1,018 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
    • 4.9 • 134 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.

    #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

    .

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    • 17 min
    #1005 - 2 Books on Neurodivergence That You Must Read

    #1005 - 2 Books on Neurodivergence That You Must Read

    Life can be really challenging for neurodivergent kids growing up in a world where they don't seem to fit in. Justin speaks with two authors about their fabulous books, and why representation in literature is so important for our children.

    Square Me, Round World by Chelsea Luker is a collection of short stories describing what life can feel like when you are a person growing up in a world not built for you and Wonderfully Wired by Stacey Lucas-Toumbourou celebrates the strengths and differences of 100 neurodivergent individuals who changed the world

    In this episode:


    Square Me, Round World, by Chelsea Luker | Booktopia
    The importance of representation
    Raising neurodivergent children
    Wonderfully Wired, by Stacey Lucas-Toumbourou

    Related links:


    Championing Neurodiversity: Helping Your Child Thrive in a Neurotypical World [Webinar]
    'Supporting Autistic Children: Nurturing Neurodiversity' with Dr Justin Coulson & Dr Joey Lawrence [The Course]
    Parenting an ADHD Child
    7 Insights for Parents of Autistic Children | Chris Bonnello


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    • 10 min
    #1004 Ditching Screens as a Grown Up

    #1004 Ditching Screens as a Grown Up

    Screen struggles are something that every family is dealing with - and not just with the kids!  We share some small changes you can make to help you find a healthier and more balanced relationship with your phone.

    Does it feel like your child knows exactly which buttons to push to trigger you? News flash:  YOU are the only one that can choose how YOU respond! Learn how to increase your competence (and confidence!) in holding personal boundaries and regulating your own emotions, and watch your relationship with your child improve in the process.

    In this episode:


    We Are Social 2023 Digital Report
    How to turn your phone screen to grayscale
    Parental triggers
    Neurodiversity
    Setting and respecting boundaries
    The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey
    You choose your response
    Parenting competence
    Building relationships

    Related links:


    #565 Pushing Our Buttons
    Why Our Kids Need Us to Set Limits
    How To Be Less Tired
    #379 How I Work with Amantha Imber
    #240 Phones & Family Life with Dr Kathryn Modecki


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    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.

    • 11 min
    #1003 When the 3 E's Don't Work

    #1003 When the 3 E's Don't Work

    Dr Justin’s 3 E’s (explore, explain, and empower) are the pillars of autonomy-supportive parenting. But there are times when they just do not work (we are all only flawed humans after all!). Today's tips will help you calmly and confidently navigate through the heat of these challenging moments.

    In this episode:


    The 3 Es of Effective Discipline: Explore, Explain, and Empower
    Self-determination theory
    Basic psychological needs of every human
    Relatedness, competence, autonomy
    Need-supportive parenting
    High emotions = low intelligence
    Being ok with our children's discomfort
    Patience and practice
    Fast is slow, and slow is fast
    Neurodiversity
    Turn towards your child in challenging times

    Related links:


    The Parenting Revolution, by Dr Justin Coulson
    The Secret to Regulating Emotions
    How to Fix a Problem Child
    Little People, Big Feelings [The Free Webinar]


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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.

    • 13 min
    #1002 Why Kylie Loves Snapchat

    #1002 Why Kylie Loves Snapchat

    Connecting with your teenager on their terms gives you the opportunity to engage with their world in a meaningful way. Being on the same digital platforms as your child allows for greater understanding, better conversations, and stronger connections, keeping them safe along the way.

    In this episode:


    Connection - feeling seen, heard, and valued
    The joy of Snapchat filters
    Understanding our teenager's world
    Doing housework with your child
    Daddy-daughter dates

    Related links:


    Miss-Connection 7 Day Connection Challenge [Free Download]
    Miss-Connection: Why Your Teenage Daughter “Hates” You, Expects the World, and Needs to Talk, by Dr Justin Coulson
    You Did WHAT on Snapchat?!
    Settle Down About Selfies


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    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.

    • 13 min
    #1001 Gentle Parenting Under Fire

    #1001 Gentle Parenting Under Fire

    'Gentle Parenting' is a mindset with an emphasis on the child’s feelings. It may sound lovely and calm, but in reality, this "way of being" has a tendency to indulge emotions at the expense of effective family functioning, leaving parents feeling like they are hanging on for dear life—exhausted, incompetent, and emotionally drained!

    Justin and Kylie share four essential steps for parenting gently in a way that ensures our children feel safe, secure, and loved. 

    In this episode:


    Defining "gentle parenting"
    Parental Guidance Season 1
    Different parenting styles
    Gentle parenting the polar opposite of authoritarian

    “The Rise of the Accidentally Permissive Parent 


    Anne Pezalla – Gentle Parenting Can Be Really Hard On Parents | The Conversation
    John Gottman - Raising An Emotionally Intelligent Child
    Emotion coaching gone wrong
    Indulging emotions at the expense of all else
    Autonomy-supportive parenting
    Kind and present parents
    Boundaries and limits

    Related links:


    Emotion Coaching | The Webinar
    The Secret to Regulating Emotions
    What’s Your Parenting Style? - Happy Families Quiz


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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

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

    • 13 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
134 Ratings

134 Ratings

Degrawke ,

Best parenting podcast out there!

My sister, Julie, introduced me to this amazing podcast a couple years ago. I wish I’d had this information 20 Years earlier! I’m currently a mom of 6 who is also studying Marriage and the Family at Uni… and can attest to the fact that this podcast is academically backed by so much research. It’s presented so succinctly… the “Cliff Notes” for the “Time poor parent”. So good!!!

jennymalanbarton ,

Love it

Thank you for a great podcast

3 Boys Mama ❤️ ,

A breath of fresh air!

Parenting is so hard, and everything I’ve ever heard from this lovely couple has been golden! They are real people who do real things and they share the good and the not-so-good. They make parenting feel so doable! Plus, their accents are just fun to listen to. Listen and you won’t regret it!

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