Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

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 understandi…

'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 effect…

Reflecting on 1000 episodes of Australia’s leading parenting podcast, we cover the highs and the lows of family life, from farewells to celebrations and everything in-between.

Today’s episode is a ce…

Anonymous asks, "My 3-year-old is asking questions about his absent father. How do I answer in a way that supports my young son's mental health and self-esteem?". Justin gives examples of a healthy a…

There is a growing movement to commit to giving our primary-aged children unplugged childhoods! Dr Justin shares four things you can do NOW to give your children a play-based childhood, free from dig…

Justin reads a personal letter aloud to his children, sharing insights into what life was like for him growing up. 

In this episode:

• Sharing childhood memories with your kids
• Pets
• Give your child ro…

Study 1: Is your child feeling unhappy, pressured, or teased about their weight? Navigating growing up in a society so focused on physical appearance is difficult, but there are practical steps paren…

Most families have screens in their home, which means a steady stream of movies, TV shows, games, apps, and more! How can parents know what content is or isn't appropriate for our children, when rati…

On Tuesdays, we answer listener questions about making your family happier!

Separation anxiety at school drop-off is a daily struggle for many families, including Kirsty and her 5-year-old son. Justi…

Andrew Tate's harmful ideology is infiltrating schools. Boys, broadly speaking, are big fans, and their behaviour in the classroom is reflecting this.

Dr Stephanie Westcott (researcher and lecturer i…

Justin's singing turned complaints about dishes into a whole lot of fun, with sound levels hitting dangerous decibel levels!

Term 2 of homeschooling started off rather rocky for The Coulsons, but thi…

There's a brand new nicotine product out, so invisible you may not even be aware your child has it! Plus, the dangers of vaping, a nation-leading move by SA to protect our children from social media,…

Anne Hollonds was the opening speaker at the Breaking Point Digital Conference. On the podcast today you will hear an excerpt from Anne's presentation, discussing the mental health of young people ar…

Today, Justin is answering two listeners' questions.

First up is Bridget from Victoria, a mum of two. Her question is about her five-year-old son, whose over-competitiveness and inability to handle l…

Do you have a child who refuses to or is unable to go to school?

Sydney mum Alice joins Justin on the Happy Families podcast today to share the day-to-day pressure of trying to help a child get to sc…

An encouragement to any parent feeling like they are stuck in a rut with a child determined to be horrible and difficult - there is hope! The relationship with your child changes as they age into adu…

Kylie is back, answering some quick-fire "Have you ever...?" questions about motherhood and family life. 

Mother's Day Links:

• Me & My Mum Activity Book - Free Printable – Happy Families
• What Dad can…

How can parents ensure their children grow up to be respectful, kind, and considerate towards others?

This conversation with author and academic Richard Ryan examines the typical backgrounds of perpe…

Does a particular school really make for a “better” education? And how can parents prepare their children for the death of a much-loved grandparent?

In this episode:

• City vs country schools
• Resource…

Content warning: not for young ears.

“If you had to be in the forest with a man or a bear, which would you choose?”. How do we get to the point where we can answer without hesitation “a man!”?

In thi…