Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

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.

Who doesn't love a good book? October's Book Club includes: a storyline that will consume your life and keep you guessing right up to the last page, a blistering critique on the elite and political classes, learning to be comfortable in solitude, the heroes fighting online predators, unpacking generational differences, and a first-aid manual for supporting your teen’s mental health!    Kylie's reading: 'Homecoming' by Kate Morton 'The Secret Life of You' by Kerry Sackville Both these titles are on the Birds of a Feather Book Club 2023 reading list. Check it out for some great suggestions for children, teens and adults. Justin's reading: 'Winners Take All: The Elite Charade of Changing the World' by Anand Giridharadas 'The Ideas Industry' Daniel Drezner 'Saving Our Kids' by Madonna King 'When Life Sucks' by Dr Jo Prendergast 'Generations' by Dr Jean Twenge   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.au  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Does your child whine and moan about what you pack in their lunchbox? Are you sick of preparing healthy lunchboxes only to have it come home untouched? Knowing what food to send to school with your child can be so challenging! Deb Blakely shares tips and tricks for making lunch time easier, and why you CAN give your child quick and easy food that they will actually eat - guilt free! (Replay) Topics included in this episode - Investigating things that can impact your child's ability to eat at school How to support kids with special needs Problem-solve together Should white bread sandwiches, chip packets, cheese sticks and juice be demonized? School is not the time to be stretching our kids Food safety Why foods that look, smell and taste good ARE good (yes - even carbohydrates and sugar!) Communicating with teachers Learn more about Deb Blakley from Kids Dig Food To access the Feed Your Picky Eater [without going crazy] evergreen online course for parents: https://kidsdigfood.com.au/resources/ Book an appointment with an APD from the Kids Dig Food team: https://kidsdigfood.com.au/appointments/ 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.

Is your child stressed out, apprehensive or just feeling like life is too hard? Does anxiety or perfectionism cause them to feel they are not enough? All hope is not lost! Three ways you can BUILD HOPE in your child's life - helping them to do well and feel well as they experience the power of hope. Research by Rick Snyder, Shane Lopez  Science of Hope TikTok video series by @insearchofbobcat Failure, anxiety, resilience Our children need to feel hopeful before they can feel they are enough What does the research say about hopeful people? What is hope, and why are our youth feeling hopeless? How to be a hope-builder Enough: Overcoming Anxiety, Perfectionism, & Self Loathing - 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.

A late-night phone call, unexpected tears, and a sneaky case of stealth-mode to see a special someone.  The miracle of birth An emotional journey after a sudden change of mind Grandparents - navigating boundaries, roles, and visiting rights? A cautionary tale Trickiness of in-law relationships Watching your adult child grow into parenthood Dad’s Guide to Pregnancy For Dummies - by Dr Justin Coulson What to Do When Parents and Grandparents Disagree - a Happy Families Article   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.

Managing the home-work-life juggle can sometimes feel impossible! Sorry parents - there is no "easy fix" for the balancing act of life, BUT you can have routine, prioritise connection and create a network of support when times get tough!  (Replay) Topics included in this episode - The increasing cost of living   Justin & Kylie share a personal story about their past financial struggles Get creative Routine, predictability Give them in fantasy what they can't have in reality Helping others I work full-time. How do I connect with my kids? - a Happy Families article 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.