When life forces you to slow down, sometimes that’s exactly what your family needs. In this raw, real “I’ll Do Better Tomorrow,” Justin and Kylie share how a tough week - complete with surgery, surf trips, and kids cooking dinner - led to surprising moments of growth and gratitude. It’s a gentle reminder that slowing down doesn’t mean falling behind.

KEY POINTS

• Why stepping back can strengthen your family
• The hidden power of sharing the load
• Teaching kids responsibility through real contribution
• The mindset shift that turns “I can’t” into “We can”

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE

“Sometimes it’s okay to lay flat on your back and let somebody else carry the load. They usually can—and the world won’t fall apart.” — Dr Justin Coulson

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Minted Kids podcast with Nicole Peterson McKinnon
• Boys by Dr Justin Coulson (coming 2026)

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS

1. Let someone else lead for a day.
2. Involve kids in cooking or chores—real, meaningful help.
3. Reflect: where can you slow down before the season speeds up?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A 13-year Australian study has just dropped — and its findings are shaking the medical world. Children on ADHD medication reported lower quality of life than those who weren’t medicated. In this eye-opening episode, Justin unpacks why the “gold standard” research behind ADHD treatment might have been flawed all along — and what this means for families trying to do what’s best for their kids.

This one might make you rethink everything you’ve been told.

 KEY POINTS

• The shocking new Deakin University study on ADHD medication and child wellbeing.
• Why “the gold standard” MTA study may have misled the world for decades.
• How peer review can fail — and how Big Pharma shapes the story.
• What long-term follow-ups reveal about medication outcomes.
• Why your child isn’t the problem — and what really needs to change instead.

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE

“Your child doesn’t have a problem. Thinking your child is the problem is often the bigger problem.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• MTA Study (Multimodal Treatment of ADHD) and 3-year follow-up research.
• Deakin University longitudinal study on ADHD medication and quality of life.
• The Parenting Revolution by Dr Justin Coulson.
• Parenting ADHD [The Course] + Course FAQs
• [Article] Help for the Parent with ADHD

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS

1. Don’t make changes overnight — start by reading the linked studies.
2. Talk to your child’s GP, psychologist, or psychiatrist about alternative supports.
3. Focus on your child’s environment, not just their behaviour.
4. Trust your gut — if something doesn’t feel right, it’s worth exploring.
5. Remember: grace for your child, yourself, and your professionals.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve been told that “good” parents never take their eyes off their kids — but what if that’s the very thing making childhood (and parenting) harder?

In this fascinating chat, Dr Justin Coulson sits down with Lenore Skenazy — New York Times bestselling author of Free Range Kids and co-founder of Let Grow — whose viral act of letting her 9-year-old ride the NYC subway alone sparked a global movement.

Fresh from her TED Talk, Why You Should Spend Less Time With Your Kids, Lenore dismantles the “terrible lie” that children can’t handle life on their own — and reveals why the best learning, confidence, and resilience often happen when parents step back.

KEY POINTS

• The fear-driven parenting trap — and how media and culture made “unsupervised” a dirty word.
• The myth of “better safe than sorry” and why it’s hurting our kids.
• How independence builds competence (and true confidence).
• What happens in a child’s brain when they solve problems without adult help.
• The staggering truth about “stranger danger” and why it’s wildly overblown.
• How to make it normal again to just open the door and let kids play.

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE

“Independence leads to competence — and competence leads to confidence.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Lenore Skenazy’s TED Talk: Why You Should Spend Less Time With Your Kids
• Free Range Kids by Lenore Skenazy— New York Times bestseller
• Let Grow nonprofit: letgrow.org
• Range by David Epstein

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS

1. Open the door. Let your child play or walk somewhere safely on their own.
2. Resist the rescue. When your child faces a small problem, pause before stepping in.
3. Swap “be safe” for “trust yourself.” Let your language build courage, not fear.
4. Talk about freedom. Ask your kids what independence means to them — and listen.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Choosing the right care for your little one can feel like walking a tightrope — guilt on one side, exhaustion on the other. In this heartfelt Q&A, Justin and Kylie unpack the real differences between daycare, early learning centres, and family daycare — and what matters most when your child has big emotions or struggles with separation. Whether you’re expecting another baby or just trying to do what’s best, this episode helps you breathe easier and make a choice that feels right for your family.

