Justin & Kylie share their list of favourite books they're reading at the moment

Justin's reading
The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie

Kylie's reading
That Sugar Book by Damon Gameau
The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

Justin &amp; Kylie share their list of favourite books they're reading at the moment
Justin's reading
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-satanic-verses-salman-rushdie/book/9780963270702.html">The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie</a></li>
</ul>
Kylie's reading
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.booktopia.com.au/that-sugar-book-damon-gameau/book/9781743532935.html">That Sugar Book by Damon Gameau</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-girl-you-left-behind-jojo-moyes/book/9780718157845.html">The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes</a></li>
</ul>
Find us on Facebook at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/happyfamilies.au/">Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families</a>
Email us your questions and comments at <a href="mailto:podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au">podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au</a>

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

#645 November Book Club

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/f1634901-723f-4805-a28c-af560136b067/transcript

Thinking about homeschooling… but secretly terrified you’ll get it wrong?

If you’re standing at the edge of homeschooling wondering What am I actually supposed to do all day?—this episode is for you. Justin and Kylie unpack what homeschooling really looks like once you ditch the school-at-home mindset and start building something that actually works for your child (and your sanity).

This isn’t about rigid schedules or perfect plans. It’s about slowing down, tuning in, and creating learning that fits real kids and real families.

KEY POINTS
Why copying school at home almost always backfires
The freedom (and relief) that comes from flexible structure
The four principles that made homeschooling sustainable for their family
Why community matters more than curriculum
How knowing your why gets you through the hard days

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE

“Homeschooling isn’t about doing school at home. It’s about creating learning that actually fits your child.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED
HappyFamilies.com.au
Submitting a Tricky Question: podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS
Start slower than you think you need to
Focus on connection before curriculum
Find (or build) a homeschooling community early
Let go of the idea that it has to look like school

Revisit your why on the hard days—it matters more than your plan

Thinking about homeschooling&hellip; but secretly terrified you&rsquo;ll get it wrong?
If you&rsquo;re standing at the edge of homeschooling wondering What am I actually supposed to do all day?&mdash;this episode is for you. Justin and Kylie unpack what homeschooling really looks like once you ditch the school-at-home mindset and start building something that actually works for your child (and your sanity).
This isn&rsquo;t about rigid schedules or perfect plans. It&rsquo;s about slowing down, tuning in, and creating learning that fits real kids and real families.
KEY POINTS
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Why copying school at home almost always backfires</li>
<li aria-level="1">The freedom (and relief) that comes from flexible structure</li>
<li aria-level="1">The four principles that made homeschooling sustainable for their family</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why community matters more than curriculum</li>
<li aria-level="1">How knowing your why gets you through the hard days</li>
</ul>
QUOTE OF THE EPISODE
&ldquo;Homeschooling isn&rsquo;t about doing school at home. It&rsquo;s about creating learning that actually fits your child.&rdquo;
RESOURCES MENTIONED
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="HappyFamilies.com.au">HappyFamilies.com.au</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Submitting a Tricky Question: <a href="mailto:podcasts@happyhamilies.com.au">podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au</a></li>
</ul>
ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Start slower than you think you need to</li>
<li aria-level="1">Focus on connection before curriculum</li>
<li aria-level="1">Find (or build) a homeschooling community early</li>
<li aria-level="1">Let go of the idea that it has to look like school</li>
</ul>
Revisit your why on the hard days&mdash;it matters more than your plan

Homeschooling: What to Do When You’re Ready but Clueless

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/143c62ed-3858-4428-94ba-b3e500b1dd7a/transcript

We’ve been teaching kids resilience all wrong.

If you’ve ever watched your child fall apart over homework, friendships, or an impossibly messy bedroom - this episode reframes everything you think you know about “being strong.”

Resilience isn’t grit.
It isn’t white-knuckling.
And it definitely isn’t doing it alone.

Justin and Kylie unpack the powerful truth backed by decades of research: resilience is relational — and what our kids need most when they’re struggling is us, closer than ever.

KEY POINTS
Why “tough it out” parenting quietly backfires
The research that proves one relationship can change a child’s life
How support builds competence (not dependence)
What to do in the moment when your child feels overwhelmed
Why moving closer is the most powerful parenting move you can make

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE

“Resilience isn’t doing it alone. It’s knowing you’re not alone while you do it.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED
Nine Ways to a Resilient Child — Justin Coulson
Emmy Werner’s Kauai Longitudinal Study
Harvard Study of Adult Development
happyfamilies.com.au

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS
When your child is struggling, move closer — not further away
Sit with them instead of fixing it for them
Break big tasks into tiny, doable steps
Let your voice become the calm they borrow
Model asking for help — it teaches strength, not weakness

