Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

It's a question parents ask time and time again:  What is the right age for my kids to do [insert risk]?  Justin and Kylie look at a number of hot topics and discuss the appropriate/legal age for children to be allowed to do each of these. Staying at home alone The laws in QLD Putting in place contingency plans Mobile phones, school devices, burner phones Kids need smart parents, not smart phones Smart parents give their kids dumb phones (Unplug Childhood) Boyfriends & girlfriends #816 Tween Relationships: How Young is Too Young? Sleepovers Walking to school or the shops alone Ear piercing (R) This episode originally aired 28/8/23. . Related links:  Everyone Else Can Do It! Why Can’t I? Movies and Kids: When Is It Okay For Them To Watch That? Should our Young Children have Boyfriends or Girlfriends at School? When is it OK to Leave your Child Home Alone? Are Sleepovers OK? . Find us on Facebook or TikTok Subscribe to the Happy Families newsletter 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.

Is there tension and disagreement in your home when it comes to parenting? You are not alone! The most commonly asked question we receive is "How do you get on the same page in parenting?" We share three simple questions that can help to create alignment in your parenting-relationship, and make your family happier. (R) This episode originally aired 5/9/23. In this episode: Weekly couple’s meeting Three questions to ask Creating the space Daily habits Getting your systems right Finances, goals, holidays Creating alignment Parenting on the Same Page – A Happy Families webinar . Related links:  Same Page Parenting [Article] What to Do When Parents and Grandparents Disagree The Parenting Revolution, by Dr Justin Coulson Purchase the Smells Like Teen Spirit Summit . Find us on Facebook or TikTok Subscribe to the Happy Families newsletter 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.

When our children are experiencing challenges or behaving in a challenging way, there are things we can do and say that will help them get through these rough times and transform our relationship with them in the process. We would love to hear the phrases you say to your children - record a voice memo here or email your recording to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au. (R) This episode originally aired 30/5/22. In this episode: The magic of an apology Correction and direction vs connection The power of 'yet' People matter, things don't You’ve gotta love the hills Unconditional love . Related links:  Enough: Overcoming Anxiety, Perfectionism, & Self Loathing How to ‘Fix’ a Problem Child . Purchase the webinar The Screaming Spiral or log in to your HF membership library to view Find us on Facebook or TikTok Subscribe to the Happy Families newsletter Find out more about joining THE QUEST at our websiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It can be easy to forget who we were before becoming parents. But that’s part of the beauty of parenthood! Being a parent allows us to experience personal growth as we tap into new strengths and creativity. We get to make intentional choices about who we will become, and to change the trajectory of our lives. Why then do we often think that we're boring now that we’re parents? (R) This episode originally aired 13/10/22. In this episode: Kylie’s friend who feels lost after becoming a mum "I'm so boring!" Ideas for creativity through those hard years when you feel exhausted Why we keep growing all throughout life Finding joy in the mundane Missing life before kids Dan Gilbert: The psychology of your future self | TED . Related links:  How Being a Mum Can Pump Up Your Résumé Life Lessons Every Child (And Adult) Can Learn . Find us on Facebook or TikTok Subscribe to the Happy Families newsletter 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.

