Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

• 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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• The "Kids These Days!" Effect

  Every generation believes “kids these days” are going downhill — ruder, lazier, less capable. But new research says we’ve been wrong for over 2,000 years. In this Doctor’s Desk episode, Justin and Kylie unpack why we keep blaming young people, the psychology behind the “decline” myth, and how it’s hurting our kids more than helping. This one will make you rethink how you see today’s youth — and maybe even yourself. KEY POINTS Why every generation thinks the next one is “worse” — and why they’re wrong The two psychological traps that make adults unfairly judge kids How nostalgia and selective memory distort our view of the past What the data actually says about modern kids (it’s not what you think) Why criticising “kids these days” says more about adults than children How negative stereotypes harm young people — and how to stop it QUOTE OF THE EPISODE “The complaints reveal more about us than about the kids.” — Dr Justin Coulson RESOURCES MENTIONED Study: Why the youth of today seem lacking — John Protzko & Jonathan Schooler, Science Advances The Go-Between by L.P. Hartley ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS Catch your nostalgia: When you find yourself saying “back in my day,” pause and question it. Look for strengths: Notice what today’s young people are doing right — and tell them. Model respect: Show the behaviour you want to see, across all generations. Stay curious: Ask your kids what the world looks like from their eyes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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