Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

• Christmas Gifts or Experiences?

  If you’ve ever stood in the toy aisle wondering what will actually make my kids happy, this episode is the Christmas miracle you need. We unpack the surprising research on gift-giving—why experiences matter, when they don’t, and what different ages really want (and remember!) on Christmas morning. This one will change how you wrap Christmas… literally. KEY POINTS The science-backed truth: giving really does make us happier than receiving. Why toddlers get more joy from giving than getting (what?!). The ages where kids prefer “stuff”… and why it’s developmentally normal. When experiences finally “click” for kids and bring more lasting joy. How anticipation, shared moments and memories make experiences powerful. A simple framework for choosing the right gift for the right child at the right age. QUOTE OF THE EPISODE “It’s not what you give — it’s that you give — that makes you happy.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Happy Money: The Science of Happier Spending by Dunn & Norton Research on children’s happiness, gifts, and development (Chaplin & colleagues) ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS Match the gift to your child’s age — material for younger kids, experiences as they grow. Add anticipation — reveal experiences with something they can hold or open. Share the moment — plan joint experiences for deeper connection and lasting happiness. Teach generosity — include simple opportunities for kids to give (even $5 makes a difference). Shift the focus — emphasise meaning, memory and togetherness over “more things”. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• The Social Media Ban Starts Today — What Parents Need to Know

  Today’s the day. Australia’s new Social Media Minimum Age Legislation kicks in—and families everywhere are feeling everything from relief to panic. In this special episode, Justin is interviewed by “Intrepid Reporter Kylie” in a reenactment of a newsroom conversation that never got to air. You’ll hear what this ban actually means, how parents and teens are reacting, why the timing matters, and what families can do to keep kids connected, active, and thriving—without the algorithm pulling them in. Short, practical, reassuring. A must-listen for every parent navigating summer holidays and a new digital reality. KEY POINTS Why parent reactions have been overwhelmingly positive How teens really feel—and why some are secretly relieved What the legislation does and doesn’t block The truth about VPNs, fake IDs, and workarounds Why school holiday timing may actually be perfect How this ban affects connection, loneliness, and real-life friendships What platforms are age-restricted vs. still accessible Why messaging apps aren’t the same as social media How Justin & Kylie navigated the changes with their own teen The essential role parents still play (the ban doesn’t replace you!) QUOTE OF THE EPISODE “I’m not anti-screen. I’m pro living a full, balanced, whole, healthy life.” RESOURCES MENTIONED eSafety Social Media Hub – full details on the new minimum age legislation Platform list of age-restricted vs. permitted services happyfamilies.com.au ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS Talk early and often about the changes rather than enforcing them cold. Shift the focus to real life: encourage outdoor time, friends over, hands-on activities. Check your child’s accounts together and deactivate any that are now age-restricted. Discuss messaging alternatives (not algorithm-driven). Stay engaged—the ban reduces risk but doesn’t remove screen challenges. Reassure your child that boredom is normal and survivable—and often the gateway to creativity. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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  17:24
• The Psychology of Christmas Magic

  Why does Christmas feel so magical—and how can we bottle that feeling for our families? In this episode, Justin and Kylie unpack the science behind Christmas joy and reveal the seven psychological drivers that make the season feel warm, connected, nostalgic, and full of wonder. From sensory anchors to collective effervescence, discover how small tweaks to your traditions can transform a stressful season into a slow, meaningful, joy-soaked one. This is your cheat-sheet to creating the kind of Christmas your kids will remember forever. KEY POINTS Relationships are the heart of Christmas—intentional togetherness boosts joy and belonging. Anticipated joy (hello Advent calendars) fuels dopamine and lifts mood weeks before the day arrives. Sensory anchoring—smells, sights, tastes—creates powerful nostalgia and emotional connection. Collective effervescence elevates community energy when everyone enters the same seasonal rhythm. Permission for wonder gives adults a rare chance to play, imagine, and embrace childlike magic. Savouring and gratitude turn small moments into the big memories our kids carry into adulthood. Applying these principles can fix a stressful or disappointing Christmas and make it joyful again. QUOTE OF THE EPISODE “Christmas is culturally sanctioned slowness—and if we savour it, the joy multiplies.” ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS Prioritise connection over productivity—plan moments of slow, intentional togetherness. Create anticipation with rituals that build excitement (tree, lights, Advent, small traditions). Use sensory anchors—scents, recipes, music, decorations—to spark nostalgia and joy. Lean into wonder: play, imagine, and embrace the magic your kids already feel. Savour moments in real time—pause, breathe, and let the season be slow. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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  15:14
• What Happens When You Stop Scrolling?