We&rsquo;ve been teaching kids resilience all wrong.
If you&rsquo;ve ever watched your child fall apart over homework, friendships, or an impossibly messy bedroom - this episode reframes everything you think you know about &ldquo;being strong.&rdquo;
Resilience isn&rsquo;t grit. It isn&rsquo;t white-knuckling. And it definitely isn&rsquo;t doing it alone.
Justin and Kylie unpack the powerful truth backed by decades of research: resilience is relational &mdash; and what our kids need most when they&rsquo;re struggling is us, closer than ever.
KEY POINTS
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Why &ldquo;tough it out&rdquo; parenting quietly backfires</li>
<li aria-level="1">The research that proves one relationship can change a child&rsquo;s life</li>
<li aria-level="1">How support builds competence (not dependence)</li>
<li aria-level="1">What to do in the moment when your child feels overwhelmed</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why moving closer is the most powerful parenting move you can make</li>
</ul>
QUOTE OF THE EPISODE
&ldquo;Resilience isn&rsquo;t doing it alone. It&rsquo;s knowing you&rsquo;re not alone while you do it.&rdquo;
RESOURCES MENTIONED
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.harpercollins.com.au/9780733334825/9-ways-to-a-resilient-child/">Nine Ways to a Resilient Child</a> &mdash; Justin Coulson</li>
<li aria-level="1">Emmy Werner&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/1054139X92901577">Kauai Longitudinal Study</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Harvard <a href="https://www.adultdevelopmentstudy.org/">Study of Adult Development</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="happyfamilies.com.au">happyfamilies.com.au</a></li>
</ul>
ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">When your child is struggling, move closer &mdash; not further away</li>
<li aria-level="1">Sit with them instead of fixing it for them</li>
<li aria-level="1">Break big tasks into tiny, doable steps</li>
<li aria-level="1">Let your voice become the calm they borrow</li>
<li aria-level="1">Model asking for help &mdash; it teaches strength, not weakness</li>
</ul>

Resilience is Relational

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/ed75390d-1c20-427f-b301-b3e500b1bd3c/transcript

One honest conversation. One brave decision. One life changed.

In this I’ll Do Better Tomorrow episode, Kylie shares a moment she almost dismissed — until a handwritten letter revealed the unimaginable impact it had. We also unpack why goals often fail kids, how habits quietly heal, and what happens when parents choose courage over convention. This is about noticing what’s not working… and acting before it’s too late.

KEY POINTS
Why focusing on who your child is becoming matters more than hitting a goal
How movement reduces anxiety and low mood (even when it doesn’t “make you happy”)
The quiet warning signs parents often miss
Why “the best school” isn’t always the right school
How one conversation gave a mum the courage to act — and likely saved a life
A powerful reminder: resilience doesn’t grow alone, it grows in relationships

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE

“So often we keep doing the same thing, hoping it will get better — but nothing changes until we act.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED
Happy Families — parenting courses and support
Parenting ADHD [The Course] (happyfamilies.com.au)
The Industry School (alternative education option discussed)

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS
Get curious, not furious: ask why before fixing
Shift goals into habits — focus on daily ways of being
Watch energy, mood, and behaviour for quiet signals
If something isn’t working, give yourself permission to choose again
Have the brave conversation — it might matter more than you realise

One honest conversation. One brave decision. One life changed.
In this I&rsquo;ll Do Better Tomorrow episode, Kylie shares a moment she almost dismissed &mdash; until a handwritten letter revealed the unimaginable impact it had. We also unpack why goals often fail kids, how habits quietly heal, and what happens when parents choose courage over convention. This is about noticing what&rsquo;s not working&hellip; and acting before it&rsquo;s too late.
KEY POINTS
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Why focusing on who your child is becoming matters more than hitting a goal</li>
<li aria-level="1">How movement reduces anxiety and low mood (even when it doesn&rsquo;t &ldquo;make you happy&rdquo;)</li>
<li aria-level="1">The quiet warning signs parents often miss</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why &ldquo;the best school&rdquo; isn&rsquo;t always the right school</li>
<li aria-level="1">How one conversation gave a mum the courage to act &mdash; and likely saved a life</li>
<li aria-level="1">A powerful reminder: resilience doesn&rsquo;t grow alone, it grows in relationships</li>
</ul>
QUOTE OF THE EPISODE
&ldquo;So often we keep doing the same thing, hoping it will get better &mdash; but nothing changes until we act.&rdquo;
RESOURCES MENTIONED
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.happyfamilies.com.au">Happy Families</a> &mdash; parenting courses and support</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://happyfamilies.com.au/shop/product/parenting-adhd-the-course">Parenting ADHD [The Course]</a> (happyfamilies.com.au)</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://theindustryschool.com.au/">The Industry School</a> (alternative education option discussed)</li>
</ul>
ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Get curious, not furious: ask why before fixing</li>
<li aria-level="1">Shift goals into habits &mdash; focus on daily ways of being</li>
<li aria-level="1">Watch energy, mood, and behaviour for quiet signals</li>
<li aria-level="1">If something isn&rsquo;t working, give yourself permission to choose again</li>
<li aria-level="1">Have the brave conversation &mdash; it might matter more than you realise</li>
</ul>

I'll Do Better Tomorrow - Kylie Saves a Life

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/2dc31bb4-f9e3-4e72-a61d-b3d600ceee03/transcript

#645 November Book Club

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