Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

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 Related links: Movies and Kids: When Is It Ok For Them To Watch That? - Happy Families Everyone Else Can Do It! Why Can't I? - Happy Families Common Sense Media - Age-Based Media Reviews For Families Find us on Facebook or TikTok Leave a voice memo here or email your questions/comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Find out more about joining THE QUEST at our websiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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: Sibling rivalry, conflict, and strife Building character Teaching compassion and empathy Repairing relationship ruptures Separation anxiety Emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA) Making mornings calm Validating emotions Basic psychological needs Strong parent-school partnership Flexibility Related links: 10 Steps to Reducing Sibling Conflict - Happy Families Teaching Kids Kindness - a Happy Families webinar School Refusal - Happy Families Developmental Milestones | Preschool - Happy Families Find us on Facebook or TikTok Leave a voice memo here or email your questions/comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Find out more about joining THE QUEST at our websiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Tate's harmful ideology is infiltrating schools. Boys, broadly speaking, are big fans, and their behaviour in the classroom is reflecting this. Dr Stephanie Westcott (researcher and lecturer in the School of Education, Culture, and Society at Monash University) shares her research on the experiences women are having in educational settings across Australia, looking at the influence of misogynistic ideology, how algorithms on TikTok and Youtube direct young boys to these ideas, and what parents, carers, and educators can do to combat the rise of these radicalised masculine myths. In this episode: Andrew Tate Misogyny infiltrating classrooms Harmful ideology influencing young boys Andrew Tate’s extreme views about women are infiltrating Australian schools. We need a zero-tolerance response, Westcott & Roberts | The Conversation Experiences women are having in educational contexts Behaviours of boys in the classroom Framing boys and men as victims Radicalisation of masculinity Andrew Tate Effect in Australian Classrooms | ABC News What it means to be a real man Algorithms on social media are showing young boys very specific content Respectful relationships education Zero tolerance Related links: #694 Responding to the Hate from Andrew Tate - Happy Families Podcast Helping Our Boys Grow Into Men - Happy Families Can We Please Talk About Boys? - A FREE Happy Families Webinar Find us on Facebook or TikTok Leave a voice memo here or email your questions/comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Find out more about joining THE QUEST at our websiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Justin's singing turned complaints about dishes into a whole lot of fun, with sound levels hitting dangerous decibel levels! Term 2 of homeschooling started off rather rocky for The Coulsons, but thinking outside the box created an opportunity for a reluctant writer to be creative and expressive in a new way!   Find us on Facebook or TikTok Leave a voice memo here or email your questions/comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Find out more about joining THE QUEST at our websiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a brand new nicotine product out, so invisible you may not even be aware your child has it! Plus, the dangers of vaping, a nation-leading move by SA to protect our children from social media, and 118 reasons to be child-free.  In this episode: Bluey 'The Sign' - a missed opportunity? Advocate pushes for vaping areas in schools as NSW holds inquiry into vape laws | news.com.au Harm-reduction policy regarding vaping #498 Children and Vaping, with Lisa Damour - Happy Families Vaping is a 'young person' phenomenon in Australia | Pursuit, Uni of Melb A new nicotine product that tastes and smells great - known as zyns, snus or little lip pillows ‘Invisible threat’: Nicotine pouches taking over schools | news.com.au Should social media be banned for children? How should you approach your children's and teenagers' social media use? | abc.net.au Parents in defensive mode Australian model Ellie Gonsalves shared 118 reasons to be childfree | ABC Related links: Pots, Pills, & Parenting: A Masterclass with Paul Dillon and Dr Justin Coulson - Happy Families 4 P’s to Prevent Peer Pressure in your Teens - Happy Families Find us on Facebook or TikTok Leave a voice memo here or email your questions/comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Find out more about joining THE QUEST at our websiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anne Hollonds was the opening speaker at the Breaking Point Digital Conference. On the podcast today you will hear an excerpt from Anne's presentation, discussing the mental health of young people around the country and what we can do to help them. In this episode: Anne Hollonds - National Children’s Commissioner. Young people and mental health Residual effects of Covid pandemic Barriers to accessing mental health support for young people Strong therapeutic alliance = better outcomes Breaking Point Digital Conference: Unpacking the Crisis in Youth Mental Health Related links: Enough: Overcoming Anxiety, Perfectionism, & Self Loathing - Happy Families We Need to Talk About Parent Wellbeing Screen Time and Our Teens’ Mental Health Crisis - Happy Families Find us on Facebook or TikTok Leave a voice memo here or email your questions/comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Find out more about joining THE QUEST at our websiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Justin is answering two listeners' questions. First up is Bridget from Victoria, a mum of two. Her question is about her five-year-old son, whose over-competitiveness and inability to handle losing are causing issues in the family and in his wider circle of friends. Becky, a single mum from Melbourne, is looking for ways she can implement rules and boundaries that won't lead to anxiety-fuelled and explosive reactions from her son, who has autism and OCD. Helpful links: Winning Or Losing: How To Handle A Bad Sport – Happy Families #78 Boundaries and the Three E’s – Happy Families 3 Pillars of Practically Perfect Parenting – Happy Families Connection – Happy Families Find us on Facebook or TikTok Leave a voice memo here or email your questions/comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Find out more about joining THE QUEST at our websiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you have a child who refuses to or is unable to go to school? Sydney mum Alice joins Justin on the Happy Families podcast today to share the day-to-day pressure of trying to help a child get to school when emotions are high and nervous systems are in fight or flight mode.  If you are deep in the trenches of ‘school can’t’, this is a not-to-be-missed conversation, with some beautiful advice and encouragement to parents who are feeling stressed, judged, and alone in their struggle to get a child to school. In this episode: Emotionally-based school avoidance (EBSA) Reasons for 'school can't' School Can't Australia (Parent/Carer Peer Support) | Facebook Neurodivergence (Autism, ADHD) Importance of friendships Pressure on parents, judgement Homeschooling Mental health of parents Moving schools "Is it just me? Am I the only one who can't get their kid to go to school?" School refusal and the Australian families gripped by blame, shame, and the fear of a lost education - ABC News Related links: School Refusal – Happy Families #533 Emotion Based School Avoidance aka School Refusal – Happy Families A Grown Up’s Guide to Worry Stacking – Happy Families Resilience: Developing Strength, Calm, & Kindness in Our Kids – Happy Families We Need to Talk About Parent Wellbeing – Happy Families Moving? How to Help your Child Settle Into A New School – Happy Families Find us on Facebook or TikTok Leave a voice memo here or email your questions/comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Find out more about joining THE QUEST at our websiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An encouragement to any parent feeling like they are stuck in a rut with a child determined to be horrible and difficult - there is hope! The relationship with your child changes as they age into adulthood and can become a delightful and close friendship. In this episode: Changing parent/child relationships during the young adult years Friendships with adult children Routines and structures Finding Balance – Happy Families #952- A Rippin Good Read – Happy Families Troubled by Rob Henderson | A Memoir of Foster Care, Family, and Social Class Related links: What Your Child Needs From You – Happy Families 6 Strategies for Respectful Relationships – Happy Families I am Not your Friend. I am your Parent – Happy Families Find us on Facebook or TikTok Leave a voice memo here or email your questions/comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Find out more about joining THE QUEST at our websiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kylie is back, answering some quick-fire "Have you ever...?" questions about motherhood and family life.  Mother's Day Links: Me & My Mum Activity Book - Free Printable – Happy Families What Dad can do for Mum’s wellbeing – Happy Families Find us on Facebook or TikTok Leave a voice memo here or email your questions/comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Find out more about joining THE QUEST at our websiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.