The books that have meant the most to Justin and Kylie this year. 
Kylie's top 3 books of 2023:

The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin "A beautiful story about friendship."
Homecoming by Kate Morton "Riveting!"
Better Than Happy - Jodi Moore "Enlightening and powerful"

Justin's 5 star reads of 2023:

Silas Marner by George Eliot "The perfect story - sublime, utterly absorbing"
The Case Against the Sexual Revolution by Louise Perry
Testosterone: The Story of the Hormone that Dominates and Divides Us | Carole Hooven "Brilliant"
Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson "A rip-roaring read."
The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel Siegel & Tina Payne-Bryson
Saving our kids - Madonna King "Vitally important" 
Generations by Jean M. Twenge "Compelling."
Winners Take All by Anand Giridharadas
Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond
Happier Hour by Cassie Holmes
Come as You Are by Emily Nagoski "Gives people info that really matters."
The Emotional Lives of Teenagers: Raising Connected, Capable, and Compassionate Adolescents by Lisa Damour "Solid book, easy to read."

 
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#904 Our Best Reads of 2023

The Happy families podcast with Dr. Justin Coulson is designed for the time poor parent who just wants answers now. Every day Justin and his wife Kylie provide practical tips and a common sense approach to parenting that Mums and Dads all over the world are connecting with. Justin and Kylie have 6 daughters and they regularly share their experiences of managing a busy household filled with lots of challenges and plenty of happiness. For real and practicable advice from people who understand and appreciate the challenges of a time poor parent, listen to Justin and Kylie and help make your family happier.

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

Kids & Family

Relationships

Parenting

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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Leave a voice memo here or email your questions/comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au
Find out more about joining THE QUEST at our website See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#998 Social Media Shutdown

Justin reads a personal letter aloud to his children, sharing insights into what life was like for him growing up. 
In this episode:

Sharing childhood memories with your kids
Pets
Give your child roots
Benefits to keeping a journal
Rituals of connection
To a child, love is spelled T.I.M.E

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Related links:

5 Ways to Promote Happiness in Your Family - Happy Families
Enough: Overcoming Anxiety, Perfectionism, & Self Loathing - Happy Families
Family Traditions Help Kids Make Sense of Life - Happy Families
Miss-Connection | 7 Day Connection Challenge

.
Find us on Facebook or TikTok
Subscribe to the Happy Families newsletter
Leave a voice memo here or email your questions/comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au
Find out more about joining THE QUEST at our website See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#997 A Dog's Life

Study 1: Is your child feeling unhappy, pressured, or teased about their weight? Navigating growing up in a society so focused on physical appearance is difficult, but there are practical steps parents can take to decrease the risk of internalised stigma and other challenges around weight.
Study 2: So, you think you can read a baby's cry? Think again! 
Study 3: The secret to getting your teen to listen to you can be found in the very foundation of what Dr Justin teaches in The Parenting Revolution! 
In this episode:

Teasing children about weight increases risk of self-stigma as adults, study finds | The Guardian
Weight stigma - what is it?
Internalised incompetence and low sense of self-worth
Babies’ cries alone don’t convey what they want | The British Psychological Society
Dunstan Baby Language

The secret to getting your teen to listen to you | The British Psychological Society

Autonomy support
Unsolicited advice from parents
How to talk to teens about hard stuff

Related links:

9 Strategies for Soothing A Crying Baby - Happy Families
#957 Diet Free Families with Meg McClintock - Happy Families
5 Ways To Nurture Positive Relationships With Food and Body For Your Kids - Happy Families
The Parenting Revolution (The Course) Normally $149, FREE when you purchase The Parenting Revolution [The Book]

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Subscribe to the Happy Families newsletter.
Leave a voice memo here or email your questions/comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au.
Find out more about joining THE QUEST at our website. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#996 From the Doctor's Desk - Weight Stigma & Baby Language

Most families have screens in their home, which means a steady stream of movies, TV shows, games, apps, and more! How can parents know what content is or isn't appropriate for our children, when ratings are so broad and arbitrary? 
In today's interview with Prof. Elizabeth Handsley, President of CMA, we explore why it is so hard for parents to navigate the current classification system, and share some helpful resources and advice to minimise the risk that our children will be exposed to inappropriate content. 
In this episode:

Children and Media Australia - supporting children and families to thrive in the expanding world of screen media
Ratings and classifications
Movies, apps, games,
Inquiry into the Australian Classification Scheme
Aged-based and research-based information
Dose-response relationship to media
Children become desensitised to content

Related links:

Movies and Kids: When Is It Ok For Them To Watch That? - Happy Families
Everyone Else Can Do It! Why Can't I? - Happy Families
Common Sense Media - Age-Based Media Reviews For Families

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Leave a voice memo here or email your questions/comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au
Find out more about joining THE QUEST at our website See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#995 Why Ratings Matter With Liz Handsley

On Tuesdays, we answer listener questions about making your family happier!
Separation anxiety at school drop-off is a daily struggle for many families, including Kirsty and her 5-year-old son. Justin shares some helpful tips that will make saying goodbye easier for both the parent and child. 
Mum of 3, Michala, is dealing with constant sibling rivalry and conflict. Listen in for some important, ongoing conversations to have with your children as you help to build their character, and teach empathy and kindness. 
In this episode:

Sibling rivalry, conflict, and strife
Building character
Teaching compassion and empathy
Repairing relationship ruptures
Separation anxiety
Emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA)
Making mornings calm
Validating emotions
Basic psychological needs
Strong parent-school partnership
Flexibility

Related links:

10 Steps to Reducing Sibling Conflict - Happy Families
Teaching Kids Kindness - a Happy Families webinar
School Refusal - Happy Families
Developmental Milestones | Preschool - Happy Families

Find us on Facebook or TikTok
Leave a voice memo here or email your questions/comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au
Find out more about joining THE QUEST at our website See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#904 Our Best Reads of 2023

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