1,023 episodes

The Happy families podcast with Dr. Justin Coulson is designed for the time poor parent who just wants answers now. Every day Justin and his wife Kylie provide practical tips and a common sense approach to parenting that Mums and Dads all over the world are connecting with. Justin and Kylie have 6 daughters and they regularly share their experiences of managing a busy household filled with lots of challenges and plenty of happiness. For real and practicable advice from people who understand and appreciate the challenges of a time poor parent, listen to Justin and Kylie and help make your family happier.

Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families Dr Justin Coulson

    • Kids & Family
    • 4.7 • 629 Ratings

The Happy families podcast with Dr. Justin Coulson is designed for the time poor parent who just wants answers now. Every day Justin and his wife Kylie provide practical tips and a common sense approach to parenting that Mums and Dads all over the world are connecting with. Justin and Kylie have 6 daughters and they regularly share their experiences of managing a busy household filled with lots of challenges and plenty of happiness. For real and practicable advice from people who understand and appreciate the challenges of a time poor parent, listen to Justin and Kylie and help make your family happier.

    #1011 - This Week in Parenting: Smacking & Socials

    #1011 - This Week in Parenting: Smacking & Socials

    This Week In Parenting: why Australian parents are more open to smacking children than other countries, and how we can reduce peer pressure for kids and for parents by joining forces and creating community.

    In this episode:


    Smacking and corporal punishment
    Australian parents most open to smacking kids in international study | 9News
    The Parenting Revolution
    Can Australia make age verification work for social media? | The Guardian
    Momentum is building!
    36 Months - sign the petition
    Let kids be kids - have a play-based childhood
    Peer pressure for kids and for parents too
    Unplug Childhood - join the village & take the pledge

    .

    Related links:


    #454 Online Safety with Julie Inman Grant from the e-Safety Commission
    Why It's Not Ok To Smack Your Kids - a great list of resources for what to do instead

    .

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    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 16 min
    #1010 - The Behaviour Curriculum With Susie O'Brien

    #1010 - The Behaviour Curriculum With Susie O'Brien

    Journalist and author Susie O'Brien chats with Justin about the current situation in schools regarding student behaviour and classroom management, with a recent senate inquiry suggesting that it's time to go back to basics and teach children how to behave at school.

    In this episode:


    A Senate Inquiry is Calling For a New 'Behaviour Curriculum' to Tackle Classroom Disruptions | Monash University
    Getting back to basics with classroom behaviour
    Explicit Teaching Push in New Behaviour Curriculum | Education Review
    What do teachers want?
    Lack of support from principals and parents
    Regressive or progressive? 

    Related links:


    The Calm Classroom [Webinar]
    One-Minute Wellbeing: 50 Quick Tips for Educators [Free Download]
    Boys, Girls, Brains, & Behaviour in the Classroom

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    Subscribe to the Happy Families newsletter

    Leave a voice memo here or email your questions/comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 12 min
    #1009 ADHD in Adults & Toddlers

    #1009 ADHD in Adults & Toddlers

    Three-year-olds are exhausting! Energetic, emotionally reactive, and uninhibited—all the things that can make a parent begin to question if their child has ADHD! Today, Dr Justin looks at the developmentally normal behaviours of a three-year-old and shares four things they need in order to learn, grow, and thrive.

    Plus, three tips for neurodivergent parents trying to hold it all together while navigating the chaos of family life and struggling with their own ADHD.

    In this episode:


    ADHD, ODD, or just three?
    Developmental Milestones - Preschoolers
    Little People, Big Feelings (Webinar)
    What Your Child Needs From You
    Why saying "use your words" isn't helpful
    Theory of mind
    Diagnosing ADHD
    What 3-year-olds need
    Neurodivergent parents
    Challenges of ADHD as an adult
    Help For the ADHD Parent - from the Happy Families team

    .

    Related links:


    Parenting an ADHD Child
    Women in Australia with ADHD - FB support group
    ADHD Mums - Australian resource and podcast

    .

