrew Tate's harmful ideology is infiltrating schools. Boys, broadly speaking, are big fans, and their behaviour in the classroom is reflecting this.

Dr Stephanie Westcott (researcher and lecturer in the School of Education, Culture, and Society at Monash University) shares her research on the experiences women are having in educational settings across Australia, looking at the influence of misogynistic ideology, how algorithms on TikTok and Youtube direct young boys to these ideas, and what parents, carers, and educators can do to combat the rise of these radicalised masculine myths.

In this episode:

Andrew Tate
Misogyny infiltrating classrooms
Harmful ideology influencing young boys
Andrew Tate’s extreme views about women are infiltrating Australian schools. We need a zero-tolerance response, Westcott & Roberts | The Conversation
Experiences women are having in educational contexts
Behaviours of boys in the classroom
Framing boys and men as victims
Radicalisation of masculinity
Andrew Tate Effect in Australian Classrooms | ABC News
What it means to be a real man
Algorithms on social media are showing young boys very specific content
Respectful relationships education
Zero tolerance

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#992 Pillow Fights & Dishy Decibels May 16, 2024

Justin's singing turned complaints about dishes into a whole lot of fun, with sound levels hitting dangerous decibel levels!

Term 2 of homeschooling started off rather rocky for The Coulsons, but thinking outside the box created an opportunity for a reluctant writer to be creative and expressive in a new way!

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#991 This Week in Parenting: Vape Zones, Baby Bans & Nicotine Pouches May 15, 2024

There's a brand new nicotine product out, so invisible you may not even be aware your child has it! Plus, the dangers of vaping, a nation-leading move by SA to protect our children from social media, and 118 reasons to be child-free.

In this episode:

Bluey 'The Sign' - a missed opportunity?
Advocate pushes for vaping areas in schools as NSW holds inquiry into vape laws | news.com.au
Harm-reduction policy regarding vaping
#498 Children and Vaping, with Lisa Damour - Happy Families
Vaping is a 'young person' phenomenon in Australia | Pursuit, Uni of Melb
A new nicotine product that tastes and smells great - known as zyns, snus or little lip pillows
‘Invisible threat’: Nicotine pouches taking over schools | news.com.au
Should social media be banned for children?
How should you approach your children's and teenagers' social media use? | abc.net.au
Parents in defensive mode
Australian model Ellie Gonsalves shared 118 reasons to be childfree | ABC

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#990 Mental Health Challenges with Anne Hollonds May 14, 2024

Anne Hollonds was the opening speaker at the Breaking Point Digital Conference. On the podcast today you will hear an excerpt from Anne's presentation, discussing the mental health of young people around the country and what we can do to help them.

In this episode:

Anne Hollonds - National Children’s Commissioner.
Young people and mental health
Residual effects of Covid pandemic
Barriers to accessing mental health support for young people
Strong therapeutic alliance = better outcomes
Breaking Point Digital Conference: Unpacking the Crisis in Youth Mental Health

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#989 Winning at All Costs May 13, 2024

Today, Justin is answering two listeners' questions.

First up is Bridget from Victoria, a mum of two. Her question is about her five-year-old son, whose over-competitiveness and inability to handle losing are causing issues in the family and in his wider circle of friends.

Becky, a single mum from Melbourne, is looking for ways she can implement rules and boundaries that won't lead to anxiety-fuelled and explosive reactions from her son, who has autism and OCD.

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#988 School Can't May 12, 2024

Do you have a child who refuses to or is unable to go to school?

Sydney mum Alice joins Justin on the Happy Families podcast today to share the day-to-day pressure of trying to help a child get to school when emotions are high and nervous systems are in fight or flight mode.

If you are deep in the trenches of ‘school can’t’, this is a not-to-be-missed conversation, with some beautiful advice and encouragement to parents who are feeling stressed, judged, and alone in their struggle to get a child to school.

In this episode:

Emotionally-based school avoidance (EBSA)
Reasons for 'school can't'
School Can't Australia (Parent/Carer Peer Support) | Facebook
Neurodivergence (Autism, ADHD)
Importance of friendships
Pressure on parents, judgement
Homeschooling
Mental health of parents
Moving schools
"Is it just me? Am I the only one who can't get their kid to go to school?"
School refusal and the Australian families gripped by blame, shame, and the fear of a lost education - ABC News

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#987 Mummy Daughter BFF's May 09, 2024

An encouragement to any parent feeling like they are stuck in a rut with a child determined to be horrible and difficult - there is hope! The relationship with your child changes as they age into adulthood and can become a delightful and close friendship.

In this episode:

Changing parent/child relationships during the young adult years
Friendships with adult children
Routines and structures
Finding Balance – Happy Families
#952- A Rippin Good Read – Happy Families
Troubled by Rob Henderson | A Memoir of Foster Care, Family, and Social Class

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#986 The Mother's Day Yes/No Game May 08, 2024

Kylie is back, answering some quick-fire "Have you ever...?" questions about motherhood and family life.

Mother's Day Links:

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#985 Responding to Gendered Violence With Richard Ryan May 07, 2024

How can parents ensure their children grow up to be respectful, kind, and considerate towards others?

This conversation with author and academic Richard Ryan examines the typical backgrounds of perpetrators of violence and aggression and gives practical advice to parents so they can meet their child's basic psychological needs of relatedness, autonomy, and competency.

In this episode:

Self Determination Theory
Gendered violence
Basic Psychological Needs
Modelling values and behaviour
Objectification and sexualisation of women in the media
Reducing exposure to and setting limits on media use
Resilience

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#984 City vs Country May 06, 2024

Does a particular school really make for a “better” education? And how can parents prepare their children for the death of a much-loved grandparent?

In this episode:

City vs country schools
Resources, results and reputation
Fun, fit and philosophy
Upheaval for families when moving
Developing new friendships and relationships
Stability and security
Grief and loss
Preoperational thinking, object permanence, abstraction
Developmentally appropriate language
The sacredness of life and death

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#983 Man or Bear? May 05, 2024

Content warning: not for young ears.

“If you had to be in the forest with a man or a bear, which would you choose?”. How do we get to the point where we can answer without hesitation “a man!”?

In this episode:

Violence against women
Parents stepping up
Teaching morality
The 'No More' rallies
Influence of explicit pornography on young men

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#982 Judgement & Criticism Are Out! May 02, 2024

Judgement & criticism, punishing, provoking, and trying to “fix” a child—none of these are a parent’s job. They only serve to drive a wedge in relationships. Our job is to love our children. To set limits and have expectations—yes!—but to do so kindly.

In this episode:

Shifting the paradigm
Compassion and empathy
Emotions go up, intelligence goes down
The problem with judgement
Why kindness is the answer

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#981 Am I The Only One Not Interested in Intimacy? May 01, 2024

If you are struggling to "keep the spark alive" with your loved one, you're not alone. Exhaustion, screen addiction, lack of time, resentment - all these issues (and more!) can lead to zero interest in nurturing intimacy. Today we share some surprising secrets to sustaining a strong sexual connection!

In this episode:

Reasons for having zero interest in intimacy
Connection and friendship
Prioritising sex
Slowing things down
Female pleasure
Book recommendations

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#980 The Anxious Generation With Jonathan Haidt Apr 30, 2024

Justin shares four big ideas based on Jonathan Haidt's new book in the hope that it generates some constructive conversations with your kids at home:

The key to building a resilient child,
Getting comfy with our children experiencing a healthy level of discomfort in life,
The impact of social media on the brain development of teens, and
Looking at problematic use of or addiction to social media.

In this episode:

Healthy/unhealthy childhood stressors
Supportive parenting vs "tough love" or over-protective parenting
Resilience
Anxiety
The cycle of incompetence
Anti-fragility
Impact of social media on teenage brain development
Social media addiction / problematic use

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#979 Taking No For An Answer Apr 29, 2024

A listener wants to know how to help her friend, a single mum to an increasingly difficult 10-year-old boy. Plus, three things you can do to survive your child’s big and embarrassing public meltdown!

In this episode:

Single parenting
Supporting other parents
Aggressive child
Emotional regulation
Psychological help
It takes a village!
2-parent privilege
Travelling with kids
HALTS
How to say no with compassion and kindness

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#978 Putting Mum on Your Resume Apr 28, 2024

Are you wanting to return to work but struggling to know what on Earth to write on your resume after years out of the workforce? Listen in for some ideas that will inspire and encourage mothers to confidently claim the skills, strengths, and unique value you possess and can offer the world!

In this episode:

Cost-of-living increase
Returning to work
Motherhood
Being a mum is valid and valuable work, so I put it on my CV - ABC Everyday
Writing a resume
Parental responsibilities, skills, unique value
Stay-at-home-mums (SAHM)
Kylie's resume – Happy Families

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#977 The Not So Fond Farewell Apr 25, 2024

Justin & Kylie discuss the hills and valleys of life - Justin is definitely feeling on top of the mountain as he strives to achieve a better work/life balance, while Kylie is in the valley after farewelling daughter number three.

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#976 Abigail Shrier's Bad Therapy Apr 23, 2024

Justin takes a look at Abigail Shrier's controversial new book "Bad Therapy". What's really going on with our kids, and why are they going through so many challenges?

In this episode:

Bad Therapy: Why the Kids Aren't Growing Up and Irreversible Damage by Abigail Shrier
Why The Kids Aren’t Alright | Honestly Podcast
Trauma, PTSD, depression
Therapy
Iatrogenesis - when the healer introduces harm
Parental self-doubt
Restorative practices in schools
Gentle parenting under fire
Understanding children’s basic psychological needs

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#975 Homework Hassles & Social Struggles Apr 22, 2024

Today we answer listener questions about co-parenting, homework, and starting daycare.

In this episode:

Co-parenting and divorce
Picking battles
Co-parenting apps: 2houses and OurFamilyWizard
Structure and routine
Natural, unstructured environments
Developing social skills

Happy Families Resources:

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#974 Roblox Rules Apr 21, 2024

Roblox is incredibly popular with kids, bringing a very real challenge to parents today. We share 5 practical steps you can take to keep your child safe online when it is not practical or feasible to keep them offline.

In this episode:

Keeping gaming to a minimum
Roblox worries
Inappropriate content
Online predators
Parental Guidance Season 2 Episode 1, Watch TV Online (9now.com.au)
Commercialisation of platforms
Psychological capacity of children
Parental controls | How to keep your child safe (esafety.gov.au)

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#973 Hooray for Holidays! Apr 18, 2024

After years of family holiday flops, ChatGPT planned a successful Coulson holiday. Plus, Kylie saves the day with a big dose of compassion.

In this episode:

#952- A Rippin Good Read – Happy Families
ChatGPT itinerary planning
Large family dynamics
Farewelling children
Gap years
#968 The Secret to Regulating Emotions – Happy Families
The power of compassion

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#972 This Week in Parenting: Bluey, BuzzFeed & Bad Impersonations Apr 17, 2024

Content warning: violence, CSA + a spoiler alert for Bluey fans.

This week in parenting: how a family of dogs is teaching resilience, a sober warning to parents regarding children's online activity, and a fun look at celebrity parenting rules.

In this episode:

Bluey is back with a lesson about preparing kids for change - ABC News
Resilience
Guy Sebastian's bad parenting advice
Responding to Toddler Tantrums – Happy Families
Violent Online Groups Extort Minors to Self-Harm and Produce Child Sexual Abuse Material (ic3.gov)
#454 Online Safety with Julie Inman Grant from the eSafety Commission – Happy Families
Extortion/blackmail tactics
Monitoring social media use and online activity
21 Celebrities With Parenting Rules (buzzfeed.com)

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#971 Pregnancy and Infant Loss with Lellie Lopter Apr 16, 2024

Warning: sensitive content

Pregnancy and infant loss are such important yet rarely discussed topics. Author Lellie Lopter emphasises the importance of creating a safe environment for these conversations to take place, as well as the need to include children in the healing journey.

In this episode:

My Brother Born Sleeping by Lellie Lopter
Supporting families
Coping with different beliefs about infant loss
Curiosity from children and how to answer their questions
Pink Elephant Foundation
Rainbow babies
Making room for conversation
Processing trauma, grief, and loss
Red Nose Day

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#970 Talking About Tragedies Apr 15, 2024

Following the tragic attack in Bondi, our children need help processing such difficult news. There are things you can do and say to ensure your child feels safe and secure as they come to terms with what has happened.

Also, a mum of three asks "What should we do when our kids don't show us the respect that we would like?"

In this episode:

Having hard conversations
Honesty
Limiting exposure to news
Age-appropriate information
Holding boundaries
Weekly family meetings
What To Do When Kids Won’t Listen – Happy Families
Talking to Children About Tragic Events in the News – Happy Families

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#969 The Generation Gap Apr 14, 2024

Digital influences, demographic shifts, and information overload: we explore the evolution of parenting from GenX through to Millennial parents.

In this episode:

Digital infusion
Information overload
Parents under pressure
Changing dynamics of family life
Screen-based childhoods
Present and engaged parents

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#968 The Secret to Regulating Emotions Apr 11, 2024

The meltdown out of nowhere, an angry and aggressive child, the emotionally flooded teen - kids of all ages have BIG emotions, and experience emotional dysregulation!

Discover the tools and skills that will help you respond to your child with compassion and kindness - and build emotional awareness and regulation for you both.

Topics in this episode:

No Matter What
Emotion regulation
The magic of Nature
Moving forward, finding solutions
Responding with compassion and gentleness
Emotion Coaching- a Happy Families article
Little People, Big Feelings - a Happy Families webinar
The Secret to Regulating Emotions - a Happy Families article

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#967 Becoming a Hope Builder Apr 10, 2024

Is your child stressed out, apprehensive or just feeling like life is too hard? Does anxiety or perfectionism cause them to feel they are not enough?

All hope is not lost! Three ways you can BUILD HOPE in your child's life - helping them to do well and feel well as they experience the power of hope.

Research by Rick Snyder, Shane Lopez
Science of Hope TikTok video series by @insearchofbobcat
Failure, anxiety, resilience
Our children need to feel hopeful before they can feel they are enough
What does the research say about hopeful people?
What is hope, and why are our youth feeling hopeless?
How to be a hope-builder
Enough: Overcoming Anxiety, Perfectionism, & Self Loathing - a Happy Families article

Register for the Happy Families October Webinar - "Enough: Helping our children overcome anxiety, perfectionism & self-loathing"

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Become a Happy Families member today - Happy Families Membership.

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#966 Gaming Info You Need to Know with Katie Davis Apr 09, 2024

Part 2 of Justin speaking with author & associate Professor Katie Davis about her new book

Topics discussed in this episode -

Technology's Child by Katie Davis
Justin asks Katie some rapid fire questions about her own family life
Using technology to reinforce technology rules
Finding a balance
Video games aren't all bad
The impact of social media

The speaker lineup includes:

Dr Justin Coulson | Love, Limits & Laughter | 10am AEDT
Amy Taylor Kabbaz | Mama Rising | 11am AEDT
Trish Purnell-Webb | Creating a Strong Relationship With Your Partner | 12pm AEDT
Ian Kerner | Tell Me About The Last Time You Had Sex | 1pm AEDT
Michaeleen Doucleff | Hunt, Gather, Parent | 2pm AEDT
Shefali Tsabary | The Awakened Family | 3pm AEDT
Wally Goddard | How to Discipline with Love & Laughter | 4pm AEDT
Chelsea Pottenger | Stress management | 5pm AEDT
Jessica Rowe | The Art of Being a Crap Housewife | 6pm AEDT
Amanda Keller | Having Fun When Your Life Is a Hot Mess | 7pm AEDT
Dr Justin Coulson | Bonus Q&A | 8pm AEDT

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#622 Reducing Anxiety in Kids Oct 23, 2022

Top 5 solutions for dealing with anxiety at home

Topics included in this episode -

Defining what anxiety is
Experiencing anxiety vs a chronic anxiety disorder
#609 Parenting & Mental Illness: A Discussion With Anna Spargo-Ryan
Solutions

Quality of the attachment relationship between parents & children
Other connections/relationships
Help them to lean in
Being outside
Service/volunteering

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#621 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Oct 20, 2022

Justin & Kylie reflect on their week and determine what they can do better next time

Topics included in this episode -

Kylie shares her recent article she wrote for Kylie's Corner
Kylie shares her experience with being physically disciplined as a child and how that effected her ability to share her emotions

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#620 From the Doctor's Desk Oct 19, 2022

Dr Justin shares the latest academic studies related to parenting

Topics included in this episode -

Effectiveness of mindfulness
Rise of mental illness during Covid
Kids doing more chores is linked to better executive function
Does the gender of your sibling effect your personality?

Research articles mentioned

Purchase a ticket to Autistic Not Weird at Happy Families

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#619 Transitioning to High School: A Conversation With Terese Hooper Oct 18, 2022

Anxiety in kids transitioning from Primary to High School

Topics included in this episode -

Anxiety in kids transitioning from Primary to High School
Guide to Thrive from Life Education
What happens when we get the transition right?
We need to be having these conversations much earlier
Why girls are struggling more
Do older siblings play a role?
What are kids biggest concerns?
Heirarchy in high school
Has Covid had an impact?
How to help them prepare?

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#618 The Way That You Move Oct 17, 2022

Justin & Kylie answer a listener's question about dealing with the disruption of a move

Topics included in this episode -

Kylie's move from NZ to Aus when she was 10
Justin's shares his experience with moves as a kid
Justin & Kylie share about their own family moves
What does the research say?
Which kids are most affected?
Attitude is everything
Top tips

Be intentional & proactive
Organise play dates
Initiate conversations
Activity days
Be there for your kids
Really listen

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#617 But I Turned Out OK Oct 16, 2022

In this episode Justin and Kylie discuss smacking, and the recent calls for Australia to outlaw physical discipline of our children.

Some of the topics include:

The full 'A Current Affair' interview with Chris O'Keefe
Some of the responses to that interview
The research that has consistently linked physical discipline to negative outcomes

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#616 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Oct 13, 2022

Justin & Kylie reflect on their week and determine what they can do better next time

Topics included in this episode -

Kylie created a sugar free birthday for Justin
A $6 chilli
Justin & Kylie have a heightened conversation with one of their daughters
Parenting adult children

Purchase a ticket to Autistic Not Weird at Happy Families

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#615 You're the (Inner) Voice Oct 12, 2022

Justin shares 3 conversation principals that can help

Topics included in this episode -

The way that we speak to our children becomes their inner voice
Justin & Kylie share some of their inner thoughts/voices from childhood
3 conversation principals that can help

A voice that encourages belonging, understanding & empathy.
A voice that expresses confidence in their capacity.
A voice that encourages autonomy.

How do we find our own inner voice?

Purchase our Justin-ism's Posters in the Happy Families shop

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#614 Perinatal Depression in Men With Dave Edwards Oct 11, 2022

Justin speaks with Dave about men and perinatal depression & anxiety

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

Dave shares his own personal experience
Antenatal classes
Communication
Symptoms
What to do
Talk to someone, music, reading, join a group
Telehealth
SMS for Dads
Gidget Virtual Village for Dads
Panda hotline

Find more about Dave Edwards and the Gidget Foundation

Purchase our Justin-ism's Posters in the Happy Families shop

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#613 Digital Self Harm: How to Spot & Stop It Oct 10, 2022

*Content warning - topics in this episode will not be suitable to small children*

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

What is digital self-harm?
Digital self-harm: Rising trend of teens cyberbullying themselves
Teens trolling themselves online
Suicidal thoughts
How do we protect our kids?
5 signs that a child may be a target of cyber bullying
Shift in social relationships - when should parents step in?
Make a plan. Get involved
esafety Commissioner - Get help now

Get a ticket to Burnt Out in our online shop or find it in your Happy Families membership

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#612 Smells Like Teen Spirit - Angst, Sadness or Depression? Oct 09, 2022

Dr Justin & Kylie talk about depression in kids

Topics included in this episode -

What does it look like?
What is the difference between a bad day/a depressive episode/depression
Stinking thinking
Apathy
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Cognitive distortions
How can parents help?

Acceptance
Breathe
Get outside
Move
Connect
Learn
Serve
Make a plan
Get help
Look after your own mental health

Purchase our Justin-ism's Posters in the Happy Families shop

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#611 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Oct 06, 2022

Justin & Kylie reflect on their week and determine what they can do better next time

Topics included in this episode -

Justin didn't do much holidaying during his holidays
Kylie celebrates the girls half birthdays
The Coulson's have a street breakfast
School refusal in the Coulson house & not the usual suspect

Purchase our Justin-ism's Posters in the Happy Families shop

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#610 This Week in Parenting Oct 05, 2022

On today's episode - a new segment - This Week in Parenting, where Justin and Kylie look at some of the recent news stories that we as parents need to be across.

Find out more about the arrest of Dutch cyclist Mathieu van der Poel here
Read the story about secret fight clubs here
More on the coroner's findings that Molly Russell's cause of death was suicide caused by social media here
Discover why a video game developer won't let his kids play video games

Find out more about the book Stolen Focus here.

Purchase our Justin-ism's Posters in the Happy Families shop

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#609 Parenting & Mental Illness: A Discussion With Anna Spargo-Ryan Oct 04, 2022

Dr Justin speaks with Anna about her story with mental illness

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

Mental health & mental illness exist on two different planes
Being happy & depressed at the same time
Learning how to advocate for yourself
Parenting with debilitating anxiety/mental illness
Intergenerational transfer of mental illness
How to break the cycle

Find more about Anna Spargo-Ryan - A Kind of Magic

Purchase our Justin-ism's Posters in the Happy Families shop

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#608 Supporting Your Child's ADHD Oct 03, 2022

October is Mental Health Awareness Month, so all month long we'll be looking at ways to improve your family's mental health.

Today on the podcast Justin and Kylie look at ways you can support a child who has been diagnosed with ADHD.

To become a Happy Families member, find out more here, Happy Families Membership.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#607 Holiday Hot Seat - Michaeleen Doucleff Oct 02, 2022

*During the school holidays we'll be sharing memories from interviews with Justin's favourite guests*

Today's guest is Michaeleen Doucleff.

To become a Happy Families member, find out more here, Happy Families Membership.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#606 Holiday Hot Seat - Chelsea Pottenger Sep 29, 2022

*During the school holidays we'll be sharing memories from interviews with Justin's favourite guests*

Today's guest is Chelsea Pottenger.

To become a Happy Families member, find out more here, Happy Families Membership.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#605 Holiday Hot Seat - Amy Taylor-Kabbaz Sep 28, 2022

*During the school holidays we'll be sharing memories from interviews with Justin's favourite guests*

Today's guest is Amy Taylor-Kabbaz.

To become a Happy Families member, find out more here, Happy Families Membership.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#604 Holiday Hot Seat - Daniel Pink Sep 27, 2022

*During the school holidays we'll be sharing memories from interviews with Justin's favourite guests*

Today's guest is Daniel Pink.

To become a Happy Families member, find out more here, Happy Families Membership.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#603 Holiday Hot Seat - Jessica Rowe Sep 26, 2022

*During the school holidays we'll be sharing memories from interviews with Justin's favourite guests*

Today's guest is Jessica Rowe, a proud Crap Housewife.

Find our last episode with Jessica Rowe here - #122 Crap Housewives, IVF & Mental Health (Featuring Jessica Rowe)

To become a Happy Families member, find out more here, Happy Families Membership.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#602 Holiday Hot Seat - Dr Amantha Imber Sep 25, 2022

*During the school holidays we'll be sharing memories from interviews with Justin's favourite guests*

Today's guest is Dr Amantha Imber, host of the How I Work podcast.

To become a Happy Families member, find out more here, Happy Families Membership.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#601 Holiday Hot Seat - Dr Shefali Tsabary Sep 22, 2022

*During the school holidays we'll be sharing memories from interviews with Justin's favourite guests*

Today's guest is acclaimed author and expert, Dr Shefali Tsabary.

To become a Happy Families member, find out more here, Happy Families Membership.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#600 Holiday Hot Seat - Sex Therapist, Ian Kerner Sep 21, 2022

*During the school holidays we'll be sharing memories from interviews with Justin's favourite guests*

Today's guest - Sex Therapist, Ian Kerner

To become a Happy Families member, find out more here, Happy Families Membership.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#599 Finding Baby Bliss: A Conversation With Jo Ryan Sep 20, 2022

Jo Ryan shares her experience with babies and sleeping, settling and establishing routines for your baby.

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

Babies and sleep training
How to help kids and parents get to bed
Jo's 3 main concerns with sleep training
Jo's advice to the tired and sleep-exhausted parent

Learn more about Jo Ryan and her book 'Babybliss by Jo Ryan'.

Download the free Starting School Activity Book in the Happy Families shop

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#598 Holiday Hot Seat - Amanda Keller Sep 19, 2022

*During the school holidays we'll be sharing memories from interviews with Justin's favourite guests*

Today's guest - Amanda Keller, Radio & Tv Personality.

To become a Happy Families member, find out more here, Happy Families Membership.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#597 Holiday Hot Seat - Kylie Coulson Sep 18, 2022

*During the school holidays we'll be sharing memories from interviews with Justin's favourite guests*

Today's guest - Kylie Coulson, Mrs Happy Families

Purchase the Better Together webinar in the Happy Families shop or find it in your Happy Families Membership.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#596 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Sep 15, 2022

Justin & Kylie reflect on their week and determine what they can do better next time

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

*Someone* in the Coulson household has a chocolate addiction
The Coulson family go on a family bike ride
Movie night at the Coulson house turns into an anatomy lesson

Purchase a ticket to the webinar Boys & Screens

Find the Your Growth Guide webinar on the Happy Families shop, or find it in your Happy Families Premium membership.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#595 From the Doctor's Desk Sep 14, 2022

Dr Justin shares the latest academic studies related to parenting

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

The importance of play
Strong social networks
Quality of friendships & relationships
20% of mothers experience PPD
Responsiveness
Self soothing
Connectedness & involvement during adolescence

Articles mentioned in this episode

Find The Miss-connection Summit in the Happy Families shop.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#594 Birth Trauma: A Conversation With Sharon Stoliar Sep 13, 2022

Sharon shares her traumatic experience as a patient, who also happened to be a midwife

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

Patient dismissal
Birth trauma
20-48% of women describe their births as traumatic
What qualifies as birth trauma?

