Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

What if the most powerful thing you can do as a parent… is let go? Today’s episode dives into one of the most radical and relieving ideas in parenting: trusting your child’s natural development. Drawing on powerful research from McGill University, Dr Justin explores why pushing less can actually lead to more—less stress, more confidence, fewer behavioural issues, and healthier relationships. Learn how to spot the traps of controlling parenting and discover the four key ingredients to raising capable, self-motivated kids—without the pressure. KEY POINTS The Research: A 2008 study by Landry et al. found that parents who trust their children’s natural development feel more competent, enjoy parenting more, and have children with fewer behaviour problems. Trust ≠ Permissive Parenting: It’s not about doing nothing—it’s about guiding without controlling, believing that your child has an innate drive to grow and learn. The Stress Trap of Controlling Parenting