How can you do it all - AND still be a good parent?

5 ideas for 'Creating Margin' that will make all the difference when it comes to an over scheduled, over-busy life!

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Creating order from chaos
• Household tasks
• Connection
• Parental exhaustion
• Washing machine analogy
• Stephen Covey - 'Big Rocks' 
• Structure and routine
• Poet Annie Dillard - 'How We Spend Our Days' 
• Chores

 

You can purchase early bird tickets for the new course 'Supporting Autistic Children: Nurturing Neurodiversity' at the Happy Families website

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Become a Happy Families member today - Happy Families Membership

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We all have Time Crunch Moments - where the pressure is on, time is limited, and our kids are NOT being compliant!

Mornings can be tough, right? But they don't have to be! Whether you have young kids or sleepy teenagers, there are 4 things you can do ahead of time to slow things right down - even when you need to go fast!

 

Topics discussed in this episode:

• A change in the 'Making Mornings Magic'' formula!
• Teenagers vs young children
• Back to school
• Routine and structure
• Deadlines, fast-paced living
• Being present
• Kids and transitions
• Every family is different
• 'Fast is slow and slow is fast' - a Happy Families article

 

You can purchase early bird tickets for the new course 'Supporting Autistic Children: Nurturing Neurodiversity' at the Happy Families website

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Become a Happy Families member today - Happy Families Membership

Email us your questions and comments at [email protected]

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When moving homes means changing schools again, and again... and again(!!) it can be hard for children to feel a true sense of belonging within a school community.

With this being an ongoing experience for some of the Coulson kids, a momentous decision has been made to break away from mainstream education!

And on this path to new beginnings, Justin experiences a break of a different kind - rather more painful, and nothing short of miraculous!

 

Topic's discussed in this episode:

• Australia's educational system 
• The 3 basic psychological needs of every child - what happens when these are not being met at school?
• Educational lessons learned during the Covid lockdowns
• Homeschooling 
• When children struggle with emotional regulation and attention at school
• Becoming grandparents
• Holidays, surfing, and the power of slowing down
• Challenging days and changing direction
• Moving? How to help your child settle into a new school - a Happy Families article
• School refusal - a Happy Families article 

 

 

Register for the Happy Families October Webinar - "Enough: Helping our children overcome anxiety, perfectionism & self-loathing"

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Who doesn't love a good book?

October's Book Club includes: a storyline that will consume your life and keep you guessing right up to the last page, a blistering critique on the elite and political classes, learning to be comfortable in solitude, the heroes fighting online predators, unpacking generational differences, and a first-aid manual for supporting your teen’s mental health! 

 

Kylie's reading:

• 'Homecoming' by Kate Morton
• 'The Secret Life of You' by Kerry Sackville
• Both these titles are on the Birds of a Feather Book Club 2023 reading list. Check it out for some great suggestions for children, teens and adults.

Justin's reading:

• 'Winners Take All: The Elite Charade of Changing the World' by Anand Giridharadas
• 'The Ideas Industry' Daniel Drezner
• 'Saving Our Kids' by Madonna King
• 'When Life Sucks' by Dr Jo Prendergast
• 'Generations' by Dr Jean Twenge

 

Register for the Happy Families October Webinar - "Enough: Helping our children overcome anxiety, perfectionism & self-loathing"

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Become a Happy Families member today - Happy Families Membership

Email us your questions and comments at [email protected]

 

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Does your child whine and moan about what you pack in their lunchbox? Are you sick of preparing healthy lunchboxes only to have it come home untouched? Knowing what food to send to school with your child can be so challenging!