Learn more about Sharon Stoliar and her book Scars of Gold.

Ending Birth Trauma

Contact Sharon - sharonstoliar@gmail.com

Purchase Miss-connection in the Happy Families shop

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#593 Tween Tensions Sep 12, 2022

Justin & Kylie answer a listener's question about their tween daughter

Topics discussed:

3 basic psychological needs - Relatedness, Competence & Control
Seeing your child as a person vs only seeing their problems
Correction & directions vs connection
Competence needs to be satisfied
Explore, explain, empower

Purchase the Better Together webinar in the Happy Families shop or find it in your Happy Families Membership.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#592 Parenting in the Age of Social Media Sep 11, 2022

In today's podcast, Justin and Kylie look at a recent article in Forbes magazine, about navigating the world of social media with your teen or tween.

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

You can fence the pool but you can't fence the ocean.
Four styles of parenting and pros and cons when it comes to teens, tweens and social media.
Three things you need to remember when you discuss social media with your kids.
Staying across the apps and tech so we can have real conversations with the kids.

Read the Forbes article here.

Find the 'Pixel Perfect' webinar on the Happy Families shop, or in your premium membership.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#591 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Sep 08, 2022

In I'll Do Better Tomorrow, Justin and Kylie look back on the week that was and reflect on their parenting wins and losses.

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

Book Week is hard work!
Kids spell love T.I.M.E
Letting our kids be themselves

Purchase 'I Like Myself' by by Karen Beaumont at Booktopia.

Find the free webinar 'Can We Please Talk About Boys' in the Happy Families shop.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#590 Becoming a Hope Builder Sep 07, 2022

Today is R U OK? Day, and did you know that building hope in our kids is one of the most important things we can do as parents?

So in today's podcast, Justin and Kylie discuss ways that we can build hope and some of the ways that we can hold onto hope.

Topics discussed:

The three facets of hope: Having goals, having a pathway to reach those goals and belief in yourself.
Things that can cause us to lose hope.
Justin and Kylie's list for how we can build and hold onto hope.

Purchase the Bringing Up Boys Summit in the Happy Families shop.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#589 Mental Fitness With Gus Worland Sep 06, 2022

Today on the podcast, Dr Justin chats with Gus Worland ahead of R U OK? Day tomorrow.

Gus is an Australian TV and radio personality and is the founder of the Gotcha4Life Foundation - which delivers what Gus calls 'mental fitness' programs to engage, educate and empower communities, on the way to their vision of zero suicides.

Topics discussed in this episode:

Mental Fitness, and why we need to seek help from those around us.
Raising our hands for help on the beach or in the car park, rather than waiting until we're drowning before raising our hands.
Using technology to check in on those we love.
Formalising who 'your village' is - the people that you can't live without, and work hard on the relationships within the village.

Discover more about Gus' work with Gotcha4Life here, and how you can improve your mental fitness.

Find out all the information about R U OK? Day here.

Purchase A Parent's Guide to Autism in the Happy Families shop, or find it in your premium membership.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#588 Get Comfy With Sex-Ed: Act for Kids CEO Dr Katrina Lines Sep 05, 2022

This week is Child Protection Week, so today on the podcast Justin speaks with Act for Kids CEO, Dr Katrina Lines.

Dr Lines is a registered psychologist and child protection advocate, and has been involved in numerous national taskforces advocating for the rights of children.

In particular, this conversation touches on the new 'Get Comfy' initiative, where Act for Kids are encouraging families to start having conversations with their children about sex, body, consent, and relationships.

It comes off the back of research that has found that Australians feel underprepared when it comes to real-life experiences.

Topics discussed in this podcast:

Some of the 'Get Comfy' research findings, including the fact that 1 in 3 Australians never received sex education at school, and over half of all Aussies aren't comfortable talking to their parents about sex and intimacy.
Consent, and why this needs to be a focus in sex education and conversations about intimacy.
Ways in which your family could introduce age appropriate conversations about our bodies.
The problem with adolescents getting most of their sex-ed from porn, and why this needs to change

Find out more about the 'Get Comfy' initiative here.

Purchase the 'Your Growth Guide' webinar in the Happy Families shop, or find it in your premium membership.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#587 Relationship Wipeouts Sep 04, 2022

One of the most common questions in our podcast inbox is how to make the couple relationship stronger, and navigating bumps along the road. On today's podcast Justin and Kylie discuss a recent relationship 'wipeout'.

Topics discussed in this podcast:

Why surfing with the boys caused issues between Justin and Kylie
Ways to get over these wipeouts that can so easily occur in relationships
Owning your issues and trying to see things from your partner's perspective

Find the Bringing Up Boys Summit in the Happy Families shop.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#586 I'll Do Better This Father's Day Sep 01, 2022

In lieu of the normal weekly reflection that takes place on a Friday, Justin and Kylie turn their attention to Father's Day, with a reflection on what fatherhood means.

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

Why Justin doesn't like presents on Father's Day.
Justin's Lightning Round - answering Kylie's questions about his fatherhood journey.
Is Justin really that funny after all? The kids have their say.
Dad jokes
The influence and importance of fathers and father figures.

Find the 'Anxiety in Your Child Webinar' at the Happy Families Shop, or in your Happy Families Premium Membership.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#585 Bare Minimum Parenting With James Breakwell (@XplodingUnicorn) Aug 31, 2022

In the lead-up to Father's Day, Justin is talking to some of the most interesting dads around!

Today on the podcast we hear from James Breakwell who is a comedy writer, dad to four daughters, and tweets to his 1 million plus followers on Twitter under the handle of @XplodingUnicorn.

Topics discussed on this podcast:

Seeing the funny side of parenting
James' parenting style
What his kids think of his internet career

Follow James' on Twitter here or sign up for his newsletter and check out the Exploding Unicorn podcast here.

You can find James' books, including Bare Minimum Parenting (The Ultimate Guide to Not Quite Ruining Your Child) on Booktopia.

Find the 'Dadding Done Right Webinar' at the Happy Families Shop, or in your Happy Families Premium Membership.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#584 David Campbell Hits the Right Notes in Parenting Aug 30, 2022

This week on the podcast Justin is talking to some of Australia's most interesting dads.

Today's podcast features a great chat with David Campbell, who's a platinum-selling recording artist, the host of Today Extra, an author and has even done cabaret in New York!

He's also the dad to three kids, including a set of twins, and is the son of legendary Aussie singer, Jimmy Barnes.

Topics discussed in this podcast:

David's family of origin and childhood experiences
His journey as a father
Not repeating the mistakes of our parents

Find out more about David's books, Stupid Carrots, Bedtime is Boring and My Tooth is Looth here.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#583 Osher Gunsberg's Brilliant Dad Life Aug 29, 2022

In the lead-up to Father's Day, Justin is talking to some of the most interesting dads around!

Justin speaks with Osher Gunsberg about what life is like for him, as a dad.

Topics included in this episode:

Helping kids to regulate their emotions
Understanding our kid's development and how that helps us to parent better
Osher answers 10 Dad questions
What Osher enjoys the most about being a dad
Advice he would give himself as a new dad

Find Osher on DadPod, Twitter & Instagram

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in your Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#582 Biscuits! Bluey's Dad is Top Dog Aug 28, 2022

Justin speaks with Justin Rouillon on the Bluey's Brisbane Podcast

Topics included in this episode:

What makes Bandit a great Dad
Having kids means your life is not going to be efficient
The 'Dumb Dad' in pop culture
Imaginative & creative play
Is Bandit a good representation of the modern Dad?
Bluey's schooling experience

Find Bluey's Brisbane on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram

Purchase Building Better Boys or find it in your Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#581 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Aug 25, 2022

Justin & Kylie reflect on their week and determine what they can do better next time.

Topics included in this episode:

Justin reads an email from a listener about mums & social media
Kylie receives a hand written letter
Two of the Coulson girls struggle in their relationship together
Justin has been surfing. A lot.

Purchase Teaching Kids Kindness or find it in your Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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#580 August Book Club: Working Class Book Club Aug 24, 2022

Justin & Kylie share their list of favourite books they're reading at the moment

Kylie's reading

Justin's reading

Purchase The Screaming Spiral or find it in your Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#579 Get Another Room Aug 23, 2022

*Content warning - the topics discussed in this episode may not be suitable for children*

Topics included in this episode:

Sleep divorce
Sharing The Covers by Wendy Troxel
Why couples choose to sleep apart
Sleep disorders
Active decision vs reactive strategy
We spend a third of our lives asleep
The impact of sleep loss
Sleep and sex
Justin reads out some Facebook responses
Disadvantages to a sleep divorce

Find more about Wendy on Instagram @sharingthecovers

Purchase Pot, Pills & Parenting or find it in your Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#578 Nailed It! AKA Random Parenting Chats With the Builder Aug 22, 2022

Justin chats with his builder and helps make his family happier

Topics included in this episode:

Meet Carl the builder
Carl has a house full of teenagers
School refusal
What is 'bad behaviour'?
Our children are not out to get us
Is it okay to 'reward' kids after 'bad behaviour'?
Is it okay to walk away when conversations come to a head?

Purchase Building Better Boys or find it inyour Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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#577 The Perfect Storm Aug 21, 2022

What to do after a tantrum/meltdown/blowup

Topics included in this episode:

Being kind and soft does not reinforce bad behaviour
Repair after rupture
Create positive self talk
Give the kids some space
Power struggles
Acknowledge their feelings

Purchase 21 Days to a Happier Family or find it in your Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#576 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Aug 18, 2022

Justin & Kylie reflect on their week and determine what they can do better next time.

Topics included in this episode:

Kylie's been selling on Facebook Marketplace
Coulson Family Meeting
What went well, What didn't, What we're gonna do about it
Kylie slept through the Family Meeting
Kylie gets a sweet compliment from the littlest Coulson

Purchase The Miss-connection Summit or find it in your Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#575 From the Doctor's Desk Aug 17, 2022

Dr Justin shares the latest academic studies related to parenting

Topics included in this episode:

Effects of Limiting Recreational Screen Media Use on Physical Activity and Sleep in Families With Children
When parents reduce their screen time, kids are more physically active
To what extent does confounding explain the association between breastfeeding duration and cognitive development up to age 14?
Breastfeeding duration associated with cognition
Kids that are breastfed tend to score higher on cognitive tests
Physical abuse less likely when spanking is eliminated
The association between spanking and physical abuse of young children in 56 low- and middle-income countries
If we can remove smacking from our communities, we can reduce physical abuse by 30%
New research challenges established ideas about infant crying
The cry curve

Purchase your copy of Miss-Connection

Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#574 Under the Influence: Insta-Mum Culture With Eloise Germic Aug 16, 2022

Justin interviews Eloise Germic about her research around social media and parents

Topics included in this episode:

The Impact of Instagram Mommy Blogger Content on the Perceived Self-Efficacy of Mothers
How the content we view online impacts how we see ourselves
How social media influences parents
The Alpha mum
The results to the study were surprising
Media literacy

Download your FREE Starting School Activity Book

Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#573 Mirror, Mirror On The Wall Aug 15, 2022

Justin & Kylie answer a listener's question about telling our kids they're beautiful

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

Should we tell our kids that they're beautiful?
Renee Engeln - Beauty Sick
Justin shares some ideas from his book Miss-Connection
Teach your daughters about media/Photoshop/magazines/models
Try not focusing on appearance when you bump into a friend
Focus on your child's inner strengths/beauty
"Instead of watching what goes into our kid's mouths, we should watch what comes out of ours." - James Corden

Purchase Pixel Perfect or find it in your Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#572 What To Do When Kids Won't Listen Aug 14, 2022

Justin & Kylie discuss tonight's webinar on building listening in your kids.

Magpies are back!
Why don't kids listen?
Tips to help kids follow instructions
Justin's story from when his daughter ignores him

These days "compliance" is a dirty word in the parenting blogosphere. For many people compliance means that a parent is a demanding authoritarian, expecting children to follow orders regardless of preferences otherwise. Compliance connotes coercion and intrusiveness.

Tonight's Happy Families webinar is all about what to do when the kids just won't listen!

Sometimes they just have to buckle up in the car. They actually should swim between the flags, wear shoes while riding a scooter, and stop throwing knives at their brother! These are safety issues. And they matter.

And sometimes the table does need to be cleared, the school bag put away, or the stinky sports gear placed in the laundry basket. It’s called being part of the family and learning to do your part.

So what do we do when our kids “won’t listen” and it actually does matter?

Find more details and register for tonight's What To Do When Kids Won't Listen webinar here.

Purchase the 12 x A5 “Justin-isms” Posters

Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

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#571 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Aug 11, 2022

Justin & Kylie reflect on their week and determine what they can do better next time.

Topics included in this episode:

Audience feedback from episodes #568, #566, #565
Big feelings and emotional overload
High emotions, low intelligence
Neuroscience
Child safety around adults, strangers and those well-known
Child abduction

Watch the free webinar Can We Please Talk About Boys or find it in your Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#570 Do Over - What Would You Change If You Could? Aug 10, 2022

Justin & Kylie share their moments of regret

Topics included in this episode:

Justin is using his phone less
What moments would you take back and do differently?
Parenting out of fear
The first law of holes
Advantages of regret
It improves our decision making
Regrets deepen meaning

Purchase the Teaching Kids Kindness or find it in your Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#569 Justin's New Book: Dad's Guide to Pregnancy For Dummies Aug 09, 2022

A book for soon-to-be, 2nd or 3rd time Dad's!

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

Justin announces his brand new book - Dad's Guide to Pregnancy For Dummies
Kylie interviews Justin
What did Justin add to the book?
Consent during/after pregnancy
Birth partners
What Justin hopes readers will take away from the book
What Justin wishes he knew as a new Dad

Purchase The Screaming Spiral or find it in your Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#568 Choosing A School Aug 08, 2022

How to know if you should move schools

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

When schools don't deliver on their promises
Reputation, Results & Resources
Fun, Friends & Philosophy
Quality of your relationship with your child

Purchase Pot, Pills & Parenting or find it in your Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#567 Parenting Differently to Our Parents Aug 07, 2022

Things Justin & Kylie are intentionally doing differently than their parents

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

We hear from some members of the public about how they parent differently to their parents
Justin & Kylie discuss how they parent differently
Things Justin & Kylie are intentionally doing differently than their parents
How parenting has changed over time
How to have the "Was I a good parent?" conversation with your parents

Purchase Building Better Boys or find it in your Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#566 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Aug 04, 2022

Justin & Kylie reflect on their week and determine what they can do better next time

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

Justin reads out some emails with feedback from last week's episode
Kylie continues to struggle with Miss 8's school refusal
Kylie has a heartwarming conversation with one of her adult children
Miss 8 finds a bird

Purchase 21 Days to a Happier Family or find it in your Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#565 Pushing Our Buttons Aug 03, 2022

Are your kids pushing your buttons? How to take back your power.

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

Children 'pushing our buttons'
Understand your own buttons/triggers
HALTS
We have to look after ourselves
Unmet needs
WIN - Wonder, Imagine, Notice
Recruit the kids to your team

Download your Starting School Activity Book

Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

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#564 A Conversation With Madonna King Aug 02, 2022

Justin speaks with Madonna King about the pressures our teen kids are facing

Topics included in this episode:

Madonna King - L Platers
The age that teens are asked to choose their senior subjects
Curiosity being stifled in schools
Mental health concerns due to work load in school
Perfectionism
We have to let them fail
University isn't the be-all and end-all
University is for adults, not children

Follow Rebecca Sparrow on Facebook

www.testingtimesatschool.com.au

Purchase the "Justin-isms" Digital Phone Wallpapers

Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#563 I Swear You Shouldn't Be Saying That Aug 01, 2022

*Content warning - Some coarse language. May not be appropriate for small children*

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

Justin & Kylie respond to a listener's question about swearing
How should parents respond when their children swear?
Words have power
Why are your children swearing?
HALTS
#474 The Art of Insubordination With Todd Kashdan
“Profanity is the effort of a feeble brain to express itself forcibly.” - Spencer W. Kimball
Justin & Kylie's top tips -

Explain what the words mean
Discuss the importance of the consideration of others
Emotion coaching
Be mindful of the content your children are exposed to
Never accept abuse
Recognise that habits are hard to break

Purchase Your Growth Guide or find it in your Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#562 The Pursuit of Happiness Jul 31, 2022

Justin & Kylie debunk the myth that parents are responsible for their kid's happiness

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

Myth - It's our job to make our kids happy
Things that could go wrong if you think it's your job to make your kids happy -

You're going to make short sighted decisions
It's impossible to satisy their craving for happiness
It's a heavy burden to carry
We set them up to fail
Nobody can make you feel good

What ARE we responsible for?

Teaching them to find their own happiness
Happiness isn't in the search for it
How to understand their emotions
Teach them how to have positive relationships
Teach them how to do hard things
Teach them to be responsible for their own emotions

Purchase Better Together or find it in your Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#561 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Jul 28, 2022

It's that time of the week where Justin and Kylie reflect on the week that was, what they did right and what they got wrong.

Also up for discussion was:

Why parents may be choosing Minions over Lightyear
The encouraging feedback Justin received from listeners
Staying calm and listening to your heart

Purchase the Miss-Connection Summit or find it in your Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#560 Parenting Myths - Part 3 Jul 27, 2022

This week Justin & Kylie will be debunking some parenting myths

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

Myth 5 - You should be able to continue your lifestyle after having children
Myth 6 - Kids should fall into your pre-kids lifestyle
Myth 7 - You will love and connect with your baby instantly
Myth 8 - Teenagers are stupid

Purchase Pixel Perfect or find it in your Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#559 Learnership With James Anderson: How to Create Skilful Learners Jul 26, 2022

How we can help our children become better learners

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

#529 The Growth Mindset with James Anderson
Learnership
Mindset - fixed vs growth.
Lifelong learners
Finding and following your strengths
Choosing what you want to become
Learning zones
Comfort zone - easy things you haven't done yet

Learn more about James Anderson - LEARNERSHIP: The Skill Of Learning

Purchase A Parent's Guide to Autism or find it in your Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#558 Parenting Myths - Part 2 Jul 25, 2022

This week Justin & Kylie will be debunking some parenting myths

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

Myth 3 - Can you be friends with your kids?
Myth 4 - Can you tell whether someone is a good parent by how good their kids turn out?

Purchase Anxiety in your Child or find it in your Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#557 Parenting Myths - Part 1 Jul 24, 2022

This week Justin & Kylie will be debunking some parenting myths

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

What does it mean to be a good parent?
Each child brings a new parenting challenge
Parenting teaches you a lot about yourself
How do we measure our success as a parent?
Myth 1 - Being a good parent means to self-sacrifice
Myth 2 - If you're a good parent you'll put your kids before your spouse

Purchase Dadding Done Right or find it in your Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#556 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Jul 21, 2022

Justin & Kylie reflect on their week and determine what they can do better next time

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

Justin had a very difficult parenting week
Kylie had a chance to spend some quality time with friends

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in your Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#555 July Book Club: What We're Reading Jul 20, 2022

Justin & Kylie share their list of favourite books they're reading at the moment

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

Kylie's reading

Justin's reading

Purchase Teaching Kids Kindness or find it in your Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#554 Finding More Time With Amantha Imber Jul 19, 2022

Justin & Amantha discuss her new book Timewise

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

Amantha shares how she came up with the idea for her new book, Timewise
A clever technique to stop you picking up your phone so much
Building healthy habits
Learning how to say no
A physical device that helps curb phone usage

Amantha's first podcast ep with us - #379 How I Work with Amantha Imber

Amantha's podast - How I Work with Amantha Imber

Amantha's new book - Timewise

Purchase The Screaming Spiral or find it in your Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#553 All The Rage - Taming Parental Anger Jul 18, 2022

Why Dad's are angry and what they can do about it

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

WHY IS DAD SO MAD?
Raising Raffi: The First Five Years
Defining what it means to be a man
Self discovery
Parenting is about you, not about your kids
Anger management
Tips To Tame Anger

The mantra - Be calm and kind
Speak softly
Speak to your angry self in the 3rd person
Channel your inner mental mentor
Do the opposite
Seek professional help

Purchase Pot, Pills & Parenting or find it in your Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#552 Refilling Our Kid's Joy Tanks Part 2 Jul 17, 2022

Ways that we can help our children find joy

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

How to refill your child's joy tank

Understand their sources of joy
Connection
Play
Break the routine
Get them to do hard things
Artistic endeavours

Purchase Building Better Boys or find it in your Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#551 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Jul 14, 2022

Justin & Kylie reflect on their week and determine what they can do better next time

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

How is parenting like playing the piano?
Justin shares some of his experiences with his daughters this week
Spend time with the kids
Kylie shares about dealing with school refusal
Sometimes it's worth pushing through the hard
Get out of your kids way and allow them some autonomy

Purchase 21 Days to a Happier Family or find it in your Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#550 Refilling Our Kid's Joy Tanks Part 1 Jul 13, 2022

Ways that we can help our children find joy

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

Kylie is training for a 10km run
"People say parenting is the hardest job in the world - they're wrong - growing up is. We all just forget how hard it was." - Draco Malfoy
How to refill your child's joy tank

Understand their sources of joy
Connection

Listen to the podcast on Monday for the rest of the list!

Purchase “Justin-isms” Posters

Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#549 Making Cents of Money With Yish Koh Jul 12, 2022

The best ways to teach your kids about money

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

Learn more about the KIT app
Where is the best place for kids to learn about money?
Financial literacy vs financial capability
Financial socialisation
Delayed gratification
Online games & marketing tactics
Gambling
Are parents feeling equipped to teach their kids about money?
Talk about money
Give your kids hands on experience with money
Looks for ways to collaborate with your kids

Find KIT on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn

Download your Starting School Activity Book or find it in your Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#548 Teaching Kids Values & Respecting Differences Jul 11, 2022

Justin & Kylie answer a listener's question about teaching values & respecting differences

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

All families are different
Spend time with people whose values and lifestyles are different to our own
Racism and body confidence issues
Create some perspective taking and some empathy
If you want your daughter to love her body, you have to love yours
Celebrate what your body can do

Purchase Your Growth Guide or find it in your Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#547 The Anxiety Epidemic Jul 10, 2022

Is your anxiety having an impact on how you raise your kids?

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

We're seeing an increase in anxiety
What is anxiety?
Anxiety is necessary and natural
Proportionate vs unproportionate anxiety
Emotional contagion
High emotions - low intelligence
Helpful tips -

Learn your triggers
Model stress tolerance
Explain our anxiety
Make a plan
Ask for help from your support network

Set boundaries
Under pressure we revert to our most practiced habit
Create mindful practices

Research review: the relation between child and parent anxiety and parental control: a meta-analytic review

Purchase The Miss-connection Summit or find it in your Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#546 Holiday Highlight - Todd Rose Jul 07, 2022

Highlights from episode - #191 Dark Horses With Todd Rose

Purchase Pixel Perfect or find it in your Happy Families Membership - because a happy family doesn't just happen

Send us your voice memos here: podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

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#545 Holiday Highlight - Susan Engel Jul 06, 2022

Highlights from episode - #211 We Don't Need To Know Everything with Susan Engel

Purchase A Parent's Guide to Autism or find it in your Happy Families Memberships - because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Take a look at Dr Justin's Books in the Happy Families Bookshop

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#544 Holiday Highlight - Jessica Leahy Jul 05, 2022

Highlights from episode - #264 The Gift of Failure with Jessica Lahey Part 2

Purchase the webinar Better Together

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#543 Holiday Highlight - Lenore Skenazy Jul 04, 2022

Highlights from episode - #237 Lenore Skenazy - Meet the World's Worst Mum

Purchase Pixel Perfect or find it in your Happy Families Membership - because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Want to be on the podcast? Send us your voice memos here: podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

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#542 Holiday Highlight - Alfie Kohn Jul 03, 2022

Highlights from episode - #249 Best of - Discipline, Punishment & Rewards with Dr Alfie Kohn

Purchase A Parent's Guide to Autism or find it in your Happy Families Memberships - because a happy family doesn't just happen.

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#541 Holiday Highlight - Mark McCrindle Jun 30, 2022

Highlights from episode - #294 Generation Alpha with Mark McCrindle

Purchase the webinar Better Together

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#540 Holiday Highlight - Steve Biddulph Jun 29, 2022

Highlights from episode - #324 Fully Human with Steve Biddulph

Purchase Pixel Perfect or find it in your Happy Families Membership - because a happy family doesn't just happen

Send us your voice memos here: podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#539 Holiday Highlight - Andrew Fuller Jun 28, 2022

Highlights from episode - #329 Tricky Behaviours with Andrew Fuller

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#538 Holiday Highlight - Wally Goddard Jun 27, 2022

Highlights from episode - #344 Introducing Wally Goddard

Purchase Anxiety in your Child the webinar.

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#537 Holiday Highlight - Dr Amantha Imber Jun 26, 2022

Highlights from episode - #379 How I Work with Amantha Imber

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in your Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

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#536 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Jun 23, 2022

Justin & Kylie reflect on their week and determine what they can do better next time

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

We hear some listener responses from the smacking episode
Justin references the book Hunt, Gather, Parent by Michaleen Doucleff
Justin shares an experience where he asked his daughters to help with a task
Lilli finally gets to watch "She's The Man"

Purchase Dadding Done Right or find it in your Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#535 June Book Club & Book Reviews Jun 22, 2022

*Mature themes included in this podcast*

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

Justin & Kylie share their list of favourite books they're reading at the moment
Kylie's top 5

Justin's favs

Purchase Teaching Kids Kindness or find it in your Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#534 Parental Burnout With Dr Kate Gawlik Jun 21, 2022

How parents are coping post Covid

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

Study finds burnout among working parents resulted in more mental health concerns and punitive behavior toward kids
Parent burnout
Why women experience more burnout than men
Cognitive load
Additional needs of children and how that adds to parental burnout
What are the solutions?
The working parent burnout scale

Find more about Dr Kate Gawlink

Purchase The Screaming Spiral or find it in your Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#533 Emotion Based School Avoidance aka School Refusal Jun 20, 2022

Why do kids refuse to go to school and how can we help them?

