Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Reaching the end of our parenting tether can lead to angry blow ups or painful criticism. We must watch what we say because our words create worlds – ours and our children’s.   In this episode: Justin has a meltdown Body image and self-talk Watch Your Words – Happy Families #615 You’re the (Inner) Voice – Happy Families #207 Taming That Voice Inside Your Head – Happy Families   Find us on Facebook or TikTok Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Find out more about joining THE QUEST at our websiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week in parenting: the disturbing world of social media and child influencers - and their online stalkers! Bradley Cooper and Dax Shepherd 'Armchair Expert' podcast interview Early days of parenting, connecting with baby ‘Lunatics’: Fury over change to Mary Poppins movie classification | news.com.au L.P. Hartley — 'The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there.' 'Hogwarts Legacy' Are screens ruining childhoods? #930 Why Big Tech Doesn’t Care About Your Kids – Happy Families Instagram A Marketplace of Girl Influencers Managed by Moms and Stalked by Men | New York Times  Tech giants are ANTI-kids - Happy Families   Find us on Facebook or TikTok Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Find out more about joining THE QUEST at our websiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your child is too little to go to school but needs to be looked after when you are working - a familiar predicament for many parents today! Help your child thrive in childcare, by having consistent rituals of connection. In this episode: Early, extensive childcare  Another Perspective on the Latest Research on Early Child Care | by Jenet Erickson & Jay Belsky Brain development in infancy Attachment relationships and responsive caregivers Social, emotional challenges in daycare Risk factors / protective factors in the early years Quality of care, adult-child ratios Increasing work flexibility for parents Daycare Dramas – Happy Families Developmental Milestones [Part 1: Infancy] – Happy Families Find us on Facebook or TikTok Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Learn more about joining THE QUESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beth asks, "how do we teach our children the difference between nudity and pornography?". Conversations to have with your child to remove shame and secrecy; and what to do if they are exposed to explicit content.  In this episode: Good Pictures Bad Pictures: Porn-Proofing Today’s Young Kids by Kristen Jenson  #898 Porn-Proofing Your Kids with Kristen Jenson – Happy Families Pornography vs nakedness Nudity in art Cultural awareness Family values Pre-arming your child What to do if your child sees pornography Find us on Facebook or TikTok Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Learn more about joining THE QUESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We asked you to share the best parenting advice you've ever heard! In this episode: The 3 basic psychological needs of children Connection  Developmental Milestones - a Happy Families article L.R. Knost - Little Hearts, Gentle Parenting Resources #721 Defusing Explosive Children with Dr Ross Greene – Happy Families Giving in fantasy what they can't have in reality The Secret to Regulating Emotions - a Happy Families article  Find us on Facebook or TikTok Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Learn more about joining THE QUEST See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A moon landing, ear bacteria, award-winning lawns, and panning for gold - this conversation has it all as we discuss intentional parenting and trying to do better. In this episode: Some fun facts Connection and being intentional Breaking cycles Nuggets vs flecks of gold Let kids be kids Harmon Killebrew "We are not raising grass, we are raising boys"  Find us on Facebook or TikTok Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Learn more about joining THE QUEST See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marriage is not just about the "happily ever after", but rather the real-world benefits of a life of meaning, joy, purpose, and growth. Keep your relationship strong by avoiding the 5 things that harm marriage the most. In this episode: Damaging mindsets Commitment, trust, connection Intention vs action Divorce contagion Provocative statistics Get Married by Brad Wilcox Positive outcomes for children Household work, mental load Find us on Facebook or TikTok Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Learn more about joining THE QUESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New research by sociologist Brad Wilcox shows that nothing predicts happiness in life better than a good marriage—not even a hefty bank account or a great career.  In this episode: Get Married by Brad Wilcox Is marriage just a piece of paper? Ceremony and ritual Cohabitation vs marriage - stability, direction, happiness Finding oneself  The soulmate myth  Family-first model  Cultivating romance and emotional connection Benefits of marriage Find us on Facebook or TikTok Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Learn more about joining THE QUESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For our children, "fair" can often mean getting what they want. Understanding your child's developmental capacity and implementing these three quick ideas can help you deal with those moments when your child appears self-centred and lacking in empathy. In this episode: Email from Lauren about 'fairness' Aimee's Adventures on TikTok - How I teach “fairness” to my elementary schoolers using bandaids Moral and cognitive development Concrete operational thinking vs formal operational thinking Heinz dilemma - Wikipedia Engaging children in discussions about fairness/justice/empathy Critical thinking Mental equivalent of the Yurchenko double pike Developmental Milestones [Introduction] - a Happy Families article Abundance mentality Find us on Facebook or TikTok Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Learn more about joining THE QUESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes people say dumb things (with the very best of intentions) when it comes to giving parenting advice.  Find us on Facebook or TikTok Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Learn more about joining THE QUESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Being fully present with your family requires letting go of distractions and remembering that to a child, love is spelled T.I.M.E. In this episode:  Word of the year update "The great unhappiness machine" Emotional regulation The gift of homeschooling Autonomy and freedom in learning Know your child Being intentional Find us on Facebook or TikTok Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Learn more about joining THE QUESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week in parenting: Disney's Percy Jackson, an epic game taking the internet by storm, and the explicit lyrics your children may be singing in the playground. Plus, a reminder that education matters - in all its forms! In this episode:  Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan now on Disney Palworld  Megan Thee Stallion - not kid friendly! Natasha Bita - Smartphone obsessions are dumbing down Australian kids, OECD testing reveals | The Australian Battle between Universities and Construction Skills in a clever campaign from CSQ - Universities hammer industry in tug-of-war over students | The Australian Find us on Facebook or TikTok Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Learn more about joining THE QUESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 (rchpoll.org.au) Find us on Facebook or TikTok Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Learn more about joining THE QUESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 *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 targeting kids Screen rules, limits, safety measures, and supervision Honey trap tactics  Fast-paced escalation from charm to harm What to do if this happens to your child Keeping your child safe online How to report abuse or content to eSafety | eSafety Commissioner Parents | eSafety Commissioner Sextortion | ACCCE The Teenage Brain – Happy Families Screens in Bedrooms? – Happy Families Find us on Facebook or TikTok Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Learn more about joining THE QUESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

*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 Facebook or TikTok Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Learn more about joining THE QUESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Families article  Find us on Facebook or TikTok Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Learn more about joining THE QUESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Beckett - ‘Dear John’: Taylor’s responsibility to her Swifties Who is affected by Taylor, and how? Archaeological evidence of Taylor's Era's Tour The financial impact of Taylor Social media The darker side of the Swiftie fandom Teaching children to be engaging critically Blind consumers of all things Taylor Swift Is Taylor a good role model? Find us on Facebook or TikTok Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Learn more about joining THE QUESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Find out more about joining THE QUEST at our websiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 correction Family meetings Discipline  The Teenage Brain - Happy Families Developmental Milestones [Part 5: Adolescence] - Happy Families Find us on Facebook or TikTok Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Find out more about joining THE QUEST at our websiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Commissioner warnings  Mark Zuckerberg's car crash "apology" Rising numbers of young people exposed to harmful content on social media Who is to blame? Meta earnings Government legislations (or lack of) Parent responsibility #887 Online Capping: What You Need to Know #639 Online Sextortion With Detective Superintendent Jayne Crossling #837 Must Know Online Safety With Madonna King  Online safety | eSafety Commissioner  ACCCE | Australian Centre To Counter Child Exploitation Happy Families article - Why Big Tech Doesn't Care About Your Kids Find us on Facebook or TikTok Email your questions and comments to podcasts@hap