Deb Blakely shares tips and tricks for making lunch time easier, and why you CAN give your child quick and easy food that they will actually eat - guilt free! (Replay)

Topics included in this episode -

• Investigating things that can impact your child's ability to eat at school
• How to support kids with special needs
• Problem-solve together
• Should white bread sandwiches, chip packets, cheese sticks and juice be demonized?
• School is not the time to be stretching our kids
• Food safety
• Why foods that look, smell and taste good ARE good (yes - even carbohydrates and sugar!)
• Communicating with teachers

Learn more about Deb Blakley from Kids Dig Food

To access the Feed Your Picky Eater [without going crazy] evergreen online course for parents: https://kidsdigfood.com.au/resources/

Book an appointment with an APD from the Kids Dig Food team: https://kidsdigfood.com.au/appointments/

Register for the BRAND-NEW 'Supporting Autistic Children: Nurturing Neurodiversity' course hosted by Dr Justin Coulson & Dr Joey Lawrence

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at [email protected]

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Is your child stressed out, apprehensive or just feeling like life is too hard? Does anxiety or perfectionism cause them to feel they are not enough?

All hope is not lost! Three ways you can BUILD HOPE in your child's life - helping them to do well and feel well as they experience the power of hope.

• Research by Rick Snyder, Shane Lopez 
• Science of Hope TikTok video series by @insearchofbobcat
• Failure, anxiety, resilience
• Our children need to feel hopeful before they can feel they are enough
• What does the research say about hopeful people?
• What is hope, and why are our youth feeling hopeless?
• How to be a hope-builder
• Enough: Overcoming Anxiety, Perfectionism, & Self Loathing - a Happy Families article

Register for the Happy Families October Webinar - "Enough: Helping our children overcome anxiety, perfectionism & self-loathing"

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Become a Happy Families member today - Happy Families Membership.

Email us your questions and comments at [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A late-night phone call, unexpected tears, and a sneaky case of stealth-mode to see a special someone. 

• The miracle of birth
• An emotional journey after a sudden change of mind
• Grandparents - navigating boundaries, roles, and visiting rights?
• A cautionary tale
• Trickiness of in-law relationships
• Watching your adult child grow into parenthood
• Dad’s Guide to Pregnancy For Dummies - by Dr Justin Coulson
• What to Do When Parents and Grandparents Disagree - a Happy Families Article

 

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Become a Happy Families member today - Happy Families Membership.

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Managing the home-work-life juggle can sometimes feel impossible!

Sorry parents - there is no "easy fix" for the balancing act of life, BUT you can have routine, prioritise connection and create a network of support when times get tough!  (Replay)

Topics included in this episode -

• The increasing cost of living  
• Justin & Kylie share a personal story about their past financial struggles
• Get creative
• Routine, predictability
• Give them in fantasy what they can't have in reality
• Helping others
• I work full-time. How do I connect with my kids? - a Happy Families article

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

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Part 2 of Justin speaking with author & associate Professor Katie Davis about her new book

Topics discussed in this episode - 

• Technology's Child by Katie Davis
• Justin asks Katie some rapid fire questions about her own family life
• Using technology to reinforce technology rules
• Finding a balance
• Video games aren't all bad
• The impact of social media

Further reading/watching:

• Screens And Our Boys - a Happy Families Article
• 5 Better Conversations To Have About Screens - a Happy Families Article
• Keeping your child focused on study and away from social media - a Happy Families Article
• Tweens, Teens & Screens - a Happy Families Webinar
• Digital Kids - a Happy Families Article

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at [email protected]

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You CAN be a "good-enough" digital parent!

Two questions every parent needs to ask when choosing apps or games for their child PLUS learn how to guide your child's relationship with screens in the best direction - guilt free! (Replay)

Topics discussed in this episode - 

• Technology's Child: Digital Media’s Role in the Ages and Stages of Growing Up - by Katie Davis
• What are the risks for children under 3?
• Why are screens so compelling to kids?
• Using screens as the default "fix" when your child is upset or you just need a break
• Why screens are such an effective regulator (emotionally and behaviorally)
• Executive functioning and self-regulation
• 'Bottom-up' vs top-down' process of attention
• "Educational" apps
• Sign up for Katie's newsletter here

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.