Why do children refuse to go to school?
Emotion based school avoidance
Problematic absenteeism
1-2% of children experience school refusal
What counts as school refusal?
8 solutions
The Secret to Magic Mornings? Put the Kids to Work
School Refusal

Purchase Pot, Pills & Parenting or find it in your Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

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#532 Australia, We Have a Smacking Problem Jun 19, 2022

Susie O'Brien has just written an explosive article for the Herald Sun in Victoria about smacking and corporal punishment, and how it should be outlawed.

Its attracted a lot of media attention following the revelation that 6 in 10 young Australians had been smacked repeatedly by their parents, and that those 6 are nearly twice as likely to develop anxiety and depression as teens and adults.

You can read Justin's 'I Turned Out Fine' article for the New York Times here.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

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#531 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Jun 16, 2022

Every Friday Justin and Kylie look back at their week and discuss how they'll do better tomorrow with their parenting journey.

Pre-order Justin's new book 'Dad's Guide to Pregnancy for Dummies' at Dymocks or Booktopia.

Purchase the Building Better Boys webinar, or find it in your Happy Families Premium Membership.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#530 From the Doctor's Desk Jun 15, 2022

Dr Justin shares the latest academic studies related to parenting

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

Diet plays key role in ADHD symptoms in children
Eating more fruit & vegetables reduces some of the symptoms of ADHD
Food insecurity
Frequent external childcare can affect children's behavior, survey suggests
Problematic behaviour related to time spent in external childcare
Children in childcare are exposed to other values
Parenting Instagram accounts can make mothers feel supported, but also less competent
The impact of parenting related Instagram accounts on Mums

Purchase 21 Days to a Happier Family or find it in your Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#529 The Growth Mindset with James Anderson Jun 14, 2022

Justin & Kylie discuss helping our children develop resilience

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

Justin and James discuss being a 'natural' vs. putting in 'hard work'
Self-limiting beliefs
Fixed mindset and growth mindset
Motivating kids to try hard things

Purchase 12 x A5 “Justin-isms” Posters from the Happy Families shop - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#528 Raising Twins Without Comparison Jun 13, 2022

Justin & Kylie answer a listener's question about how to parent twins

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

We hear from Justin's Mum, who raised two sets of twins!
What does the science say?
Let them be themselves
Minimise comparison

Starting School Activity Book

Purchase Better Together or find it in your Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#527 The Moment That Matters is Now Jun 12, 2022

If you want to make the most of most moments...

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

How we can be present & in the moment
Leo Tolstoy Quote: “There is only one time that is important – NOW! It is the most important time because it is the only time that we have any power.”
If you want to make the most of most moments, be where your feet are
Let go of the agenda
Transitions matter
Awareness & being present
Be focused & intentional
Be open to spontaneity
The biggest impediment to being present is exhaustion
Take time to be grateful

Purchase Your Growth Guide or find it in your Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#526 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Jun 09, 2022

Justin & Kylie reflect on their week and determine what they can do better next time

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

Monotask not multitask
We hear from 2 podcast listeners
Say yes
The Coulson's are early risers
Some days don't go the way you want them to
Be intentional & purposeful
Sometimes as a parent you need to set your expectations

Purchase The Miss-connection Summit

Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#525 Kids Activities: What, Why and How Many? Jun 08, 2022

How do you decide which extra curricular activities to put the kids into?

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

Take their age into account
Experience vs learning a skill
Available resources
Don't force the 'life lessons'
Competence & confidence
What are your values?
Competition can be undermining for kids wellbeing

Purchase Better Together or find it in your Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#524 Baby & Toddler Nutrition With Dr Anthea Rhodes Jun 07, 2022

"Ready-made baby and toddler foods are a common choice for Australian families, as one in three young children eat these foods at least once a week, and one in five eat them most days. However, many parents are unaware these foods are often not healthy, and the majority falsely believe they are regulated by the government to ensure they provide good nutrition for children."

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

The latest RCH National Child Health Poll 'Ready-made baby foods: Do parents know the facts?’
How common is ready-made baby foods in Australian homes?
Do parents know what's in ready-made food?
Regulations in Australia for toddler food products
How to choose the better products
The most damaging product added into these foods
Check the ingredients list & nutritional panel

Find more from Dr Anthea Rhodes at RCH Poll or the Kids Health Info podcast

Purchase Pixel Perfect or find it in your Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#523 Should We Argue in Front of the Kids? Jun 06, 2022

Arguments are inevitable, but what's the best way to have them?

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

Fighting in inevitable
High conflict is linked to higher levels of negative symptoms in children
Children that come from secure homes are less likely to choose high risk behaviours
Children learn communication skills from their parents
Children need to see positive conflict resolution
Adult only conversations
Use the 3 E's

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Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

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#522 10 Fights Worth Having With Your Kids Jun 05, 2022

How to have a conversation that doesn't lead to conflict

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

Fights that parents have to have with their kids
Sleeping & eating
Friends, parties & sleepovers
Social media, alcohol & drugs, intimacy, pornography, dress
What matters is how we have the conflict
It's worth having a fight if their safety is at risk
How to have a conversation that doesn't lead to conflict
Justin's ladder metaphor
The relationship should always come first
It's not worth going to war over preferences
Preferences vs principles

Purchase A Parent's Guide to Autism or find it in your Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#521 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Jun 02, 2022

Justin & Kylie reflect on their week and determine what they can do better next time.

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

The Coulson's have a family meeting
Siblings sharing bedrooms
Kylie's morning routine
Justin struggles with the morning rush

Purchase Anxiety in Your Child or find it in your Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#520 Habits of Healthy Relationships Part 2 Jun 01, 2022

*Mature themes included - not appropriate for children*

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

Justin's writing a new book - Dad's Guide to Pregnancy for Dummies
Habits of healthy relationships

Make time
Laughter
Honour the other
Encourage positive illusions
Emotional attunement
No name calling
Forgive

Three things that apply specifically to adult relationships

Flirt
Consent
Keep each other updated on your day-to-day plans

Purchase Dadding Done Right or find it in your Premium Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#519 Sadness & Depression With Rachel Tomlinson May 31, 2022

How to support a child with depression

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

Rachel speaks about her new book - A Blue Kind of Day
How do we respond when our kids experience emotions that make us feel uncomfortable?
It's okay to not be okay
How does depression display in children?
How children describe symptoms of depression
How to support a child with depression

Find more about Rachel Tomlinson and her books Teaching Kids to be Kind and A Blue Kind of Day

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in your Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#518 Habits of Healthy Relationships Part 1 May 30, 2022

Habits of healthy relationships

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

Make time
Laughter
Honour the other
Encourage positive illusions

Purchase Teaching Kids Kindness or find it in your Premium Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#517 6 Phrases to Transform Your Relationship With The Kids May 29, 2022

Things that we can say to our kids when things are looking a bit rough

I am sorry
How can I help?
Can't means don't want to
You matter to me much more than this matters to me
You've gotta love the hills
I love you no matter what

Purchase The Screaming Spiral or find it in your Premium Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#516 I'll Do Better Tomorrow May 26, 2022

Justin & Kylie reflect on their week and determine what they can do better next time.

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

The Coulson's have had a WEEK
Kylie learns to apologise
The Coulson's review The Bad Guys
The Coulson girls have new rollerskates
Stay calm and sweat the stuff that matters
Don't let other people's emotions effect you
You're probably doing a better job than you think

Purchase Pot, Pills & Parenting or find it in your Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#515 The Pursuit of Happiness May 25, 2022

How to be happier as a parent

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

Justin shares some terrible Dad jokes
Can we be happier as parents?
Kylie tries faking a smile
The research does show that your happiness drops after children
There is no bandaid fix
7 things that we can do to be happier parents

Make the decision to be happier
Get your ego out of the way
Lower your expectations
Create time affluence
Invest in the relationship
Music
Look after yourself

Monday's podcast episde - #512 Finding More Time In Your Day

Purchase 21 Days to a Happier Family or find it in your Premium Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#514 Speech & Language Development With Caitlin O'Meara May 24, 2022

Speech & language milestones & what to do if your child isn't quite reaching them

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

How are speech and language different?
Speech & language milestones
What can parents do to accelerate their child's speech?
What shouldn't parents do?
Overgeneralisation
Model & repetition
When should a parent seek help from a speech pathologist?
What are the warning signs?
Skill development
Helpful tips

Follow your child's lead
Don't ask lots and lots of questions - provide comments & narrate
4 comments to every 1 question
Add onto their used words
Use a variety of words
Minimise screen time
Reading - slow it down & let them lead

We have a health care provider shortage

Caitlin O'Meara, speech pathologist & WA State Manager at Allied Health company Physio Inq

Purchase Building Better Boys or find it in your Premium Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

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#513 Keeping Control and Letting It Go May 23, 2022

Justin & Kylie answer a listener's question about screen time limits

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

Give a man a fish and he eats for a day, teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime
Control is easy but it doesn't teach
You can fence the pool but you can't fence the ocean
How long can we bubble wrap our kids?
Cocooning
Reasoned cocoon
Prearming
Reasoned deference
Deference
What do we do when they make a mistake?

Purchase our Justin-isms Posters.

Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

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#512 Finding More Time In Your Day May 22, 2022

When you're time poor and just need more hours in the day!

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

Kylie's top 3 tips to find more time in your day

Work out when you're most productive & maximise that time
Sit down at the beginning of the week and make a list
Keep yourself accountable

Justin's top 3 tips to find more time in your day

Create margins
Do less
Don't fill in the spaces

Purchase Your Growth Guide or find it in your Premium Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#511 I'll Do Better Tomorrow May 19, 2022

Justin & Kylie reflect on their week and determine what they can do better next time

Topics included in this episode:

Intentional reflection
Justin struggles with isolation while having Covid
Kylie shares a story about a Scout raft building competition

Purchase The Miss-connection Summit from the Happy Families shop. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#510 Calling Time on Tik Tok? May 18, 2022

Rebecca Sparrow and Michelle Mitchell have both spoken out recently on just how bad Tik Tok can be for our kids and teens.

Is Tik Tok that bad? And is it any worse than other social media platforms?

If you've been wanting to call time on Tik Tok, or even just provide a safer experience for your child, then this episode is a must listen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#509 Talking Budgets With Victoria Devine May 17, 2022

The cost of raising a family and what you can do about it

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

What does it cost to raise a child?
Why do we hate budgets?
Why budgeting isn't about restriction
Budgeting is personal
You will have more expensive seasons in your life
Talk with your kids about budgeting

Find Victoria Devine on Instagram, listen to her podcast She's On The Money or purchase her book She's On The Money

Purchase Pixel Perfect or find it in your Premium Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#508 Toddlers and Divorce May 16, 2022

Justin answers a listener's question about toddlers sharing time between two homes

Topics included in this episode:

The research suggests that kids do well with a 50/50 share
Small children need stability, routine & predictability
Attachment hierarchy
How to make the transition smoother
5 C's of separation & divorce
Closeness
Caregiving
Conflict
Change
Cash

Purchase Teaching Kids Kindness webinar from the Happy Families shop. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#507 Rewards in Reverse May 15, 2022

Justin shares a sneak peek into tonight's webinar Carrots & Sticks

Topics discussed in this episode:

Punishment, reward, timeout, praise
The lowest form of education
Let's get away from the reward charts
History of why we parent the way we do
Punishment & rewards creates problems
Motivation continuum

Purchase a ticket to tonight's live webinar Carrots & Sticks

Purchase Anxiety in your Child or find premium content with a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#506 I'll Do Better Tomorrow May 12, 2022

Justin & Kylie reflect on their week and determine what they can do better next time

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

Good parent vs bad parent
Teaching our kids a lesson vs doing something kind for them
Justin takes the girls to music lessons & Miss 8 does not want to go
Celebrate the wins
Kylie's read 4 of Justin's 6 books
Autonomy supported parenting is HARD work
It's hard to get everything right consistently
Just because it's hard, that doesn't mean you're doing anything wrong

Purchase 21 Days to a Happier Family online program or find it in your Premium Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#505 Can Mindfulness Help? May 11, 2022

Justin discusses some recent studies about mindfulness

Topics included in this episode:

Dr's Desk episode on mindfulness
Mindfulness training experiment
Is mindfulness the be-all and end-all?
Calm Mum = calm baby
Breathing exercises
Pay attention to your senses
Count down to calm

Articles mentioned -

Effects of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention on Distress, Weight Gain, and Glucose Control for Pregnant Low-Income Women: A Quasi-Experimental Trial Using the ORBIT Model

Prenatal mindfulness program improves stress response in infants

Purchase A Parent's Guide to Autism webinar from the Happy Families shop. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Purchase a ticket to Monday night's live webinar Carrots & Sticks

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#504 The Devious Device - A Conversation With Kirra Pendergast May 10, 2022

*Content warning - this episode discusses topics that may not be appropriate for children*

Topics discussed in this episode:

Airdropping & cyber flashing
Check your privacy settings
What not to do when a child reports an incident
Talk to your kids proactively
Turn it off, move away & talk to someone
Sextortion (combination of sexual & extortion)
Check in regularly with your kids & their social accounts

Kirra's first episode - #464 Teens and TikTok with Kirra Pendergast

Find Kirra Pendergast on Safe on Social

Episode with Kristen Jenson - #458 Porn Proofing Your Kids - An Interview With Kristen Jenson

Purchase Anxiety in your Child or find premium content with a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#503 Home Schooling 101 May 09, 2022

The positives & negatives of homeschooling vs the traditional schooling system

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

Justin & Kylie answer a listener's question about homeschooling
Issues with the school system -
Competition
Classes learn at the rate of the lowest child
Expectations
Cultural views
Bullying
Joy for children in chool
Reasons why the Coulson's never went down the homeschooling path -
Feelings of inadequacy
Lack of knowledge
Shift in lifestyle
Justin & Kylie call a friend who has just started homeschooling

Purchase Dadding Done Right webinar or find it in your Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#502 Raising a Mini Me May 08, 2022

What to do when we start to notice our worst traits coming out in our kids

Topics included in this episode:

Which Coulson daughter is most like their Dad?
Are we being triggered?
Personal acceptance
Your child is their own person
Show your child compassion
Hold space for your children
Allow your children to have a voice
Standards

Purchase the Tweens, Teens & Screens webinar from the Happy Families shop. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#501 I'll Do Better Tomorrow May 05, 2022

Justin & Kylie reflect on their week and determine what they can do better next time

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin speaks about the time he spent with Dr Shefali at her event last week
Why do we make our kids do things they don't want to do?
Justin takes his daughters surfing, involuntarily
The Coulson's have a Super Saturday that didn't go to plan

Purchase Teaching Kids Kindness or find premium content with a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#500 Life Skills for Teens - The Essential List May 04, 2022

Have you taught your teens enough to go out into life and succeed?

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

100 Essential Life Skills Teens Needs to Learn at Home
Saying 'no'
Setting goals
Communicating with & getting to know teachers
Read bank statements
Using ride share apps
Mail a package
Address an envelope
Turn off an overflowing toilet
What to do in a power outage
Laundry
Walk away from anything
Finding a doctor/accountant
Eating healthy
Manage subscription services
Basic first aid
Understand medical coverage
Complete a LinkedIn profile
Write a resume
Dress for an interview
Drink safely
Obtaining birth control
When to seek medical attention
Turn off a smoke alarm
Fire extinguisher

Grown & Flown

Purchase The Screaming Spiral webinar or find it in your Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#499 Holy Smoke! A Conversation on Vaping With Lexi Frydenberg May 03, 2022

What science has told us about the risks and dangers of vaping

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

Lexi Frydenberg
Vaping in Australia
Regulations and how kids are getting around them
What science has told us about the risks and dangers
RCH poll
Parents are not aware of the health risks
Parents are asking for more regulation
EVALI disease
Exploding vapes
Nic-sick

Find Dr Lexi Frydenberg on the Kids Health Info podcast

Purchase the Pot, Pills & Parenting webinar from the Happy Families shop. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#498 Children and Vaping with Dr Lisa Damour May 02, 2022

Vaping… why are our kids doing it and what we can do about it.

Dr Lisa Damour introduces herself
E-cigarette usage among teenagers has more than double in recent times
Why are kids doing it?
Our kids are victims of a sophisticated marketing scheme
Designers have made vapes incredibly attractive
Adolescent brains aren't fully developed until mid 20's
Vaping is socially rewarding
How should we talk to our kids about this?
Get curious, not furious
Understand, don't reprimand
Explore, don't explode
Open a discussion with questions, not lectures

Purchase Pixel Perfect Webinar and find premium content with a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#497 Assertiveness for Kids May 01, 2022

Answering a listener question - "How do you support kids to be more assertive with their peers?"

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

Identitiy & development
What does 'being your own person' really mean?
Positives & negatives of personal qualities
Assertiveness training
The I-message
Allowing children to have a voice and be heard
Actively and expressly encourage your children to have an opinion at home
Children need to know that you won't dismiss or disapprove of their emotions

Purchase the Better Together webinar or find it in your Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#496 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Apr 28, 2022

Navigating the sagas, challenges, and adversities of life.

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

Meltdown in the shops
Smart parenting
Inspiration from Hamish Blake
Sharing your love at bedtime
Connection

Purchase 12 x A5 “Justin-isms” Posters from the Happy Families shop. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#495 From the Doctor's Desk Apr 27, 2022

Topics discussed in this episode:

Kylie's naming process with their daughters
Taylor A. Humphrey, the professional baby namer
#460 What’s in a Name?
Predictors of resilience
Reading helps with resilience, particularly for those at risk
Aussie study on resilience and reading
NZ study (Otago) about building memories and greater resilience
Reminiscing
Active & constructive conversations

Purchase Pixel Perfect Webinar and find premium content with a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#494 Generation Sleepless With Heather Turgeon & Julie Wright Apr 26, 2022

How much sleep do our teenagers really need to be getting?

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

Teenage sleep is worse than ever
Teenager's sleep clock is naturally later to bed, later to rise
The second wind
Light delays sleep
Tips for winding down
Dark room for sleep
Dim lights up to 2 hours before bed time
Turn screens off
Give kids the impression that the whole household is winding down
NSW government is looking at starting school earlier
Can we adjust a teenager's body clock?
Anxiety & depression are on the rise
Teenagers need at least 8-9 hours of sleep per night

Purchase Generation Sleepless or The Happy Sleeper

Purchase the Miss-Connection Summit

Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#493 Triggered by Gun Play Apr 25, 2022

Topics discussed in this episode:

What the research says about playing with guns
If you do let your kids play with toy/nerf guns some tips for safe play
Red flags around aggressive or manipulative behaviour

Purchase The Growth Guide Webinar and find premium content with a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#492 An ANZAC Day Reflection Apr 24, 2022

A special Anzac day episode with Dr Justin Coulson. Lest we forget.

Purchase The Miss-Connection Summit or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#491 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Apr 21, 2022

Justin & Kylie reflect on their week and determine what they can do better next time.

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

Kids finish some well known sayings
Justin's verbal crutches
Touch points
Unspectacular moments
One of the Coulson girls is getting creative with her money making endeavours
Kylie shares a moment from her childhood

Purchase Your Growth Guide or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#490 When is Old Enough, Actually Old Enough? Apr 20, 2022

What parents can do to encourage their children to manage their own risks

Topics included in this episode:

Watch Old Enough on Netlfix
Justin & Kylie discuss the errands they did as small children
In Japan, there is a culture of neighbourhoods functioning as a village
Helicopter parenting
#237 Lenore Skenazy - Meet the World's Worst Mum
How much freedom do we give?
What if something happens?

Purchase The Miss-Connection Summit or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#489 Complementary Roles of Mums and Dads With Jenet Erickson Apr 19, 2022

Justin speaks with associate Professor Jenet Erickson

Topics included in this episode:

The different roles that mothers and fathers can offer their children
Mothers impact development by building core
Fathers impact how children relate to the outside world
Mums and Dads hold their babies differently
A key predictor of college graduation is the involvement of a father
Blue brain vs pink brain
Fathers promote risk taking
Nuturing is both holding close AND letting go
Children benefit from both processes
Daughters whose fathers are not present are more likely to engage sexually at a younger age
Boys need to see their fathers showing love to women and children in non sexual ways
Gender and Parenthood by Brad Wilcox
Love is happiness.
The intentional family is a ritualising family

Purchase Better Together or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#488 Resilience by Rote - Should Resilience be Taught in Schools? Apr 18, 2022

There has been a push recently for the teaching of resilience in schools - but should teachers be forced to teach wellness and psychology in the classroom?

Topics discussed in today's podcast:

Why the home is the best place for teaching resilience and some tips for parents
Being flexible, goals, values and circumstances
The importance of parents being hope builders

For a happier family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#487 Holiday Edition - Alfie Kohn Apr 17, 2022

Highlights from episode #137 Punishment & Rewards with Alfie Kohn

For a happier family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

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#486 Holiday Edition - Ant Williams Apr 14, 2022

Highlights from episode #119 What Does Free Diving & Parenting Have In Common? (Featuring Ant Williams)

For a happier family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#485 Holiday Edition - Ethan Kross Apr 13, 2022

Highlights from episode #128 Self Control Can Be A Learned Behaviour (Featuring Ethan Kross)

For a happier family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

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#484 Holiday Edition - Maggie Dent Apr 12, 2022

Highlights from episode #270 Maggie Dent on Raising Boys Part 2

First conversation with Maggie - #269 Maggie Dent on Raising Boys Part 1

For more information on Maggie Dent and her book From Boys to Men

For a happier family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

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#483 Holiday Edition - Andrew Fuller Apr 11, 2022

Highlights from episode #319 The A to Z of Feelings with Andrew Fuller

Andrew Fuller's new book The A to Z of Feelings

For a happier family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

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#482 Holiday Edition - Steve Biddulph Apr 10, 2022

Highlights from episode #324 Fully Human with Steve Biddulph

Learn more about Steve Biddulph and his new book Fully Human

For a happier family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

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#481 Holiday Edition - Jeremy McVean Apr 07, 2022

Highlights from episode #339 Jeremy Macvean Founder of The Fatherhood

Learn more about Jeremy Macvean

Purchase his book - The Father Hood: Inspiration for the new dad generation

Find The Fatherhood on Facebook and Instagram

For a happier family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

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#480 Holiday Edition - Wally Goddard Apr 06, 2022

Highlights from episode #344 Introducing Wally Goddard

Follow Wally on Facebook

For a happier family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

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#479 Holiday Edition - Susie O'Brien Apr 05, 2022

20% of our days are allocated to leisure

Learn more about Susie O'Brien or purchase her book The Secret to Half-Arsed Parenting

#354 Susie O'Brien - Half-Arsed Parenting

Purchase a ticket to the Bringing Up Boys Summit

Purchase Pixel Perfect or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

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#478 Holiday Edition - Mem Fox Apr 04, 2022

A conversation with an aussie icon (Mem Fox)

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin asks Mem Fox some small but insightful questions about her experiences in motherhood

#124 Conversation With an Aussie Icon (Featuring Mem Fox)

Purchase a ticket to the Bringing Up Boys Summit

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

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#477 Diving Into the Man Box With Matt Tyler Apr 03, 2022

Matt Tyler is our special guest on this episode ahead of the Happy Families Bringing Up Boys Summit on Wednesday April 6.

Matt Tyler is Executive Director of The Men’s Project at Jesuit Social Services working with a team committed to intervening earlier to prevent violence, mental ill-health and other harmful behaviours among boys and men.

The Man Box is the first comprehensive study that focuses on the attitudes to manhood and the behaviours of young Australian men aged 18 to 30.

The Man Box is a set of beliefs within and across society that place pressure on men to be a certain way – to be tough; not to show any emotions; to be the breadwinner, to always be in control, use violence to solve problems; and to have many sexual partners.

Get your ticket to the Bringing Up Boys Summit here.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#476 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Mar 31, 2022

Justin & Kylie reflect on their week and determine what they can do better next time.

Topics discussed in this episode:

Some April fools jokes
Dr Justin's clothing mishap
Kylie's experience taking things too seriously
Lighten up

Purchase a ticket to the Bringing Up Boys Summit

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#475 Conspiracy Theory Chaos Mar 30, 2022

Justin & Kylie discuss a listener's question about how to talk to your kids about family members and friends who are deep into conspiracy theories,

Topics discussed in this episode:

How can we talk to our kids about family members and friends who are deep into conspiracy theories
How can we encourage our kids to have respectful relationships with family members with differing views and not take their opinions on board
Get curious, not furious
Kylie shares her 5 tips on what to discuss with your kids
Justin shares his tips on having conversational boundaries with family members and friends without hurting the relationship
How pivoting the conversation can help
Reminding your kids that you're a safe space for them if they want to debrief or unpack conversations that made them feel uncomfortable

#374 Getting Back to School After COVID with Michael Parker

Learn more about Michael Parker or buy his book, Talk With Your Kids About Things That Matter.

Purchase a ticket to the Bringing Up Boys Summit

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#474 The Art of Insubordination With Todd Kashdan Mar 29, 2022

How do we raise children who are independent, critical thinkers while also fitting in?

Topics included in this episode:

Justin speaks with Todd Kashdan about his new book
"We want our youth to be compelling - likeability plus confidence."
Instilling values
Basketball free throws
Losing while you stick to your principles is better than winning by taking the shortcuts
Stereotyped, non-conforming behaviour
Masculinity and insubordination

Learn more about Todd Kashdan or buy his book, The Art of Insubordination

Purchase a ticket to the Bringing Up Boys Summit

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Purchase The Do's & Dont's of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

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#473 Teaching Your Children How to Say No Mar 28, 2022

Why Kids Who 'Talk Back' Grow Up To Be Better Adults

Topics included in this episode:

Article mentioned - Why Kids Who 'Talk Back' Grow Up To Be Better Adults
Kylie was a compliant child. Justin was not. His family encouraged speaking up for yourself.
"the inability to say "No" — the inability to set personal boundaries — is one of the most common, insidious causes of human suffering." - Clinical psychologist Kelly M. Flanagan
Our job as parents is to teach them how to say no and push back effectively
Get curious, not furious
Kids need to be able to practice being heard
Kids need to know that we trust them
Acknowledge that your children have preferences
Come into the conversation with compassion
If our children don't feel safe saying 'no' to us, who else are they going to have trouble saying 'no' to?

