Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

How do you decide which extra curricular activities to put the kids into? Topics discussed in today's podcast: Take their age into account Experience vs learning a skill Available resources Don't force the 'life lessons' Competence & confidence What are your values? Competition can be undermining for kids wellbeing Purchase Better Together or find it in your Happy Families Membership - Because...

"Ready-made baby and toddler foods are a common choice for Australian families, as one in three young children eat these foods at least once a week, and one in five eat them most days. However, many parents are unaware these foods are often not healthy, and the majority falsely believe they are regulated by the government to ensure they provide good nutrition for children." Topics discussed in tod...

Arguments are inevitable, but what's the best way to have them? Topics discussed in today's podcast: Fighting in inevitable High conflict is linked to higher levels of negative symptoms in children Children that come from secure homes are less likely to choose high risk behaviours Children learn communication skills from their parents Children need to see positive conflict resolution Adult only co...

How to have a conversation that doesn't lead to conflict Topics discussed in today's podcast: Fights that parents have to have with their kids Sleeping & eating Friends, parties & sleepovers Social media, alcohol & drugs, intimacy, pornography, dress What matters is how we have the conflict It's worth having a fight if their safety is at risk How to have a conversation that doesn't lea...

Justin & Kylie reflect on their week and determine what they can do better next time. Topics discussed in today's podcast: The Coulson's have a family meeting Siblings sharing bedrooms Kylie's morning routine Justin struggles with the morning rush Purchase Anxiety in Your Child or find it in your Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen. Find us on Facebook at  Dr...

*Mature themes included - not appropriate for children* Topics discussed in today's podcast: Justin's writing a new book - Dad's Guide to Pregnancy for Dummies Habits of healthy relationships Make time Laughter Honour the other Encourage positive illusions Emotional attunement No name calling Forgive Three things that apply specifically to adult relationships Flirt Consent Keep each other updated...

How to support a child with depression Topics discussed in today's podcast: Rachel speaks about her new book - A Blue Kind of Day How do we respond when our kids experience emotions that make us feel uncomfortable? It's okay to not be okay How does depression display in children? How children describe symptoms of depression How to support a child with depression Find more about Rachel Tomlinson an...

Habits of healthy relationships Topics discussed in today's podcast: Make time Laughter Honour the other Encourage positive illusions Purchase Teaching Kids Kindness or find it in your Premium Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen. Find us on Facebook at  Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families Email us your questions and comments at  podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au See o...

Things that we can say to our kids when things are looking a bit rough I am sorry How can I help? Can't means don't want to You matter to me much more than this matters to me You've gotta love the hills I love you no matter what Purchase The Screaming Spiral or find it in your Premium Happy Families Membership - Because a happy family doesn't just happen. Find us on Facebook at  Dr Justin Coulson'...

Justin & Kylie reflect on their week and determine what they can do better next time. Topics discussed in today's podcast: The Coulson's have had a WEEK Kylie learns to apologise The Coulson's review The Bad Guys The Coulson girls have new rollerskates Stay calm and sweat the stuff that matters Don't let other people's emotions effect you You're probably doing a better job than you think Purch...

How to be happier as a parent Topics discussed in today's podcast: Justin shares some terrible Dad jokes Can we be happier as parents? Kylie tries faking a smile The research does show that your happiness drops after children There is no bandaid fix 7 things that we can do to be happier parents Make the decision to be happier Get your ego out of the way Lower your expectations Create time affluenc...

Speech & language milestones & what to do if your child isn't quite reaching them Topics discussed in today's podcast: How are speech and language different? Speech & language milestones What can parents do to accelerate their child's speech? What shouldn't parents do? Overgeneralisation Model & repetition When should a parent seek help from a speech pathologist? What are the warni...

Justin & Kylie answer a listener's question about screen time limits Topics discussed in today's podcast: Give a man a fish and he eats for a day, teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime Control is easy but it doesn't teach You can fence the pool but you can't fence the ocean How long can we bubble wrap our kids? Cocooning Reasoned cocoon Prearming Reasoned deference Deference What do w...

