Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Seven million school days were missed in Victoria last year. Is this a sign of a growing problem, or are parents finally putting their families first?
A new report has sparked fierce debate about school attendance. Should children ever miss school for a holiday, a family celebration or a mental health break?
Dr Justin and Kylie Coulson unpack what the numbers actually tell us, why so many families are choosing term-time travel, and whether chasing perfect attendance comes at a cost.
They explore what children gain from school, what they gain from time with family, and why the best decision isn't always the obvious one.
If you've ever wondered whether it's okay to pull your child out of school, this conversation will give you plenty to think about.
KEY POINTS
What the seven million missed school days really represent.
Why more families are travelling during school term.
The pressure schools place on perfect attendance.
How COVID changed the way many parents think about school.
What children can learn outside the classroom.
When missing school can be the right choice.
Why every family needs to weigh the trade-offs for themselves.
QUOTE OF THE EPISODE
"If you need to have some time off, if you want to take the kids out of school, do it."
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Herald Sun report on Victorian school attendance.
Happy Families resources at happyfamilies.com.au.
ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS
Make school attendance your starting point, not an unbreakable rule.
Before taking your child out of school, ask what they'll gain from the experience.
Talk with your child's teacher if they'll miss important learning.
Don't let guilt make the decision for you. Consider your child's learning, your family's circumstances and what matters most.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

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.

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.

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.