Regret is often seen as a negative emotion to be avoided, but what if it holds the key to better parenting? Dr Justin Coulson and  author Dan Pink uncover the surprising ways regret can teach us valuable lessons, helping us to be kinder, more thoughtful parents, and ultimately, better people.  (R) This episode originally aired 2/11/22. Topics included in this episode – The Power of Regret: How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward, by Daniel Pink Why do people say that they don’t have regrets? Your regrets say a lot about you as a person Your regrets can inform your future decisions Reframing regret Inward, outward, forward “At-least”ing and “if-only”ing Dan’s advice for time poor parents Normalising the emotion of regret Talk to your kids about your regrets Dan shares some of his regrets . Related links:  Learn more about Dan Pink & his books #570 Do Over - What Would You Change If You Could? . Last chance to register for the Supporting Autistic Children course Find us on Facebook or TikTok Subscribe to the Happy Families newsletter Leave a voice memo here or email your questions/comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A listener has asked, “Should we tell our kids they are beautiful?” It's ok to tell our kids they're beautiful, but we must ensure their sense of worth isn't solely tied to their looks. Focusing too much on appearance can make children rely on external validation and set them up to have a limited view of themselves. We share some helpful ways that you can encourage your child so they know they are enough, exactly as they are. (R) This episode originally aired 16/8/22. In today’s episode: Should we tell our kids that they’re beautiful? Renee Engeln – Beauty Sick Justin shares some ideas from his book Miss-Connection Teach your daughters media literacy Try to not comment on appearance when you bump into a friend Focus on your child’s inner strengths/beauty, personality, values “Instead of watching what goes into our kid’s mouths, we should watch what comes out of ours.” – James Corden . Related links:  Pixel Perfect [Webinar] Watch Your Words [Article] Am I Not Pretty Enough? [Article] #126 Why Your Daughter Doesn't Need Another Mirror In Her Life (Featuring Dr Renee Engeln) . Find us on Facebook or TikTok Subscribe to the Happy Families newsletter Leave a voice memo here or email your questions/comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It is not worth going to war with your child over their preferences. There are going to be more important issues that will require you to stand your ground. These moments can end in a full-blown battle with your child, or by reframing the conversation, you can work through these tough issues, avoiding conflict while still keeping your kids healthy and safe. Listen in to find out how! (R) This episode originally aired 6/6/22. Topics discussed in today’s podcast: Common fights parents have with children Sleeping, eating Friends, parties, sleepovers Social media, alcohol & drugs, intimacy, pornography, dress Conflict is normal Is your child's safety at risk? Control and power struggles Conversations without conflict Justin’s ladder metaphor Prioritising relationship Preferences vs. principles . Related links:  Winning the “Gaming” Battle with our Boys – and Taking our Parenting to the Next Level Eat Right Without a Fight [eBook] Should We be Giving our Teens Alcohol? Whose House Rules? . Register for the Supporting Autistic Children course with Dr Joey Lawrence and Dr Justin Coulson. Doors close July 8. Find us on Facebook or TikTok Subscribe to the Happy Families newsletter Leave a voice memo here or email your questions/comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are parents really responsible for their kids’ happiness? Doing things purely to make our children happy often results in disappointment—for them and for us. Instead of trying to satisfy our children's insatiable craving for happiness, we share four things to teach them that will help build happiness as a by-product rather than an end in and of itself. (R) This episode originally aired 1/8/22. In this episode: Myth – It’s our job to make our kids happy Things that could go wrong if you think it’s your job to make your kids happy Setting our kids up to fail What ARE we responsible for? Emotion coaching Do hard things Building positive relationships . Related links:  Hopeful Kids Are Happy Kids Helping Our Kids Feel Good By Doing Good Purchase Better Together on the Happy Families website – Because a happy family doesn’t just happen. . Find us on Facebook or TikTok Subscribe to the Happy Families newsletter 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.

Many myths surround parenting, including the misguided beliefs that you can maintain your pre-child lifestyle or that you will instantly connect with your baby or even that teenagers are stupid. Discover why these and other common misconceptions need to be debunked. (R) This episode originally aired 28/7/22. In today’s episode: Babies are intense! Feeding/sleeping challenges Pre-child life and routine Motherhood can be all encompassing Accepting limitations and boundaries that come with children Dads bonding with baby Birth experience can affect connection Emergency caesarean, postnatal depression  Connection can take time, may require interventional help Challenging kids The teenage brain . Related links:  Pixel Perfect [Webinar] The Teenage Brain [Webinar] Top Seven Tips for New Dads to Boost Wellbeing 13 Reasons why Teenagers are GREAT! . Find us on Facebook or TikTok Subscribe to the Happy Families newsletter 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.

How can we help our children become better learners? When learning is seen as a process of creating abilities rather than discovering abilities, children can embrace challenges as opportunities for growth instead of avoiding them due to fear of failure. James Anderson and Justin Coulson explore how parents can help children leave their comfort zone and step into their learning zone, to understand that struggle and discomfort are natural and temporary parts of the learning journey and that investing effort results in hard things becoming easy.  (R)  This episode originally aired 27/7/22. In today’s episode: #529 The Growth Mindset with James Anderson Learnership Mindset – fixed vs growth. Lifelong learners, performance learners, non-learners Finding and following your strengths Choosing what you want to become Learning zones Comfort zone – easy things you haven’t done yet You don't get better by doing your best Effort is the cost of growth That which we persist in doing becomes easier to do, not that the nature of the thing has changed but that our power to do has increased.”― Ralph Waldo Emerson . Related links:  Learn more about James Anderson – LEARNERSHIP: The Skill Of Learning The Most Powerful Words We Can Say to Our Children . Find us on Facebook or TikTok Subscribe to the Happy Families newsletter 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.