When you're time poor and just need more hours in the day! Topics discussed in today's podcast: Kylie's top 3 tips to find more time in your day Work out when you're most productive & maximise that time Sit down at the beginning of the week and make a list Keep yourself accountable Justin's top 3 tips to find more time in your day Create margins Do less Don't fill in the spaces Purchase Your G...

Justin & Kylie reflect on their week and determine what they can do better next time Topics included in this episode: Intentional reflection Justin struggles with isolation while having Covid Kylie shares a story about a Scout raft building competition Purchase The Miss-connection Summit from the Happy Families shop. Because a happy family doesn't just happen. Find us on Facebook at  Dr Justin...

Rebecca Sparrow and Michelle Mitchell have both spoken out recently on just how bad Tik Tok can be for our kids and teens. Is Tik Tok that bad? And is it any worse than other social media platforms? If you've been wanting to call time on Tik Tok, or even just provide a safer experience for your child, then this episode is a must listen! Find us on Facebook at  Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families Em...

The cost of raising a family and what you can do about it Topics discussed in today's podcast: What does it cost to raise a child? Why do we hate budgets? Why budgeting isn't about restriction Budgeting is personal You will have more expensive seasons in your life Talk with your kids about budgeting Find Victoria Devine on Instagram , listen to her podcast She's On The Money or purchase her book S...

Justin answers a listener's question about toddlers sharing time between two homes Topics included in this episode: The research suggests that kids do well with a 50/50 share Small children need stability, routine & predictability Attachment hierarchy How to make the transition smoother 5 C's of separation & divorce Closeness Caregiving Conflict Change Cash Purchase Teaching Kids Kindness...

Justin shares a sneak peek into tonight's webinar Carrots & Sticks Topics discussed in this episode: Punishment, reward, timeout, praise The lowest form of education Let's get away from the reward charts History of why we parent the way we do Punishment & rewards creates problems Motivation continuum Purchase a ticket to tonight's live webinar Carrots & Sticks Purchase  Anxiety in your...

Justin & Kylie reflect on their week and determine what they can do better next time Topics discussed in today's podcast: Good parent vs bad parent Teaching our kids a lesson vs doing something kind for them Justin takes the girls to music lessons & Miss 8 does not want to go Celebrate the wins Kylie's read 4 of Justin's 6 books Autonomy supported parenting is HARD work It's hard to get ev...

Justin discusses some recent studies about mindfulness Topics included in this episode: Dr's Desk episode on mindfulness Mindfulness training experiment Is mindfulness the be-all and end-all? Calm Mum = calm baby Breathing exercises Pay attention to your senses Count down to calm Articles mentioned - Effects of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention on Distress, Weight Gain, and Glucose Control for Preg...

*Content warning - this episode discusses topics that may not be appropriate for children* Topics discussed in this episode: Airdropping & cyber flashing Check your privacy settings What not to do when a child reports an incident Talk to your kids proactively Turn it off, move away & talk to someone Sextortion (combination of sexual & extortion) Check in regularly with your kids &...

The positives & negatives of homeschooling vs the traditional schooling system Topics discussed in today's podcast: Justin & Kylie answer a listener's question about homeschooling Issues with the school system - Competition Classes learn at the rate of the lowest child Expectations Cultural views Bullying Joy for children in chool Reasons why the Coulson's never went down the homeschooling...

What to do when we start to notice our worst traits coming out in our kids Topics included in this episode: Which Coulson daughter is most like their Dad? Are we being triggered? Personal acceptance Your child is their own person Show your child compassion Hold space for your children Allow your children to have a voice Standards Purchase the Tweens, Teens & Screens webinar from the Happy Fami...

Justin & Kylie reflect on their week and determine what they can do better next time Topics discussed in this episode: Justin speaks about the time he spent with Dr Shefali at her event last week Why do we make our kids do things they don't want to do? Justin takes his daughters surfing, involuntarily The Coulson's have a Super Saturday that didn't go to plan Purchase  Teaching Kids Kindness  ...