Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

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 Related Links: Me & My Dad Activity Book [Free Download] #489 Complementary Roles of Mums and Dads With Jenet Erickson Doors are now open to the Happy Families Membership  NEW weekly kids’ ‘Print & Play’ subscription FELT (Fostering Emotional Learning Together) Find us on Facebook or TikTok Subscribe to the Happy Families newsletter  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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] Doors are now open to the Happy Families Membership  NEW weekly kids’ ‘Print & Play’ subscription FELT (Fostering Emotional Learning Together) Find us on Facebook or TikTok Subscribe to the Happy Families newsletter  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The podcast tackles the challenges parents face with children's sleep habits, discussing the common occurrence of a nine-year-old wanting to co-sleep. Insights are shared on historical views of co-sleeping and practical strategies for dealing with these situations. Additionally, the show addresses a five-year-old's sneaky behavior of stealing from their parent’s purse, exploring whether it's a serious concern and offering tips on communication and understanding these behaviors.

Justin, a tech impact speaker, and Kylie, a child protection advocate, dive into the alarming effects of social media on childhood development. They reveal how big tech manipulates kids through harmful design features, leading to safety crises online. Highlighting the urgent need for regulation, they discuss strategies to shield children from exploitation and promote healthier, play-focused lifestyles. The duo encourages parents to delay smartphone access, unite in advocacy, and reclaim an unplugged childhood while emphasizing the importance of moderation in digital interactions.

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 Related Links: The Screens Issue #1045 – The Art & Science of Family Meetings Doors are now open to the Happy Families Membership  NEW weekly kids’ ‘Print & Play’ subscription FELT (Fostering Emotional Learning Together) Find us on Facebook or TikTok Subscribe to the Happy Families newsletterSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Doors are now open to the Happy Families Membership  NEW weekly kids’ ‘Print & Play’ subscription FELT (Fostering Emotional Learning Together) Find us on Facebook or TikTok Subscribe to the Happy Families newsletterSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dany Elachi, founder of The Heads Up Alliance, passionately discusses the pressing need for mobile phone bans in schools. He shares insights on the detrimental effects of smartphones on children's well-being and emphasizes community support for parents navigating this challenge. Dany explores the benefits of reducing social media exposure, the importance of a consistent phone-free environment, and the debate surrounding the empirical evidence of phone bans. His advocacy for healthier childhood experiences resonates throughout the conversation, making a compelling case for change.

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] Doors are now open to the Happy Families Membership  NEW weekly kids’ ‘Print & Play’ subscription FELT (Fostering Emotional Learning Together) Find us on Facebook or TikTok Subscribe to the Happy Families newsletterSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Doors are now open to the Happy Families Membership  NEW weekly kids’ ‘Print & Play’ subscription FELT (Fostering Emotional Learning Together) Find us on Facebook or TikTok Subscribe to the Happy Families newsletterSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Relevant Links: Same Page Parenting #1045 – The Art & Science of Family Meetings Doors are now open to the Happy Families Membership  NEW weekly kids’ ‘Print & Play’ subscription FELT (Fostering Emotional Learning Together) Find us on Facebook or TikTok Subscribe to the Happy Families newsletterSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.