KEY POINTS

• The real difference between daycare and ELC (and why the labels don’t matter as much as you think).
• What to look for on your childcare tour: staff ratios, turnover, and outdoor play.
• Why sometimes not enrolling can be the best choice.
• How to support a deeply feeling child who struggles with separation.
• The “choose your hard” mindset — and how it changes everything.

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE

“Parenting is hard either way — we just have to choose the kind of hard we’re willing to live with.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• What Your Child Needs From You by Dr Justin Coulson
• Episode #920 Minimising Daycare Drama

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS

1. Reflect on why you’re choosing care — not just whether to.
2. When touring, focus less on the shiny buildings and more on the people.
3. Prepare your child for separation with empathy, connection, and practice.
4. Give yourself permission to pick the path that best supports your family’s season.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If every evening feels like emotional warfare, you’re not alone. Exhausted, desperate, and out of ideas? In this episode, Justin and Kylie share three powerful ways to turn chaotic, tear-filled nights into calm, connected moments — so bedtime stops being a battle and starts feeling peaceful again.

KEY POINTS

• The three pillars for calmer nights: routine, environment, and presence
• Why predictability helps kids feel safe (and parents feel sane)
• The surprising power of dim lights, soft music, and storytime
• What your kids are really asking for when they “stall” bedtime
• Simple, loving ways to reconnect — even when you’re out of patience

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE

“They just want to feel safe and secure and know that they’re loved — that’s the game.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• What Your Child Needs From You by Dr Justin Coulson
• More resources: happyfamilies.com.au

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS

1. Create a predictable nightly rhythm — same order, same cues.
2. Ditch screens an hour before bed and dim the lights.
3. Be present, not perfect — a calm hug goes further than any rule.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When your kids shut down or seem totally uninterested - whether it’s a conversation, a hobby, or music lessons - it can feel like you’re wasting your time (and money). But this week, Justin and Kylie share two powerful reminders that patience, play, and connection go further than pressure ever will.

From a heartwarming drum lesson breakthrough to a car trip conversation that turned a reluctant teen into a chatterbox, this episode will make you rethink what “progress” really looks like in parenting.

KEY POINTS

• Why letting kids explore without rigid outcomes can create lasting motivation.
• The surprising benefits of range - letting kids tinker, dabble, and find their spark.
• How to turn “silent car rides” into meaningful, laughter-filled conversations.
• Why structured lessons and “by the book” learning don’t always lead to love or creativity.
• The simple mindset shift that makes family connection feel natural again.

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE

“It’s not about an outcome. It’s about giving your kids the space to explore - because you never know where it will lead.” — Kylie Coulson

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Relationship Rules by Dr Justin Coulson
• Range by David Epstein

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS

1. Let them play. Focus less on outcomes, more on enjoyment and exploration.
2. Ask better questions. Try open-ended conversation starters on long drives or walks.
3. Be patient. Creativity and connection grow slowly—don’t rush the process.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every October 31st, kids go wild - costumes, sugar, excitement - but what if that same energy is quietly shaping ADHD diagnoses? In this Doctor’s Desk episode, Justin and Kylie unpack a fascinating new study showing a 14% spike in ADHD diagnoses on Halloween day. They explore what this says about subjectivity in diagnosis, the risks of overlabelling kids, and how our environments - not just our children - might need rethinking.

KEY POINTS:

• A new Harvard study found ADHD diagnoses rise 14% on Halloween compared to surrounding days.
• ADHD remains a subjective diagnosis — there’s no blood test or scan to confirm it.
• Why environment and maturity often explain behaviours mistaken for “disorder.”
• The real risks of misdiagnosis — medication, labelling, and self-perception.
• Why it’s time to look at what’s happening around kids, not just within them.

