Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Dr Jennifer Beckett explains the effect Taylor Swift is having on society and the world at large, and why parents of young Swifties should encourage critical engagement over blind consumption. In this episode:  "Pandemonium and hysteria" at the Melbourne show - a report from Karen Dr Jennifer Beckett - The Taylor Swift Effect Swiftposium 2024: An academic conference on Taylor Swift Dr Jennifer Beckett - ‘Dear John’: Taylor’s responsibility to her Swifties Who is affected by Taylor, and how? Archaeological evidence of Taylor's Era's Tour The financial impact of Taylor Social media The darker side of the Swiftie fandom Teaching children to be engaging critically Blind consumers of all things Taylor Swift Is Taylor a good role model? Find us on Facebook or TikTok Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Learn more about joining THE QUESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The biggest news story across Australia this week is Taylor Swift. There are 5 things you can do to help your child to process their grief, heartache, and disappointment around missing out on tickets.  In this episode: Saturated media Soft eyes Compassion and empathy Emphasising reality A Happy Families article - I missed out on seeing Taylor Swift Find us on Facebook or TikTok Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Learn more about joining THE QUESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Does your teenage boy seem entitled dismissive, and lacking empathy? Understand the "why" so you can help your teen contribute in a way that works for your family - without needing to read the riot act! In this episode: Egocentric life of a teen Affective empathy Cognitive empathy Developmental reality of teenagers Gender differences in teenagers Relationship bucket analogy Connection vs correction Family meetings Discipline  The Teenage Brain - Happy Families Developmental Milestones [Part 5: Adolescence] - Happy Families Find us on Facebook or TikTok Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Learn more about joining THE QUESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An opinion piece on the issue of technology: the tech giant's complete disregard for child online safety, a call to action, and 4 things YOU can do to keep your children safe online. In this episode: Safer Internet Day Online child sexual exploitation Platitudes but no real action to protect our children - Julie Inman Grant | The Australian Big tech companies and our leaders ignoring E-safety Commissioner warnings  Mark Zuckerberg's car crash "apology" Rising numbers of young people exposed to harmful content on social media Who is to blame? Meta earnings Government legislations (or lack of) Parent responsibility #887 Online Capping: What You Need to Know #639 Online Sextortion With Detective Superintendent Jayne Crossling #837 Must Know Online Safety With Madonna King  Online safety | eSafety Commissioner  ACCCE | Australian Centre To Counter Child Exploitation Happy Families article - Why Big Tech Doesn't Care About Your Kids Find us on Facebook or TikTok Email your questions and comments to podcasts@hap

I'll Do Better Tomorrow - we share a young boy's poem in the hope that it will inspire you to have better relationships with your kids even when times are tough and difficult conversations are required.   In this episode: The role of humour in romantic relationships Laughter and love boost each other in romantic relationships | BPS Mental health day for kids Homeschooling update Neurodiversity in the classroom An email from listener Mel, and a poignant poem Men's mental health Find us on Facebook or TikTok Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Find out more about joining THE QUEST at our websiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

February Book Club brings you: a tale of female friendships forged in challenging circumstances, a call to embrace creativity, an ancient (and ultimate!) classic, some scathing reviews, and a book that, like a great roast dinner, will leave you begging for more! Plus, a parenting hack to get your children reading (and a tidy bedroom to boot!). In this episode: Homeschooling Incidental reading Don't judge a book by its cover Books to avoid Cheesy segways Fatherhood  Episode #922 The Health Habit with Dr Amantha Imber Parenting hack  Kylie's books: The Giver of Stars  by Jojo Moyes 4/5 The House That Joy Built by Holly Ringland 3.5/5 Justin's books: Same as Ever by Morgan Housel 2/5 Lessons in Chemistry 2/5 The Health Habit by Dr Amantha Imber 5/5 The Odyssey by Homer 5/5 Of Boys and Men: Why the modern male is struggling, why it matters, and what to do about it by Richard Reeves 5/5 Find us on Facebook or TikTok Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Find out more about becom

