Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

I have listened to the podcast from the beginning and don’t think I have missed an episode. The Coulsons are brilliant parenting role models, with sensible science-backed advice paired with vulnerability and real life experiences and discussions. Keeping the episodes short means you can listen each day without being overwhelmed trying to fit in lengthy discussions. Hugely relatable and I love the focus on reducing screen time. To Emily - our children do not have Roblox (13 and 10) or phones for that matter, so you are not the only one! And yes, I wish more parents would band together. Just a suggestion, my 10 year old homeschooler is not always keen to write either, but she is keen to write to penpals (forming friend connections and writing practice - win win!) Thanks for everything you do Happy Families team! It is full of honesty and heart - and very much appreciated.

E1498 - The Hidden Cost of Labels and What Kids Really Need Instead [with Sami Timimi]. Dr. Sami Timimi offers a vital and brave critique of the 'industrialisation' of child mental health, warning parents against the urge to hunt for deficits and labels. However, the impact of his message is completely derailed by the inclusion of advertisements for Early Start Australia. It is jarring to hear a guest explain why early medicalisation can be harmful, only to have the host pause the conversation to promote a business that profits from the very intervention-heavy model being criticised. The editorial choice to accept this sponsorship creates a massive conflict of interest that undermines the integrity of the episode.

It’s well known in the industry that no one likes this guy. Justin stop trying to grift off our kids and just spend more time looking at yourself in the mirror.

Just because you are a doctor and have six children, it doesn’t mean that you know everything about parenting. ADHD is a real, lifelong disability. And the reason that so many accomplished & high functioning people are seeking referrals and help later in life is because they have been suffering for decades- real suffering!! And yes these are fit, healthy people with proper diets. Medication is not the only solution, it’s one option in a toolkit. Medications for conditions like ADHD or depression are life saving. Stop shaming parents who do things differently than you, you don’t know everything. My son is extremely fit & active, a real elite child athlete, he’s exercising more in a week than he is stationary. He only eats a healthy diet with a few treats, of course. And he has ADHD. We spent thousands getting multiple diagnoses across many years before we tried medication. And there is no way he would be able to sit still and concentrate on academics without it. These medications help people who need them. And if you are a middle aged female or older who has ADHD then you would have suffered your entire life without any help or even a name for it, heaven forbid someone might want to discuss that with a medical professional once the world has finally changed and they can be recognised. That GP should get a different job if she doesn’t want to help people who might really need it.