We know that giving children access to social media and devices is not in their best interests. Our children deserve—and need—a play-based childhood. Join the village today and “Unplug Childhood” with us!​ 

In this episode:

• "It was the damn phones" by Kori Jane | Instagram

• The “Unplug Childhood” movement

• The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness, by Jonathan Haidt

• Make some noise and get on board!
• Why this matters
• No social media before age 13
• Give kids a play-based childhood
• Make the pledge today

Related links:

• Our Phones Are Wrecking Us
• Kids Need Smart Parents Not Smart Phones

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In between homeschooling, 7 seasons of House, and a lot of travel, Justin and Kylie still managed to do some reading this month. Listen in to hear reviews of a classic children's book, a terrifying, heartbreaking YA novel, a disappointing flop filled with falsehoods, a warts and all memoir, and a contender for book of the year!

Kylie's books:

• This Is Where it Ends, by Marieke Nijkamp 4.5/5
• Charlotte’s Web, by E.B White 5/5

Justin's books:

• Bad Therapy: Why the Kids Aren't Growing Up, by Abigail Shrier 3/5
• Troubled: A Memoir of Foster Care, Family, and Social Class, by Rob Henderson 5/5
• Time to Think: The Inside Story of the Collapse of the Tavistock's Gender Service for Children, by Hannah Barnes 75/5

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Life can be really challenging for neurodivergent kids growing up in a world where they don't seem to fit in. Justin speaks with two authors about their fabulous books, and why representation in literature is so important for our children.

Square Me, Round World by Chelsea Luker is a collection of short stories describing what life can feel like when you are a person growing up in a world not built for you and Wonderfully Wired by Stacey Lucas-Toumbourou celebrates the strengths and differences of 100 neurodivergent individuals who changed the world

In this episode:

• Square Me, Round World, by Chelsea Luker | Booktopia
• The importance of representation
• Raising neurodivergent children
• Wonderfully Wired, by Stacey Lucas-Toumbourou

Related links:

• Championing Neurodiversity: Helping Your Child Thrive in a Neurotypical World [Webinar]
• 'Supporting Autistic Children: Nurturing Neurodiversity' with Dr Justin Coulson & Dr Joey Lawrence [The Course]
• Parenting an ADHD Child
• 7 Insights for Parents of Autistic Children | Chris Bonnello

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Screen struggles are something that every family is dealing with - and not just with the kids!  We share some small changes you can make to help you find a healthier and more balanced relationship with your phone.

Does it feel like your child knows exactly which buttons to push to trigger you? News flash:  YOU are the only one that can choose how YOU respond! Learn how to increase your competence (and confidence!) in holding personal boundaries and regulating your own emotions, and watch your relationship with your child improve in the process.

In this episode:

• We Are Social 2023 Digital Report
• How to turn your phone screen to grayscale
• Parental triggers
• Neurodiversity
• Setting and respecting boundaries
• The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey
• You choose your response
• Parenting competence
• Building relationships

Related links:

• #565 Pushing Our Buttons
• Why Our Kids Need Us to Set Limits
• How To Be Less Tired
• #379 How I Work with Amantha Imber
• #240 Phones & Family Life with Dr Kathryn Modecki

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Dr Justin’s 3 E’s (explore, explain, and empower) are the pillars of autonomy-supportive parenting. But there are times when they just do not work (we are all only flawed humans after all!). Today's tips will help you calmly and confidently navigate through the heat of these challenging moments.

In this episode:

• The 3 Es of Effective Discipline: Explore, Explain, and Empower
• Self-determination theory
• Basic psychological needs of every human
• Relatedness, competence, autonomy
• Need-supportive parenting
• High emotions = low intelligence
• Being ok with our children's discomfort
• Patience and practice
• Fast is slow, and slow is fast
• Neurodiversity
• Turn towards your child in challenging times

Related links:

• The Parenting Revolution, by Dr Justin Coulson
• The Secret to Regulating Emotions
• How to Fix a Problem Child
• Little People, Big Feelings [The Free Webinar]

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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 understanding, better conversations, and stronger connections, keeping them safe along the way.

In this episode:

• Connection - feeling seen, heard, and valued
• The joy of Snapchat filters
• Understanding our teenager's world
• Doing housework with your child
• Daddy-daughter dates

Related links:

• Miss-Connection 7 Day Connection Challenge [Free Download]
• Miss-Connection: Why Your Teenage Daughter “Hates” You, Expects the World, and Needs to Talk, by Dr Justin Coulson
• You Did WHAT on Snapchat?!
• Settle Down About Selfies

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'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 effective family functioning, leaving parents feeling like they are hanging on for dear life—exhausted, incompetent, and emotionally drained!

Justin and Kylie share four essential steps for parenting gently in a way that ensures our children feel safe, secure, and loved. 

In this episode:

• Defining "gentle parenting"
• Parental Guidance Season 1
• Different parenting styles
• Gentle parenting the polar opposite of authoritarian

• “The Rise of the Accidentally Permissive Parent 

• Anne Pezalla – Gentle Parenting Can Be Really Hard On Parents | The Conversation
• John Gottman - Raising An Emotionally Intelligent Child
• Emotion coaching gone wrong
• Indulging emotions at the expense of all else
• Autonomy-supportive parenting
• Kind and present parents
• Boundaries and limits

Related links:

• Emotion Coaching | The Webinar
• The Secret to Regulating Emotions
• What’s Your Parenting Style? - Happy Families Quiz

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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 celebration of Kylie's big heart, Justin's big brain, the best of some really bad jokes, and of course, you, our wonderful listeners—our Happy Families family!

(With a special appearance from Hamish Blake!)

 

Related links:

• #282 Better Together
• #562 The Pursuit of Happiness
• #853 Developing Yourself or Finding Yourself?
• 10 Things Every Parent Needs To Know - Happy Families

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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 and developmentally appropriate response to this difficult situation in a way that honours the father, supports the child, and also advocates for our anonymous listener.

Lisa, from Canada, is concerned that catching the school bus will potentially expose her 11-year-old daughter to explicit material. Justin shares some suggestions that will help every parent safely lead their child along the path to independence.

In this episode:

• Single parent
• Absent father
• Mental health 
• Answering sensitive questions age appropriately
• Honesty and transparency
• Children need to feel safe, secure, loved
• Building independence, confidence & self-efficacy
• Cocooning, pre-arming, deference
• The Three E's (Explore, Explain, Empower)

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Related links:

• How Do I Support My Daughter Now That I'm Divorcing? - Happy Families
• Pornography Is The New Public Health Crisis - Happy Families
• #898 Porn-Proofing Your Kids, with Kristen Jenson
• Creating Confident Kids - Happy Families
• Navigating Your Teen's Quest For Independence - Happy Families

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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 digital distractions and social media. 

Subscribe to the Happy Families newsletter for more details!

In this episode:

• How would an enforcement even work?
• Censorship
• Age-verification for social media
• Importance of holding platforms accountable
• A movement to keep smartphones and social media out of primary school
• Unplugged childhood
• Kids need smart parents not smart phones

Related links:

• Tech Giants Are Anti-Kids - Happy Families
• #991 This Week In Parenting: Vape Zones, Baby Bans, & Nicotine Pouches
• How Do I Get My Daughter To Drop Social Media And Study For Exams? - Happy Families
• Social media has the “exact same negative effect on depression” as eating potatoes | Quartz

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