Get the lowdown on Justin and Kylie's love story: first impressions, a courtship of letters and late-night long-distant calls, and the phone proposal you do not want to miss! Plus, the 3 things that support their happiest of marriages—26 years and counting! In this episode: First impressions The President of the Good Time Committee  Dating, and a first kiss Surviving a radio career, 8.5 years of full-time study, and raising 6 kids  Commitment Common values and beliefs Valentines Day Divorce Alain de Botton's pessimistic view on marriage/relationships The poem that won Justin a honeymoon to Fiji Find us on Facebook or TikTok Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Find out more about becoming a Happy Families member at our websiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Content Warning: Listener discretion advised. The percentage of children who have experienced sexual assault is shocking.  Dr Ben Mathews shares some practical steps you can take to keep your children safe from harm. In this episode: Dr Ben Mathews - lead researcher of the Australian Child Maltreatment Studies. 5 types of child maltreatment and associated impacts Developmentally normal and typical early childhood/adolescent experimentation/exploration  Defining Child Sexual Assault Pornography Stranger danger Perceived societal expectation and pressure on adolescents Masculinity Education Strong parent/child relationships Consent Find us on Facebook or TikTok Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Find out more about becoming a Happy Families member at our websiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Losing sleep over whether to send your child to a single-sex or co-educational school? There are more important issues to be focused on, such as the culture of a school.  In this episode: Socio-economic impact on academic performance Pros and cons of single-sex education How the pros and cons play out in the real world The culture of a school  Quality of staff Find us on Facebook or TikTok Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Find out more about becoming a Happy Families member at our websiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A fun hack for solving sibling arguments over who gets "first dibs", and why family traditions and coming-of-age experiences are so important for our children. In this episode: First choice token The Coulson family tradition for turning 16 Taking time to invest in your children Family traditions, ceremony, and coming-of-age experiences  Natasha Bita - Truancy and dropout rates at record high | The Australian  Find us on Facebook or TikTok Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Find out more about becoming a Happy Families member at our websiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Special School Edition: boosting student motivation and engagement in the classroom through autonomy-supportive practices. Hacks for teachers, coaches and parents to help your students thrive! In this episode: Autonomy-supportive teaching practices Student engagement  Tips for teachers and coaches Daily autonomy supporting or thwarting and students’ motivation and engagement in the high school science classroom. (apa.org) The impact of growth/fixed mindsets on academic achievement Article: Macnamara and Burgoyne (2022) - Do Growth Mindset Interventions Impact Students’ Academic Achievement.pdf Henry Ford: "Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right" A Happy Families article - Going to High-Achieving Schools is Potentially Bad for Your Kids Find us on Facebook or TikTok Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Find out more about becoming a Happy Families member at our websiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Struggling to find the time or the motivation to build good health habits? Dr Amanda Imber shares science-backed guidance and inspiration to help get your health back on track.  In this episode: The Health Habit by Dr Amantha Imber Changing the conversation on health Sleep and Monday morning jetlag Achievable nutrition habits  The 4 main barriers standing in the way of change Science-backed plan to change your health.  Find us on Facebook or TikTok Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Find out more about becoming a Happy Families member at our websiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you navigate the conversation around family rules and boundaries with your child when "everyone else is doing it"? In this episode: "Fairness antennae" Mobile phones, social media, sleepovers, curfews, M-rated shows and more! How to respond to "but everyone else is doing it"? Avoiding judgement of others Empathy and compassion Explain, explore, empower Resentment Autonomy-supportive parenting Find us on Facebook or TikTok Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Find out more about becoming a Happy Families member at our websiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If daycare drop-off is causing distress, there are three things you can do to help your little one feel secure and adjust well to the environment. In this episode: Jay Belsky research Structures, transitions, and predictability Communication Slowing down Parent/carer partnerships Distressed child Find us on Facebook or TikTok Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Find out more about becoming a Happy Families member at our websiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is the best way forward when your child asks for a day off from school? In this episode: School refusal Being at school matters The challenge of chronic student absenteeism for teachers Scheduling mental health days Understanding the root cause Explain, explore, empower Find us on Facebook or TikTok Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Find out more about becoming a Happy Families member at our websiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Help your child discover the joy and magic of books, letting shared experiences and connections with stories weave the narrative of your family's literary journey. In this episode: A love of reading starts with you: "Leaders are readers"  Role modeling Resistant (or unwilling) readers Read aloud to your children Books, books, and more books! Letting go of expectations To bribe, or not to bribe Find us on Facebook or TikTok Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Find out more about becoming a Happy Families member at our websiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reduce parental and societal pressure, as well as any self-imposed pressure your child may be experiencing, with these relationship-building, autonomy-supporting tips. In this episode: Parental pressure Perfectionism and anxiety in children/adolescents School attendance Covid lockdowns and the price our children have had to pay Reaching goals, achieving potential Criticism reduces resilience - 9 Ways to a Resilient Child The 3 basic psychological needs of our children Autonomy supportive parenting School friendships Find us on Facebook or TikTok Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Find out more about becoming a Happy Families member at our websiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Heading back to school can be difficult, but there are ways to make your mornings positive, productive, and peaceful.  In this episode: Morning begins the night before  Create margin More connection, less correction and direction Creating anticipation and optimism about school Coming soon - The Quest Find us on Facebook or TikTok Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Find out more about becoming a Happy Families member at our websiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Try these 6 easy lunchbox ideas to get your child eating their school lunch rather than binning it or bringing it back home. In this episode: Back to school Finding lunches suitable for hot summers  Extending tastebuds Filling tummies Lunchbox menu plan Bento boxes Reducing the cognitive load Find us on Facebook or TikTok Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au Find out more about becoming a Happy Families member at our websiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pop culture and parenting: we've got you covered, making sure you don't miss the important, the funny, or the plain ridiculous stories making waves in the world of parenting.  This week in parenting: Barbie Dreamhouse controversy  Close-ended vs open-ended play Chris Hemsworth  Societal norms and expectations in regard to what children call their parents Saltburn on Amazon Prime - A review by Madison, 17 years Common Sense Media: Age-Based Media Reviews for Families Meta announces new policy for teenager users Join the waitlist for The Quest Get in touch with your questions and feedback to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.