Purchase a ticket to the Bringing Up Boys Summit

Purchase The Do's & Dont's of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#472 Toddlers in Charge Mar 27, 2022

Are we being too soft on kids these days?

Topics included in this episode:

Kylie takes Miss 7 to an activity, which results in a large meltdown but ends sweetly
Labelling their feelings
Understanding their development better
Emotional regulation
High emotions = low intelligence
Name it to tame it

Purchase a ticket to the Bringing Up Boys Summit

Purchase The Do's & Dont's of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#471 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Mar 24, 2022

Justin & Kylie reflect on their week and determine what they can do better next time.

Topics included in this episode:

Check out Lisa Damour's books
Kylie has started one-on-one walks with her girls
Justin shares a story from his book What Your Child Needs From You

Purchase a ticket to the Bringing Up Boys Summit

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#470 Family Meetings Mar 23, 2022

Justin & Kylie share about how they manage their family.

Topics discussed in this episode:

Weekly couples meeting, weekly family meeting & quarterly couples immersion.
How to get your partner on the same page.

Find all the information about the 'Can We Please Talk About Boys' webinar here.

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#469 The Work Family Reset - A Conversation With Jenet Erickson Mar 22, 2022

During COVID some fascinating things have happened when it comes to the work life of parents.

Jenet Erickson is an associate professor at Brigham Young University whose research is all about the distinct contribution of parents in children's development. She is also a research fellow at the Institute for Family Studies in the US, and recently published an article there called The Work Family Reset in Post-COVID America.

Her research into maternal and child wellbeing has been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, U.S. News and World Report and the Today Show.

Purchase a ticket to the Bringing Up Boys Summit

Purchase The Do's & Dont's of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#468 Come On Get Happy Mar 21, 2022

"What if the rewards of having children are different from, and deeper, than happiness?"

Topics included in this episode:

It's scientifically proven that when children are born, parent's happiness decreases
Justin & Kylie discuss how they felt after becoming parents & their levels of happiness
All Joy and No Fun: The Paradox of Modern Parenthood
"What if the rewards of having children are different from, and deeper, than happiness?"
Children improve our Life Satisfaction
Meaning & purpose

Purchase a ticket to the Bringing Up Boys Summit

Purchase The Do's & Dont's of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#467 Sibling Sexual Abuse Mar 20, 2022

*Content warning - this episode includes topics that are not suitable for children*

Today on the podcast we're addressing a recent question on the Happy Families Facebook page about siblings 'experimenting'. This question created differing responses from people who have been in this situation - so how should we respond?

Miranda Bain is the Therapy Services Director at Act for Kids; a psychologist who works to help children and families going through abuse and trauma.
Miranda has practiced in the USA as well as Australia and New Zealand, and since moving to Australia has focused on the impact of abuse and trauma on children. Actively addressing the impact of pornography and online sexual imagery on the sexual development of children is a particular area of interest.
Act for Kids is a for-purpose organisation that delivers evidence-led professional therapy and support services to children and families who have experienced or are at risk of harm.
Find out more about Act for Kids Education Services here.
Learn more about True's school programs here.
Information about the Australian Childhood Foundation can be found here.

For a happier family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#466 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Mar 17, 2022

Justin & Kylie reflect on their week and determine what they can do better next time.

Topics discussed in this episode:

The Coulson girls start at a new school
Miss 7 is struggling with all the changes
Kylie had a win
Justin had a loss that turned into a teaching moment for him

Register for our free webinar Can We Please Talk About Boys?!

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#465 How Criticism Affects Your Child Mar 16, 2022

“When you criticise your child, they don’t stop loving you. They stop loving themselves.”

Purchase a ticket to the Bringing Up Boys Summit

For a happier family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#464 Teens and TikTok with Kirra Pendergast Mar 15, 2022

*Content warning - this episode may not be appropriate for children to listen to*

Topics discussed in this episode:

TikTok's algorithm
Kirra explains the kind of content our children are viewing on TikTok
Teens & their desire to be TikTok famous
The danger of online predators
TikTok's terms & conditions
Parents, educate yourselves on TikTok and how it works
Know how to block & report and teach it to your children
Look through your children's followers list and make sure they personally know them
Clean your children's feed

Click here to read Julie Jargon's Washington Post article about teen girls posting risqué videos on Tik Tok.

Find out more about Kirra at the Safe on Social website.

Register for our free webinar Can We Please Talk About Boys?!

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#463 The Currency of Relationships Mar 14, 2022

In this short and sweet episode Justin reminds us that connection is key, and that kids spell love T.I.M.E.

Register for the free 'Can We Talk About Boys?' webinar.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#462 Autonomous Parenting Mar 13, 2022

In this episode Justin and Kylie discuss some common Dutch parenting styles that can help make children more self-reliant.

You can read the article about Dutch parenting that was mentioned in the episode here.

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#461 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Mar 10, 2022

Justin & Kylie reflect on their week and determine what they can do better next time

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin & Kylie are struggling with finding their new home
Justin geeks out and shares a metaphor about space shuttles and committing
Kylie shares a sweet moment with Miss 7 on the beach
Provide your kids with opportunities to brainstorm & collaborate

Register for our free webinar Can We Please Talk About Boys?!

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#460 What’s in a Name? Mar 09, 2022

It's official, Australia's most bogan baby names for 2022 have been revealed in a news.com.au article.

Now we are not judging or shaming anyone - we are just reporting what news.com.au have printed.

If you want to check out the full list of 2022's most bogan baby names you can do that here.

There is some science around unusual names and what that does to your child's chances of success in life, so Justin will unpack what that could look like.

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#459 No Point Crying Over Spilt Juice Mar 08, 2022

Today Justin and Kylie have a chat about something that blew up on the socials.

When we shared the video on the Happy Families page, it blew up with some people being so happy while others were so upset about what was going on.

It was the video of a little girl pouring juice but making a big mess! But it was also a video about giving a child the opportunity to grow; often it's through making those mistakes, and making the big mess that goes along with it a real difference.

You can watch the video here.

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#458 Porn Proofing Your Kids - An Interview With Kristen Jenson Mar 07, 2022

Proofing our kids against pornography

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin speaks with Kristen Jenson about porn proofing our kids
Kids will see porn at some point - they need to be prepared
When do we need to start the conversation?
#soonerissafer
Recognise a bad picture, understand that it's harmful & have a plan.
Start with simple definitions
The universal agreement that pornography is harmful for children

Defend Young Minds

Good Pictures Bad Pictures: Porn-Proofing Today's Young Kids

Good Pictures Bad Pictures Jr.: A Simple Plan to Protect Young Minds

Or they can be purchased via the Focus on the Family New Zealand website:

GPBP: https://family.org.nz/product/good-pictures-bad-pictures/

Jr: https://family.org.nz/product/good-picture-bad-pictures-jr/

My Kid Saw Porn—Now What?

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#457 It’s Time to Have the Talk... You Know, That One Mar 06, 2022

*Content warning - this episode may not be suitable for children*

Topics included in this episode:

Justin & Kylie sit down with their kids once a month to discuss intimacy
Encourage the kids to ask questions
If you're confident, they'll have condfidence in you
Emphasise the positives
The most important conversation - consent

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#456 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Mar 03, 2022

Justin & Kylie reflect on their week and determine what they can do better next time

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin shares some kind feedback that came through from a listener
One of the Coulson daughters successfully manages on her own during the floods
The Coulson's are preparing to sell their home
Equip your kids
Let kids be kids

For a happier family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#455 Kids & Vaccines Mar 02, 2022

Weighing up the positives & negatives of vaccinating our children against Covid19

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin speaks with Professor Alison McMillann, Officer for the Commonwealth Department of Health
Why are parents hesitant to vaccinate their children agaisnt Covid19?
Misinformation
Impact on fertility
If kids don't get sick from Covid, why do we need to vaccinate them?
Statistics of adverse reactions to the vaccine

Find your nearest vaccination clinic

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#454 Online Safety with Julie Inman Grant from the eSafety Commission Mar 01, 2022

Justin speaks with Julie Inman Grant From the Australian eSafety Commission

Topics discussed in this episode:

Kids aged 9-12 are reporting sending nude images
What does the Australian eSafety Commissioner do?
Prevention, Protection & Proactive Change
User empowerment tools
Disenfranchised grief
Talk early, talk often, be present, teach them to block/mute, don't take away devices as punishment
Set parental controls
Have your children use their devices in open areas of the home
Digital resilience

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#453 How to Talk About Ukraine Feb 28, 2022

Have your kids been seeing the images coming out of Ukraine and wondering what is going on, and if they are safe?

In this episode Justin and Kylie discuss how to respond to our kids when they have questions about the war.

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#452 Weaponised Incompetence Feb 27, 2022

Justin & Kylie discuss weaponised incompetence

In this episode, they discuss:

What is weaponised incompetence (or strategic incompetence)
Justin's mum's advice
Justin & Kylie share their own weaponised incompetencies
3 ways to overcome legitimate weaponised incompetence
Click here to read the Huffington Post article

For a happier family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#451 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Feb 24, 2022

Justin & Kylie reflect on their week and determine what they can do better next time

Topics discussed in this episode:

Kylie struggled through a difficult weekend with some little people with big feelings
We need to remember to be kind to ourselves
Force creates resistance
High emotions = low intelligence
Why being a parenting expert sucks sometimes
Justin feels a little under the microscope

Purchase a ticket to our Emotion Coaching Workshop

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#450 Content Warning - Justin Tells Another Dad Joke Feb 23, 2022

One of the most important parts of your child's day - sleep!

Topics discussed in this episode:

University of Houston study - In your face: Children’s expressions tell the story of poor sleep
How much sleep to kids of different ages need?
How can we optimise their sleep?
Sleep hygiene
Quality vs quantity
The importance of waking up at the same time every day
Take the pressure off your teenagers

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#449 Screen Addiction - A Conversation With Brad Marshall Feb 22, 2022

Are screens really as bad for our kids as we think they are?

In this episode, they discuss:

Justin & Brad discuss an article released by the Oxford Internet Institute
Brad shares the number one piece of advice - think of screens holisticly
Does limiting screen time work?
What kind vs how much
The most common complaint from parents - sleep & money
Gambling online

Learn more about Brad Marshall, The Unplugged Psychologist

For a happier family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#448 Leaving the Nest Feb 21, 2022

Justin & Kylie answer a question from a listener about how to allow our adult children to leave the nest

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin & Kylie talk us through their experience with having their oldest child leave the family home
As adults, we need to remember what it was like to be a maturing teen & what it was that we needed from our parents
Parents need to let go of the control to decrease anxiety in both the parent & the maturing child
Learn to let go from the very beginning
Parents need to provide the scaffolding to allow their childen to make safe choices
Justin reads an excerpt from his book Miss-Connection

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#447 Schooling Hot Topics Feb 20, 2022

Justin and Kylie discuss two hot schooling topics - homework and school hours.

You can read Justin's homework letter here.

Click here to read Rebecca Sparrow's Facebook post about homework.

You can read an article about the potential change to NSW school hours here.

For a happier family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#446 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Feb 17, 2022

Justin & Kylie reflect on their week and determine what they can do better next time

In this episode, they discuss:

Kylie's reading Atlas Of The Heart by Dr Brené Brown
Positive emotions disappear quickly and gratitude helps us relive those moments
Kylie shares an experience with one of their daughters
Justin helps Kylie through a tricky experience with their youngest daughter
The Coulson's got adventurous over the weekend

For a happier family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#445 Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word Feb 16, 2022

In this episode Justin and Kylie discuss:

Forgiveness, apologies and holding grudges
Theory of Mind - understanding other peoples thoughts and beliefs in order to then understand their behaviour
Helping children to apologise
Justin's 4-Step Apology

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#444 Kids Dig Food - A Conversation with Deb Blakley Feb 15, 2022

The biggest mistakes typical families make when their kids are being fussy

In this episode, they discuss:

What are the main reasons for why kids become picky eaters?
Is there an age where we should expect pickiness?
Is there an age where we can expect kids to get over their pickiness?
The biggest mistakes typical families make when their kids are being fussy - Pressure, comparison, worry.
"When the joy goes out of eating, nutrition suffers."
Top 3 solutions - 1. Trust. 2. Never back kids into a corner. 3. Provide opportunities for kids to explore food

Learn more about Deb Blakley from Kids Dig Food

To access the Feed Your Picky Eater [without going crazy] evergreen online course for parents: https://kidsdigfood.com.au/resources/

Book an appointment with an APD from the Kids Dig Food team: https://kidsdigfood.com.au/appointments/

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#443 A Conversation With Michael Grose Feb 14, 2022

Justin speaks with Michael Gross from Parenting Ideas

In this episode, they discuss:

What was parenting like in the early 90's?
What Michael is most proud of in his parenting career
Justin & Michael share a huge announcement

Learn more about

For a happier family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

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#442 - Is Nude Too Rude? Feb 13, 2022

Trigger Warning - This episode discusses nudity in adults and children. The conversation does not address abuse, however, we understand that this discussion may be sensitive for some of our listeners.

Justin and Kylie discuss if it's okay to be naked in front of the kids.

Topics included in this podcast:

Kylie shares more about her 'Pink Lunchbox' tradition for Valentines Day
Justin and Kylie discuss when is nude too rude
Respecting your kid's boundaries and talking to them about privacy, consent and body safety
Teaching kids that bodies of all shapes and sizes are natural, normal and healthy

Catch up on Justin's latest webinar, Better Together.

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#441 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Feb 10, 2022

Justin and Kylie review what went well or not so well from this week.

In this episode, they discuss:

Watch what you say around your kids
First day at school
Acknowledging your kids' fears
Justin creates drama at home
Endings matter

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#440 Better Together Feb 09, 2022

In this episode Justin and Kylie talk through some of the topics that will be discussed on tonight's 'Better Together' webinar.

The webinar starts at 7pm Queensland time and 8pm for those in New South Wales and Victoria.

'Better Together' is free for Happy Families members or can be purchased for $30.

Discover more about the 'Better Together' webinar.

Find out more about becoming a Happy Families member.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#439 Girls & Tech: an Interview With Dr Catherine Ball Feb 08, 2022

Justin speaks with Dr Catherine Ball about Girls, technology and looking towards the future.

In this episode, they discuss:

Gender equality and representation
What parents can do to help give their kids the tools to flourish in the things that matter most to them
How to steer our kids into technology avenues

Learn more about Dr Catherine Ball

For a happier family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#438 People Matter, Things Don't Feb 07, 2022

Topics included in this podcast:

A listener question about how to help kids learn to take responsibility and ownership of their belongings without shaming them
5 ways to help our kids learn to be more responsible
Justin and Kylie share a recent family experience where they practised what they preached

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#437 The Monday Mixed Bag Feb 06, 2022

Topics discussed in the Monday Mixed Bag:

The 60 Minutes interview with Cleo Smith's parents.
Citipointe Christian College's controversial contract.
A letter that radio host Fitzy wrote to his son before he started high school.

For a happier family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#436 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Feb 03, 2022

Justin & Kylie reflect on their week and determine what they can do better next time

Topics included in this episode -

Kylie's enjoying watching their girls' relationships strengthen since their move
The Coulson's take a hot, sweaty walk

For a happier family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#435 Teaching Kids to be Unselfish Feb 02, 2022

Topics discussed in this episode:

Teaching kids manners
Being selfless is easy when being selfless is fun
Focusing on the good and accept that the rough stuff will exist

For a happier family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#434 '13 Things Strong Kids Do' with Amy Morin Feb 01, 2022

Why some people go through hard times & grow from it and others don't

Topics included in this podcast -

Justin introduces Amy & her work
13 Things Mentally Strong Parents Don't Do
Why some people go through hard times & grow from it and others don't
Our emotional wounds are like our physical wounds - you have to take care of them
3 things mentally strong people don't do

1. Waste time feeling sorry for themselves

2. Give away their power

3. Make the same mistakes over and over again

13 Things Strong Kids Do
Kids need to be kept in the loop to avoid them drawing their own conclusions
Kids need to feel heard. Validate their feelings.
Make gratitude a process in your house

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#433 Caught in the Act Jan 31, 2022

What to do when you get sprung by the kids!

Topics included in this episode -

Guy Sebastian has shared about how he & his wife were 'caught in the act'
Justin & Kylie share their own moments of exposure
What should parents do in these moments?
Teach kids to knock & what a closed door means
Children need to hear about sex & intimacy via healthy conversations
How to carve out time for intimacy

For a happier family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#432 Back to School - First Day Fears Jan 30, 2022

Children all around the country are returning to school, and for many of those kids, it's a day of firsts.

Topics covered in this episode:

Coping with nerves and first-day fears, both for children and parents
Giving our kids security and predictability around their schooling
Coping with COVID and the fears and anxiety that can be present around the issues schools are facing

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#431 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Jan 27, 2022

Justin & Kylie share the story of their last minute sea change.

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#430 Making Mornings Magic Jan 26, 2022

Getting your morning routine happening again after the holidays

Topics included in this episode -

The bucket metaphor - Connecting & correcting vs connecting
4 tips for making your mornings magic
1 - Your morning starts the night before
2 - Breakfast menu & lunch list
3 - Softly wake the children up a little earlier
4 - Don't tell, ask
Kylie's tip - Use gentle reminders

For a happier family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#429 Tip For the Day #4 - Praise for Brilliance Jan 25, 2022

It's a public holiday today, so we've prepared a super short episode of the podcast so that you can get back to spending quality time with your family.

Today we're exploring why when we praise or reward kids for being brilliant, this can lead to them avoiding things they might fail at.

For a happier family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#428 Talking To Your Kids About Needles Jan 24, 2022

If needles of any kind are on the horizon for your kids, this is the episode for you!

Topics discussed in this episode:

Ways we can help our kids cope with the fear experienced by needles
Justin and Kylie share some of their needle experiences, both as kids and as parents
Some of the research that's gone into distraction interventions and why it matters

Links to some of the research papers mentioned in this episode:

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#427 We Don't Talk About COVID Jan 23, 2022

Kylie shares her mental health struggles at the end of 2021

Topics discussed in this episode

Kylie's back!
Justin & Kylie discuss the school holidays being extended by Covid
The podcast had 1.95 million downloads last year
The Coulson's had the worst Christmas ever
Kylie shares her mental health struggles at the end of 2021

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#426 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Jan 20, 2022

Justin & Kate reflect on their week and determine what they can do better next time

Kate took a mum-cation & worries about the mum-guilt
Justin's been struggling with not having enough time for the kids

For a happier family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

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#425 I Won't Tell You Again, Again Jan 19, 2022

Top 5 things we've said to our kids these holidays

Topics included in this podcast:

Justin's writing a new book
Top 5 things Justin & Kate said to their kids this holidays

Join Justin for a live Q&A in your Happy Families Membership.

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#424 Food Fighters Jan 18, 2022

Justin & Kate answer a Happy Families Premium member's question about dinner time

Topics discussed in this episode

Why is dinner time so difficult?
One of Justin's daughter's has decided to go vegetarian
The history of fussy eating
Justin & Kate share their top tips

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#423 Go to Your Room...For 10 Days Jan 17, 2022

Justin & Kate discuss the challenges of isolation for families

Topics discussed in this episode

Justin & Kate discuss the current status of Covid in Australia
Kate's daughter contracted Covid
The challenges of 10 days of isolation
Solutions for children in isolation
Relax in screen time
Make meal times fun
Get them outside every day

For a happier family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#422 Hello 2022, Hello Kate Jan 16, 2022

Happy New Year to all the Happy Families Podcast listeners!

Justin and Kylie have big news with a move underway - more on that to come on the podcast soon. So filling in this week for Kylie is radio host and producer Kate Meade.

Kate is a mum to three kids, has hosted a breakfast radio show and is also the host of the Women of Influence Podcast. As well as founding the Victorian Dance Festival, one of the largest dance festivals in Australia, Kate was named in the Australian Financial Review’s 100 Women of Influence in 2018.

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#421 I'll Do Better This Christmas Dec 16, 2021

3 tips to help you have a very Merry Christmas

Topics discussed in this episode

3 things to help you have a very Merry Christmas
Check in with your own value system
Kylie's top 3 values at Christmas - connecting with the family, simplicity, it's not about the gifts.
Be really intentional about the way you engage with each other
Don't get sunburnt! Be safe.

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#420 Christmas on a Budget Dec 15, 2021

6 things to help you do Christmas on a budget

Topics discussed in this episode

The 4 gifts of Christmas - Something they want, something they need, something to wear & something to read
Stick to a budget
Determine who you want to gift to
Getting the list of gifts right
Going second-hand or hand-made
Quality vs quantity
Utilising sales and laybuy

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#419 The 3 Levels of Christmas Dec 14, 2021

Justin & Kylie open up about the true meaning of Christmas for them & their family

Topics discussed in this podcast:

10 sleeps till Christmas!
How to make Christmas holy for your family
Having a more Christ-centered Christmas
The 3 levels of Christmas
Level 1 - Santa, presents, food etc. Bringing people together.
Level 2 - Oh Holy Night. Christmas carols. The nativity.
Level 3 - Recognising Christ's life of sacrifice & love. Joy, peace & hope.
We hear from some podcast listeners about how they make Christmas holy
Going to church
Singing carols
The Nativity
Serve others

Purchase How To Unspoil The Kids This Christmas or Tis the Season to be Cranky or find it in your Happy Families Membership

For a happier family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#418 Christmas Planning Dec 13, 2021

Justin & Kylie are unprepared for Christmas so they ask some Premium members to share how they plan and prepare.

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#417 Christmas Traditions Dec 12, 2021

Some of the Happy Families listeners share their Christmas traditions

Topics discussed in this episode

Some of the Happy Families listeners share their Christmas traditions
Justin and Kylie talk about their festive traditions
Thinking of others - Larissa's idea about Christmas Ninjas is a great example

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#416 My Grown Up (and Not So Grown Up) Christmas Movie List Dec 09, 2021

Justin & Kylie list their all-time favourite Christmas movies

The Polar Express
Klaus
Arthur Christmas
Elf
Home Alone
The Santa Clause
Christmas Chronicles
Must mention - Bad Santa, The Holiday (Justin's never seen them)

Some Christian Christmas movies

Purchase How To Unspoil The Kids This Christmas or Tis the Season to be Cranky or find it in your Happy Families Membership

For a happier family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#415 The Road Trip Revisited Dec 08, 2021

The best list of road trip games to keep everyone entertained.

Topics discussed in this episode:

I-spy
Spotto
I went to the shops and I bought
The alphabet game
Car cricket
Old MacDonald Had A Farm
Bingo
This Is The Song That Never Ends
Peel The Avocado
The Fart Game

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#414 'Tis The Season to be Cranky Dec 07, 2021

Making Christmas a happy time for everyone

Topics included in this episode:

how to keep things calm this Christmas
creating structure for a smoother day
practicing acceptance
getting on with relatives and others being in our space

Purchase the 'Tis The Season to be Cranky webinar, or find it in your Happy Families Premium Membership.

For a happier family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#413 Kids Asking For Expensive Gifts Dec 06, 2021

How to avoid materialism in your children this Christmas

Topics discussed in this episode:

How to avoid materialism in your children
Don't try to keep up with the Jones's
Get creative
Plan ahead
Change the focus
Be an example

Material Parenting: How the Use of Goods in Parenting Fosters Materialism in the Next Generation

Purchase How To Unspoil The Kids This Christmas or find it in your Happy Families Membership

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#412 Childhood Depression Dec 05, 2021

Topics included in this episode:

What research says about how we can help those suffering from depression.
Connection, physical activity and mentors.
Why curiosity and a desire to learn can help overcome depression.

You can contact Kids Helpline anytime on 1800 55 1800.

You can call Lifeline anytime on 13 11 14.

Invest in your family with a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#411 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Dec 02, 2021

Subjects up for discussion:

Littlest Miss Coulson was excited for a special Saturday chore
Justin took one of his daughters out for a special birthday ice-cream
Kids spell love T.I.M.E
Kylie left the kids with a list of chores and she came home to a wonderful surprise
If we don't give our children opportunities to surprise us, they never will

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#410 Best Of - Playful Parenting Dec 01, 2021

In this best of episode Justin & Kylie chat about ways we can be more playful with our kids. It's a really important conversation, especially ahead of the holidays!

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#409 Report Cards - Do They Matter? An Interview With Alfie Kohn Nov 30, 2021

Justin & Kylie speak with Alfie Kohn about report cards

In this episode, they discuss:

Alfie's opinion on report cards
When children are being evaluated, it reduces their motivation
Intrinsic vc extrinsic motivation
Grades for effort
What should parents do with the report cards?

Learn more about Alfie Kohn

#137 Punishment & Rewards with Alfie Kohn

#150 Unconditional Parenting with Alfie Kohn

#160 The Trouble With Time Out with Alfie Kohn

#249 Best of - Discipline, Punishment & Rewards with Dr Alfie Kohn

Purchase T weens, Teens & Screens or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#408 A Co-Parenting Listener Question Nov 29, 2021

Topics included in this episode:

A listener question about co-parenting when the other parent is not quite meeting their responsibilities
The 7 C's of Separation and Divorce
Why and how you need to work together with your ex when it comes to parenting

Read Dr Justin Coulson's 7 C's of Separation and Divorce.

Invest in your family with a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#407 Dad Alone Nov 28, 2021

Topics included in this episode:

Kylie's week off at her health retreat
Is taking holidays apart a good or bad thing?
Appreciating your partner

Invest in your family with a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#406 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Nov 25, 2021

Podcast listeners share what they learnt from Parental Guidance

In this episode, they discuss:

Black Friday sales!
Coparenting, boundaries, setting routines, nature parenting
Which parents did you connect the most with?
Justin's tender moment with his most difficult child
Kylie's experience with her daughter who didn't get a "gold hat"
Measuring kids by 'awards' and 'rewards'

Click here to locate our Black Friday Sales

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#405 The Homeschool Parent - Deb Nov 24, 2021

Justin & Kylie speak with Deb from Parental Guidance!