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE:
“There isn’t anything wrong with her — she just doesn’t fit the mould of what we consider normal.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Study: Halloween, ADHD, and Subjectivity in Medical Diagnosis (National Bureau of Economic Research)
• Searching for Normal by Sami Timimi
• The Parenting Revolution by Justin Coulson

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS:

1. Before seeking a diagnosis, consider context — sleep, stress, diet, and school environment.
2. Avoid rushing to label; focus on understanding and supporting your child’s unique needs.
3. Ask questions — about treatment pathways, environment, and alternative perspectives.
4. Create calmer spaces where kids can regulate, play, and thrive.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when our kids spend nine hours a day on screens? Dr Justin Coulson sits down with world-leading researcher Professor Jean Twenge (author of Ten Rules for Raising Kids in a High Tech World) to unpack the hidden costs of our always-online culture — and how parents can reclaim calm, connection and control. From brain changes to “go touch grass” moments, Jean shares the science behind tech overload and practical rules that actually work.

KEY POINTS:

• Why social media under 16 is a terrible idea — and why government regulation matters
• The shocking truth about teens’ 9-hour daily screen time
• How smartphones reshape childhood: less sleep, less play, less joy
• The “basic phone” revolution — why dumb phones might just save your child’s brain
• How to set firm rules (without becoming the enemy)
• Real-world freedom: why outdoor play is safer than scrolling
• The single biggest rule every parent should enforce tonight

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE:

“In ten years we’ll look back at giving kids smartphones at age eleven and think — what were we thinking?” — Professor Jean Twenge

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Ten Rules for Raising Kids in a High Tech World — Professor Jean Twenge
• Heads Up Alliance (Australia)
• Beginner Phones for Tweens & Teens [Free PDF from Rebecca Sparrow] 
• Wait Until 8th Movement
• The Light Phone
• Unplugged Parenthood

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS:

1. No phones in bedrooms. Ever.
2. Delay social media until at least 16 — ideally later.
3. Swap smartphones for basic phones to keep kids connected, not consumed.
4. Model healthy tech habits — your kids are watching.
5. Encourage real-world independence — let them walk, play, and explore offline.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When your child has to come first—whether it’s up the stairs or at bedtime—it can drive the whole family mad. But there’s more behind that competitiveness than you might think. In this episode, Justin and Kylie unpack what’s really going on when kids can’t handle losing, and how to guide them toward healthy confidence instead of constant comparison.

KEY POINTS:

• Why competition and young kids don’t mix
• The developmental stages that make “winning” feel like a need, not a want
• How competence and self-worth get tangled together
• Simple strategies to help kids lose gracefully—and win kindly
• Why home should be a safe space to “win” without pressure

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE:

“For me to feel good, I shouldn’t have to make you feel bad. That’s the problem with competition for young kids.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• What Your Child Needs From You by Dr Justin Coulson
• 10 Things Every Parent Needs to Know by Dr Justin Coulson

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS:

1. Relax—it’s normal for young kids to want to win.
2. Play low-stakes games to help them practise losing.
3. Model losing (and winning) with grace.Teach them to find joy in helping others shine.
4. Let life be the teacher—your job is to provide a soft landing.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A world-first law is about to change how Aussie kids use social media — forever.
From December 10, children 16 and under will be banned from holding social accounts. But what does that really mean for families?

In this special extended episode, Dr Justin Coulson speaks with Julie Inman Grant, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, about the new age-limit legislation — who it covers, how it will work, what fines apply, and what parents must do now to prepare.

This is the definitive guide for every parent trying to navigate the online world — with calm, clarity, and confidence.

KEY POINTS

• What the new under-16 social media ban actually includes (and who’s exempt)
• How eSafety will enforce compliance — and why parents won’t be penalised
• The five-step “layered safety” approach every platform must follow
• What’s being done to restrict online porn and explicit content
• The truth about “nudifying” apps and how schools can respond
• Simple ways to help your child transition off social media safely

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE

“Parents shouldn’t have to fight billion-dollar companies to keep their kids safe online — the responsibility belongs with the platforms.” — Julie Inman Grant

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• eSafety Commissioner resources & webinars
• Deep-fake & image-based-abuse school toolkit
• Beyond Blue, Headspace, Reach Out, Kids Helpline

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS

1. Talk with your child about the upcoming change — and why it matters.
2. Help them download photos or memories they want to keep before Dec 10.
3. Set up approved messaging groups to stay connected safely.
4. Bookmark trusted influencers or sites they can follow directly.
5. Visit esafety.gov.au for family checklists and guides.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.