  What if the world’s biggest social media company discovered its platforms were harming mental health… and then buried the evidence? Today, Justin and Kylie unpack explosive court documents about Meta’s secret research, the upcoming social media age-limit legislation, and what really happens when we step away from the online world. Then, we dive into your powerful responses to our most controversial episode of the year — including raw truths from parents who feel exhausted, confused, and desperate for answers. This episode will make you think differently about screens, kids, “normality,” and what families actually need. KEY POINTS Meta allegedly hid internal research showing users became less depressed after deleting Facebook. Why this matters ahead of Australia’s new social media minimum-age legislation. Justin’s own social media detox — and the surprising wellbeing shift. Why young teens are the most vulnerable to social platforms. The cultural shift toward labels, diagnoses, and pathologising behaviour. Parents respond to the Sammy Tamimi episode: gratitude, confusion, frustration, exhaustion. The power — and danger — of language when describing kids’ struggles. Why the environment (screens, sleep, school, structure) often matters more than labels. Reassurance: you can hold the nuance — be curious and compassionate without losing hope. QUOTE OF THE EPISODE "When we change our language, we change our experience." — Justin RESOURCES MENTIONED Meta court case reporting (news.com.au) Searching for Normal by Dr. Sammy Tamimi Previous Happy Families episode featuring Dr. Sammy Tamimi Research on Facebook deactivation and mental health ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS Audit your child’s digital environment — sleep, screens, stimulation, social pressure. Create a family phone culture (including boundaries around late-night messaging). Hold diagnoses lightly, not dismissively — take what helps, leave what harms. Stay curious about what might be driving big emotions or behaviour. Prioritise connection over correction when your child is struggling. Remember progress > perfection — small steps make a big difference. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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  19:26
• How to Have a Merry Christmas (Backed by Actual Research)

  If Christmas usually feels more chaotic than joyful, this episode is the reset you need. Justin and Kylie unpack the research on what really makes Christmas happier—and what quietly steals the joy from it. You’ll hear the surprising predictors of Christmas wellbeing (hint: it’s not money, gifts, or how perfect your table looks) and why letting go of the pressure to “do it all” might be the best gift you give your family. A warm, funny, practical episode to help you create a Christmas that actually feels good. KEY POINTS Family connection and meaningful traditions are the strongest predictors of Christmas happiness. A sense of purpose—not perfection—makes the season more joyful. Environmental mindfulness is linked with higher wellbeing (yes… even at Christmas!). Consuming less and enjoying nature more boosts Christmas satisfaction. Materialism and gift overload significantly reduce Christmas happiness. Relationship challenges or fractured family dynamics can dampen joy. Age brings more Christmas happiness as expectations shift and priorities mature. QUOTE OF THE EPISODE “Wrapping presents generally yields fewer rewards than spending time laughing, talking, and playing with the people you love.” RESOURCES Kasser & Sheldon (2002) research on Christmas wellbeing Take Back Christmas [Article] How To Unspoil Your Kids This Christmas [Webinar] ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS Prioritise connection – plan at least one meaningful, shared activity. Scale back gifts – focus on presence, not presents. Add purpose – highlight generosity, gratitude, or spiritual meaning. Go outside – take a Christmas walk or enjoy nature together. Simplify – drop one “should” that only adds stress, not joy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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