In this episode, they discuss:

What made her want to go into homeschooling?
How does she juggle everything?
What is the hardest thing about homeschooling?
Do her kids really get along well?
Her daughter's struggle to give up her screen
How did the experience on the show affect her family?
What were her biggest learnings?

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#404 The Routine Parents - Brett & Tony Nov 23, 2021

Justin & Kylie speak with Brett & Tony from Parental Guidance!

In this episode, they discuss:

How did Tony & Brett end up with quadriplets?
What made them want to have kids?
What was their biggest learning?
Were they disappointed they didn't go through to go camping?
Which parents would they put through to the Crowded House?
Would you recommend a season 2?

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#403 The Strict Parents - Andrew & Miriam Nov 22, 2021

Justin & Kylie speak with Andrew & Miriam from Parental Guidance!

In this episode, they discuss:

What did they hope to gain from being on the show?
Their impressions while watching the show
How did the kids feel about being on TV?
How did the show impact their parenting?
Which parenting style impacted them the most?
How did the show strengthen your family?

For a happier family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#402 The Tiger Parents - Kevin & Debbie Nov 21, 2021

Justin shares his favourite part of the whole show from Parental Guidance!

In this episode, they discuss:

What were their expectations going into the show?
Debbie's disappointment in how she was portrayed on the show
Did they question their own parenting style?
Were they always on the same page with their parenting?
"Never Give Up"
Justin's favourite part of the entire show
How has the experience strengthened their family?

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#401 I'll Do Better Tomorrow - The Family Meeting Nov 18, 2021

In this episode Justin and Kylie discuss:

The Coulson family discussed how they can make their family happy after watching the show
The girls share which parenting style they think Justin & Kylie use
The girls share which set of parents they liked the most
Which parenting style will the girls use when they're parents?
What would the girls like to do more of?

Purchase Tweens, Teens, & Screens or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#400 Meet Justin’s Parental Guidance Co-Host Nov 17, 2021

In this episode Justin and Kylie discuss:

What it was like working with Justin
Ally's parenting style
Ally's favourite parenting style on the show
How Ally's parenting has changed since the show
Are Justin & Ally perfect parents?
What has changed in Ally's home since the show

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#399 Free Range Parents - Penny & Daniel Nov 16, 2021

Topics included in this episode:

Justin & Kylie speak with Penny & Daniel, the winners of Parental Guidance
How they feel about winning
Were they always on the same page about their parenting?
How their childhoods effected their parenting
Parenting from fear
How being on the show effected their parenting
How the experience strengthened their family

For a happier family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#398 Are You on Auto Parent? Nov 15, 2021

In this episode Justin and Kylie discuss:

a recap of last night's episode of Parental Guidance
giving kids instruction
a review on Brett and Tony's approach of using routine
emotions are contagious
tips to reign our own emotions back in
anger, fear, control

Purchase Tweens, Teens, & Screens or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#397 Playing to Your Strengths Nov 14, 2021

In this episode Justin and Kylie discuss:

a recap of last night's episode of Parental Guidance
ways to notice strengths in our kids
an analysis of free range parenting

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#396 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Nov 11, 2021

Topics included in this episode:

Kylie is working with an emotion coach
Kylie shares what she's learnt with her daughter
ABC model
Stinking thinking
Justin nailed it this week with Miss 7 at bedtime

For a happier family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#395 Sorry, Not Sorry Nov 10, 2021

In this episode Justin and Kylie discuss:

a recap of last night's episode of Parental Guidance
how different parenting styles affect compromise within our families
why forcing kids to apologise is teaching kids to lie

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#394 Doing Hard Things Nov 09, 2021

Topics included in this episode:

Justin & Kylie discuss last night's episode of Parental Guidance
Kids earning money
How far do you push your kids?
Kylie shares a story from her childhood
Facing your fears
When to let children trust their gut
It's not about pushing. It's about encouraging and supporting.

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#393 It's All About the Screens Nov 08, 2021

Topics included in this episode:

We look back at the new parents we met last night in Parental Guidance
Washing kids' mouth with soap
Screen time use from little kids to teens
Setting boundaries with screens

Purchase Tweens, Teens, & Screens or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#392 You Can’t Handle the Truth Nov 07, 2021

Topics included in this episode:

We look back at the little lies that came up during the cake decorating challenge in Parental Guidance
Why our kids lie and how we can respond
The fact that telling lies is a normal part of growing up

For a happier family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#391 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Nov 04, 2021

Topics included in this episode:

Kylie shares some feedback from a listener about a sensitive episode last week
Justin shares some feedback from a listener about sleep training
Kylie shares her reflections she's had while watching Parental Guidance
Justin wants to get into nature with the family and spend some quality time

For a happier family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#390 The Importance of Self Control Nov 03, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Family photos
The chocolate test
Why does self control matter?

7 ways we can help build self control

Out of sight, out of mind
Be consistent & follow through
Gentle reminders
Self control games
Motivation
Support their autonomy
Be a model

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#389 Stranger Danger Nov 02, 2021

***Trigger warning - Episode discussses child abuse***

Topics on the podcast today:

Justin & Kylie discuss last night's episode of Parental Guidance
Stranger danger conversation
Statistics around child abuse
5 important things to talk to your kids about
Most strangers are good people
If a stranger approaches you, check with a parent
If you're going somewhere with a stranger, always stay in public
Heirarchy of helpers
If you ever feel unsafe, find another adult
Common sense rules
If you feel unsafe, move away
If a stranger promises you things, say no
If a stranger ever touches you in a way that makes you feel unsafe, scream as loud as you can!
How to help your children be safe around family/friends
Your body is yours
No one should ever touch your body
If a person ever tells you to keep a secret related to your body, they're an untrustworthy person
Talk to your parents

Keeping our Children Safe from Child Abuse

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#388 Smacking - It’s Not OK Nov 01, 2021

Topics included in this episode:

Parental Guidance aired last night
The spanking debate
We do the best we can until we know better
The science is clear - smacking is ineffective
Should smacking be illegal?
What does the word punishment mean?
The 3 E's

Articles mentioned in this episode:

The Fallacy of the ‘I Turned Out Fine’ Argument

The Spanking Debate: Changing Minds Takes a Generation

7 Reasons Australia is WRONG about smacking our kids

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#387 Why Do Some Kids Thrive Despite Adversity? Oct 31, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin & Kylie respond to a listener's question about why some kids thrive despite adversity.
Children's personalities, temperaments and environments.
One stable adult in a child's life.
A sense of mastery over life.

Listen to episode #375 Not What I Expected here.

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#386 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Oct 28, 2021

***Trigger Warning - Episode discusses infant loss***

Topics on the podcast today:

Kylie shares an emotional experience that made her reflect on her experiences with her children

For a happier family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#385 It's All Been Worth It Oct 27, 2021

We spoke to some of the Happy Families Podcast listeners to discover what their most recent 'it's all been worth it' moment was.

For a happier family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#384 Sleep Training - A Conversation With Carly Grubb Oct 26, 2021

Topics on the podcast today:

The history about sleep training
Kylie shares her experience with sleep training
What can we do?
Educate yourself on normal sleep behaviour for your baby's age
Be flexible
Room sharing
Breast milk supply
Contact naps
Baby wearing
Partner involvement

Little Sparklers & their Facebook page

The Beyond Sleep Training Project & their Facebook page

Purchase Teens, Tweens & Screens or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#383 Creating Boundaries Oct 25, 2021

Topics on the podcast today:

6 more sleeps until Parental Guidance airs
Justin & Kylie respond to a listener's question about boundaries
Behaviour regulation
Little People, Big Feelings
Consistency
Understanding developmental stages
Lighten up

For a happier family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#382 When Push Comes to Shove Oct 24, 2021

Here's why you should not imitate Mila Kunis, when she dished out some on-the-fly conflict resolution advice to her child.

For a happier family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#381 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Oct 21, 2021

Up for discussion in this week's I'll Do Better Tomorrow is using family traditions to help our children know that they belong to something bigger than themselves.

For a happier family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#380 From the Doctor's Desk Oct 20, 2021

Links to studies mentioned:

For a happier family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#379 How I Work with Amantha Imber Oct 19, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

How our phones distract us from life
Distraction free phones
Nudge theory
What Amantha has done in her home to make it a distraction free zone
How to make hard work fun
Chronotypes

How I Work with Amantha Imber

Greg McKeown, Effortless

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#378 Teaching Perseverance Oct 18, 2021

Topics included in this episode:

Getting started, pushing through & keep things moving
Learning to be comfortable with feeling uncomfortable
An analogy about space shuttles & perserverance
Kylie shares an anecdote about their family choosing to do something hard

For a happier family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#377 Under Pressure Oct 17, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Why there's no such thing as the perfect school
Why kids, especially our senior students, should stress less when it comes to grades and test scores
School marketing and university created scarcity

Read Justin's thoughts on homework in this article.

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#376 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Oct 14, 2021

It's that time of the week where we sit back and reflect on the wins, and what we can do better next time.

Topics discussed in this episode:

Going to bed on time, "night guy"
Messy rooms and cleanup
Teaching their kids to drive

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#375 Not What I Expected? Oct 13, 2021

In this episode we take a deep dive into all the weird, crazy and downright disgusting things our kids have done.

A big thank you to everyone who sent us a story, and fair warning - most of them include bums, penises, poo, wee and a little dose of vomit just for good measure!

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#374 Getting Back to School After COVID with Michael Parker Oct 12, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Michael Parker wrote a book called Talk With Your Kids About Things That Matter
Getting back into the swing of things after lockdown
What to do if your child would prefer to be at home than at school?
How are the seniors coping?

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#373 Am I Doing Enough for my Children? Oct 11, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin & Kylie answer a question about how important are extracurricular activities for children's development?
Am I good enough as a parent?
Kylie's experience growing up with no extracurricular activities
How many extra-curricular activities to get involved in?
When to start extra-curricular activities?
The power of free play
Children exploring lots of different activities and giving things up fast

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#372 Is the Squid for Your Kid? Oct 10, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

the hit Netflix show 'Squid Game'
why this show is a hard no for viewing by children
ways we can discuss with our kids what they should do if their friends show them clips from 'Squid Game'
why you should not be letting your kids play versions of 'Squid Game' online

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#371 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Oct 07, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Happy birthday Mrs Happy Families
The Coulson family go on vacation
One of the Coulson girls gets a little scare on a boat
An accidental trip to a nudist beach

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#370 Dr Jessica Kaufman on COVID-19 Vaccines for Kids Oct 06, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin & Kylie speak with Dr Jessica Kaufman about Covid 19 vaccines for kids
How are Australian parents feeling about vaccinating their kids?
Do children need to be vaccinated?
What side effects to children experience from the vaccine?
Does it matter which brand children receive?
Needle phobia

Learn more about Dr Jessica Kaufman

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#369 Talk With Your Kids About Things That Matter with Michael Parker Oct 05, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin and Kylie discuss asking hypothetical questions with your kids
Philosophy and curiosity
Justin and Kylie share an experience they had with their kids asking hypothetical questions
Michael shares tips for talking about meaningful things with your kids
Asking 'Why'

Find Michael's book here: Talk With Your Kids About Things That Matter

For a happy family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#368 A Very Big Announcement Oct 04, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

A very big announcement about a new TV show
How to respond when your child does something out of character
The Miss-Connection Summit

For a happy family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#367 Tip For the Day - Competent Then Confident Oct 03, 2021

Today it's a public holiday in Queensland, so we've prepared a short tip for the day so you can spend more time with your family!

For a happy family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#366 Best Of - Bedtime is the Right Time Sep 30, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

School holidays is ending
5 Questions to ask your kids at bedtime to create high quality night time nurture experiences
Gratitude
Optimism
Open conversations
Admitting your mistakes
Endearing acknowledgements of love

For a happy family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#365 Best Of - You Don't Have to Fix Everything Sep 29, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

What to do when the expert's parenting techniques 'don't work'
Getting parenting right isn't about habits, it's about our hearts
Are we supposed to intervene?
Knowing when to step out
The vicious cycle

For a happier family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#364 Best Of - Fight Club Sep 28, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

What to do when the kids just won't stop fighting
Better ways to resolve conflict
Emotion catching
Intervening
Shorter disputes - warmer relationships

For a happier family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#363 Best Of - The Art of Coordination Sep 27, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin & Kylie share about how they manage their family
Weekly couples meeting, weekly family meeting & quarterly couples immersion
How to get your partner on the same page

See previous episode #273 Coordinating Everything

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#362 Best Of - Are Your Kids "Entitled"? Sep 26, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Ingratitude & entitlement
Gratitude inspires us to do good
How to tell if your kids are entitled
Red flags
Modelling gratitude
Working together
No doesn't always have to be a hard no
Minimise competition

For a happier family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#361 Best Of - Playful Parenting Sep 23, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

In this episode Justin & Kylie chat about ways we can be more playful with our kids.
Creating margin
Intention
Mindset

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#360 Best Of - Screen Time Stresses Sep 22, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin is struggling with the amount of devices & device time in their house
Justin & Kylie discuss a news report about an 8 year old who turned Pro at Fortnite
The 3 C's of screen time - Consumption, Connection & Creation
Active vs passive use of screens

Kids and smartphones: a warning for parents about harmful impacts

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#359 Best of - 'Creating Margin' Sep 21, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin's life motto is "Always bite off more than you can chew!"
3 tips to help you create margin in your life
"The things that matter most must never be at the mercy of the things that matter least." - Steven R. Covey

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#358 Best of - 'Taming That Voice Inside Your Head' Sep 20, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin & Kylie review a past episode: #207 Taming That Voice Inside Your Head
A listener wrote into the show with a curly question for Justin & Kylie
Could there be an indirect impact on our children based on what we say about ourselves?
Intergenerational transfer of cognitive mindset
Tips on how to filter our own mindsets and inner voice

Find out more about the Miss-Connection summit here

Purchase a Spacetalk Adventurer Watch

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#357 Holiday Best Of - 'Yes it's a Chore' Sep 19, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin & Kylie discuss their discovery of Hellofresh
Justin & Kylie review a past episode: #195 Yes, It's a Chore
They answer a question from a listener about how to get her kids to do their chores
Kylie explains the 10 Minute Tidy and why it works for them, as well as other chore strategies
3 key principles to remember when it comes to chores

Find the episode with Alfie Kohn here - #137 Punishment & Rewards with Alfie Kohn

Find the pocket money episode here - #5: Turning your children into “Savers”

For a happier family, try our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#356 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Sep 16, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

How the Coulson's teach their kids about music appreciation
Justin & Kylie get a night away without the kids
Kylie makes an icecream cake
Justin makes the kids at the birthday party put up their own tent

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#355 From the Doctor's Desk Sep 15, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

03:20 The impact of Covid19 lockdowns on our children
08:26 Children who are youngest in their cohort tend to be diagnosed with ADHD
13.48 Associations between school enjoyment at age 6 and later educational achievement

Links to studies mentioned -

Global Prevalence of Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms in Children and Adolescents During COVID-19

Youth, the pandemic and a global mental health crisis

The Combined Effects of Young Relative Age and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder on Negative Long-Term Outcomes

Younger children in a school class at greater risk of long-term negative outcomes like low educational achievement and substance misuse

Children Who Enjoy School Aged Six Tend To Get Better Grades Ten Years Later

Associations between school enjoyment at age 6 and later educational achievement: evidence from a UK cohort study

For a happier family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#354 Half-Arsed Parenting with Susie O'Brien Sep 14, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Susie shares about how she got to this point in her career
Comparing how our parents parented vs how we parent
Permission to parent the way you want to
Learn to say yes/no when you want to

Learn more about Susie O'Brien or purchase her book The Secret to Half-Arsed Parenting

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#353 Feelings Not Words Sep 13, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin & Kylie slow dance in the kitchen
Justin & Kylie answer a listener's question about negative self-talk
Stinking Thinking
High emotions = low intelligence
Cognitive distortions
Focus on how they feel, not their words
Gentle explore their emotions
Empower them to problem solve

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#352 Internet Crazes Sep 12, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Crazes amongst teens over the years
Why Justin got caught up in some of them in his youth
How to start a conversation about safety if your teen is participating in internet crazes

For a happier family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#351 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Sep 09, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin & Kylie reflect on the podcasts for the week
One of the Coulson girls plays a practical joke on Justin
Kylie does the 54321 with her youngest daughter

For a happier family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#350 The Family Front Lines of Lockdown Sep 08, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

A lot of the country continue with life in lockdown
We hear from some of these families

For a happier family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#349 An Interview With Lea Waters Sep 07, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Lea shares a statistical update on the mental health of teenagers (in regards to lockdown)
Covid fatigue
Responding to sceptics of positive psychology tactics
Small things you can do to feel happier amidst the pandemic
3 key scientific tips for lockdown
How to build on your family's strengths

Find Lea on social media @profleawaters or on her website leawaters.com

Purchase Lea's book The Strength Switch

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#348 A Listener Question From the Covid Pressure Cooker Sep 06, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

COVID week on the podcast
Dr Justin and Kylie discuss getting along and sibling relationships
Tips for helping siblings to get along
Role modeling
Compassion and empathy

Episode mentioned in the podcast: #344 Introducing Wally Goddard

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#347 When You Can't Get Help Sep 05, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Mental health tips for when you can't access professional help
The toll that the pandemic is taking on families and children
Ways to help your mental health if you're in a state that's experiencing a lockdown

For a happier family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#346 Father's Day Tribute Sep 02, 2021

Today's podcast is a very special Father's Day Tribute for Justin, with some really special messages from his daughters.

Justin shares some of his own thoughts about being a father & what he's learnt along the way

Parenting isn't about the kids. The product of parenting isn't the kids, it's the parents
It really does go too fast
You will feel that you can never be enough
Showing up is the main game
As a parent, you have to a hope builder
Dancing is joy
The trust they place in you is impossible to live up to
Letting go is harder than you can imagine

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#345 Meet Justin's Dad Sep 01, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

How Justin ended up on the back of a paddy wagon
His first impression of Kylie
What does he know now that he wishes he knew when he had small children
Justin's favourite memory of his Dad
What is he most grateful for?

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#344 Introducing Wally Goddard Aug 31, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Wally explains how he became a parenting expert
Wally talks about his experience with foster parenting
Investing time into your family
Justin talks about why Wally means so much to him
Teach compassion by living compassion
Enjoy life with your children
Wally talks about his father

Follow Wally on Facebook

For a happier family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#343 Meet Kylie's Dad Aug 30, 2021

Ahead of Father's Day this Sunday, Justin and Kylie sat down for a heartwarming interview with Kylie's Dad.

For a happier family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#342 Getting Caught Up in the Thick of Thin Aug 29, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Don't sweat the small stuff.
Screen time during lockdowns.
The association between adolescent health and screen use.

For a happier family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#341 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Aug 26, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin & Kylie immerse themselves in their mistakes
One of the Coulson girls take the family car without permission & Justin responds in a way that surprised everyone
Kylie reflects on the accuracy of her memories from childhood

For a happier family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#340 Big House, Bad Kids Aug 25, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

A listener calls in with her concerns about the children she is a nanny for
Lack of connection can result in children acting out
Ongoing nurturing connections
Emotional regulation
Limit setting, structure & clear expectations
Children need to have experiences tailored to their individual needs
Cultural continuity

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#339 Jeremy Macvean Founder of The Fatherhood Aug 24, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

What is the movement The Fatherhood all about?
The new generation of Dads
Jeremy talks about what's in his new book
Is fatherhood what Jeremy expected?
How do fathers manage the struggle between work & family?
Jeremy's best advice for fathers

Learn more about Jeremy Macvean

Purchase his book - The Father Hood: Inspiration for the new dad generation

Find The Fatherhood on Facebook and Instagram

Purchase The Do's & Dont's of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#338 Lockdown Toys & Games Aug 23, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Lockdown is hard on our kids
Toys and games to entertain kids
Activity ideas for young kids and big kids
Encouragement if you're struggling and stressed

For a happier family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#337 Behind the Scenes at the Coulsons Aug 22, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin and Kylie's principles for being great parents
Do the important things first before the 'not so important' things fill up your life.
Why you need to get enough sleep!

Check out Steven Covey's Big Rocks video here.

For a happier family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#336 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Aug 19, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Tips for getting through 'the monthly cycle'.
Reading recommendations for older kids.
Spontaneous family adventures.

Check out Justin's reading recommendations:

For a happier family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#335 From the Doctor's Desk Aug 18, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

01.09 - Smacking
Physical punishment consistently predicts increases in child behaviour problems over time
Physical punishment is not associated with positive outcomes over time
Physical punishment increases the risk of involvement with child protection services
The only evidence of children illiciting physical punishment is for externalising behaviour
Physical punishment predicts worsening behaviour over time
07.20 Screen usage and reading
When do children need to start learning to read?
What do screens get in the way of?
10.45 Which country has the most burnt out parents?
How do we assess parental burnout?
How to minimise and navigate parental burnout?

Physical punishment and child outcomes: a narrative review of prospective studies

Longitudinal Associations Between Screen Use and Reading in Preschool-Aged Children

Parental Burnout Around the Globe: A 42-Country Study International Investigation of Parental Burnout

For a happier family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#334 Rock Solid Study with Katie Jones Aug 17, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Study stress
What causes all of the stress?
Stress isn't about having too much to do, it's about how to get it all done
Motivation & wellbeing
Life balance
Tips to help kids get through their exams
The obession with 'the number' at the end of year 12
Time management vs scheduled outcomes
Command words
Unmotivated teens

You can get a copy of Katie’s Free Parent Guide:

‘The 3 Huge Mistakes (even smart!) Students Make in Exams and Assignments’

at www.rocksolidstudy.com

And check out her free and super-practical video tips at the Grade Transformation blog:

www.gradetransformation.com.au

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#333 An 18 Year Old at the Crossroads Aug 16, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

How to guide an 18 year old while respecting their decisions
Minimising the contention at home
Having an honest conversation
The importance of autonomy
Connection

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#332 ADHD Aug 15, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Important ADHD background information
Tips for parenting ADHD children
Three basic psychological needs

For more information and to register for Justin's ADHD webinar click here.

For a happier family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#331 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Aug 12, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Jacob Townsend's powerful example of confidence with a stutter
Justin's experience with his daughter - connection is the currency of our relationships
Kids spell love T-I-M-E
Justin and Kylie's experience in guiding their daughter through a breakup

For a happier family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#330 Maintaining Influence With Your Kids Aug 11, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

How we create influence through connection
Why trust is so important
Asking a simple question like 'what do you think' can empower our kids

For a happier family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#329 Tricky Behaviours with Andrew Fuller Aug 10, 2021

Timestamps for this episode:

00.32 Justin introduces Andrew
00.53 Is it appropriate to say we manage the tricky behaviours of others around us?
01.53 Andrew's acronym R.E.S.O.L.V.E.
02.09 R.espond with respect
02.46 E.ngage
03.35 S.eek understanding
04.39 O.bserve their feelings
05.47 L.ower the tone
07.37 V.alue add
08.17 E.mpower
08.55 Ad break
09.40 How to use the R.E.S.O.L.V.E. model with a tricky toddler
12.23 How to use the R.E.S.O.L.V.E. model with a tricky teenager
15.12 Technology and teens
16.24 Justin's summary
17.46 Andrew's process of forming his model

Tricky Behaviours by Andrew Fuller

For a happier family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#328 Toddler SOS Aug 09, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

How toddlers and pre-schoolers are biologically wired
Tips and tricks for working parents during lockdowns
Change and variety will keep toddlers entertained for longer

Read Dr Jenny Chesters' 'Parenting During Lockdown' article here.

Read Dr Jenny Chesters' full report on 'Life Satisfaction During the 2020 Pandemic in Australia' here.

