Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

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?" Related Links: #764 Should We Stop Our Boys Playing Rough? Teaching Kids Kindness [Webinar]  The Case for Risky Play in an Age of Overprotection #1045 – The Art & Science of Family Meetings Find us on Facebook or TikTok Subscribe to the Happy Families newsletter Leave a voice memo here or email your questions/comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Become a Happy Families Member todaySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Related Links: Maternal Disapproval of Friends damages the Peer Status of Pre and Early Adolescents Forbidden Friends as Forbidden Fruit How do I Keep my Daughter Away from her Boyfriend? Supporting Autistic Children Course (NDIS approved) Find us on Facebook or TikTok Subscribe to the Happy Families newsletter Leave a voice memo here or email your questions/comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Become a Happy Families Member todaySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Related Links: We Need to Talk About Parent Wellbeing Supporting Autistic Children Course (NDIS approved)  Find us on Facebook or TikTok Subscribe to the Happy Families newsletter Leave a voice memo here or email your questions/comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Become a Happy Families Member today  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Related Links: Should We be Giving our Teens Alcohol?  Six Science-Backed Benefits of Gratitude #2: How Gratitude Can Make Your Family Happier  Find us on Facebook or TikTok Subscribe to the Happy Families newsletter Leave a voice memo here or email your questions/comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Become a Happy Families Member todaySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Related Links: How do I Get My Child to Eat Healthy Food Without the Power Struggles? #1008 - Family Dinner Deep Dive Eat Right Without a Fight [E-Book]  Food Rules by Michael Pollard  Find us on Facebook or TikTok Subscribe to the Happy Families newsletter Leave a voice memo here or email your questions/comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Become a Happy Families Member todaySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Related Links: #754 Why Doing Their Best Might Not Be the Best The Biggest Relationship Mistakes We All Make  Find us on Facebook or TikTok Subscribe to the Happy Families newsletter Leave a voice memo here or email your questions/comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Become a Happy Families Member todaySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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?   Related links:  #1095 - Exams: Less Stress More Success  Enough: Overcoming Anxiety, Perfectionism, & Self Loathing Find us on Facebook or TikTok Subscribe to the Happy Families newsletter Leave a voice memo here or email your questions/comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Become a Happy Families Member todaySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"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 Find us on Facebook or TikTok Subscribe to the Happy Families newsletter Leave a voice memo here or email your questions/comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Become a Happy Families Member todaySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  In today's Book Club episode, Justin and Kyle share what they have been reading this month! Kylie's books: The Measure by Nikki Erlick The Rescue by Nicholas Sparks Troubled by Rob Henderson The Winter Dress by Lauren Chater Justin's books: Hello Darkness, My Old Friend by Sanford Greenberg The Expat by Hansen Shi The Weirdest People in the World: How the West Became Psychologically Peculiar and Particularly Prosperous by Joseph Henrich Find us on Facebook or TikTok Subscribe to the Happy Families newsletter Leave a voice memo here or email your questions/comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Become a Happy Families Member todaySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Related links:  #217 The Age of Consent with Rebecca Sparrow #226 More Than Consent Education with Melinda Tankard Reist Sex, Consent & Staying Safe [Webinar] #1071 - Body Boundaries With Jayneen Sanders Find us on Facebook or TikTok Subscribe to the Happy Families newsletter Leave a voice memo here or email your questions/comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Become a Happy Families Member todaySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.