Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families

13:53

When Your Child Hates the School You Chose [a...

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/09/14

You’ve chosen the school you believe is best for your child. There’s just one problem. They absolutely refuse to go. When an 11-year-old is threatening to cut up his uniform and stay home rather than attend the high school his parents have chosen, pushing harder is unlikely to help. Justin and Kylie explain why force creates resistance, what might really be underneath a child’s refusal, and how to have the conversation that could change everything. KEY POINTS Why trying to

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16:57

5 Things to Stop Saying to Your Kids

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/09/13

Some of the most well-intentioned things we say to our kids can backfire. From “Good job, you’re so smart” to “You’ll be fine” and “Why can’t you be more like your sister?”, Justin and Kylie unpack five common phrases that can undermine confidence, shut down emotions and create distance between parents and kids. More importantly, they share what to say instead to help kids feel understood, capable and connected. KEY POINTS Why too much praise

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15:23

The Greatest Legacy a Dad Can Leave

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/09/10

The best Father’s Day had almost nothing to do with presents. Justin and Kylie share the unexpectedly beautiful family dinner that turned into stories, tears, terrible dancing and a powerful reminder of what children really take from their dads. As each daughter shared what she loved about Justin, one message kept coming through: the way a father loves his partner can shape what his children expect from love for years to come. KEY POINTS Why gifts and big expectations can make special days

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16:03

Why Overthinking Decisions Makes Us Less Happy

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/09/09

More choice should make us happier. Turns out, it often does the opposite. Whether it’s choosing a movie, buying a pair of jeans or helping your child pick school subjects, searching for the absolute best option can leave us anxious, regretful and less satisfied with what we eventually choose. Justin and Kylie unpack the psychology of maximising versus satisficing and what the research reveals about decision-making. They explore why “good enough” can sometimes make us happier, how

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17:10

Derek McCormack on Parental Stress and Burnout

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/09/08

Parents have more advice, information and expert guidance than ever before. So why are so many feeling stressed, isolated and burnt out? More than 10,000 Australian parents took part in the Parenting Today study, revealing a worrying decline in wellbeing, self-compassion and connection. Justin speaks with Derek McCormick, Director of Raising Children Network, about what's putting parents under so much pressure and whether the constant stream of parenting advice is part of the problem. They unpack

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14:00

Why Restricting Party Treats Can Backfire [a Listener...

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/09/07

Your child is standing in front of a party table loaded with cake, lollies and soft drink. Do you step in or let them go for it? Justin and Kylie’s answer might surprise you: let the party be the party. Research suggests that tightly restricting treats can make kids want them even more. Instead of policing every mouthful, this episode explores how parents can help kids build genuine self-control, trust around food and the ability to notice when their body has had enough. KEY POINTS Why

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23:51

What Your Child Is Being Taught About Gender at...

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/09/06

Do you actually know what your child is being taught about gender and identity at school? Child and adolescent psychologist Clare Rowe says many parents have no idea what is being introduced in classrooms, particularly in the early primary years. She joins Justin to unpack what she believes is a growing gap between what children are being taught and what they are developmentally ready to understand. They discuss gender identity education, the role of schools versus parents, what Clare is seeing in

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14:48

Millenial Dads (When Mum Goes Away)

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/09/03

What if trying to create the perfect family moment is the very thing getting in the way? After a week away with three of their daughters, Kylie realised she’d arrived with a clear picture of how their time together should look. The reality was completely different. And it turned out to be better. Justin and Kylie unpack the pressure parents put on themselves to get the “recipe” right, why our kids need room to make their own choices, and how letting go of control can create more

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11:53

AI Is Making Real Relationships Feel Harder

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/09/02

AI never gets annoyed with you. It rarely pushes back. And it’s very good at telling you exactly what you want to hear. New research suggests that this constant validation may come with a cost. After just three weeks of interacting with sycophantic AI, people were more likely to seek personal advice from AI and reported feeling less satisfied with their real-world relationships. Many preferred the agreeable AI because it made them feel understood. Justin and Kylie unpack what this means for

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17:18

Gaming & Neurodivergence: How to Make Gaming...