For a happier family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#327 Gold Medal Parenting Aug 08, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin has been thoroughly enjoying watching the Olympics
The sexism on display when the Norwegian Beach Handball Team chose to compete in shorts instead of bikini bottoms
How we can encourage our children in any activity without taking it too far

Facebook post mentioned

#321 I'll Do Better Tomorrow

For a happier family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#326 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Aug 05, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Kylie reviews her decision to read her daughter's journal
Justin was distracted from quality time with his daughter

#321 I'll Do Better Tomorrow

For a happier family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#325 Teen Movie Night Aug 04, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

The Goonies
Grease
The Princess Bride
North Shore
Pretty Woman
Dirty Dancing
Dead Poet's Society
Remember The Titans
Hidden Figures
She's The Man
Bend It Like Beckham
Jumanji
Cinderella Man
Les Misérables
We Bought A Zoo
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
The Last of the Mohicans

#320 And the Oscar Goes To

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#324 Fully Human with Steve Biddulph Aug 03, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

How to look after your own mental health while parenting
What is Super Sense?
How to tap into your own Super Sense
How to help our kids tap into their own Super Sense
Hurry is the enemy of love

Learn more about Steve Biddulph and his new book Fully Human

For a happier family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#323 Can You Count to 1 Million (Part 2) Aug 02, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Celebrating 1 million downloads on our podcast!
Review of 5/10 top highights from the year
Mothers Day Bath Disaster
How to Make Roadtrips Work
Goodbye Benson
Raising Boys Interview with Maggie Dent
One of Justin's most embarrasing moments

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#322 Can You Count to 1 Million (Part 1) Aug 01, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Celebrating 1 million downloads on our podcast!
Review of 5/10 top highights from the year
Kylie Quits
Crap-House Wife
Running With a Wedgie
Conversation with Susie O'Bryant
Mother's Day episode

For a happier family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#321 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Jul 29, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Hamish Blake's birthday cake extravaganza
Turning self-comparison into inspiration to be better
Justin scored a hug with his 7-yr-old
Kylie read her daughter's journal

For a happier family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#320 And the Oscar Goes To Jul 28, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Monster's Inc
Brother Bear
Finding Nemo
Mulan
Brave
Moana
The Lego Movie
Wreck It Ralph
Tarzan
Pocahontas
The Princess Bride
The Greatest Showman
The Sandlot Kids
The Sound of Music
Mary Poppins
Spirit
Toy Story
How To Train a Dragon
Cheaper By The Dozen
National Treasure
The Slipper & The Rose
The King & I
The Scarlet Pimpernel

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#319 The A to Z of Feelings with Andrew Fuller Jul 27, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Andrew Fuller's new book The A to Z of Feelings
Feelings are often confusing
How do parent's stay on top of their own big feelings?
Dealing with lockdown

For a happier family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#318 That Was A Close Shave Jul 26, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Finland's National Sleepyhead Day
Listener question about leg hair removal at a young age for girls
Young girls and body image
The 3 E's

Susan Engel - Beauty Sick

For a happier family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#317 Welcome to Holland Jul 25, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

The secret to family success in the mornings
Justin shares the poem Welcome To Holland by Emily Perl Kingsley
Remove judgment
Move forward with acceptance
Learn to find joy

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#316 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Jul 22, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin & Kylie get outside with the family
Mazes, minigolf & happy kids
Meltdowns
Kylie's struggle with feeling pressure to be the perfect parent

For a happier family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#315 Blinded Me With Science - More From the Dr's Desk Jul 21, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Rates of postnatal depression in new mothers during Covid lockdowns
Bed sharing in the first 6 months of life
Vaccinations & how to regulate the stress
Listening to our teenagers

Parental listening when adolescents self-disclose: A preregistered experimental study

Rates of postnatal depression among new mothers rose sharply during lockdown

Trajectories of Distress Regulation During Preschool Vaccinations

Bed-Sharing in the First 6 Months

For a happier family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#314 When You Don't Belong at School with Dr Kelly Ann Allen Jul 20, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

What does it mean to feel like you belong?
The plant metaphor
School belonging
Long term benefits of belonging
What can parents do if their children don't feel as though they belong?
Show an interest
Attitudes

Dr Kelly-Ann Allen

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#313 A Listener Question That Deserves an Award Jul 19, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin's thoughts on reward systems in schools
Extrinsic motivators
Which children are actually receiving rewards?
How to help children who aren't receiving rewards
Emotion coaching
Justin calls for a revolution

For a happy family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#312 When the Kids Are OTT Jul 18, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

How to help your kids when they're over the top
Cuddles go a long way to calming emotions
When the kids are struggling with big emotions, that's when they need connection the most

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#311 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Jul 15, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin and Kylie's lockdown experiences
The "one hard thing" they did as a family over the holidays
Looking for ways to serve each other
Parenting is not about the kids, it's about us

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#310 Bedtime is the Right Time Jul 14, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

5 Questions to ask your kids at bedtime to create high quality night time nurture experiences
Gratitude
Optimism
Open conversations
Admitting your mistakes
Endearing acknowledgements of love

For a happy family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#309 The New Teen Age Jul 13, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Falling in love with your child again once they become a teen
Anger is a secondary emotion
FEAR
Being more vulnerable with your kids
Keeping your connection strong
Acne
What to do with abusive teenagers
Start with empathy

Dr Ginni Mansberg and Jo Lamble's book The New Teen Age

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#308 How Do We Ditch the Dummy? Jul 12, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin & Kylie's top tips for how to ditch the dummy
The earlier the better
Keep the dummy only for certain times
As parents we need to become a little more comfortable with our children being uncomfortable
Try using it less and less
Fast is slow & slow is fast
Cuddles, songs, distractions, routine
No going back

Listen to yesterday's podcast here - #307 Becoming a Better Person with Cameron & Alison Daddo

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#307 Becoming a Better Person with Cameron & Alison Daddo Jul 11, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Kylie and Justin's relationship history
Dr Justin shares the experiences that led him to Happy Families
Emotions are contagious
Should parents have a license?
Intimacy through the years of marriage
Building resilience in kids

Find the original at Separate Bathrooms - Becoming a Better Person

For a happy family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#306 Three Minute Therapy - Returning to School & Building Hope Jul 08, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

adjusting to returning to school
building hope for the future
empowering children to overcome challenges

For a happy family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#305 Three Minute Therapy - Predictable Consistent Dependable Jul 07, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin & Kylie discuss their all-time favourite movies
A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood
Consistency matters
Keep your promises
The signature of mediocracy is chronic inconsistency
Get your house in order

For a happy family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#304 Growing Up Digital With Amy Graham Jul 06, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Dr Amy Graham discusses data collected from a study on digital devices & children
The power of an example is the most effective way to effect change
Digital distractions
Parent concerns
Using devices after bedtime
Screens as babysitters
Screen limits

#113 Technology In Our Schools (Featuring Dr Amy Graham)

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#303 Three Minute Therapy #6 - People Matter Things Don't Jul 05, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Kylie has a minor car mishap
When things go wrong, remember that people matter, things don't

For a happy family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#302 Three Minute Therapy #5 - Hard Things Jul 04, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

We can do hard things together
You've got to love the hills because the hills make you strong
Challenge - do something hard together as a family

For a happy family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#301 Three Minute Therapy #4 - Chill Out Jul 01, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Sometimes we need to lighten up in the parenting game
Challenge - practise saying "yes" to the kids, see what happens

For a happy family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#300 Three Minute Therapy #3 - Fixing Things Jun 30, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

It's not your job as a parent to fix every challenge your child may face
Challenge for older kids - when things aren't going well, help your kids by being a support system as they find solutions to the problem
Challenge for younger kids - if the task before them is too big, don't fix it for them but fix it with them

For a happy family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#299 Separation and Divorce with Kimberly Ewertz Jun 29, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin speaks with Kimberly Ewertz about her own experience with divorce and her book Family Redefined
How do parents tell their kids that they are separating?
What impact does divorce have on children?
A child's identity is their family
What's the best thing to do to ameliorate the negative effects your child may experience from a family rupture?

Learn more about Kimberly Ewertz's book Family Redefined.

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#298 Three Minute Therapy #2 - Unconditional Love Jun 28, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

When you criticise a child, they don't stop loving you. They stop loving themselves
Turn criticism into unconditional love
Challenge - help your child feel like they matter or belong, no matter what they do.

For a happy family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#297 Three Minute Therapy #1 - Connection Jun 27, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Kids spell love T-I-M-E
Connection is the currency of relationships
Challenge - find one way to connect with your children

For a happy family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#296 Dinosaurs Under the Bed Jun 24, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin & Kylie share our Little Wins Wednesday Winner from last week
The youngest Miss Coulson receives a bedroom makeover
Letting go of our own agendas

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#295 Breaking Bad Habits Jun 23, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin & Kylie respond to an email from a listener about breaking bad parenting habits
The habit loop - cue, craving, response, reward.
The product of parenting is not the child, it's the parent
The only way to raise great kids is to be great ourselves
How to break a habit
Decide ahead of time what you're going to do instead
Practice, practice, practice
Under pressure we revert to our most practiced behaviour
Hold the mirror up to yourself after every interaction

James Clear Atomic Habits

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#294 Generation Alpha with Mark McCrindle Jun 22, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin & Kylie speak with Mark McCrindle about his book Generation Alpha
How generation labels came to be
What's going to happen to Generation Alpha?
What do parents need to focus on?
Don't outsource your parenting

-Delay the access

-Communicate the values

-Behavioural skills

-Accountability

Learn more about Mark McCrindle and his book Generation Alpha

For a happy family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#293 A For Effort Jun 21, 2021

It's coming up to the mid-year school break and while that means holidays it also means report card season.

In this episode Justin discusses why you should throw your child's report card straight into the bin, and why report cards are unhelpful, especially for our younger students.

You can read The Case Against Grades by Alfie Kohn here.

For a happy family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#292 Goodbye Benson Jun 20, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

The Coulson family experience the loss of their dog Benson
The Coulson daughters grieve in their own ways
Kylie shares a beautiful poem about what we can learn from dogs

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#291 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Jun 17, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Kylie had a really great experience having an intimate conversation with her oldest daughter
Justin announces the Little Wins Wednesday winner from last week
Justin's 17 year old gets her drivers license
Kylie is hanging on by a thread

Podcast episode mentioned by our Little Wins Wednesday winner - #278 Teens in Trouble

Purchase a ticket to Sex & Sensibility or find it in your Happy Families Membership.

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#290 The Impact of COVID on Children Jun 16, 2021

*Content warning - this episode includes mature themes*

Topics discussed in this episode:

Kids Helpline counsellors started seeing a need in teens during Covid19
99% increase in duty of care
In Victoria that percentage increased to 184%
Lockdown, loss of peers, additional pressure on families, job loss
The more lockdowns, the greater the risk of mental health problems
What parents can do to protect their children
Kids just want someone to listen to them

If you or anyone you know needs help, please don't hesitate to call Kids Helpline or Parentline

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#289 Jessica Lahey Talks About Her New Book 'The Addiction Inoculation' Jun 15, 2021

*Content warning - this episode includes mature themes*

Topics discussed in this episode:

Jess gets personal and shares her backstory to how she came to write this book
What can mentors do to prevent substance abuse in kids?
How to know if you're relying on substances too much
Legalisation
The opposite of addiction is connection
Justin gets personal and shares about his extended family's experiences with alcohol
Risk factors & prevention measures

Jessica Lahey - Author of The Addiction Inoculation

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#288 You Don't Have to Fix Everything Jun 14, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

What to do when the expert's parenting techniques 'don't work'
Getting parenting right isn't about habits, it's about our hearts
Are we supposed to intervene?
Knowing when to step out
The vicious cycle

For a happier family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#287 Tip For the Day #2 - Family Stories Jun 13, 2021

With it being a public holiday for most of the country today, Dr Justin keeps it short and simple on the podcast so that you can spend more time with your family!

In this tip Justin asks the question - how much do your kids know about their families stories?

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#286 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Jun 10, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Kylie shares about her difficult Sunday night & how she rectified the situation
Justin shares about a traumatic experience for his family

#277 Fight Club

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#285 Cross Country Jun 09, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin & Kylie answer a listener's question about cross country
Should you make your child do cross country?
How to get your kids excited about participating
Explore their world
Help your children recognise their strengths
Competition undermines our wellbeing

Purchase a copy of Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#284 Teaching Kids About Sex with Emma Wood Jun 08, 2021

*Content warning - this episode includes mature themes*

Topics discussed in this episode:

How does society view sex today?
How can parents help their children make safe choices?
10 top tips from Emma

The significance of sex — can it be recovered through consent alone? by Emma Wood

#226 More Than Consent Education with Melinda Tankard Reist

For a happier family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#283 Bedtime Blues Jun 07, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Kylie shares some stories from what they've been learning in Book Club
Justin & Kylie answer a listener's question about bed time
3 E's
Look at the science
Experiment

#231 Ten-agers - an Interview With Madonna King

Join Kylie for Book Club in your Happy Families Membership

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#282 Better Together Jun 06, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Kylie's trouble with wedgies
Justin's trouble with roofs and leaf blowers
Secrets for a stronger relationship

Purchase a copy of Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#281 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Jun 03, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin & Kylie discuss their one on one meetings with their kids
Kylie receives a special note from one of her daughters
Justin helps his daughter with an assignment
We hear from Evelynne about what Justin's really like behind the scenes

For a happier family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#280 New Places New Faces Jun 02, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

How do you support your children through a big family move?
Empowering your children
Acceptance
Compassion

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#279 The Age of Consent with Megan Maas Jun 01, 2021

*Warning - Content involves mature themes*

Topics discussed in this episode:

Self control
Entitlement
The Golden Rule - treat others as you would like to be treated
Consent education
Kids need to feel safe in order to learn
Culture
Masculinity

For more information on Megan Maas

Purchase a copy of The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#278 Teens in Trouble May 31, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin & Kylie respond to a listener's question about their troubled teen
The product of parenting is the parent, not the child
Put yourself in their shoes
Emotion coaching

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#277 Fight Club May 30, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

What to do when the kids just won't stop fighting
Better ways to resolve conflict
Emotion catching
Intervening
Shorter disputes - warmer relationships

For a happier family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#276 I'll Do Better Tomorrow May 27, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin & Kylie share the latest Little Wins Wednesday winner
Justin & Kylie make time for each other
It's hard to be a good parent when you're not around

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#275 From the Doctor's Desk May 26, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Diagnosing learning disorders
Breastfeeding
Psychological control

Studies/articles mentioned in this podcast -

Breastfeeding Duration Is Associated With Domain-Specific Improvements in Cognitive Performance in 9–10-Year-Old Children

Relative age and specific learning disorder diagnoses: A Finnish population-based cohort study

Psychological Control and Internalizing Problems: The Mediating Role of Mother-Child Relationship Quality

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#274 We Need to Talk About Pornography with Megan Maas May 25, 2021

*Warning - Content involves mature themes*

Topics discussed in this episode:

The correlation between pornography & consent
What is pornography?
When are children being exposed?
Why it's difficult for researchers to gain access to statistics surrounding children & pornography
What sort of content are children viewing?
How to have effective & positive conversations with your kids
How does pornography effect children's behaviour
Sensitive teenage brains

For more information on Megan Mass

Purchase a copy of The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#273 Coordinating Everything May 24, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin & Kylie share about how they manage their family
Weekly couples meeting, weekly family meeting & quarterly couples immersion
How to get your partner on the same page

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#272 Are Your Kids "Entitled"? May 23, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Ingratitude & entitlement
Gratitude inspires us to do good
How to tell if your kids are entitled
Red flags
Modelling gratitude
Working together
No doesn't always have to be a hard no
Minimise competition

For a happier family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#271 I'll Do Better Tomorrow May 20, 2021

On this week's instalment of I'll Do Better Tomorrow

Justin took the kids for a very windy beach day
Kylie's having trouble getting Miss 7 into the bath

Purchase a copy of The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#270 Maggie Dent on Raising Boys Part 2 May 19, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Consent & respect
4 kinds of boys
Valuing sexual intimacy
Having this conversation with your boys
Mental illness & suicide
Parenting with a supportive village
Boys are later to maturity
Boy tribes
Understanding their changes
Love fiercely

First conversation with Maggie - #269 Maggie Dent on Raising Boys Part 1

For more information on Maggie Dent and her book From Boys to Men

For a happier family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#269 Maggie Dent on Raising Boys Part 1 May 18, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

How young boys are treated in our schooling system
Societal norms about boys
Formalised learning
Evidence shows that we speak more harshly to boys

For more information on Maggie Dent and her book From Boys to Men

For a happier family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#268 I’m Fat - No You’re Not May 17, 2021

In this episode Justin and Kylie respond to a question about an eight year old with body image issues.

Much of the information in today's podcast comes from Miss-Connection by Dr Justin Coulson which is available for purchase here.

Purchase a copy of Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#267 Playful Parenting May 16, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

In this episode Justin & Kylie chat about ways we can be more playful with our kids.
Creating margin
Intention
Mindset

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#266 I'll Do Better Tomorrow - The Noah's Ark Edition May 13, 2021

On this week's instalment of I'll Do Better Tomorrow

Kylie's very, very large bath

For a happy family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#265 Dealing With Exhaustion May 12, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Kylie's learning to play the piano
Making margin
Recreation = re-creation
Learning when to say yes & no
Getting enough sleep
If you can't have it all, be intentional about your priorities

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#264 The Gift of Failure with Jessica Lahey Part 2 May 11, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

How the best parents learn to let go in order to let their children succeed
The emotional toll on parents when their child isn't doing well
Autonomy supportive vs directive parents
Low thresholds for frustration
Desirable difficulties
Top tips
Chores/duties
The perils of praise

Jessica Lahey - Author of the New York Times Best Seller 'The Gift of Failure'

The Opposite of Spoiled by Ron Lieber

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#263 A Transgender Question May 10, 2021

*Warning - Content involves mature themes*

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin responds to an email from a listener who is struggling with how to help their child
Gender dysphoria
100% affirmation model within the medical field
Gender fluidity

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#262 Mother's Day Reflections May 09, 2021

In this special Mother's Day Reflection:

Justin interviews his six daughters about why they love their Mum so much
Kylie dives deep into her journey as a Mum

For a happy family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#261 I'll Do Better Tomorrow May 06, 2021

On this week's instalment of I'll Do Better Tomorrow

Justin's TV tale
Ditching family time to get those 'must do' jobs done
If stuff gets lost it will turn up
Everyone makes mistakes

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#260 Introducing Justin's Mum May 05, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

3 keywords that remind Justin's mum about stories from Justin's childhood
Kylie's first impression on her in-law's
One of the hardest lessons Dr Justin's mum has had to learn

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#259 The Gift of Failure with Jessica Lahey May 04, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Parents are shoving obstacles out of their children's way, hoping it will help them avoid failure
Depriving kids of learning opportunities
Why parents insist on taking over?
Directive parenting
Competition in parenting
Parental investment
How do we overcome this?
Do I want _ now or do I want a child who can do _ well later?
Thinking long term

Jessica Lahey - Author of the New York Times Best Seller 'The Gift of Failure'

Tim Harford, Adapt

Purchase The Do's & Don't of Discipline or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#258 Introducing Kylie's Mum May 03, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Kylie's Mum shares some of her favourite stories of Kylie growing up
Justin's first impression on his in-law's
Kylie asks her Mum some curly questions

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#367 Tip For the Day - Competent Then Confident May 02, 2021

It's a public holiday in Queensland today, so it's a quick tip around competence and confidence, so that you can get back to more time with your family!

For a happy family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#257 Tip For the Day - Strengths May 02, 2021

It's a holiday in Queensland, so we've almost taken the day off!

So you can spend more time with your family, we've rolled out an uber short tip for the day - this time focusing on strengths.

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#256 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Apr 29, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Kylie is learning to juggle immediate family & extended family expectations
Justin speaks with his teenage daughters about pornography

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#255 D.O.S.E Apr 28, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Kylie's been up in the gym workin' on her fitness
Do kids under 13 need to be on social media?
Neurological highs
4 Neurochemicals - D.O.S.E
How to boost these neurochemicals naturally in our kids

Buzzfeed article - Facebook Is Building An Instagram For Kids Under The Age Of 13

Purchase a ticket to Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#254 Family Violence Prevention Awareness Month with Jess Hill Apr 27, 2021

***Content may be distressing for some listeners***

Topics discussed in this episode:

Domestic violence vs domestic abuse
A pervasive, systemic issue in the court systems
What is domestic abuse defined as?
Significant power balances
Coercive control
What we can do to help
Isolation
How to develop a Safety Plan

Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month

Purchase See What You Made Me Do by Jess Hill

For a happy family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

If you are in danger, don’t feel safe, or fear for someone else’s safety, call Triple Zero (000) immediately and ask for Queensland Police.

For non-urgent police assistance, phone Policelink on 131 444.

If you wish to speak with someone about domestic and family violence, you can contact:

📞 DVConnect Womensline on 1800 811 811

📞 DVConnect Mensline on 1800 600 636

📞 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732

If you wish to speak to someone about your mental health and wellbeing, you can contact:

📞 Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636

📞 Lifeline on 13 11 14

📞 Mensline Australia on 1300 78 99 78

Children and young people

📞 Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800

📞 Headspace on 1800 650 890

If you require more information, support or resources, visit: www.qld.gov.au/domesticviolence

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#253 Screen Time Stresses Apr 26, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin is struggling with the amount of devices & device time in their house
Justin & Kylie discuss a news report about an 8 year old who turned Pro at Fortnite
The 3 C's of screen time - Consumption, Connection & Creation
Active vs passive use of screens

Kids and smartphones: a warning for parents about harmful impacts

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#252 Toddler Tantrums Apr 25, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin & Kylie answer a listener's question about her toddler's tantrums
Is there a detrimental impact from using bribery to get your toddler to do what you want?
Developmental realities
Theory of mind
Toddlers live in the present
Toddlers need more structure than any other age group
Using cues
Allow your toddler time to do things on their own
Autonomy supportive parenting
Don't take the kids shopping, if you can

Purchase a ticket to Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#251 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Apr 22, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Littlest Miss Coulson was excited for a special Saturday chore
Justin took one of his daughters out for a special birthday ice-cream
Kids spell love T.I.M.E
Kylie left the kids with a list of chores and she came home to a wonderful surprise
If we don't give our children opportunities to surprise us, they never will

For a happy family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#250 From the Doctor's Desk Apr 21, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Too much screen time delays school readiness
What does a child need in order to be school-ready?
22% of children are considered to be developmentally vulnerable
Is TV better than hand held devices?
Children need to be outside

Does 'harsh parenting' lead to smaller brains?

Too much screen time delays school readiness

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#249 Best of - Discipline, Punishment & Rewards with Alfie Kohn Apr 20, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Punishment teaches power
Rewards, like punishments, can only get temporary compliance
The more you reward people for doing something, the more they tend to lose interest in whatever they had to do to get the reward
All rewards are sugar coated control
Intrinsic & extrinsic motivation
Talk less, ask more
Kids learn to make good decisions by making decisions, not by being obedient
You can get mindless obedience in the short term if the reward is juicy enough or the punishment is awful enough.
What you can never get is a child who is happy, more ethical, more compassionate, caring or more of an independent thinker.

Learn more about Alfie Kohn and his book Punished by Rewards

Purchase a ticket to Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#248 Mind Your Manners Apr 19, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Why are manners important?
What is their purpose?
Manners & consent
Respect & consideration
Table manners
Bodily functions
Gratitude
Permission
Interrupting
Knocking before entering
Reading over someone's shoulder
Offering to help
Cover your mouth when you cough
Be an example

For a happy family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#247 The Question of Pocket Money Apr 18, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin & Kylie discuss the in's & out's of pocket money
How old should children be to get pocket money?
How much should we pay them?
Teach them to save
Teach them about charitable donations, sacrifice & delayed gratification
Be consistent

Purchase a ticket to our live webinar tonight - Pot, Pills & Parenting

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#246 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Apr 15, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin & Kylie took the kids and spent some time getting away together
They took the kids to the Easter show
Justin shares about a difficult phone call with Kylie, who was very upset
Kylie shares about Miss Emily who received lots of presents for her birthday

For a happier family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#245 Best Of - Self Control: A Learned Behaviour Apr 14, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin speaks with Doctor Ethan Kross about teaching our children (and ourselves) how to learn to harness self control.
Diverting attention
The Batman effect
Inner mental mentors
Psychological self distance
The Toolbox Project
The implications of teaching children self-control strategies

For a happy family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#244 Best Of - Teen Mood Swings Apr 13, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Parents have been struggling with their teenager's mood swings since the dawn of time. There is a better way!
Emotional regulation
The marshmallow experiment
Mood swings
Reflect their emotions
Emotion coaching

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#243 Best Of - Are Your Kids Ready for Social Media? Apr 12, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin speaks with Professer Sarah Coyne about her 20 years of study on the impact of media on children & families.

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

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#242 Best Of - Topping the Charts in Worst Way Apr 11, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Australia has recently been listed as the second in the world for bullying.
How did we let this happen?
What can we do about it?

For a happy family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#241 Best Of - Bubble Wrap Kids Apr 08, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Whether it be Facebook, TikTok, Instagram or Snapchat, if your kids are on social media they ARE going to exposed to things you don’t want them to see.
What’s the appropriate age for social media?
How long can we keep our kids wrapped safely in bubble wrap?
When do we start to remove some of those layers?

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#240 Phones & Family Life with Dr Kathryn Modecki Apr 07, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin speaks with Dr Kathryn Modecki about the true impact of mobile phones on our families.

To learn more about the study mentioned or to participate in the next one, please click here.

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#239 The Age of Consent with Katrina Marson Apr 06, 2021

***This episode is not intended for children***

Topics discussed in this episode:

The story of Chanel Contost
How can school & home collaborate on sex education?
Access to information
Sex education needs to be wholistic & comprehensive

Rape & Sexual Assault Research & Advocacy

Spring Fever

Big Talk Education

For a happy family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

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#238 Ant Williams - What Does Free Diving & Parenting Have in Common? Apr 05, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin speaks with Ant Williams about his career in sports psychology, his accomplishments in free diving and how doing so has taught him life lessons that helped him become a better parent.

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#237 Lenore Skenazy - Meet the World's Worst Mum Mar 31, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Dr Justin Coulson speaks with Lenore Skenazy - president of Let Grow, a non-profit promoting childhood independence and resilience, and founder of the Free-Range Kids movement.
Lenore is a mother who lives in Queens and her controversial decision to let her then-9-year-old son take the New York City Subway home alone became a national story and prompted massive media attention. She was dubbed, "America's Worst Mom."

For a happy family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

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#236 Sleepovers Mar 30, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

What's the right age for a sleepover?
Get to know the families & ask the right questions
Talk to your child & go over the ground rules
Give them an out

For a happy family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

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#235 An Egg-sellent Easter Mar 29, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Coulson daughter #2 is working with children and getting a sense of what life is like post-school
Why traditions matter
Traditions give you a sense of identity
Traditions gather your family together

Purchase The Do's & Don't of Discipline or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#234 Are We There Yet? Mar 28, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

I-spy
Spotto
I went to the shops and I bought
The alphabet game
Car cricket
Old MacDonald Had A Farm
Bingo
This Is The Song That Never Ends
Peel The Avocado
The Fart Game

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#233 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Mar 25, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Kylie's struggling with a particularly challenging child
The negativity bias
The importance of reflection
Justin plays Push Dad Off The Bed with his girls

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#232 From the Doctor's Desk Mar 24, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

For a happier family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#231 Ten-agers - an Interview With Madonna King Mar 23, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Madonna shares about how she wrote her newest book Ten-Ager
What issues are 10 year old girls facing?
Friendships & the drive to fit in
Do our daughters know how to cultivate their friendships?
Labelling
Bullying
Physical fitness
Physical affection

Learn more about Madonna King and purchase her book Ten-Ager

Purchase The Do's & Don't of Discipline or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#230 Paying Children to Win Mar 22, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

What happens to children whose parents pay them to succeed?
What are the cons?
Explore, Explain, Empower

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

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#229 Fast is Slow & Slow is Fast Mar 21, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Kylie shares the story of their first daughter learning how to drive. It didn't end well!
Fast is slow and slow is fast
Justin shares a story about working for his father & how he learnt about the process of induction
Kylie takes one of their daughters through the process of induction in laundry

Purchase The Do's & Don't of Discipline or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#228 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Mar 18, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Does helping out our kids with forgotten items make us good or bad parents?
Justin shares how he dealt with a daughter who refused to put on her seat belt
"Autonomy supported parenting is hard work"

For a happy family try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

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#227 Who Bears the Burden? Mar 17, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Emotional work, admin work & project work
Kylie tests Justin on his level of involvement in the cognitive load
Justin & Kylie discuss what they do to share the load together

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or Parenting On The Same Page or find them in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#226 More Than Consent Education with Melinda Tankard Reist Mar 16, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Melinda shares about the story of Chanel Contost
Sexist culture grooms sexist boys
The porn industry is corrosive to connection
Consent education is setting the bar far too low
We must address the conditioning role of pornography
How can we teach consent in our own home?

