Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Good Daughtering [with Dr Allison Alford]

She loves her parents. She wants to be a good daughter. So why does it feel so heavy? In this powerful conversation, Dr Allison Alford names the invisible emotional labour millions of women are carrying — and why being a “good daughter” shouldn’t cost you your wellbeing. From eldest daughter syndrome to guilt, boundaries, and burnout, this episode will leave you feeling seen, validated, and lighter. If you’ve ever felt stretched thin by family expectations, this one is for you. KEY POINTS What “daughtering” really is — and why naming it changes everything Why guilt is a terrible guide for family caregiving The hidden emotional and mental load daughters carry every day Why boundaries don’t make you selfish — they make you sustainable The freedom of being a “B-plus daughter” instead of burning out QUOTE OF THE EPISODE “Being good enough isn’t about doing it all. It’s about doing what is sustainable.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Good Daughtering by Dr Allison Alford Follow Dr Allison Alford: daughtering101.com Socials: @daughtering101 ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS Write down the invisible work you do for your family — and count it Replace “What should I be doing?” with “What’s sustainable right now?” Aim to be a B-plus daughter, not an exhausted A-plus one Talk openly about daughtering with friends and family — language brings relief Let go of guilt as a decision-maker and choose balance instead See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Homeschooling: What to Do When You’re Ready but Clueless

Thinking about homeschooling… but secretly terrified you’ll get it wrong? If you’re standing at the edge of homeschooling wondering What am I actually supposed to do all day?—this episode is for you. Justin and Kylie unpack what homeschooling really looks like once you ditch the school-at-home mindset and start building something that actually works for your child (and your sanity). This isn’t about rigid schedules or perfect plans. It’s about slowing down, tuning in, and creating learning that fits real kids and real families. KEY POINTS Why copying school at home almost always backfires The freedom (and relief) that comes from flexible structure The four principles that made homeschooling sustainable for their family Why community matters more than curriculum How knowing your why gets you through the hard days QUOTE OF THE EPISODE “Homeschooling isn’t about doing school at home. It’s about creating learning that actually fits your child.” RESOURCES MENTIONED HappyFamilies.com.au Submitting a Tricky Question: podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS Start slower than you think you need to Focus on connection before curriculum Find (or build) a homeschooling community early Let go of the idea that it has to look like school Revisit your why on the hard days—it matters more than your planSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Resilience is Relational

We’ve been teaching kids resilience all wrong. If you’ve ever watched your child fall apart over homework, friendships, or an impossibly messy bedroom - this episode reframes everything you think you know about “being strong.” Resilience isn’t grit.It isn’t white-knuckling.And it definitely isn’t doing it alone. Justin and Kylie unpack the powerful truth backed by decades of research: resilience is relational — and what our kids need most when they’re struggling is us, closer than ever. KEY POINTS Why “tough it out” parenting quietly backfires The research that proves one relationship can change a child’s life How support builds competence (not dependence) What to do in the moment when your child feels overwhelmed Why moving closer is the most powerful parenting move you can make QUOTE OF THE EPISODE “Resilience isn’t doing it alone. It’s knowing you’re not alone while you do it.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Nine Ways to a Resilient Child — Justin Coulson Emmy Werner’s Kauai Longitudinal Study Harvard Study of Adult Development happyfamilies.com.au ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS When your child is struggling, move closer — not further away Sit with them instead of fixing it for them Break big tasks into tiny, doable steps Let your voice become the calm they borrow Model asking for help — it teaches strength, not weakness See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I'll Do Better Tomorrow - Kylie Saves a Life

One honest conversation. One brave decision. One life changed. In this I’ll Do Better Tomorrow episode, Kylie shares a moment she almost dismissed — until a handwritten letter revealed the unimaginable impact it had. We also unpack why goals often fail kids, how habits quietly heal, and what happens when parents choose courage over convention. This is about noticing what’s not working… and acting before it’s too late. KEY POINTS Why focusing on who your child is becoming matters more than hitting a goal How movement reduces anxiety and low mood (even when it doesn’t “make you happy”) The quiet warning signs parents often miss Why “the best school” isn’t always the right school How one conversation gave a mum the courage to act — and likely saved a life A powerful reminder: resilience doesn’t grow alone, it grows in relationships QUOTE OF THE EPISODE “So often we keep doing the same thing, hoping it will get better — but nothing changes until we act.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Happy Families — parenting courses and support Parenting ADHD [The Course] (happyfamilies.com.au) The Industry School (alternative education option discussed) ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS Get curious, not furious: ask why before fixing Shift goals into habits — focus on daily ways of being Watch energy, mood, and behaviour for quiet signals If something isn’t working, give yourself permission to choose again Have the brave conversation — it might matter more than you realise See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Best Books We Read in 2025

Some books entertain.Some books inform.And then there are books that unsettle you—and quietly change how you see the world, your kids, and the systems shaping their lives. In this episode, Kylie and I step away from parenting advice (just briefly) to share the books that mattered most to us in 2025. These aren’t light beach reads. They’re confronting, provocative, and deeply relevant for parents raising children in a digital, diagnosed, distracted world. If you love books—and you care about the future your kids are growing up in—this one stays with you. Books & Resources Mentioned Boys — Dr Justin Coulson (join the waitlist to learn more!) Careless People — Sarah Wynn-Williams Searching for Normal — Sami Timimi Essentialism — Greg McKeown The Let Them Theory — Mel Robbins A Thousand Wasted Sundays — Victoria Vanstone Mumming — Victoria Vanstone 1984 — George Orwell Lonesome Dove — Larry McMurtry A Gentleman in Moscow — Amor Towles Greenlights — Matthew McConaughey Parenting ADHD [The Course] My 8 Favourite Books in 2025 [Article] ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS Choose one book this year that challenges your assumptions—not just your habits Notice what makes you uncomfortable while reading—and sit with it Talk with your partner or teen about what you’re noticing in tech, mental health, and culture Remember: protecting kids starts with seeing the systems shaping them See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.