Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Is being a mindful and present parent really that important? How does household chaos impact on family communication? Should corporal punishment be banned in Australia? In this week's 'From the Doctor's Desk' Justin and Kylie unpack these questions and more - sharing the science that will help make you a better parent. Topics in this episode: Mindful parenting  Positive parenting and childhood stress The hippocampus, memory and learning The impact of household chaos on healthy family communication (particularly adolescent disclosure) Smacking/corporal punishment Mindfulness in schools Joan Grusec - 'Mindful Parents, Mindful Children' Jamie Hansen - Positive parenting can help protect against the effects of stress in childhood and adolescence Professor Daryl Higgins - Corporal punishment of children in Australia: The evidence-based case for legislative reform  Why It's Not Ok To Smack Your Kids - a Happy Families article Jackie Nelson - A Hidden Source of Disconnection Between Teens and Parents The MYRIAD project - Mindfulness in schools    Register for the BRAND-NEW 'Supporting Autistic Children: Nurturing Neurodiversity' course hosted by Dr Justin Coulson & Dr Joey Lawrence 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.

Journalist, broadcaster and TV host Amanda Keller has just won the Commercial Radio Australia Award for Best On-air Team with her co-host Brendan Jones. To celebrate we are re-playing her Lightning Round interview with Justin - a series of short, sharp questions about parenting life. (Replay) Topics in this episode: IVF Can you have a favourite child? Parental expectations Benefits of tag-team parenting Teaching children to drive The ultimate joy of parenthood Why Amanda would be happy to go into Witness Protection with her kids Amanda's biggest parenting win   Register for the BRAND-NEW 'Supporting Autistic Children: Nurturing Neurodiversity' course hosted by Dr Justin Coulson & Dr Joey Lawrence 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.

The meltdown out of nowhere, an angry and aggressive child, the emotionally flooded teen - kids of all ages have BIG emotions, and experience emotional dysregulation! Discover the tools and skills that will help you respond to your child with compassion and kindness - and build emotional awareness and regulation for you both. Topics in this episode: No Matter What Emotion regulation  The magic of Nature Moving forward, finding solutions Responding with compassion and gentleness Emotion Coaching- a Happy Families article  Little People, Big Feelings - a Happy Families webinar  The Secret to Regulating Emotions - a Happy Families article Register for the BRAND-NEW 'Supporting Autistic Children: Nurturing Neurodiversity' course hosted by Dr Justin Coulson & Dr Joey Lawrence 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.

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    Register for tonight's webinar 'Enough: Helping our children overcome anxiety, perfectionism & self-loathing' Register for the BRAND-NEW 'Supporting Autistic Children: Nurturing Neurodiversity' course hosted by Dr Justin Coulson & Dr Joey Lawrence 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.

Family life can be hard, particularly after a long day when everyone is tired!  We share 3 things you can do to overcome the challenges of Witching Hour - helping you move forward when you really just want to run away.  Topics in this episode -  Arsenic hour The challenges younger kids face in the late afternoon Emotional regulation HALTS - "Justin-isms" Digital Phone Wallpapers When the working parent gets home! The power of recognising 'hard'  Outsource help   Register for the BRAND-NEW 'Supporting Autistic Children: Nurturing Neurodiversity' course hosted by Dr Justin Coulson & Dr Joey Lawrence 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.

Time-crunch moments to get through the challenges of lunch, because the need for food is never ending! Listen in for 5 time-tested ideas to help you deal with the challenges of knowing what food to pack so that your child will actually eat at school. Topics in this episode: Tuck shop is awesome... but expensive Canteen pricelists from the 1980's Weekend baking Leftovers Taking the pressure off! Home menus Podcast episode #862 - Solving Lunch Box Headaches with Deb Blakley   Register for this month's webinar 'Enough: Helping our children overcome anxiety, perfectionism & self-loathing' Register for the BRAND-NEW 'Supporting Autistic Children: Nurturing Neurodiversity' course hosted by Dr Justin Coulson & Dr Joey Lawrence 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.

"What's for dinner?" This has to be the most frustrating question that any parent deals with on a daily basis. Listen in for 8 solutions to help you overcome the dreaded dinner dilemma! Topics in this episode - Summer Fit by Sally Fitzgibbons – Book Review Themed nights Rotating roster The cognitive tax of cooking and planning Involving the kids Adam Liaw  Sharing the load   Register for this month's webinar 'Enough: Helping our children overcome anxiety, perfectionism & self-loathing' Register for the BRAND-NEW 'Supporting Autistic Children: Nurturing Neurodiversity' course hosted by Dr Justin Coulson & Dr Joey Lawrence 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.

How can you do it all - AND still be a good parent? 5 ideas for 'Creating Margin' that will make all the difference when it comes to an over scheduled, over-busy life! Topics discussed in this episode: Creating order from chaos Household tasks Connection Parental exhaustion Washing machine analogy Stephen Covey - 'Big Rocks'  Structure and routine Poet Annie Dillard - 'How We Spend Our Days'  Chores   You can purchase early bird tickets for the new course 'Supporting Autistic Children: Nurturing Neurodiversity' at the Happy Families website Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families Become a Happy Families member today - Happy Families Membership Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all have Time Crunch Moments - where the pressure is on, time is limited, and our kids are NOT being compliant! Mornings can be tough, right? But they don't have to be! Whether you have young kids or sleepy teenagers, there are 4 things you can do ahead of time to slow things right down - even when you need to go fast!   Topics discussed in this episode: A change in the 'Making Mornings Magic'' formula! Teenagers vs young children Back to school Routine and structure Deadlines, fast-paced living Being present Kids and transitions Every family is different 'Fast is slow and slow is fast' - a Happy Families article   You can purchase early bird tickets for the new course 'Supporting Autistic Children: Nurturing Neurodiversity' at the Happy Families website Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families Become a Happy Families member today - Happy Families Membership Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When moving homes means changing schools again, and again... and again(!!) it can be hard for children to feel a true sense of belonging within a school community. With this being an ongoing experience for some of the Coulson kids, a momentous decision has been made to break away from mainstream education! And on this path to new beginnings, Justin experiences a break of a different kind - rather more painful, and nothing short of miraculous!   Topic's discussed in this episode: Australia's educational system  The 3 basic psychological needs of every child - what happens when these are not being met at school? Educational lessons learned during the Covid lockdowns Homeschooling  When children struggle with emotional regulation and attention at school Becoming grandparents Holidays, surfing, and the power of slowing down Challenging days and changing direction Moving? How to help your child settle into a new school - a Happy Families article School refusal - a Happy Families article      Register for the Happy Families October Webinar - "Enough: Helping our children overcome anxiety, perfectionism & self-loathing" Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families Become a Happy Families member today - Happy Families Membership Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.