Parenthood changes everything - including your body, brain, stress levels, and even how long you might live.

In this fascinating episode, Justin and Kylie unpack the surprising science behind parenting and aging. From sleep deprivation and stress hormones to shrinking brains, telomeres, and longevity research, they explore what raising children is really doing to us behind the scenes.

But it’s not all bad news.

Research also shows parents may actually live longer — and the reason why might completely change the way you think about family life.

KEY POINTS:
How parenting physically changes your brain and body
Why stress and sleep deprivation accelerate aging
The surprising hormonal shifts that happen to mums and dads
What telomeres are and why they matter for longevity
Why parents may actually live longer than non-parents
How grandchildren and adult children can improve wellbeing later in life
The link between finances, family size, and long-term health
What the latest research says about parenting and lifespan
Matrescence and patrescence

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE:
“Every moment matters - and despite the stress, the exhaustion, and the chaos, family life is still one of life’s greatest joys.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Research from Sweden on parenting and longevity
University of Helsinki 2026 research on childbirth, aging, and lifespan
Information on telomeres and biological aging

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS:
Prioritise sleep and stress recovery wherever possible
Protect your relationships during the intense parenting years
Focus on building long-term family connection, not just daily survival
Remember that parenting seasons change — and many parents find later family life deeply rewarding
Give yourself permission to acknowledge both the joy and the exhaustion of raising children

Parenthood changes everything - including your body, brain, stress levels, and even how long you might live.
In this fascinating episode, Justin and Kylie unpack the surprising science behind parenting and aging. From sleep deprivation and stress hormones to shrinking brains, telomeres, and longevity research, they explore what raising children is really doing to us behind the scenes.
But it&rsquo;s not all bad news.
Research also shows parents may actually live longer &mdash; and the reason why might completely change the way you think about family life.
KEY POINTS:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">How parenting physically changes your brain and body</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why stress and sleep deprivation accelerate aging</li>
<li aria-level="1">The surprising hormonal shifts that happen to mums and dads</li>
<li aria-level="1">What telomeres are and why they matter for longevity</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why parents may actually live longer than non-parents</li>
<li aria-level="1">How grandchildren and adult children can improve wellbeing later in life</li>
<li aria-level="1">The link between finances, family size, and long-term health</li>
<li aria-level="1">What the latest research says about parenting and lifespan</li>
<li>Matrescence and patrescence</li>
</ul>
QUOTE OF THE EPISODE: &ldquo;Every moment matters - and despite the stress, the exhaustion, and the chaos, family life is still one of life&rsquo;s greatest joys.&rdquo;
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://jech.bmj.com/content/71/5/424">Research</a> from Sweden on parenting and longevity</li>
<li aria-level="1">University of Helsinki 2026 <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-67798-y">research</a> on childbirth, aging, and lifespan</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0277953616303343">Information on telomeres</a> and biological aging</li>
</ul>
ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Prioritise sleep and stress recovery wherever possible</li>
<li aria-level="1">Protect your relationships during the intense parenting years</li>
<li aria-level="1">Focus on building long-term family connection, not just daily survival</li>
<li aria-level="1">Remember that parenting seasons change &mdash; and many parents find later family life deeply rewarding</li>
<li aria-level="1">Give yourself permission to acknowledge both the joy and the exhaustion of raising children</li>
</ul>

The Happy Families Podcast with Dr. Justin Coulson is designed for the time poor parent who just wants answers now. Every day Justin and his wife Kylie provide practical tips and a common sense approach to parenting that Mums and Dads all over the world are connecting with. Justin and Kylie have 6 daughters and they regularly share their experiences of managing a busy household filled with lots of challenges and plenty of happiness. For real and practicable advice from people who understand and appreciate the challenges of a time poor parent, listen to Justin and Kylie and help make your family happier.

The Happy Families Podcast with Dr. Justin Coulson is designed for the time poor parent who just wants answers now. Every day Justin and his wife Kylie provide practical tips and a common sense approach to parenting that Mums and Dads all over the world are connecting with. Justin and Kylie have 6 daughters and they regularly share their experiences of managing a busy household filled with lots of challenges and plenty of happiness. For real and practicable advice from people who understand and appreciate the challenges of a time poor parent, listen to Justin and Kylie and help make your family happier.

The Happy families podcast with Dr. Justin Coulson is designed for the time poor parent who just wants answers now.

Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Does Parenting Age You?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/3db83108-682b-469a-afd0-b45c000cd6fb/transcript