Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Could it be that your child’s uneaten lunch isn’t the problem… the schedule is? A simple shift happening in Aussie schools is transforming behaviour, boosting learning, and - finally - getting kids to actually eat their food. This episode unpacks the “play first, eat later” approach - and why it works far better than anything you can pack in a lunchbox. If your child comes home hangry, exhausted, or with a full lunchbox… this might be the missing piece. KEY POINTS Why kids skip lunch (and it’s not about the food) The “play first” model changing school behaviour and focus How movement drives appetite, regulation, and learning The hidden link between uneaten lunches and afternoon meltdowns Why the last 10 minutes of playtime often trigger the biggest issues A simple school-level change with measurable results QUOTE OF THE EPISODE “Calories change kids. Food isn’t just fuel - it’s behaviour, focus, and emotional regulation.” RESOURCES MENTIONED ABC News article on “play first, eat later” school model Conversations with teachers and school communities School P&C (Parents & Citizens) groups as a starting point for change ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS Start the conversation with your school or P&C about “play first” Focus less on perfect lunches and more on eating opportunity Talk with your child about when they feel hungry during the day Advocate for structural changes - not just lunchbox fixes Watch for after-school behaviour as a clue to under-fuelling See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A 13-year Australian study's findings are shaking the medical world. Children on ADHD medication reported lower quality of life than those who weren’t medicated. In this eye-opening episode, Justin unpacks why the “gold standard” research behind ADHD treatment might have been flawed all along — and what this means for families trying to do what’s best for their kids. This one might make you rethink everything you’ve been told.  KEY POINTS The shocking Deakin University study on ADHD medication and child wellbeing. Why “the gold standard” MTA study may have misled the world for decades. How peer review can fail — and how Big Pharma shapes the story. What long-term follow-ups reveal about medication outcomes. Why your child isn’t the problem — and what really needs to change instead. QUOTE OF THE EPISODE “Your child doesn’t have a problem. Thinking your child is the problem is often the bigger problem.” RESOURCES MENTIONED MTA Study (Multimodal Treatment of ADHD) and 3-year follow-up research. Deakin University longitudinal study on ADHD medication and quality of life. The Parenting Revolution by Dr Justin Coulson. Parenting ADHD [The Course] + Course FAQs [Article] Help for the Parent with ADHD ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS Don’t make changes overnight — start by reading the linked studies. Talk to your child’s GP, psychologist, or psychiatrist about alternative supports. Focus on your child’s environment, not just their behaviour. Trust your gut — if something doesn’t feel right, it’s worth exploring. Remember: grace for your child, yourself, and your professionals. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why can’t kids just calm down? Here’s the truth: they’re not supposed to. Expecting children to manage their emotions alone is like expecting them to drive a car before they’ve learned to walk. In this episode, Justin and Kylie bust the biggest parenting myth about big feelings — and share 3 powerful, science-backed strategies you can use in the heat of the moment to help your child ride the emotional waves. KEY POINTS Kids’ brains are on “L-plates” when it comes to emotion regulation — it’s a developmental process. Big feelings are normal, not a sign of “bad behaviour.” Three strategies parents can use: Distraction – helps reset the nervous system. Co-regulation – lending your calm to your child. Pause problem-solving – wait until emotions settle before teaching or fixing. Parents often feel judged when meltdowns happen in public — but compassion (for ourselves and our kids) is the game-changer. QUOTE OF THE EPISODE “No one can think clearly in a fire drill — and that’s exactly what trying to reason with a child mid-meltdown is like.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Happy Families resources for parenting strategies & support Little People, Big Feelings Summit See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nine hours a day. That’s how long Aussie teens are spending on recreational screens. But what does this mean for their development—and should parents panic? In this confronting but practical conversation, Dr Justin Coulson is joined by Dr Brad Marshall, clinical psychologist and researcher, to unpack Australia’s biggest study to date on screen overuse and gaming disorder in kids. Together, they explore what the data shows, what it means for families, and what you should (and shouldn’t!) do if screen use has taken over your home. KEY POINTS New research shows 9 hours/day of screen time for high schoolers and 6 for primary kids—just for fun, not school. Around 5% of kids show signs of clinical or subclinical gaming disorder. 10% show signs of smartphone addiction. Significant developmental impacts were found across emotional, behavioural, educational, and physical domains. These issues start in primary school, not just during adolescence. It's not about banning screens but about helping parents set and enforce realistic, healthy limits. QUOTE OF THE EPISODE "If your child is in a sleep deficit because they’re on screens at night, that snowballs into everything else." – Dr Brad Marshall RESOURCES MENTIONED The new Macquarie University study on screen overuse Brad’s Developmental Impact Questionnaire Happy Families podcast archive Brad Marshall’s organisation: Control Shift ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS Don’t attack the tech. Avoid saying things like “that game is rotting your brain.” It shuts down connection. Don’t allow screens in bedrooms at night. Sleep loss is a key trigger for wider issues. Don’t argue in the heat of the moment. Have the “screen talk” when everyone’s calm. Get curious about impacts. Use tools like the Developmental Impact Questionnaire to understand your child’s experience. Pick your battles. Focus on habits and boundaries, not just hours. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When your child says they hate school and have no friends, what really works? Discover why building friendships takes 200 hours of intentional time, and learn practical strategies from hosting craft days to finding 'third spaces'. Plus, understand the two key relationships that create true school belonging and why sometimes the best friendships might not be with peers at all. Quote of the Episode: "Friends don't usually land in our lap—they require intention and time." Key Insights: Close friendships require 200+ hours of intentional time School belonging needs two key relationships Third spaces beyond home and school are crucial Adult friendships can be valuable for children Structured activities help build new friendships Medical and psychological checks may be needed School relationships often need parental facilitation Quality family time remains foundational Resources Mentioned: Jeffrey Hall's friendship research from the University of Kansas  School belonging research Happy Families Action Steps for Parents: Facilitate Intentional Friend Time Organise structured activities Create regular playdates Use third spaces effectively Work with Schools Identify potential friend matches Build teacher relationships Focus on school belonging Consider Broader Solutions Explore adult mentoring Check medical factors Strengthen family connections See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.