Feel like you're drowning in a sea of Christmas "shoulds" and "musts" as a parent? Or that you're constantly running on empty, with no energy left to enjoy moments with your kids? 

This episode of I'll Do Better Tomorrow addresses the burnout that many parents experience during the holiday season and beyond. 

Listen in to hear Justin and Kyle share their own struggles and insights, as well as some helpful tips on how to break free from the cycle of exhaustion and find joy in the simple things again. 

In this episode:

• Kylies in a flunk in the lead up to Christmas, feeling burnt out and stressed
• Prioritising tasks
• Introjection motivation
• What is it that you want?
• Taking time to reflect on what has worked in the past for mental, physical, and emotional well-being
• Alfie Kohn
• Do one thing well
• Making time for loved ones

Related Links:

• Self Care Strategies That Really Work
• We Need to Talk About Parent Wellbeing [ Webinar ]
• Burnt Out [ FREE webinar ]

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This episode unpacks Australia's groundbreaking social media ban for kids under 16, set to roll out by Christmas 2025. With tech giants stepping up enforcement, parents are relieved, while teens face digital detoxes.

Join the discussion as we explore Prince Harry’s surprising critique, parents’ joys and woes, and strategies for tackling this new era of tech parenting.

In this episode:

• New legislation
• Australia's incoming social media ban cannot be considered overreach | Sky News 
• Bullying over social media
• Parental reactions
• Prince Harry's comments 
• Why Harry has it royally wrong on social media dangers | Daily Telegraph
• Implementation, digital IDs
• Navigating conversations with kids
• Acknowledging sadness and disappointment, FOMO
• The flow-on effect of the ban
• The 3 Es of Effective Discipline: Explore, Explain, Empower

Related Links:

• Super Solutions for Technology Troubles [Webinar]
• Unplug Childhood - join the village

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This episode takes a heartfelt turn as we delve into one of the most touching Christmas stories ever written—O. Henry’s The Gift of the Magi. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the tale or hearing it for the first time, its timeless message of love and sacrifice is sure to move you.

In this episode:

• A reflection on Christmas storytelling
• O. Henry’s The Gift of the Magi
• Sacrifice, love, and the spirit of giving

Related Links:

• 10 Easy Traditions That Can Make Christmas Meaningful For Your Family
  
• Gifts our Children Need For Christmas

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Christmas is almost here! In this festive episode, we share five simple yet impactful ways to elevate your holiday celebrations. Whether it’s through meaningful traditions, playful gift exchanges, or acts of kindness, we’re here to help you focus on what truly matters—time, connection, and joy.

In this episode:

• Focus on time together
• Fun with gifts
• Christmas Eve traditions
• Jolabokaflod - Icelandic book tradition
• Acts of service
• Neighbourhood connections

Related Links:

• Minimising Materialism this Christmas
  
• 10 Ways to ‘Unspoil’ the Children this Christmas

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As the end of the year closes in us, we take a look back at 2024 and the top five episodes you listened to this year.

Click on the links to go back and listen to an episode.

• Number 5 - #1041 Screens Suck
• Number 4 - #1042 Work & Home School Life Balance
• Number 3 - #1009 ADHD in Adults & Toddlers
• Number 2 - #1038 Managing Emotional Dysregulation
• Number 1 - #1055 Why The Kids Don't Listen

 

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It's the weekly wrap up, where we look back at the week that was and figure out ways that we can improve in our parenting.

In this episode:

• Despite being guaranteed downtime this year, Kylie is feeling more tired than ever.
• If we want to do better, we need to do less.
• Self awareness is a game changer.
• Putting your whole self into whatever you are doing.

Related Links:

• Leidy Klotz - Subtract

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This Christmas, skip the shopping stress and focus on what really matters.

From creating a stress-free environment to embracing meaningful traditions, we explore how these intangible gifts—none of which require wrapping paper or a credit card—can bring joy and connection to your family. 

In this episode:

• Peace
• Presence not presents
• Playfulness
• Purpose
• Family traditions
• Reject the pursuit of perfection
• 3 Levels of Christmas

Related Links:

• Take Back Christmas
• 10 Easy Traditions That Can Make Christmas Meaningful For Your Family

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What happens when online bullying transcends the screen and starts shaping young lives in tragic ways?

With eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, we uncover the harsh realities of cyberbullying, sextortion, and the online traps facing today’s youth.

Learn about innovative tools and strategies available to parents, educators, and schools to protect children, as well as the importance of staying engaged in your kids’ digital lives.

In this episode:

• The role of Australia's eSafety Commissioner
• Cyberbullying & mental health 
• Emerging online threats (doxing, sextortion, violent language, isolating victims)
• Contagion effect of self harm
• Parental awareness & responsibility
• Cooperation from platforms
• Removing content
• Tools and resources for parents and educators
• Teaching kids to report bullying & collect evidence
• Setting boundaries & modelling respectful communication at home
• Strategies for managing kids' screen time

Related Links:

• #639 Online Sextortion With Detective Superintendent Jayne Crossling
• Lifeline Australia - 13 11 14
• Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800
• 13YARN Australia | For First Nation Australians - 13 92 76

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As the holidays approach, many parents are preparing their children for the transition into school.

Zoe Wragg, a parent educator and former primary school teacher, shares practical advice on making this major change easier. From understanding what school readiness really means to offering tips for supporting reading development, Zoe will help ease your worries. 

Plus—strategies for a smooth start to 2025 with simple, actionable tips that parents can apply during the holidays.

In this episode:

• Transitioning children to school
• School readiness
• Overcoming overwhelm in preparing children for school
• Reading skills and supporting beginning readers
• Free school readiness checklist 
• Tips for parents navigating the holidays and preparing for school next year
• www.edzocate.com.au

Related Links:

• Starting School Activity Book [A free Happy Families resource!]
• The Big Debate: Should you Delay your Child’s Start in School?
• Facing First Day Fears [Webinar] 

Find massive savings during the Happy Families Black Friday Sale

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A few months ago we spoke about the momentum that was building for age restrictions around social media for children under 16.  On Friday those laws were passed in the Australian Parliament, so we thought this was the perfect opportunity to replay this episode, as it will help your family navigate the changes that are ahead.

In Australia, children below a certain age will be banned from social media as part of a national plan to counter its negative effects on youth. We discuss the government's commitments, the challenges this new legislation may face, and what parents can do now to protect their kids in a screen-saturated world.

In this episode:

• 'National Social Media Age Limit' | A Current Affair
• Why 13+ is the current legal age
• Collecting personal data
• Politics and obstacles facing this legislation
• The impact of social media on kids
• Using screens well: with intentionality, self-regulation, limits
• Play-based childhood vs screen-based childhood
• Holding tech companies accountable
• What parents can do while waiting for legislation to pass
• Kids need smart parents not smartphones
• Building community
• Unplug Childhood - sign the pledge & join the village today! 
• The Screen Smart Series: 'Unplug Childhood' & 'Tweens, Teens & Screens' (included in membership).

Related links: 

• #980 The Anxious Generation With Jonathan Haidt
• Tech Giants are Anti-Kids

Black Friday sale ends tonight! 

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