Learn more about Melinda Tankard Reist & Collective Shout

Purchase How to Talk To Your Kids About Pornography & Good Pictures Bad Pictures

Melinda’s essay mentioned in the podcast

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

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#225 Raising Independent Resilient Kids Mar 15, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Watch Justin's viral Goalcast Video
Autonomy supported parenting
Do we trust that our children will make the right decisions?
Strength based parenting
Defining strengths

Join Kylie for the final week of Book Club via our Happy Families Membership.

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#224 Parenting on the Same Page Mar 14, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Tonight's Happy Families Member Webinar on Parenting on the Same Page
John Gottman's research around how you not only take on a set of problems with your spouse or partner, but you become a set of problems for them
You can't change your spouse/partner
Trusting your partner

Purchase The Do's & Don't of Discipline or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#223 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Mar 11, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Kylie went on a road trip with her girls & used some conversation starters with the kids
Kylie shares a story about something naughty she did as a kid
Justin has started running with his daughter every morning & they came across an obstacle

Conversation starters - The Art of Conversation

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#222 From the Doctor's Desk Mar 10, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin & Kylie discuss 3 pieces of research
Teenagers & sleep
3 E's of effective discipline
Boys & reading
How our children have faired during Covid19

For a happier family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#221 Half-Arsed Parenting with Susie O'Brien Mar 09, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Susie shares about how she got to this point in her career
Comparing how our parents parented vs how we parent
Permission to parent the way you want to
Learn to say yes/no when you want to

Learn more about Susie O'Brien or purchase her book The Secret to Half-Arsed Parenting

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#220 No Such Thing as Smart or Dumb Mar 08, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

A sneak peek into what they'll be discussing in Book Club tonight
Kylie shares about a not-so-nice memorable experience from school
We are wired for resilience
Fixed mindsets
Justin shares the story of Olly Neal

Join Kylie for week 3 of Book Club in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens

Purchase 9 Ways to a Resilient Child

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#219 Can Friends Drop By? Mar 07, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Making friends gets trickier the older we get
Has it become taboo to just show up at a friend's house?
The positive impacts of sharing intimate relationships with those around us

For a happier family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#218 I'll Do Better Tomorrow (Changed Heart) Mar 04, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin took one of his daughters on a Daddy-Daughter date
Kylie shares about an experience she had with their youngest daughter

#208 I'll Do Better Tomorrow

Bluey Sleepytime episode

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#217 The Age of Consent with Rebecca Sparrow Mar 03, 2021

*Mature content warning. This is not an episode suitable for children*

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin & Kylie speak with Rebecca Sparrow
Who is responsible for teaching students about consent?
What are we missing when teaching our children about sex?
Consent isn't only about sex
Personal boundaries
Permission & respect
Justin reads from his book Miss-Connection, page 204-206

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#216 Rapid fire Q&A with Susan Engel Mar 02, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Gossip is a healthy form of curiosity
How to foster boredom in your children with the down sides
Susan answers some rapid fire questions from Kylie & Justin

Find out more about Susan Engel & her books The Hungry Mind & The Intellectual Lives of Children

Listen to the other 2 podcasts here - #206 Curious Kids with Susan Engel & #211 We Don't Need To Know Everything with Susan Engel

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#215 Self Control & Stinking Thinking Mar 01, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Kylie shares some sneak peeks into this week's Book Club topics
The marshmallow experiment
Self control can be taught
Adversity, Belief & Consequence

Ethan Kross podcast episode - #128 Self Control Can Be A Learned Behaviour (Featuring Ethan Kross)

Episode with Taryn - #207 Taming That Voice Inside Your Head

Join Kylie for Book Club on 9 Ways to a Resilient Child in your Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#214 Creating Margin Feb 28, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin's life motto is "Always bite off more than you can chew!"
3 tips to help you create margin in your life
"The things that matter most must never be at the mercy of the things that matter least." - Steven R. Covey

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#213 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Feb 25, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

The Coulson's experienced a first in over 20 years of parenting
Justin's decided he's not paying up anymore!

For a happier family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

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#212 Bedtime Blues Feb 24, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin & Kylie had a rough night with their youngest in their bed
What is the best time to put the kids to bed?
Routine is everything
Sleep hygiene

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#211 We Don't Need To Know Everything with Susan Engel Feb 23, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

How do we help our children become more curious?
Allow children opportunities to be surprised
Let go of the idea that you need to be right and to know everything
Learn the pleasure of not knowing things

Find out more about Susan Engel & her books The Hungry Mind & The Intellectual Lives of Children

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#210 9 Ways to a Resilient Child Book Club Feb 22, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Sneak peeks into what you'll be learning from 9 Ways to a Resilient Child
Responsive parenting
Why are winners less resilient?

Purchase 9 Ways to a Resilient Child and join Kylie for Book Club

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#209 What Am I Doing Wrong? Feb 21, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Cathy joins Justin & Kylie on the podcast & shares her thoughts on 21 Days to a Happier Family
Where does the sense of inadequacy come from for parents?
Justin shares an excerpt from his book 21 Days to a Happier Family

Purchase a Spacetalk Adventurer Watch

Purchase 21 Days to a Happier Family

For a happier family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#208 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Feb 18, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Kylie shares a funny story about how her gym sessions are going
Justin shares about their quarterly getaway
The youngest Miss Coulson has been struggling getting back into structured life
Justin shares about how he apologised to one of his daughters

Purchase a Spacetalk Adventurer Watch

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#207 Taming That Voice Inside Your Head Feb 17, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

A listener wrote into the show with a curly question for Justin & Kylie
Could there be an indirect impact on our children based on what we say about ourselves?
Intergenerational transfer of cognitive mindset
Tips on how to filter our own mindsets
Self-talk
Our words create our worlds

Purchase a Spacetalk Adventurer Watch

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#206 Curious Kids with Susan Engel Feb 16, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Susan shares about her childhood & her family now
How do you balance the tension between letting children have a childhood vs giving their children opportunities via extra curricular activities
One of the most important things parents can do with their children (and it's not hard!)

Find out more about Susan Engel & her books The Hungry Mind & The Intellectual Lives of Children

Purchase a Spacetalk Adventurer Watch

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#205 Have You Done Your Homework? Feb 15, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

The theory behind homework
The benefits of homework
What are Justin's grievances with homework?

Find the letter Justin sends to his children's teachers - The Homework Letter I Send To School Each Year

Purchase a Spacetalk Adventurer Watch

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#204 Teaching Kids Kindness Feb 14, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin shares a sneak peek into tonight's webinar, Teaching Kids Kindness.
Justin & Kylie share what they were like as a big brother & sister
What are the skills a parent needs to be a good parent?
Justin shares a simple but effective technique for how to deal with sibling conflict
Why is 'punishing in private' terrible advice?

Purchase a Spacetalk Adventurer Watch

Purchase a ticket to Teaching Kids Kindness or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#203 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Feb 11, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin needs to do better at remembering to put the bins out
Parenting is not about the children, it's about the parents
Kylie shares the moments that make mother heart sing
Justin had a terrible, no good, very bad week
Parenting is the ultimate self developing course

Purchase a Spacetalk Adventurer Watch

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#202 Happy Couples = Happy Families Feb 10, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

3 secrets to strengthening your relationship as a couple
Connection is being seen, heard & valued
Justin shares what he does every time he passes Kylie

Purchase a Spacetalk Adventurer Watch

For a Happy Family, try a Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#201 A Guide to Puberty with Michelle Mitchell Feb 09, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin & Kylie speak with Michelle Mitchell about her new books on puberty
Justin & Kylie share about their Birds and the Bees talks with their parents
Kylie asks Michelle a curly question

Purchase a Spacetalk Adventurer Watch

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find Michelle Mitchell's books here

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#200 When Social Media Attacks Feb 08, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin shares about a Facebook post that didn't quite go to plan
Kylie shares about a time she was completely misunderstood in a Facebook post
Get curious, not furious
Turn your hearts toward each other
The importance of face-to-face communication

Purchase a Spacetalk Adventurer Watch

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#199 Extra Curricular Activities Feb 07, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin & Kylie have a listener call in and ask them a question about how to juggle extra curricular activities
What is an appropriate age to begin extra curricular activities?

Try our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

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#198 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Feb 04, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Kylie shares how she made the most of their Australia Day
We have to create moments - they don't always happen on their own
Hear the whole Coulson family serenade you with an Australian classic
Sometimes our biggest mistakes give us the best insights
Justin shares one of his recent parenting regrets
Sometimes it's really hard to practice what you preach

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

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#197 School Lunches with Jessica Rowe Feb 03, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Jessica Rowe joins the podcast for a special episode
Find out why Jess's daughter's lunchbox made national headlines
Lunchbox tips

Find our last episode with Jessica Rowe here - #122 Crap Housewives, IVF & Mental Health (Featuring Jessica Rowe)

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#196 Micromotives with Todd Rose Feb 02, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Micromotives
Is the standard path for you?
WHY are you passionate about the things you're passionate about?
The most important thing you can do for your kids.
Pursue what fulfills you

Learn more about Todd Rose or purchase The End of Average or Dark Horse

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#195 Yes, It's a Chore Feb 01, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin copped some slack for his music choices
Justin & Kylie answer a question from a listener about how to get her kids to do their chores
Kylie explains the 10 Minute Tidy and why it works for them, as well as other chore strategies
3 key principles to remember when it comes to chores

Find the episode with Alfie Kohn here - #137 Punishment & Rewards with Alfie Kohn

Find the pocket money episode here - #5: Turning your children into “Savers”

For a happier family, try our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#194 Kylie Quits Jan 31, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

The importance of couples discussing decisions that will impact on family life
Sacrifices that mums make
Timing - not now, but one day

For a happier family, try our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

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#193 I'll do Better Tomorrow Jan 28, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin & Kylie share their first review under 5 stars
Justin shares how he turned around his bad mood & saved the night
Justin & Kylie have been reading Michelle Mitchell's puberty books with their girls

Download the Happy Helpers Chore Chart

For a happier family, try our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find Michelle Mitchell's books here

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

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#192 Making Mornings Magic Replay Jan 27, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

The bucket metaphor
Your morning starts the night before
How to wake up with connection, rather than correction or direction
Don't tell, ask.
Use gentle reminders

Purchase 21 Days To a Happier Family

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

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#191 Dark Horses With Todd Rose Jan 26, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

How to get your kids engaged in learning
Should every child go through 13 years of school + university?
How to deal with children who want to make life choices you disagree with

Learn more about Todd Rose or purchase The End of Average or Dark Horse

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#190 Finally...It's Back to School Jan 24, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Ticking off the back to school checklist
Second hand uniforms
Should I really buy the expensive shoes?

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#189 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Jan 21, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin & Kylie reflect on their week and determine what they can do better next time
The difference between shame and guilt
Click here to read more about Teddy Roosevelt's quote "The Man In The Arena"
Justin practiced mindfulness with their 6 year old by using a special technique

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#188 Cyberbullying Question Jan 20, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin & Kylie share a question from one of our Premium Members, whose daughter was involved in a terrible cyber bullying situation.
Justin offers his advice for parents in this situation

To be a part of our first Q&A session for 2021, try our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

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#187 Standardised Education with Todd Rose Jan 19, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Todd introduces himself and tell us how he got to where he is now
Justin & Todd relate to each other's stories of struggling in standardised education

Learn more about Todd Rose or purchase The End of Average or Dark Horse

For a happier family, try our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#186 Psychological Secrets Jan 18, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

How we can make our New Year's resolutions work
What actually is the definition of a goal?
Goals vs habits
3 things that get in the way
Don't rely on willpower

For a happier family, try our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

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#185 First Day Fears Jan 17, 2021

Topics discussed in this episode:

Kylie is going back to school!
Justin gives us a sneak peek into the Facing First Day Fears webinar
Orientation
Emotion coaching

Purchase Facing First Day Fears or Tweens, Teens & Screens

For a happier family, try our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#184 I'll Do Better Next Year Dec 17, 2020

Topics discussed in this episode:

Kylie shares how she plans to slow down the pace in 2021
Justin shares a metaphor about juggling rubber & glass balls
Kylie has plans to go back to school in 2021
Justin & Kylie want to have more intentional conversations with their kids

For a happier family, try our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#183 The Magic of Christmas in Every Family Dec 16, 2020

Topics discussed in this episode:

Each member of the Happy Families team shares their most memorable Christmas

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in your Happy Families Membership

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

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#182 The Santa Myth Dec 15, 2020

Topics discussed in this episode:

If you tell your children the truth about Santa, are you ruining the magic of Christmas?
Children learn to lie through observation
Santa is often used to manipulate children's behaviour
How to tell them the truth

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in your Happy Families Membership

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

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#181 Kids Asking For Expensive Gifts Dec 14, 2020

Topics discussed in this episode:

How to avoid materialism in your children
Don't try to keep up with the Jones's
Get creative
Plan ahead
Change the focus
Be an example

Material Parenting: How the Use of Goods in Parenting Fosters Materialism in the Next Generation

Purchase How To Unspoil The Kids This Christmas or find it in your Happy Families Membership

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#180 Christmas Traditions Dec 13, 2020

Topics discussed in this episode:

Winter Christmas vs Summer Christmas
Justin serenades us with his rendition of Aussie Jingle Bells
Justin & Kylie share some of their Coulson family traditions

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#179 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Dec 10, 2020

Topics discussed in this episode:

Things we never thought we'd say before becoming a parent
“The hours that ordinary people waste, extraordinary people leverage.” - Robin Sharma
Kylie gives us an update on how the kids' Christmas tree decorating went

Purchase Teens, Tweens & Screens or find it in our Happy Families Membership

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#178 More Christmas Conundrums Dec 09, 2020

Topics discussed in this episode:

What time is it okay for the kids to start eating junk food?
How to stay out of the kitchen on Christmas day.
Should Santa bring the big or the little gifts?

For a happier family, try our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

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#177 More Time With Kids Dec 08, 2020

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin & Kylie share some tips on how to survive the Christmas holidays with the whole family
Plan out your holidays and include the children in the planning
One activity a day
Change things up
Get the kids involved
Get your mindset right

Purchase Teens, Tweens & Screens or find it in our Happy Families Membership

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#176 Teach Your Children To Love Giving Dec 07, 2020

Topics discussed in this episode:

Kylie shares a great tradition that their family does together to give to others
Secret Sisters in the Coulson house
Brand new science released tells us that we can actually create kids who want to give

For links to the studies Justin mentioned, please click here & here.

For a happier family, try our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

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#175 Unspoiling The Kids This Christmas Dec 06, 2020

Topics discussed in this episode:

Guess who is the gift-giver in the Coulson family!
What should the focus be on Christmas Day?
Focus on your faith, the family & others
Zero agenda

Purchase a ticket to How To Unspoil Your Kids This Christmas or find it in your Happy Families Membership.

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#174 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Dec 03, 2020

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin & Kylie share some of the feedback they've been receiving for the podcast
Kylie learns to let go of the Christmas decorating control
The Coulson family have a new Christmas tradition

Listen to episode #169 I'll Do Better Tomorrow

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in your Happy Families Membership.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#173 Me Time vs We Time Dec 02, 2020

Topics discussed in this episode:

Kylie shares her struggle with her mental health while being a young mother
Our mindset around the idea of Me Time is actually the bigger issue than the Me Time itself
Me-Time is supposed to help you recuperate, regenerate & reassess
Recreation time should re-create us
We Time = High quality, intentional family time

For a happier family, try our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

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#172 Emotion Regulation For Parents with Marc Brackett Dec 01, 2020

Topics discussed in this episode:

How can we regulate our emotions and stop being triggered so easily?
Think about the parent that you want to be. Be your best self.
So much of emotion regulation is about being prepared
Talk positively to yourself in the third person
Marc's daily tips for parents who want to regulate their emotions

Find Marc on his website.

Marc's first and second episode on the Happy Families podcast.

For a happier family, try our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

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#171 Christmas Conundrums Nov 30, 2020

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin & Kylie answer some rapid fire Christmas conundrums
Gift giving
Gift cards vs gifts
Buying for the extended family
Present reveal vs letting everyone open their gifts at once

Purchase The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in your Happy Families Membership.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#170 What's For Dinner Mum? Nov 29, 2020

Topics discussed in this episode:

Kylie shares some advice for parents who are tired of hearing the question "What's for dinner Mum?"

For a happier family, try our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

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#169 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Nov 26, 2020

Topics discussed in this episode:

I'll Do Better Tomorrow - a time to reflect on what's happened over the last week & what we can learn so that we can be better parents tomorrow
It's so much easier to be a better parent when you have someone actively supporting you. Lean on your village
Kylie shares her struggle with not being able to give one of her daughters the love and support she needed in the moment

Head to our website for our Black Friday Sale.

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in our Happy Families Membership

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#168 Emotional Intelligence with Marc Brackett Nov 25, 2020

Topics discussed in this episode:

What is emotional intelligence?
R.U.L.E.R
The difference between disappoint and anger
Are all emotions really okay?
Your children can't trigger you
How to validate your child's feelings
Emotion themes

Marc's first episode on the Happy Families podcast.

For a happier family, try our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#167 Talking to Kids About Divorce Nov 24, 2020

Topics discussed in this episode:

Choose your timing
Plan it out and present a united front
Highlight what is staying the same and what is going to change
Keep it as harmonious as you can
Signs to look for in children that aren't coping with the separation
How to build hope
Surround yourself and your children with your village

Lucy Peach - The Power of The Period

For a happy family, try our Happy Families Membership. Because a happy family doesn't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

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#166 The Importance of Building Childhood Immunity With Nutricia Careline Nov 24, 2020

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin & Kylie speak with nutritionist, Sue Statham from Nutricia Careline about the importance of immunity in early childhood.
Foods that promote the growth of good bacteria.
How to encourage our kids to enjoy healthy foods.

For more information and resources, please visit:

Nutricia Careline (visit the website to live chat, call on 1800 842 098, or email nutriciacareline@danone.com)
AptaNutrition’s Parents' Corner

#AptaExpert #AptaPartner #Sponsored

For a happy family try our Happy Families Membership

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#165 Perfect Parenting Will Crush Your Soul Nov 23, 2020

Topics discussed in this episode:

What is perfectionism?
Excessively high personal standards & extraordinarily critical in personal evaluations.
Self-oriented perfectionism, other-oriented perfectionism & socially prescribed perfectionism.
What to do if you are a perfectionist.
The Perfectionism Paradox.
When we avoid mistakes we limit our learning.

Purchase a ticket to The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in our Happy Families Membership.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#164 The Do's and Don'ts of Discipline Nov 22, 2020

Topics discussed in this episode:

A sneak peek into The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline
The fundamental flaw in the way people understand discipline
The actual definition of discipline
Children are people too
People matter, things don't

Purchase a ticket to The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in our Happy Families Membership.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#163 My Daughter Has a Boyfriend Nov 19, 2020

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin shares the story of a listener who had a parenting win
Kylie shares her feelings about one of their teenage daughters who has started dating
Learning to let go

Purchase a ticket to Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in our Happy Families Membership.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#162 Favouritism Nov 18, 2020

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin & Kylie discuss who was the favourite child in their childhood homes
Whether there is a favourite or not, children's perception is actually what matters most
What are the triggers that make children feel like there's a favourite in the family?
Research shows that we're more likely have a favourite when the child is easy to get along with
There are no positives when it comes to favouritism

Purchase a ticket to The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline or find it in our Happy Families Membership.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#161 Hormones Make Me Crazy Sometimes Nov 17, 2020

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin & Kylie open up about their personal struggle with Kylie's hormonal cycle
If you're struggling, please seek medical help

For a happy family, try our Happy Families Membership. Because happy families don't just happen!

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

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#160 The Trouble With Time Out with Alfie Kohn Nov 16, 2020

Topics discussed in this episode:

The history of Time-Out
Praise and rewards, just like punishments, are really about power
The positive reinforcement we're removing during time out is LOVE
Time-out ruptures your relationship
Time-out communicates the conditionality of our love
We have to work out a way of doing things WITH children, rather than doing things TO them
Children should be loved for who they are, not what they do
What to do instead?
We need to move beyond behaviour

Learn more about Alfie Kohn

Webinar Dr Justin mentioned - Tweens, Teens & Screens (Also included in our Happy Families Membership)

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#159 Planning a Christmas Stay-Cation Nov 15, 2020

Topics discussed in this episode:

Great holidays don't just happen. You need a plan.
Match your holiday activities with your family's energy levels
Check out your friends' holidays for ideas
Tripadvisor reviews
Local city council websites
Pinterest

Purchase a ticket to The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline

Join the Happy Families team Happy Families Memberships

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#158 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Nov 12, 2020

Topics discussed in this episode:

BDAS
Justin & Kylie discuss their journey as parents from where they started to now

Join the Happy Families team Happy Families Memberships

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

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#157 Real Crocodile Tears Nov 11, 2020

Topics discussed in this episode:

Kylie shares sweet stories of two of their daughter's emotional moments
Justin shares some tips on how to help our children through grief
Avoidance reinforces anxiety

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens

Join the Happy Families team Happy Families Memberships

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

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#156 Should They Wait to Date? Nov 10, 2020

Topics discussed in this episode:

The Tooth Fairy made a visit to the Coulson household
What's an appropriate age to start dating?
Get curious, not furious. Ask questions.
Discuss the natural consequences of dating

Purchase a ticket to The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline

Join the Happy Families team Happy Families Memberships

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#155 Big Feelings with Marc Bracket Nov 09, 2020

Topics discussed in this episode:

Marc shares about his traumatic childhood, his Uncle Marvin and how their relationship led him to his career in emotional intelligence.
How to encourage your child to open up to you about how they're feeling

Find out more about Marc Brackett

Join the Happy Families team Happy Families Memberships

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#154 Where's The Village? Nov 08, 2020

Topics discussed in this episode:

How to find your own village
Justin & Kylie discuss their multiple inter-state moves
Kylie shares ways that she has found to help make friends

Purchase a copy of Tweens, Teens & Screens or access it in our Happy Families Memberships.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#153 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Review Nov 05, 2020

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin & Kylie both share an experience with two of their daughters.

Purchase a ticket to the Do's & Don'ts of Discipline

Join us in our Happy Families Memberships.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

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#152 Amazing Afternoons Nov 04, 2020

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin & Kylie discuss how to making your afternoons run smoothly
Let them have some down time
When should you start homework?
How much screen time should you give your child?
When's the best time to go over your child's day?

Justin's homework letter.

Download the Technology Tickets.

Purchase a ticket to Tweens, Teens & Screens

Join us in our Happy Families Memberships.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

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#151 The 3 Words Your Child Needs To Hear Nov 03, 2020

Topics discussed in this episode:

Is acceptance or rejection going to bring out the best in your child?
How to respond when your child does something completely 'unacceptable'.
The 3 most important words your child can hear
Your child may BE accepted by you, but do they FEEL accepted?

Purchase Tweens, Teens & Screens

Last night for Book Club is tonight! Join us in our Happy Families Memberships.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

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#150 Unconditional Parenting with Alfie Kohn Nov 02, 2020

Topics discussed in this episode:

When children are constantly praised for doing 'the right thing', they start to feel as though they're only lovable when they behave
If kids feel like there are strings attached to their parents love, it gets in the way of healthy development
Dr Justin shares a wonderful moment with one of his daughters
Care that has to be earned isn't worthy of being called care
If there's unconditional love present, praise is unnecessary. And if unconditional love is not present, praise is certainly not going to help

Webinar Dr Justin mentioned - Why we should End the Praise Craze (Also included in our Happy Families Membership)

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#149 Everyone Else is Doing It Nov 01, 2020

Topics discussed in this episode:

Every family has their own rules
Strategies for parents
Find your village
Decipher if it's something you child is mature enough for
Involve your children in decision making

Purchase a ticket to The Do's & Don'ts of Disciple

Join the Happy Family team in our Happy Families Memberships.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#148 Flecks of Gold Oct 29, 2020

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin & Kylie receive some feedback about their podcast from their nieces
Justin shares the story of the gold flecks
What are the gold flecks in your family life?

Join the Happy Family team in our Happy Families Memberships.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#147 Ultimate Parenting Triggers Oct 28, 2020

Topics discussed in this episode:

Kylie shares a story about her very difficult morning
What are your parenting triggers?
Triggers can be controlled
H.A.L.T.S
How did Kylie pull the morning together?

Purchase a ticket to Tweens, Teens & Screens.

All webinars are included in our Happy Families Memberships.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#146 Creating Unique Family Traditions Oct 27, 2020

Topics discussed in this episode:

Creating family traditions
The Coulson Christmas stocking tradition
Traditions don't just give us memories and roots, they also gives us optimism & hope for the future
Justin's favourite birthday traditions
Some traditions are born out of hardship
Be intentional with your family time & traditions will create themselves

Purchase a ticket to The Do's & Don'ts of Discipline

Join Kylie for Book Club in our Happy Families Membership

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

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#145 University Isn't For Everyone with Adina Glickman Oct 26, 2020

Topics discussed in this episode:

It's been a difficult year for the class of 2020
What motivates your child?
Is University right for your child?
How to help your child discover their passion & the skills they'll need to make it a reality
You need to know who your child is, not who they are 'meant to be'.
Our children are the experts in them.
Should we be encouraging gap years?

