Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Latest Episodes:

#1003 When the 3 E's Don't Work Jun 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.

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

'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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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.

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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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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: