Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Not sure how to entertain your child in the holidays? Helpful tips for tired parents just wanting to survive the school break. In this episode: Only children Holiday boredom Clear expectations Creating engaging environments #944 Raising Kids, Not Grass – Happy Families Screen-based childhood Playdates  936 weekends with our kids Plans and predictability ChatGPT   Find us on Facebook or TikTok Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Find out more about joining THE QUEST at our websiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Parent behaviour at children's sporting events can directly impact the child's experience. Thankfully the majority of parents do seem to encourage having fun over putting the pressure on their child to be the best. Journalist Shona Hendley unpacks why sports parents get a bad rap - but are in fact the angels of society. Topics in this episode -  Competitive parents coaching from the side Shona Hedley's article - Taking kids to sport all the time Dedication - time, money, energy Training, competitions, camps, social events, volunteering & more! Why do children drop out of sports early? "Doing your best" vs winning vs simply loving the experience Competence & connection Report cards: grades vs effort The current mental health crisis with young people Government policies and decisions re sport    Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Screens are crippling our kids; three things we need to do to stem the relentless push towards screens. Plus, how to help your child feel like they belong at school. In this episode: Screen Time and Parent-Child Talk When Children Are Aged 12 to 36 Months | Media and Youth | JAMA Pediatrics | JAMA Network Screens - impacting engagement, language, social interactions Technoference Screens as babysitters? Adolescent School Belonging and Mental Health Outcomes in Young Adulthood: Findings from a Multi-wave Prospective Cohort Study | School Mental Health (springer.com) School belonging Competence, connectedness, confidence at school Parent and school partnerships   Find us on Facebook or TikTok Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Find out more about joining THE QUEST at our websiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is your child struggling to read? Sally Rippin shares ways parents can get their reluctant readers hooked on books! In this episode: Sally Rippin - Australia's Children's Laureate for 2024-25 “All kids can be readers” Dyslexia, ADHD and other learning difficulties Low competence = low motivation Books open up worlds Early intervention and support Are you a book snob? Giving children choice ‘Dating and mating pool’ data Breaking down stereotypes  Boys and books   Find us on Facebook or TikTok Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Find out more about joining THE QUEST at our websiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your job is to guide your kids to make decisions that are safe and healthy. How do you respond to their requests to become creators of online content?   In this episode: Embracing and encouraging our children's talents and interests How Gen Z is living under the influence | The Australian Social media - a toxic, dangerous place for children A Marketplace of Girl Influencers Managed by Moms and Stalked by Men - The New York Times Self-esteem, mental health and wellbeing Seeking validation from strangers, self-worth Importance of listening to own voice Are the risks worth it? Scaffolding interests and talents in age-appropriate ways   Find us on Facebook or TikTok Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Find out more about joining THE QUEST at our websiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are G-strings and micro swimwear appropriate for a family-friendly theme park?  In this episode: Your body, your choice? Body positivity vs sexualisation A Marketplace of Girl Influencers Managed by Moms and Stalked by Men | New York Times  Child protection  Health and safety concerns Cultural differences Social etiquette & context Double standards Join the conversation on Facebook   Find us on Facebook or TikTok Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Find out more about joining THE QUEST at our websiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reaching the end of our parenting tether can lead to angry blow ups or painful criticism. We must watch what we say because our words create worlds – ours and our children’s.   In this episode: Justin has a meltdown Body image and self-talk Watch Your Words – Happy Families #615 You’re the (Inner) Voice – Happy Families #207 Taming That Voice Inside Your Head – Happy Families   Find us on Facebook or TikTok Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Find out more about joining THE QUEST at our websiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week in parenting: the disturbing world of social media and child influencers - and their online stalkers! Bradley Cooper and Dax Shepherd 'Armchair Expert' podcast interview Early days of parenting, connecting with baby ‘Lunatics’: Fury over change to Mary Poppins movie classification | news.com.au L.P. Hartley — 'The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there.' 'Hogwarts Legacy' Are screens ruining childhoods? #930 Why Big Tech Doesn’t Care About Your Kids – Happy Families Instagram A Marketplace of Girl Influencers Managed by Moms and Stalked by Men | New York Times  Tech giants are ANTI-kids - Happy Families   Find us on Facebook or TikTok Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Find out more about joining THE QUEST at our websiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your child is too little to go to school but needs to be looked after when you are working - a familiar predicament for many parents today! Help your child thrive in childcare, by having consistent rituals of connection. In this episode: Early, extensive childcare  Another Perspective on the Latest Research on Early Child Care | by Jenet Erickson & Jay Belsky Brain development in infancy Attachment relationships and responsive caregivers Social, emotional challenges in daycare Risk factors / protective factors in the early years Quality of care, adult-child ratios Increasing work flexibility for parents Daycare Dramas – Happy Families Developmental Milestones [Part 1: Infancy] – Happy Families Find us on Facebook or TikTok Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Learn more about joining THE QUESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beth asks, "how do we teach our children the difference between nudity and pornography?". Conversations to have with your child to remove shame and secrecy; and what to do if they are exposed to explicit content.  In this episode: Good Pictures Bad Pictures: Porn-Proofing Today’s Young Kids by Kristen Jenson  #898 Porn-Proofing Your Kids with Kristen Jenson – Happy Families Pornography vs nakedness Nudity in art Cultural awareness Family values Pre-arming your child What to do if your child sees pornography Find us on Facebook or TikTok Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Learn more about joining THE QUESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.