Learn more about Adina Glickman

Watch Tweens, Teens & Screens or find it in our Happy Families Membership

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families.

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

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#144 Dealing With Fussy Eaters Oct 25, 2020

Topics discussed in this episode:

Shane Warne's 21 year old son Jackson receiving heat on Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here for his fussy eating habits.
Justin & Kylie discuss their 10 year old fussy eater
Creating family food rules
Justin is regular human and thinks coriander is disgusting. Kylie is from another planet and says she enjoys it.
Food neophobia

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families.

Join the Happy Family team by subscribing to our online membership.

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

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#143 Finding Your Groove Oct 22, 2020

Topics discussed in this episode:

Intention is critical
Weekly couples inventory
3 questions to ask each other

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families.

Join the Happy Family team by subscribing to our online membership.

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

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#142 Rites of Passage with Andrew Lines Oct 21, 2020

Topics discussed in this episode:

How we can help initiate our sons into adulthood
When contemporary culture doesn't offer rites of passage, they will create their own
Youth today are competing with the world, not just their community
Tribal instincts
What can parents/teachers/schools do?

Find Andrew Lines on Facebook or his website.

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families.

Join the Happy Family team by subscribing to our online membership.

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

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#141 Making Mornings Magic Oct 20, 2020

Topics discussed in this episode:

The bucket metaphor
Your morning starts the night before
How to wake up with connection, rather than correction or direction
Don't tell, ask.
Use gentle reminders

To join Kylie for Book Club, check out our Happy Families Memberships.

Current Book Club book - 21 Days to a Happier Family.

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

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#140 Life After Year 12 Oct 19, 2020

Topics discussed in this episode:

Justin & Kylie's second daughter graduating year 12
Career or character?
Justin's transition from his successful radio career into psychology
University is not for kids, it's for adults.
It's not about getting your kids through university, it's about getting university through them.
Full time earning or full time learning.
Take the pressure off in year 12.

Buy a ticket to tonight's Tweens, Teens & Screens webinar or log into your Happy Families Membership for access.

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

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#139 Tweens, Teens & Screens Teaser Oct 18, 2020

Topics discussed in this episode:

How much is too much screen time?
It's okay to have screen time & to use social media.
6 C's of screen time - Consumption, Creation, Connection, Content, Context & your Child
Active vs passive screen time
How to pull your children away from screens & into quality family time

Buy a ticket to tonight's Tweens, Teens & Screens webinar or log into your Happy Families Membership for access.

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

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#138 I'll Do Better Tomorrow Oct 15, 2020

Justin & Kylie tell us all about their terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.

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#137 Punishment & Rewards with Alfie Kohn Oct 14, 2020

You can get mindless obedience in the short term if the reward is juicy enough or the punishment is awful enough. What you can never get is a child who is happy, more ethical, more compassionate, caring or more of an independent thinker.

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#136 Year 12 Muck Up Days Get Foul Oct 13, 2020

When the tradition of harmless pranks turns into despicable and illegal acts. How did we get here?

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#135 Family Holidays Suck - But Do They Have To? Oct 12, 2020

Your next family holiday CAN be great. Here's some tips from Kylie & I.

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#134 Introducing Our New Co-Host Oct 12, 2020

Big changes are happening on the Happy Families podcast. Please welcome our brand new co-host, Mrs Happy Families!

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#133 Meet The 'World's Worst Mom' (Featuring Lenore Skenazy) Oct 07, 2020

Dr Justin Coulson speaks with Lenore Skenazy - president of Let Grow, a non-profit promoting childhood independence and resilience, and founder of the Free-Range Kids movement. Lenore is a mother who lives in Queens and her controversial decision to let her then-9-year-old son take the New York City Subway home alone became a national story and prompted massive media attention. She was dubbed, "America's Worst Mom."

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#132 Battling Teenager Mood Swings Oct 05, 2020

Parents have been struggling with their teenager's mood swings since the dawn of time. There is a better way!

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#131 Overcoming Some of Life's Biggest Obstacles (Featuring John & Amanda Maclean) Sep 30, 2020

Dr Justin Coulson speaks with John Maclean - an Australian triathlete, rower, and motivational speaker. John had a promising rugby career in his youth but he became a paraplegic after being knocked from his bicycle by a truck in 1988. It was what he did next that changed his life.

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#130 We're Topping The Charts And In The Worst Way Sep 28, 2020

Australia has recently been listed as the second in the world for bullying. How did we let this happen and what can we do about it?

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#129 How Long Can We Bubble Wrap Our Kids? Sep 16, 2020

Whether it be Facebook, TikTok, Instagram or Snapchat, if your kids are on social media they ARE going to exposed to things you don’t want them to see. So what’s the appropriate age for social media? How long can we keep our kids wrapped safely in bubble wrap? And when do we start to remove some of those layers?

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#128 Self Control Can Be A Learned Behaviour (Featuring Ethan Kross) Sep 15, 2020

Dr Justin Coulson speaks with Doctor Ethan Kross about teaching our children (and ourselves) how to learn to harness self control.

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#127 Emotional first aid for social media trauma exposure Sep 10, 2020

In response to the suicide that has been circulating on social media this week, Dr Justin spoke with the ABC about how to talk with our children about it.

In this special podcast, Justin guides us through:

* the different reactions our children could be having to being exposed

* how to respond to those who are trying to exploit the footage for social capital

* the questions to ask your kids that will help them express their own thoughts and feelings

* how to counteract the dehumanisation that often occurs when violence is portrayed through screens

* how to empower your kids to utilise their own moral compass when it comes to online content

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#126 Why Your Daughter Doesn't Need Another Mirror In Her Life (Featuring Dr Renee Engeln) Aug 25, 2020

Dr Justin Coulson speaks with Dr Renee Engeln about how our cultural obsession with appearance hurts our daughters.

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#125 Your Kids Aren't Ready For Social Media (Featuring Sarah Coyne) Aug 18, 2020

Dr Justin Coulson speaks with Professer Sarah Coyne about her 20 years of study on the impact of media on children & families.

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#124 Conversation With an Aussie Icon (Featuring Mem Fox) Aug 11, 2020

Dr Justin Coulson speaks with Mem Fox about her childhood growing up in Africa and how those experiences shaped who she would eventually become as not only an author, but a mother.

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#123 What Your Teen Is Up To Online (Featuring Dr Justin Patchin) Aug 04, 2020

Dr Justin Coulson speaks with Dr Justin Patchin, a global expert on teens & technology, about adolescent online behaviour.

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#122 Crap Housewives, IVF & Mental Health (Featuring Jessica Rowe) Jul 28, 2020

Dr Justin Coulson speaks with Jessica Rowe about the difficulties she’s faced as a mother and why she calls herself a ‘crap housewife’.

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#121 How Phones Are Affecting Family Life (Featuring Dr Kathryn Modecki) Jul 27, 2020

Dr Justin Coulson speaks with Dr Kathryn Modecki about the true impact of mobile phones on our families.

To learn more about the study mentioned or to participate in the next one, please click here – http://www.modernlifestudy.com/

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#120 Pushy Parents Are the Worst (Featuring Professor Wendy Grolnick) Jul 21, 2020

Dr Justin Coulson speaks with Professor Wendy Grolnick about her work in the psychology of parental control. They discuss the 3 things that parents can do to make their families happier.

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#119 What Does Free Diving & Parenting Have In Common? (Featuring Ant Williams) Jul 13, 2020

Welcome to Season One, Episode One of Parenting in Perspective.

This week Dr Justin Coulson speaks with Ant Williams about his career in sports psychology, his accomplishments in free diving and how doing so has taught him life lessons that helped him become a better parent.

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#118 Why Do We Need Parenting Experts Anyway? Jul 13, 2020

Dr Justin Coulson discusses the purpose of parenting experts and why it’s a good thing that modern day parents are so engaged.

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#117 Dealing With Changing Moods & Temperaments Jul 09, 2020

Dr Justin Coulson discusses how parents can cope with their child’s changing moods and temperaments.

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#116 How Step Parents Can Make Genuine Connections Jul 07, 2020

Dr Justin Coulson discusses what step parents can do to foster genuine connections with their new step children.

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#115 Resolving Conflict in Marriage Jun 30, 2020

Dr Justin Coulson discusses the best ways to solve marital conflict.

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#114 What To Do When Your Child Lies Jun 23, 2020

Dr Justin Coulson discusses what to do when your child starts lying to you.

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#113 Technology In Our Schools (Featuring Dr Amy Graham) Jun 16, 2020

Dr Justin Coulson speaks with Dr Amy Graham about technology & our children, from the perspective of teachers.

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#112 Raising Rebels Jun 12, 2020

Dr Justin Coulson discusses how we can best support our children in what they’re passionate about, even if we disagree with their convictions.

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#111 Making Memories Jun 09, 2020

Dr Justin Coulson discusses how we can make sure our children have fond memories of their childhood.

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#110 Rapid Fire Q&A Jun 03, 2020

Dr Justin Coulson shares fast answers to some interesting, rapid fire questions.

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#109 What Would Batman Do? May 26, 2020

Dr Justin Coulson discusses effective ways that we can manage our most difficult challenges.

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#108 Anxious Kids Returning To School May 23, 2020

Dr Justin Coulson discusses the best ways to help our anxious children return to school without tears.

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#107 Finding Peace When You Have No Control May 21, 2020

Dr Justin Coulson discusses what we can do when we’re struggling with the uncertainty that comes with COVID19. He suggests ways that we can cope and even find peace.

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#106 Reducing Disrespectful Talk May 19, 2020

Dr Justin Coulson discusses the best way to reduce conflict & disrespectful talk in the home.

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#105 Extroverts and Introverts May 12, 2020

Dr Justin Coulson discusses how extroverts & introverts can live cohesively in tight quarters.

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#104 Surviving Isolation and Homeschooling May 05, 2020

Dr Justin Coulson discusses lowering expectations & taking the pressure off homeschooling, as well as 5 things that children need to be well.

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#103 Respite In A Full House Apr 28, 2020

Dr Justin Coulson discusses how we can create some respite for ourselves while juggling work and school from home.

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#102 Teenagers Acting Like Toddlers Apr 21, 2020

Dr Justin Coulson discusses how you can manage your teenagers when they’re behaving like toddlers.

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#101 Coping With Corona (Featuring Renee Jain) Apr 15, 2020

Dr Justin Coulson speaks with Renee Jain about how we call all learn to cope within the Coronavirus epidemic.

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#100 Managing Bedtime as a Solo Parent Apr 13, 2020

Dr Justin Coulson discusses how single parents can manage the daily struggle of the bedtime routine.

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#99 Helping Teens With Friendships When They’re Struggling Apr 06, 2020

Dr Justin Coulson discusses how we can help our children find their tribe and in turn, find themselves.

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#98 When Your Child is Struggling With Self-Confidence Mar 31, 2020

Dr Justin Coulson & his wife Kylie Coulson on how to help your child who is struggling with low self esteem.

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#97 Covid19 – What Do We Tell Our Kids? Mar 23, 2020

Dr Justin Coulson discusses how we can talk to our kids about COVID19.

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#96 Introducing Mrs Happy Families – Kylie Coulson Mar 18, 2020

Meet Mrs Happy Families – Justin’s wife Kylie Coulson. Justin & Kylie discuss how their relationship & family are effected by Justin’s career as a parenting expert.

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#95 Incentivising Outside Play Feb 03, 2020

Dr Justin Coulson on how to get your kids self-motivated to play outside and away from their screens.

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#94 Keeping Up With Teens Jan 30, 2020

Dr Justin Coulson gives advice on how you can keep up with your child during the teenage years.

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#93 Unmotivated Teen Jan 19, 2020

Dr Justin Coulson answers the question “When is the right time to tell your kids they need to fend for themselves and move out?”

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#92 How to Not Spoil Kids this Christmas Dec 18, 2019

Dr Justin Coulson on how to break through the cycle of entitlement.

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#91 Teenage Daughters and Their Dads Dec 02, 2019

Dr Justin Coulson on how Dads can navigate a relationship with their teenage daughters through an awkward time.

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#90 Feeling the Mum-Guilt Nov 20, 2019

Dr Justin Coulson answers how mums can resist feeling guilty when they can’t be there.

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#89 Time Poor Families Nov 10, 2019

Just like dollars are the currency of our economy, attention is the currency of our relationships.

Dr Justin Coulson on what Time Poor Families can do to connect effectively.

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#88 My Tween Daughter Is Feeling Left Out Oct 30, 2019

Dr Justin Coulson answers the question, If our child is feeling left out, what can we do?

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#87 How to discipline a 7 year old Oct 23, 2019

Dr Justin Coulson discusses how to Explore, Explain and Empower to guide children’s behaviour.

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#86 8yo Not Into Sport Oct 15, 2019

Dr Justin Coulson answers the question, Should I Make My Kid Play A Sport?

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#85 Helping Kids Find Their Tribe Oct 03, 2019

Dr Justin Coulson discusses the 3 things you can do to help your kids find their tribe.

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#84 Bickering Kids Sep 24, 2019

Contrary to what you might think, kids don’t like bickering with each other! They just don’t have the communication skills.

Dr Justin Coulson on how you can guide them.

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#83 Autonomy In Children Sep 17, 2019

Dr Justin Coulson addressing autonomy in children and how to encourage them to live expansively

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#82 Anxiety Sep 03, 2019

Dr Justin Coulson on Anxiety.

How do we recognise it in our children, and what do we do?

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#81 Mobile Phones At School Aug 15, 2019

Dr Justin Coulson discusses the blanket ban for VIC state primary schools on mobile devices and why this is in the best interests of the kids.

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#80 Tech Addicted Teens Jul 11, 2019

Dr Justin Coulson discusses the response to the 60 Minutes story “Won’t Stop, Can’t Stop” (2nd September 2018), about teenagers addicted to computers, and gives practical advice on how to handle your tech-addicted child or teen.

For more advice on this topic, look for these products in our Happy Families Online Shop

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#79 Access to Inappropriate Content Jul 03, 2019

Dr Justin Coulson and Julie Inman Grant: E-Safety Commissioner, discussing how to handle your children being exposed to inappropriate content and teaching them to react appropriately.

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#78 Boundaries and the Three E’s Jun 24, 2019

Dr Justin Coulson on setting boundaries, getting teenagers to “do as they are told”, and the 3 E’s of effective discipline.

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#77 Pornography Jun 10, 2019

As parents we have got to be having the conversations with our kids from around the age of 8 or 9, because chances are they are going to come across it in one form or another, on average, by the time they are 10 or 11. We’ve got to be talking to them early. And that means we’ve got to know how. Listen to Dr Justin Coulson’s advice on how to approach this sensitive topic.

Please note: this podcast discusses explicit material

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#76 My Child Isn’t Trying Jun 03, 2019

Dr Justin Coulson discusses why are our kids lacking motivation and what you can do about it.

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#75 I Turned Out Fine May 29, 2019

“When I was a kid”… Dr Justin Coulson answers whether or not “I turned out fine” validates making some parenting decisions.

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#74 Mummy’s Boy May 24, 2019

“Am I never supposed to be without him?” Dr Justin Coulson discusses the crucial developmental stage of We Time and gives practical ideas for exhausted parents.

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#73 Bullying – When Do Parents Step In? May 14, 2019

When do parents step in when their children are being bullied? Dr Justin Coulson helps parents understand the best way to deal with their children being bullied.

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#72 Public Discipline Apr 23, 2019

Dr Justin Coulson helps parents to understand the difference between discipline and punishment and explains the three fundamentals of effective discipline – both in public and in our homes.

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#71 Hope in Hopelessness Mar 25, 2019

How do you help your child when they feel hopeless? Dr Justin recommends having a goal, a pathway and a belief. Listen to the episode to find out why.

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#70 Fortnite Mar 18, 2019

The Fortnite craze has taken over the world! What should we do about it?

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#69 Parenting Adults Mar 11, 2019

Little kids = Little problems

Big kids = Big problems

Adult kids = Well, that’s the topic for this week’s podcast.

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#68 Punishing Makes Selfish Mar 04, 2019

Dr Justin says that punishing our kids makes them selfish – even if we are punishing them because of their selfishness. Listen to the episode to find out why.

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#67 Raising Resilient Kids with Kerwin Rae Feb 25, 2019

I recently joined Kerwin Rae on his Unstoppable with Kerwin Rae podcast to discuss how to raise resilient kids.

Warning: Kerwin drops some coarse language towards the end of the episode.

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#66 Extra Curricular Activities Feb 25, 2019

As parents, we want to make sure we give our children the best opportunities possible. But getting the balance of extra curricular activities right can be difficult.

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#65 2 Year Olds and Bedtime Feb 18, 2019

What do you do when your 2 year old refuses to go to bed? In this episode, Dr Justin provides some suggestion on how to calm our children and help them get to sleep.

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#64 Teaching Children to Think for Themselves Feb 12, 2019

How do you help your child develop critical thinking skills and feel confident in expressing their opinions? In this episode, Dr Justin Coulson looks at this question from lots of different perspectives from confidence to curiosity.

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#63 Raising Teenagers Dec 24, 2018

!The adolescent years can be a difficult time. How can you, as a parent, help guide and protect your teenager? In this episode of the podcast, Dr Justin explains how to develop good relationships with your child.

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#62 How Young Is Too Young? Dec 17, 2018

We spend a lot of time critiquing young people for spending too much time on their phones, yet we as parents are just as guilty. In this episode of the podcast, Dr Justin gives his thoughts on the matter.

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#61 When Should Parents Step In? Dec 10, 2018

When is a good time to step in, or when to step back and let our children handle the situation? In this episode of the podcast, Dr Justin discusses when and how it a parent should intervene.

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#60 Teens Not Listening Dec 03, 2018

How do we cope when our teens stop listening and start rebelling? In this episode of the podcast, Dr Justin discusses what to when teens want to break the rules and push the limits.

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#59 Prep Kids Suspended Nov 26, 2018

The number of prep kids getting suspended is growing at a concerning rate. In the latest episode of the podcast, Dr Justin discusses the reasons behind this and things we should think about.

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#58 Phone Companion Nov 19, 2018

Research has revealed that almost 9 in 10 Australians say that their smartphone is their number 1 companion- ahead of their parents and their pets! In this episode of the podcast, Dr Justin weighs in on this concerning fact.

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#57 Schoolies Nov 12, 2018

Schoolies is known for teenagers making silly decisions. In this episode of the podcast, Dr Justin discusses how do we deal with this end of school tradition.

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#56 The Spawn of Satan Nov 05, 2018

On this episode of the podcast, Dr Justin discusses the time when our daughters turn from little princesses into the spawns of satan.

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#55 Post Traumatic Growth Oct 29, 2018

In the episode today, Dr Justin discusses the phrase “post traumatic growth”, which is elaborated in more depth in his book “9 Ways to a Resilient Child”.

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#54 Halloween Oct 22, 2018

Is Halloween ok? Should we take part in this holiday? Dr Justin shares his thoughts on the topic in this episode.

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#53 Stop Stuffing Stuff Oct 15, 2018

In this episode, Dr Justin explains the importance of having down time for both children and adults.

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#51 Setting Up Success in Education Oct 01, 2018

Did you know that the way we set up our home can impact our children’s education? Dr Justin explains how something as simple as having books in your house can make all the difference.

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#50 Risks and Rolling Down Hills Sep 24, 2018

This episode talks about balancing safety and fun- Should you be allowed to roll down a hill and risk getting hurt? Should we get rid of the monkey bars just because someone broke their arm?

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#49 Disciplining Other Peoples Children Sep 16, 2018

Where is the line when it comes to discipling someone else’s child? Dr Justin gives some suggestions and thoughts on this topic in this week’s episode.
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#48 Teenage Privacy Sep 10, 2018

How much privacy should you give a teenager? In this episode, Dr Justin talks about finding the balance between freedom and control.

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#47 Public Discipline Sep 03, 2018

What is the best way to discipline your children? That’s the topic of discussion in this week’s episode.

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#46 Love Languages Aug 27, 2018

Love languages are often discussed when it come to romantic relationships, but what about in the family? In this episode, Dr Justin discusses the value of time and understanding.

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#45 Be A Pilot Aug 20, 2018

What do you want to be when you grow up? This episode discusses character vs career.

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#44 Super Saturdays Aug 13, 2018

Spending time together as a family is extremely important. In this episode, Dr Justin talks about setting aside time every weekend for communal activities.

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#43 Social Media Aug 02, 2018

In an ever-evolving world, we have become more reliant on technology. In this latest episode, Dr Justin discusses the use of screens and social media in the family.

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#42 Life Balance Jun 07, 2018

Do you feel like you are being pulled in a million directions? Is balance in life really achievable? Dr Justin says no! Instead, let’s focus on being intentional. Listen and found out how!

The 21 Days to a Happier Family Online program can help you get intentional with the things that matter to your family. TAKE A LOOK

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#41 Ignoring Children May 15, 2018

Is it ever OK to ignore your children? Typically people think that by ignoring tantrums the problem will go away. But does it? Here are some alternative strategies you can try.

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#40 Discussing Big Issues Apr 24, 2018

How do we respond to our kids when they come to us with questions about the BIG ISSUES? Dr Justin gives us some great tips and insights that will arm you with the right tools when the need arises.

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#39 Dads & Sons Apr 17, 2018

Dads and sons. It can be a very special relationship. How can we nurture that connection, especially as those bright eyed boys become troublesome teens?

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#38 Defining Quality Time Apr 09, 2018

Both mums and dads are spending more time with their kids than ever, which is great! But is the time we are spending with our children today “quality” time?

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#37 Conversations with Kids Mar 26, 2018

How do we warn our children of potential dangers without disempowering them? Dr Justin gives some practical suggestions on how to have those difficult conversations.

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#36: Stop Look and Listen Oct 17, 2017

Every parent wishes their children would listen to them more. But, how well do we really listen to them?

When we stop, look and listen to our children we are letting them know that they are worthy of our time.

In this week’s podcast episode Dr Justin Coulson shares some simple strategies for making sure your children receive the one-on-one attention and nurture they deserve.

Links mentioned in this episode:

* What Your Child Needs From You

* Have Dr Justin speak at your school or organization

* Toilet Training: As easy as one, two, wee

More on this topic:

* Stop, Look and Listen to Your Kids

* 7 Ways to Really Listen So Your Child Shares More

* 18 Ways to a More Resilient Child

* Please turn off your phone

FREE DOWNLOAD

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#35 Tired Teens Commit Crimes Oct 10, 2017

Sleep is not a luxury item, but many of today’s teens aren’t getting enough and it’s having a detrimental effect for many of them long into the future.

Devices have crept into the bedroom and many teens are losing sleep because they’re spending all night on social media and playing games.

A recent study has found that a teenager that is always tired is 4.5 times more likely to commit a crime as an adult.

In this week’s podcast episode Dr Justin looks at the research from this study and explores some of the circumstances that cause this link.

Links mentioned in this episode:

* 21 Days to a Happier Family

* 21 Days to a Happier Family Online Video Course

* Have Dr Justin speak at your school or organisation

More on this topic:

* The kids are out of control

* How do I control my child’s outbursts

* My 4 year old goes from angel to absolute #devilchild

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#33: How to get your children to really listen Sep 27, 2017

You talk and you talk and you talk and there’s a blank look on their face.

You ask a question and they walk the other way as if they haven’t heard you.

So you ask louder, then you yell and shout to get our child’s attention.

Does it work? No. But you still do it over and over again.

In this week’s episode Dr Justin Coulson shares his top 3 tips to get your children to really listen.

Links mentioned in this episode:

* 21 Days to a Happier Family book

* 21 Days to a Happier Family online video program

* Have Dr Justin speak at your school or organisation

More on this topic:

* How do I get my 3 year old to listen?

* Why doesn’t my 4 year old ever listen?

Free download:

* How to get your kids to really listen audio download and cheat sheet

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#32: When it comes to technology, are you setting a good example? Sep 19, 2017

Kids these days are addicted to their devices.

My child spends way too much time on screens.

How do I get my child to put down his phone and go outside?

One of the biggest concerns for modern parents is the amount of time their children are spending on screens and the effect this is having on their health, relationships and wellbeing.

But while we are all busy being so concerned, research tells us that parents aren’t setting a very good example and this is having a detrimental effect on our relationships.

In this week’s episode Dr Justin will help you identify if you have a technology problem and shares some simple ways to modify your behaviour that will have a big impact on your relationships with each other and with your kids.

Links mentioned in this episode:

* Have Dr Justin speak at your school or organisation

* Parenting Workshop (video seminar)

More on this topic:

* Is my mother-in-law ruining my child with screens?

* 5 Ways to set screen time limits with your children

* How to banish tech and make mealtimes matter

* What do you get when you cross a toddler with an ipad

* Please turn off your phone

* Kids need smart parents, not smart phones

Resources:

* FREE Technology Tickets

* FREE Colourful Connection

* Super Solutions for Technology Troubles

Super Solutions for Technology Troubles available on DVD and as an instant download

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#31 Age: Does it matter when becoming a mum? Sep 13, 2017

Does it matter how old you are when you have children? It’s a controversial topic and there is no definitive answer.

In this week’s episode Dr Justin Coulson looks at the research, in particular a recent correlational study looking at the advantages and disadvantages associated with the age a mother is when she has a child.

Dr Justin explains how health and physicality, stability of relationships, life experience, psychological maturity and psychological flexibility all play a part in the type of mother you’re likely to be, depending on your age.

Links mentioned in this episode:

* Time Out Is Not Your Only Option

* Have Dr Justin speak at your school or organisation

* Controlled Crying: Is it safe?

How to be the best parent you can be, no matter what age:

* What Your Child Needs From You

* 21 Days to a Happier Family

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.