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/09/01

Gaming can be a source of connection, competence and joy, especially for neurodivergent kids. But when switching off leads to arguments, anxiety or explosive behaviour, parents need more than another screen-time rule. Justin speaks with Game Aware founder Andrew Kinch about why some kids are drawn so strongly to gaming, how neurodivergence can shape that relationship, and what parents can do when gaming starts crowding out sleep, school, movement and family life. They unpack the difference between

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14:42

How to Handle Dating in the Tween Years [a Listener Q&A]

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/08/31

Your 12-year-old announces they’re dating someone. There’s hand-holding, constant texting and plenty of “love you” messages. Do you shut it down, set rules or stay out of it? Justin and Kylie unpack early teenage romance and why keeping your child talking to you matters more than trying to monitor every interaction. They explain what “dating” often means at this age, how to protect friendships and school life, and how to set boundaries without pushing the

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17:47

Can We Ban Laptops From Primary School?

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/08/30

We put laptops and tablets into classrooms with a promise that technology would improve education. Nearly two decades later, parents and teachers are asking a confronting question: Did we get it wrong? Justin speaks with Danny Alachi, founder of the Heads Up Alliance, and Victorian high school teacher Steph Challis about the push to reduce screen use in Australian schools. They unpack classroom distraction, declining literacy, the value of handwriting and physical books, and why teaching digital

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13:29

Stop Trying to Create the Perfect Family

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/08/27

What if trying to create the perfect family moment is the very thing getting in the way? After a week away with three of their daughters, Kylie realised she’d arrived with a clear picture of how their time together should look. The reality was completely different. And it turned out to be better. Justin and Kylie unpack the pressure parents put on themselves to get the “recipe” right, why our kids need room to make their own choices, and how letting go of control can create more

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17:35

The Baby Screen Habit Parents Need to Break

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/08/26

One in three babies is using a phone or tablet by six months old. By age two, almost one in ten is averaging around four hours of screen time a day. New research into screen use during the first years of life has landed with a confronting warning for parents. Justin and Kylie unpack what researchers call “digital soothing”, why screens can crowd out the interactions babies need for healthy development, and what parents can do when zero screen time feels almost impossible. KEY POINTS 16%

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17:16

What Every Girl Needs to Know About Porn [with...

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/08/25

Pornography isn’t just a boys’ issue. Girls are seeing it too, often before their parents realise they need to talk about it. Kristen Jenson, founder of Defend Young Minds and author of Good Pictures, Bad Pictures Guide for Girls, joins Justin to explain why girls need to be part of this conversation. They unpack accidental exposure, curiosity, body image, objectification and the shame that can stop girls from asking for help. Most importantly, Kristen gives parents a simple way to

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16:01

Why Kids Lie and What to Do About It (a Listener Q&A)

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/08/24

Your five-year-old tells a whopping great lie at Show and Tell. Do you correct them, call them out, or let it go? Lying can push every parental button, but for young kids, stretching the truth can be a surprisingly normal sign of cognitive development. Justin and Kylie explain why kids lie, what their tall tales might be trying to tell us, and why cracking down can make children better at hiding the truth. The goal isn't to catch your child out. It's to understand what they need and make honesty

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15:27

Enhanced Games (and Why Failure Might Be Your Child’s...

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/08/23

Everyone wants the shortcut. Better results, less effort, faster success. But what happens when the shortcut fails? The Enhanced Games promised superhuman athletic performances through performance-enhancing drugs. Instead, the results offered a surprising lesson for parents and kids. Justin and Kylie unpack our obsession with hacks, optimisation and instant success, and explain why real achievement is usually built through something far less exciting: repetition, mistakes, patience and showing up

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11:38

The Reading Crisis Hitting Aussie Kids

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/08/20

One in three Australian kids is struggling to read at the expected level. In a classroom of 30, that’s 10 children falling behind. Justin speaks with Rachel Amorosakra from Reading Out of Poverty about what poor literacy looks like for kids, why access to books in the first five years matters so much, and the confronting reality for children in remote communities who may not own a single book. With Book Week approaching, they look at a practical way families can help put culturally appropriate

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14:19

How Birth Order Affects Your Future

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/08/19

Firstborns tend to earn more, study longer and experience better mental health than their younger siblings. For decades, researchers have struggled to explain why. A huge study following 1.2 million Danish children has uncovered a surprising piece of the puzzle. It may have less to do with personality or favouritism and more to do with germs, early illness and the extra time firstborns get with their parents. In this episode, Justin and Kylie unpack what birth order research actually tells us, why

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18:57

The Friendship Skills Every Child Needs [with...

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/08/18

Friendship isn't just part of childhood. It shapes confidence, mental health and whether kids feel they belong. So why does it seem harder than ever? Michelle Mitchell joins Dr Justin Coulson to unpack the biggest friendship mistakes parents make, why today's kids need more than "just go and play", and the simple framework that helps children build healthier, stronger relationships. If your child is dealing with friendship drama, loneliness or constant social ups and downs, this conversation will

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