Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Dr Anthea Rhodes explains how concussions can happen, what the signs might be, and how to support your child as they recover and return to activities. In this episode:  What is a concussion? Physical signs and symptoms Guidelines for treatment and recovery Kids Health Information : Head injury – general advice (rch.org.au) Preventing concussions and repeat injury RCH National Child Health Poll (rc...

  * Content warning : parental discretion advised* Australia's e-Safety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant describes the fast-paced and aggressive tactics used by sexual extortionists targeting children and young adults. She gives clear directives to parents on how to prevent online harm, and what to do if your child experiences sexual extortion.  In this episode:  Online sexual extortionists targetin...

* Content warning : parental discretion advised* In a brave and vulnerable conversation, Jake and his mother Hayley talk about their 'honey trap' experience when Jake was 15, sharing just how quickly and easily this can happen to a child or adolescent.  In this episode:  Honey traps and online safety Real-life experience of a 15-year-old boy Advice from Hayley and Jake "No Matter What" Find us on ...

Your child has done the wrong thing, their attitude stinks, and you are mad! What could possibly go wrong? We share our woeful weekend and resolve to do better tomorrow. In this episode:  Homeschool update Another Coulson holiday bites the dust High emotions = low intelligence Accusations, anger, defensiveness Giving kids responsibility  When trust is broken Why Getting Angry Doesn’t Work - Happy...

Dr Jennifer Beckett explains the effect Taylor Swift is having on society and the world at large, and why parents of young Swifties should encourage critical engagement over blind consumption. In this episode:  "Pandemonium and hysteria" at the Melbourne show - a report from Karen Dr Jennifer Beckett  - The Taylor Swift Effect Swiftposium 2024: An academic conference on Taylor Swift Dr Jennifer Be...

The biggest news story across Australia this week is Taylor Swift. There are 5 things you can do to help your child to process their grief, heartache, and disappointment around missing out on tickets.  In this episode: Saturated media Soft eyes Compassion and empathy Emphasising reality A Happy Families article - I missed out on seeing Taylor Swift Find us on Facebook  or  TikTok Email your questi...

Does your teenage boy seem entitled dismissive, and lacking empathy? Understand the "why" so you can help your teen contribute in a way that works for your family - without needing to read the riot act! In this episode: Egocentric life of a teen Affective empathy Cognitive empathy Developmental reality of teenagers Gender differences in teenagers Relationship bucket analogy Connection vs correctio...

An opinion piece on the issue of technology: the tech giant's complete disregard for child online safety, a call to action, and 4 things YOU can do to keep your children safe online. In this episode: Safer Internet Day Online child sexual exploitation Platitudes but no real action to protect our children - Julie Inman Grant | The Australian Big tech companies and our leaders ignoring E-safety Comm...

I'll Do Better Tomorrow - we share a young boy's poem in the hope that it will inspire you to have better relationships with your kids even when times are tough and difficult conversations are required.   In this episode: The role of humour in romantic relationships Laughter and love boost each other in romantic relationships | BPS Mental health day for kids Homeschooling update Neurodiversity in...

February Book Club brings you: a tale of female friendships forged in challenging circumstances, a call to embrace creativity, an ancient (and ultimate!) classic, some scathing reviews, and a book that, like a great roast dinner, will leave you begging for more! Plus, a parenting hack to get your children reading (and a tidy bedroom to boot!). In this episode: Homeschooling Incidental reading Don'...

Get the lowdown on Justin and Kylie's love story: first impressions, a courtship of letters and late-night long-distant calls, and the phone proposal you do not want to miss! Plus, the 3 things that support their happiest of marriages—26 years and counting! In this episode: First impressions The President of the Good Time Committee  Dating, and a first kiss Surviving a radio career, 8.5 years of f...

Content Warning : Listener discretion advised. The percentage of children who have experienced sexual assault is shocking.  Dr Ben Mathews shares some practical steps you can take to keep your children safe from harm. In this episode: Dr Ben Mathews - lead researcher of the Australian Child Maltreatment Studies. 5 types of child maltreatment and associated impacts Developmentally normal and typica...

