Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Navigating the complexities of tween and teen friendships can be challenging, especially in the age of social media. Here are some insights and tips to help your child run towards wonderful friendships rather than living in fear of exclusion. Topics in this episode: Sleepovers Bulling and teasing Snapchat and social media Structured activities and finite time for teenage get-togethers Miss Connection: Why your teenage daughter "hates" you, expects the world, and needs to talk by Dr Justin Coulson What teenage girls worry about most Conversations to have with your child BMX - Be More Exceptional 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.

It's that time of year when school awards nights are in full swing, celebrating academic and sporting prowess. But are awards nights actually helpful?  And how can you help your child cope with the disappointment of missing out on recognition? Some of the things discussed in this episode: Awards by their nature are exclusive, so they can be a punishment for the majority. Relationships between kids, parents and teachers being damaged. Rewards and awards are ignoring reasons. Is it OK to acknowledge excellence? Should parents care more about grades or character?  Teaching your kids to sit with disappointment. Reminding kids that everyone has different talents, and schools recognise only a few of those talents. Status and recognition. Check out the Happy Families Mega Sale | Black Friday to Cyber Monday 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.

Build stronger and lasting connections with those you love. Three game-changing ideas to help you focus on what really matters most in life.  Topics in this episode: William Martin - 'The Wonders of an Ordinary Life' Household chaos in a time of grief and upheaval Expecting immediate compliance from children Force creates resistance Autonomy  The Parenting Revolution by Dr Justin Coulson (currently 25% off + free course!) People vs 'stuff' Investing in extended family relationships Black Friday Sales start today - Happy Families Mega Sale | Black Friday to Cyber Monday 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.

Three conversations you really need to be having with your teens BEFORE they head off to Schoolies.  Topics in this episode: Parents - it's ok to say no to Schoolies Creative and healthier alternatives Rite of passages Peer pressure, drugs and alcohol, fights, unsafe/risky behaviour Safe and healthy beats right and wrong Understanding consent Ensure your kids know you will always have their back #886 Get Set for Schoolies with Paul Dillon - a Happy Families podcast 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.

Dive into the enchanting land of 'Mine!' and the intricate world of kiddie diplomacy. Justin and Kylie unpack the challenges of sharing, with some big ideas to unlock the magic of cooperation - one shared toy at a time! Topics in today's episode: Special toys Sharing with siblings Learning cooperation, negotiation, and fairness through sharing Scarcity mentality vs abundance mentality Three basic psychological needs Self-determination / regulation Theory of Mind Power dynamics Developmental Milestones - a Happy Families article     Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Part 2 of a conversation on perfectionism with Professor Thomas Curran from the London School of Economics. Rather than expecting perfection from your child try modelling making mistakes - embrace failure and setbacks when they arise. This (not perfectionism) is what leads to success! Topics in this episode: Feeling that you are not enough The rise of perfectionism – and the harm it’s doing us all | Mental health | The Guardian Link between perfectionism and psychological distress Parental/societal expectations Increased competition and excessive pressure "Doing your best" - is this helpful? Self-sabotage, procrastination and avoidance of failure  What is success? The Perfection Trap Thomas Curran's new book   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.

Professor Thomas Curran is (among many impressive titles) a 'perfectionist expert'. He unpacks the 'what, why, where, who, and how' of perfectionism in part 1 of this compelling discussion with Dr Justin Coulson. Part 2 of this conversation can be found here. Today's conversation covers: What is perfectionism? The link between mental health challenges and perfectionism Perfectionism in children - genetics or environmental? The 3 types of perfectionism Intergenerational transmission of perfectionistic tendencies The challenging cycle of self-defeat The Perfection Trap Thomas Curran's new book TEDMED - Our dangerous obsession with perfectionism is getting worse   Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are some simple yet profound ways to let your family know that they are loved, irreversibly and unconditionally.  "How do you feel loved?" Being together as a family The power of names Joy and gratitude 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.

*Content warning: mature themes - listener discretion advised* How do you talk to your kids when they are touched by the profound loss of a loved one through a suicide? These hard conversations must be had openly with your children - with kindness, compassion, and empathy. Your job is NOT to tell them everything, but to answer their questions honestly, in an age-appropriate way.  Topics in this episode: Protecting children from pain Limited evidence for how to have these conversations Keep your reactions level National Centre for Childhood Grief Keep the conversation age/developmentally appropriate Young Children and Middle Childhood: Keep it simple Operate on the principle of 'the fire hose' Answer questions honestly (to the degree with which they are curious) - the more general you can be, the more protected your child will be Offer empathy Talking helps to dispel misinformation and stigma and creates a safe space to ask questions Encourage questions about anything, and at any time Ensure they understand what "dead" means. Give concrete answers, not idioms or euphemisms Expect and accept a range of emotions (and behaviours!) from your child, which will change daily. Let them feel safe to let it all out Picture Books for Helping Children Navigate Grief Elergy for an Elephant by Ryan Abramowitz Death Is Stupid by Anastasia Higginbotham Luna's Red Hat by Emmi Smid Red Chocolate Elephants by Diana C. Sands Forever Connected by Jessica Correnti For help: Lifeline: 13 11 14 Suicide Callback Service: 1300 659 467 Mensline Australia: 1300 789 987 Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 Standby - Support After Suicide 1300 727 247 In Memory of Logan - Happy Families 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.

*Content warning: mature themes - listener discretion advised* When someone is grieving the death of a loved one, it can be difficult to know how to approach them and what to say. How do you convey your compassion, your awareness of their enormous loss? What words and actions are helpful to the person grieving, and what is unhelpful or perhaps even harmful? Colin Campbell, author of 'Finding the words', shares a practical and helpful approach to supporting someone in their grief, how to move through sorrow and profound loss with hope and purpose, and why there is a vital need for community during the grieving process. Topics in this episode: The loss of a child Suicide How to support someone in their deep sorrow - what to say, what not to say "I have no words" ends any chance of a dialogue about grief. Find the words. The evolution of grief, and of the grieving person's identity within that sorrow The importance of engaging with and accepting grief, rather than avoiding it Grief as a sensitive, taboo subject further isolates those in mourning Why trying to comfort a grieving person is not helpful Different societal/religious responses to grief, traditional mourning processes, and cultural tools and rules for managing grief in community. Of particular note:   Jewish mourning traditions: Mourning Kaddish, Shiva ,and Ending Shiva Māori mourning ceremony - Tangihanga What Losing My Two Children Taught Me About Grief - The Atlantic  Viktor Frankl 'Mans Search for Meaning' Adoption (and the trauma and grief that can accompany it) In Memory of Logan For help: Lifeline: 13 11 14 Suicide Callback Service: 1300 659 467 Mensline Australia: 1300 789 987 Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 Standby - Support After Suicide 1300 727 247   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.