Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

It's National Child Protection Week! Today's conversation is with author, publisher, mother, and educator Janeen Sanders, a strong public advocate for children’s safety, education, and empowerment. Jayneen joins Dr Justin to speak on the importance of teaching consent and body safety to children of all ages and how parents can do this in age-appropriate ways. This is an essential skill for every parent: to keep our children safe from sexual abuse and sexual predators. In this episode: Statistics The younger a child, the more vulnerable and at-risk they are Online grooming #926 Who Tops the List of Child Sexual Abusers? Using correct anatomical names Teaching body boundary and consent Grandparents and hugging Creating a safety network for your child . Jayneen Sander's resources: Body Safety Red Flags by Jayneen Sanders My Body! What I Say Goes! by Jayneen Sanders Body Safety and Consent VALUE BUNDLE by Jayneen Sanders My Body Safety Rules - FREE POSTER Head to the Educate 2 Empower website for more books, lesson plans, posters, and other resources for parents and teachers. . Related links: Sex, Consent, & Staying Safe [Webinar] #226 More Than Consent Education with Melinda Tankard Reist 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.

Robert asks, What can you do when your teenager won’t go to school? Throw in the complexity of neurodivergence, and this becomes a tough situation! Plus, a question from Sian about managing the inconsistency between a reward/token system at school and what is going on at home. Can two very different structures coexist and work for your child? In this episode: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Emotion-Based School Avoidance Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) or Persistent Desire for Autonomy Conflict around gaming Connection vs control Explore, explain, empower Emotional valence (the extent to which an emotion is pleasant or unpleasant, ranging from negative to positive) Intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation Building structure in the home Related links: School Refusal Screens And Our Boys Punishment, Reward, and Other Disciplinary Mistakes #720 What are the Psychological Needs of Our Kids? 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.

Is cleaning your teenage son's room every day reinforcing outdated gender roles and enabling a future of entitlement? Or is it an act of love, showing care and understanding for a busy, tired teenager? No matter where you stand, Justin and Kylie delve into what truly matters in a thoughtful discussion about kids, chores, and their role in contributing to the household. In this episode: Mom tidies teen's room each morning as a kind act of service, prompting a fascinating debate | Upworthy Social media - the good, the bad, the ugly Gratitude Chores, schedules, jobs Gendered expectations? Division of labour, working together Explore, explain, empower Related links: I am Not the Maid – How to get 5 Star Service from the Kids at Home My 13-Year-Old Doesn’t Pick up a Single Thing Developmental Milestones [Introduction] 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.

Got a tech-savvy teen who dodges screen-time limits or constantly craves social media validation? Justin and Kylie share how their weekly family meetings provide time and space for ongoing conversations about screen use, leading to personal accountability and self-evaluation, with increased buy-in from the whole family!  In this episode: 'Word of the year' review Why Grandparents matter Developmental paediatricians  Family meetings Screen use Sneaky teens - getting around screen-time limits Toxic need for validation on social media Force creates resistance Motivation contiuum Phubbing Related Links: #845 Phones, Phubbing & Relationship Satisfaction Register for The Screen Smart Series - 'Unplug Childhood' and 'Tweens, Teens & Screens' #1049 Q&A – The Benefits of Plants & Grandparents Learn more about the motivation continuum in our webinar Carrots & Sticks: How Rewards and Punishments Hurt Our Kids, and What to do Instead 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.

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.