Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

• Rethinking Schoolies: Experiences Your Teen Will Actually Remember

  Schoolies can feel like a runaway train of risk, pressure, and “everyone else is doing it.” But your teen does have options—ones that are safer, more meaningful, and genuinely unforgettable. In this episode, Justin and Kylie share powerful ways to reframe the end-of-Year-12 celebration, build intention, and offer your teen experiences they’ll remember for all the right reasons. From once-in-a-lifetime trips to simple, joy-filled adventures closer to home, you’ll get practical, confidence-boosting ideas you can start planning at any age. KEY POINTS Why schoolies culture isn’t a rite of passage your teen needs. How intention and values help guide safer, healthier choices. Clever alternatives that still feel exciting, independent, and celebratory. Trips with parents, extended family, or friend groups that build connection — not chaos. Affordable options, big-dream options, and ways to start planning years ahead. How to talk to kids about celebrations while honouring freedom and safety. QUOTE OF THE EPISODE “High school is done — that is worth celebrating. But celebration doesn’t have to mean chaos. It can be meaningful, memorable, and still full of freedom.” RESOURCES MENTIONED 5 Essential Conversations to Have With Your Teen Before Schoolies [Article] Get Set for Schoolies withPaul Dillon [Podcast Episode] Community & church-run schoolies alternatives Family traditions like “Sweet Sixteen Trips” ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS Start the conversation early — schoolies ideas form long before Year 12. Ask your teen what they want from an end-of-school celebration (freedom? adventure? connection?). Brainstorm alternatives that align with your family values and your teen’s personality. If planning a bigger trip, start saving as a team — years ahead if possible. Explore friend-group or community-group options to add excitement, safety, and shared memories. Remind your teen that opting out of schoolies isn’t missing out — it can be levelling up. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• Challenge Accepted: Raising Kids Who Step Up [with Chris Balme]

  If your tween or teen feels stuck, scared of failure, or glued to their screen, this episode will change everything. Education innovator Chris Balme reveals why adolescence is the second great brain-growth window — and why kids today desperately need more real-world challenges, not more protection. A powerful, hopeful conversation about autonomy, resilience, and helping young people feel big, brave, and capable again. KEY POINTS Why ages 11–16 are a critical “second toddlerhood” of brain growth How autonomy builds confidence (and why modern kids get too little) The danger of overprotection and structured everything What a good challenge looks like vs. a stress-inducing one How to help risk-averse teens stretch themselves — without forcing Why peers, not parents, are the secret to motivation Real examples of challenges that transformed kids QUOTE OF THE EPISODE “When we don’t trust our adolescents, they stop trusting us.” — Chris Balme RESOURCES MENTIONED Challenge Accepted by Chris Balme Argonaut: Online advisory program for middle schoolers Millennium School + Hakuba International School ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS Fuel autonomy: Let your tween choose a meaningful challenge this week. Enlist peers: Hook them in through a friend, not parental pressure. Normalise failure: Remind them adolescence is the best time to mess up safely. Reduce overprotection: Give back small freedoms — walking, biking, exploring. Model vulnerability: Share your own unfinished, imperfect self. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• Growing Brave Kids Without Pushing Them Away

  If your eight-year-old won’t walk into another room without you, this episode will change everything. Justin and Kylie unpack what’s really going on beneath “irrational” childhood fears—and why pushing independence backfires. Instead, you’ll hear the science of secure attachment, relatable stories, and simple steps that make your child braver because you’ve got their back. KEY POINTS Your child’s fear isn’t irrational—it’s real to them. Why forcing independence increases fear and dependence. Resilience is relational: kids become brave when they feel safe. How modelling your own fears helps kids face theirs. Four practical, developmentally sound ideas to reduce anxiety and build confidence. QUOTE OF THE EPISODE “Force creates resistance. The more we push independence, the more our kids cling.” ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS Go with them—compassion beats coercion. Skip the praise for doing things alone; it creates pressure. Trust development—he’ll grow into independence naturally. Stay curious—watch for any underlying stressors or changes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• YouTube Kids: Harmless Fun or Hidden Harm?

  We watched YouTube Kids for a week — and what we discovered will make you rethink what “family-friendly” really means. From brain-rotting toy ads to troubling messages about body image, Justin and Kylie pull back the curtain on the world’s biggest kids’ platform. They share what’s really happening behind the glossy PR and how parents can protect their children’s developing minds without banning screens altogether. KEY POINTS: Why YouTube Kids isn’t as “safe” as it claims to be The shocking example of a video promoting unhealthy body messages to young viewers How YouTube’s algorithm traps kids in endless loops of commercialised “slop” The staggering amount of time humanity spends watching YouTube — and what that means for our kids What intentional viewing looks like (and how to teach it) Why ABC Kids is still the gold standard for healthy, enriching screen time QUOTE OF THE EPISODE: “Every single day, over 114,000 years of content is consumed on YouTube. That’s not just a statistic — that’s a snapshot of our children’s attention.” RESOURCES MENTIONED: The Sunday Times article by Stephanie Thompson on YouTube Kids ABC Kids App (recommended for quality, curated viewing) ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS: Sit down and watch what your child is actually watching — even for 10 minutes. Switch from passive viewing to intentional viewing: search for specific, quality content together. Use ABC Kids or pre-approved playlists instead of relying on algorithmic recommendations. Have a conversation about how YouTube makes money — and why that matters. Set screen time limits that prioritise creativity and real-world play. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• When Parenting Goes Wrong (and Still Turns Out Right)

  Ever had one of those parenting days — where you lose your cool, say the wrong thing, and immediately wish for a do-over? In this episode, Justin and Kylie Coulson get real about what happens when we mess up, why rupture can lead to repair, and how connection - not perfection - is what truly builds a happy family. From teenage meltdowns to dinner duty disasters, the Coulsons share honest lessons on letting go, apologising, and finding calm after chaos. KEY POINTS Delegating family responsibilities isn’t always smooth — but it’s worth persisting. Why “getting it wrong” can be the doorway to deeper connection. Repairing ruptures teaches kids accountability, empathy, and love in action. The magic of family moments that start messy but end meaningful. QUOTE OF THE EPISODE “You don’t know everything as a parent — but if you’re lucky, your kids will show you what really matters: the relationship.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Episode #1481 'When Every Night Is a Meltdown' HappyFamilies.com.au for parenting tools and insights ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS Pause before reacting. Step away and breathe before addressing your child’s behaviour. Own your mistakes. Model humility by admitting when you got it wrong. Repair the rupture. Circle back for a calm conversation and reconnection. Share responsibility. Let kids take part in family life — even if it’s messy at first. Celebrate small wins. Connection grows in the moments you choose grace over perfection. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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