Losing sleep over whether to send your child to a single-sex or co-educational school? There are more important issues to be focused on, such as the culture of a school.  In this episode: Socio-economic impact on academic performance Pros and cons of single-sex education How the pros and cons play out in the real world The culture of a school  Quality of staff Find us on  Facebook  or  TikTok Emai...

A fun hack for solving sibling arguments over who gets "first dibs", and why family traditions and coming-of-age experiences are so important for our children. In this episode: First choice token The Coulson family tradition for turning 16 Taking time to invest in your children Family traditions, ceremony, and coming-of-age experiences  Natasha Bita - Truancy and dropout rates at record high | The...

Special School Edition : boosting student motivation and engagement in the classroom through autonomy-supportive practices. Hacks for teachers, coaches and parents to help your students thrive! In this episode: Autonomy-supportive teaching practices Student engagement  Tips for teachers and coaches Daily autonomy supporting or thwarting and students’ motivation and engagement in the high school sc...

Struggling to find the time or the motivation to build good health habits? Dr Amanda Imber shares science-backed guidance and inspiration to help get your health back on track.  In this episode: The Health Habit by Dr Amantha Imber Changing the conversation on health Sleep and Monday morning jetlag Achievable nutrition habits  The 4 main barriers standing in the way of change Science-backed plan t...

How do you navigate the conversation around family rules and boundaries with your child when "everyone else is doing it"? In this episode: "Fairness antennae" Mobile phones, social media, sleepovers, curfews, M-rated shows and more! How to respond to "but everyone else is doing it"? Avoiding judgement of others Empathy and compassion Explain, explore, empower Resentment Autonomy-supportive parenti...

If daycare drop-off is causing distress, there are three things you can do to help your little one feel secure and adjust well to the environment. In this episode: Jay Belsky research Structures, transitions , and predictability Communication Slowing down Parent/carer partnerships Distressed child Find us on  Facebook  or  TikTok Email your questions and comments to  podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au...

What is the best way forward when your child asks for a day off from school? In this episode: School refusal Being at school matters The challenge of chronic student absenteeism for teachers Scheduling mental health days Understanding the root cause Explain, explore, empower Find us on  Facebook  or  TikTok Email your questions and comments to  podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Find out more about bec...

Help your child discover the joy and magic of books, letting shared experiences and connections with stories weave the narrative of your family's literary journey. In this episode: A love of reading starts with you: "Leaders are readers"  Role modeling Resistant (or unwilling) readers Read aloud to your children Books, books, and more books! Letting go of expectations To bribe, or not to bribe Fin...

Reduce parental and societal pressure, as well as any self-imposed pressure your child may be experiencing, with these relationship-building, autonomy-supporting tips. In this episode: Parental pressure Perfectionism and anxiety in children/adolescents School attendance Covid lockdowns and the price our children have had to pay Reaching goals, achieving potential Criticism reduces resilience - 9 W...

Heading back to school can be difficult, but there are ways to make your mornings positive, productive, and peaceful.  In this episode: Morning begins the night before   Create margin More connection, less correction and direction Creating anticipation and optimism about school Coming soon - The Quest Find us on Facebook  or TikTok Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au...

Try these 6 easy lunchbox ideas to get your child eating their school lunch rather than binning it or bringing it back home. In this episode: Back to school Finding lunches suitable for hot summers  Extending tastebuds Filling tummies Lunchbox menu plan Bento boxes Reducing the cognitive load Find us on Facebook  or TikTok Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Find out...

Pop culture and parenting: we've got you covered, making sure you don't miss the important, the funny, or the plain ridiculous stories making waves in the world of parenting.  This week in parenting: Barbie Dreamhouse controversy   Close-ended vs open-ended play Chris Hemsworth  Societal norms and expectations in regard to what children call their parents Saltburn on Amazon Prime - A review by Mad...

A conversation about finding balance in 2024, and how to put systems in place for your family (so that things go right more often).  In this episode: holidays the tightrope analogy routines, structure, and habits true recreation  building resilience Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families Email us your questions and comments at  podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Find out more about b...