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    Subscribe to the Happy Families newsletter

    Leave a voice memo here or email your questions/comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 14 min
    #1008 - Family Dinner Deep Dive

    #1008 - Family Dinner Deep Dive

    Are you overthinking family meals? Do you want a little more peace and a lot less chaos at the dinner table? How can a family dinner fit in amongst work commitments and extra-curricular activities? We take a look at the research behind what was once considered the norm - family dinners, and share some tips to ease the pressure.

    In this episode: 


    San Remo market research
    Chaos of mealtimes
    YOYO (You're On Your Own) night
    Screens and mealtimes
    Extra-curricular activities for kids AND parents are impacting family meals
    5 tips to ease the pressure
    Are we overthinking family meals? 5 realistic tips to ease the pressure | The Conversation 
    Rituals of connection

    Related links:


    Eat Right Without a Fight - E-Book
    How do I Get My Child to Eat Healthy Food Without the Power Struggles?
    How to Banish Tech and Make Mealtimes Matter
    Menu Planner [Free Download]

    .

    Find us on Facebook or TikTok

    Subscribe to the Happy Families newsletter

    Leave a voice memo here or email your questions/comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

    Find out more about joining THE QUEST at our website
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 12 min
    #1007 - Let's Unplug Childhood

    #1007 - Let's Unplug Childhood

    We know that giving children access to social media and devices is not in their best interests. Our children deserve—and need—a play-based childhood. Join the village today and “Unplug Childhood” with us!​ 

    In this episode:



    "It was the damn phones" by Kori Jane | Instagram



    The “Unplug Childhood” movement



    The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness, by Jonathan Haidt


    Make some noise and get on board!
    Why this matters
    No social media before age 13
    Give kids a play-based childhood
    Make the pledge today

    Related links:


    Our Phones Are Wrecking Us
    Kids Need Smart Parents Not Smart Phones

    .

    Find us on Facebook or TikTok

    Subscribe to the Happy Families newsletter

    Leave a voice memo here or email your questions/comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

    Find out more about joining THE QUEST at our website
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 12 min
    #1006 - Book Club: Why is Kylie Reading Kid's Books?

    #1006 - Book Club: Why is Kylie Reading Kid's Books?

    In between homeschooling, 7 seasons of House, and a lot of travel, Justin and Kylie still managed to do some reading this month. Listen in to hear reviews of a classic children's book, a terrifying, heartbreaking YA novel, a disappointing flop filled with falsehoods, a warts and all memoir, and a contender for book of the year!


    Kylie's books:


    This Is Where it Ends, by Marieke Nijkamp 4.5/5
    Charlotte’s Web, by E.B White 5/5

    Justin's books:


    Bad Therapy: Why the Kids Aren't Growing Up, by Abigail Shrier 3/5
    Troubled: A Memoir of Foster Care, Family, and Social Class, by Rob Henderson 5/5
    Time to Think: The Inside Story of the Collapse of the Tavistock's Gender Service for Children, by Hannah Barnes 75/5

    .

    Find us on Facebook or TikTok

    Subscribe to the Happy Families newsletter

    Leave a voice memo here or email your questions/comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

    Find out more about joining THE QUEST at our website
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 17 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
629 Ratings

629 Ratings

Stellamum ,

Awesome work!

As a mum to 4 children aged 6 - 12 years and a primary school teacher (working full time) I find the podcast entertaining, insightful and educational. I am definitely time poor and love that I can squeeze in some episodes while completing some kms on the treadmill. Thanks for the episodes!

Fifiboss ,

Helpful, hope filled

I have found calm in the chaos and hope in the hard times. I recommend to any parent.

Kr-la ,

Being on the outer

I really loved this episode. With a 7 yo girl I am well aware of what’s coming for us. I feel like I have added really valuable information to my tool belt to prepare myself. Thanks team Coulson 😊

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