Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Latest Episodes:

#1033 - Early Talent Promotion Jul 14, 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!

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Related links:

Purchase the webinar The Screaming Spiral or log in to your HF membership library to view

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Related links:

Last chance to register for the Supporting Autistic Children course

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

Show notes

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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