Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Latest Episodes:

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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: