Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

The Parenting Time You Think You Don't Have

You finish the day exhausted. Work's done, dinner's over and the last thing you want is another thing to do. But the moments your kids remember rarely come from expensive holidays or perfectly planned activities. They happen on a walk around the block, over a board game or while you're side by side with no phones in sight. Justin and Kylie share how an after-dinner walk became the place where their daughters finally opened up. They explore why kids often talk more when they're moving, why screens get in the way, and how small choices can strengthen your relationship without adding more to your to-do list. If you've been feeling stretched too thin, this episode will help you find connection in the time you already have. KEY POINTS Why children often open up more when you're walking together. How one simple after-dinner walk became an hour of honest conversation. The hidden cost of reaching for a screen instead of each other. The difference between saying "I can't" and asking "What can I do?" Small habits that make children feel seen, heard and valued. QUOTE OF THE EPISODE "When we push past the excuses and make the effort, it's almost always worth it." RESOURCES MENTIONED Happy Families memberships The Happy Families website ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS Take one child for a walk this week. Leave your phones at home. Swap one night of scrolling for a board game or a chat. When you think, "I don't have time", ask yourself, "What can I do instead?" Turn everyday routines into one-on-one time, even if it's only 15 minutes. Watch what changes when you're beside your child instead of sitting across from them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is The Social Media Ban Already Failing?

Australia banned social media for under-16s. It hasn't stopped kids from using it. New research shows most young people are still logging on, creating fake accounts and finding easy ways around age checks. Dr Justin Coulson explains why the law isn't delivering what parents hoped for and why families still have the biggest influence on their children's online lives. Then the conversation turns to something far more hopeful. Dutch children are the happiest in the world. It's not because Dutch parents have all the answers. Their families spend more time together. Their children have more independence. Their communities are built around connection. Justin and Kylie unpack what Australian parents can borrow, even if we can't recreate the Dutch system. KEY POINTS What the first research on Australia's social media ban found. How children are getting around age verification. Why parents still need to lead screen time at home. The habits that help Dutch children report the highest levels of happiness. Why friendships, family time and independence matter more than expensive programs. Simple ways to create stronger community around your own family. QUOTE OF THE EPISODE "The legislation can't do the parenting for us. We still have to do the job." RESOURCES MENTIONED Boys: Building Strong Young Men from the Inside Out by Dr Justin Coulson 10 Things Every Parent Needs to Know by Dr Justin Coulson Misconnection by Dr Justin Coulson Happy Families resources at happyfamilies.com.au Research: Early Effects of Australia's Social Media Minimum Age Act on Adolescents' Social Media Use ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS Don't assume the social media ban is keeping your child off social media. Check in often. Talk about social media regularly instead of waiting until something goes wrong. Protect family time by working it into your weekly routine. Help your child build friendships through school, sport and local activities. Invite another family over, organise a neighbourhood catch-up or say yes to the next community event. Small connections build a stronger village. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Energy Game: Stop Running on Empty! [with Amantha Imber]

You're not imagining it. Parenting really does feel harder when you're running on empty. If you've caught yourself wishing for just one day where nobody needs you, this episode will feel uncomfortably familiar. Organisational psychologist and bestselling author Dr Amantha Imber joins Dr Justin Coulson to explain why so many parents feel exhausted and what actually helps. No impossible morning routines. No guilt. Just practical, science-backed strategies you can use in minutes. You'll learn why scrolling leaves you more tired, how to spot the type of fatigue you're dealing with, and the simple habits that can help you feel more like yourself again. KEY POINTS Why so many parents feel permanently exhausted. The burnout fantasy that more people have than you'd expect. The three types of energy that shape your day. Fast, science-backed ways to boost energy in under a minute. Why social media drains your brain instead of helping you recharge. How better boundaries protect your energy without letting people down. Small changes that leave you with more patience for your family. QUOTE OF THE EPISODE "We don't just have one energy account. We have three. The key is working out which one needs your attention first." – Dr Amantha Imber RESOURCES MENTIONED The Energy Game by Dr Amantha Imber ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS Work out whether your physical, mental or emotional energy is running lowest. Swap one social media break for real rest this week. Try a one-minute energy boost like peppermint or a splash of cold water. Start answering requests with "Yes, but…" so you can set clear limits. Write a "Never Again" list of commitments that leave you drained every time. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Content That's Stealing Kids' Empathy [A Listener Q&A ]

A fight video lands on your child's phone. They laugh. They watch it again. They send it to a friend. What do you do next? This week, Justin and Kylie answer a question from a mum whose 12-year-old daughter received violent footage that was spreading through local schools. They explain what repeated exposure to this content does to kids, why sharing a video makes them part of the harm, and how one conversation at home can change what happens next. If your child has a phone, this episode is worth hearing. KEY POINTS Why fight videos spread so quickly between kids. What repeated exposure to violent content does to young brains. Why children share videos they know are upsetting. How to build empathy instead of curiosity. Questions that help kids think before they hit send. The legal risks of sharing violent footage. How to help your child be the one who stops the chain. QUOTE OF THE EPISODE "Sharing is participation." RESOURCES MENTIONED eSafety Commissioner research on children's exposure to harmful online content. Albert Bandura's research on moral disengagement. Leave us a voice memo for the podcast! ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS Ask your child if they've ever received a fight video or other upsetting content. Talk about the person in the video, not just the video itself. Explain that forwarding, commenting on or repeatedly watching these clips adds to the harm. Encourage your child to report violent content instead of sharing it. Keep the conversation going. One chat isn't enough. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How to Stop Wishing Parenting Away

What if the moment you're desperate to get through today becomes the one you'd give anything to have back? Brushing tangled hair. Carrying a sleeping child inside. Sitting through one more song. These moments can feel frustrating when you're tired and running late. Then one day they stop happening, and you never realise the last time has already passed. In this episode, Dr Justin Coulson shares a simple idea from philosophy called the "Last Time Meditation." It will change the way you see everyday parenting and help you notice the moments that matter before they're gone. KEY POINTS Why the everyday parenting jobs you dread can become your most treasured memories. How the "Last Time Meditation" helps you stay present. The psychology behind appreciating ordinary moments before they disappear. The personal experience that changed how Justin responds to his children. One simple habit that makes family life feel richer without changing your routine. QUOTE OF THE EPISODE "There's something you did with your child today that ten years from now you'd trade almost anything to do again. You just don't know what that thing is." RESOURCES MENTIONED A Guide to the Good Life by William B. Irvine William B. Irvine's "Last Time Meditation" Stoic philosophy Seneca Epictetus The Japanese concept Ichi-go Ichi-e Fred Bryant's research on savouring Tim Urban's "Tail End" concept Kurtz (2008), Psychological Science ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS Pick one ordinary family moment this week and treat it like it won't happen again. The next time your child asks you to watch, listen or help, stop and give them your full attention. Put your phone away during one family ritual each day. Slow down long enough to notice the moments you'll miss one day. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.