Justin speaks with Olivia White aka House of White

Topics discussed in this episode - 
Cost of living
Discussing money with kids
Finding other sources of income
Comparison

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

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

Justin speaks with <a href="https://houseofwhite.com.au/">Olivia White aka House of White</a>
Topics discussed in this episode - 
<ul>
<li>Cost of living</li>
<li>Discussing money with kids</li>
<li>Finding other sources of income</li>
<li>Comparison</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

#755 Saving 30 Grand in One Year

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/3bcb7dc0-a6f1-416d-ac77-aff0005ae8ac/transcript

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

Why can&rsquo;t kids just calm down? Here&rsquo;s the truth: they&rsquo;re not supposed to. Expecting children to manage their emotions alone is like expecting them to drive a car before they&rsquo;ve learned to walk. In this episode, Justin and Kylie bust the biggest parenting myth about big feelings &mdash; 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
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Kids&rsquo; brains are on &ldquo;L-plates&rdquo; when it comes to emotion regulation &mdash; it&rsquo;s a developmental process.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Big feelings are normal, not a sign of &ldquo;bad behaviour.&rdquo;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Three strategies parents can use:</li>
<ol>
<li aria-level="2">Distraction &ndash; helps reset the nervous system.</li>
<li aria-level="2">Co-regulation &ndash; lending your calm to your child.</li>
<li aria-level="2">Pause problem-solving &ndash; wait until emotions settle before teaching or fixing.</li>
</ol>
<li aria-level="1">Parents often feel judged when meltdowns happen in public &mdash; but compassion (for ourselves and our kids) is the game-changer.</li>
</ul>
QUOTE OF THE EPISODE &ldquo;No one can think clearly in a fire drill &mdash; and that&rsquo;s exactly what trying to reason with a child mid-meltdown is like.&rdquo;
RESOURCES MENTIONED
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Happy Families resources for parenting strategies &amp; support</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://happyfamilies.com.au/shop/product/the-little-people-big-feelings-summit">Little People, Big Feelings Summit</a></li>
</ul>

Helping Kids Manage Big Feelings [R]

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/bd41cd20-8c24-4f7c-9ebd-b41900ac281f/transcript

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.

Nine hours a day. That&rsquo;s how long Aussie teens are spending on recreational screens. But what does this mean for their development&mdash;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&rsquo;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&rsquo;t!) do if screen use has taken over your home.
KEY POINTS
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">New research shows 9 hours/day of screen time for high schoolers and 6 for primary kids&mdash;just for fun, not school.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Around 5% of kids show signs of clinical or subclinical gaming disorder. 10% show signs of smartphone addiction.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Significant developmental impacts were found across emotional, behavioural, educational, and physical domains.</li>
<li aria-level="1">These issues start in primary school, not just during adolescence.</li>
<li aria-level="1">It's not about banning screens but about helping parents set and enforce realistic, healthy limits.</li>
</ul>
QUOTE OF THE EPISODE 
<blockquote>
"If your child is in a sleep deficit because they&rsquo;re on screens at night, that snowballs into everything else." &ndash; Dr Brad Marshall
</blockquote>
RESOURCES MENTIONED
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">The <a href="http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12144-025-07975-whttp://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12144-025-07975-w">new Macquarie University </a><a href="http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12144-025-07975-w">study</a> on screen overuse</li>
<li aria-level="1">Brad&rsquo;s Developmental Impact Questionnaire</li>
<li aria-level="1">Happy Families <a href="https://happyfamilies.com.au/?s=gaming&amp;bp_search=1&amp;view=content">podcast archive</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Brad Marshall&rsquo;s organisation: <a href="https://www.ctrlshft.global/">Control Shift</a></li>
</ul>
ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS
<ol>
<li aria-level="1">Don&rsquo;t attack the tech. Avoid saying things like &ldquo;that game is rotting your brain.&rdquo; It shuts down connection.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Don&rsquo;t allow screens in bedrooms at night. Sleep loss is a key trigger for wider issues.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Don&rsquo;t argue in the heat of the moment. Have the &ldquo;screen talk&rdquo; when everyone&rsquo;s calm.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Get curious about impacts. Use tools like the Developmental Impact Questionnaire to understand your child&rsquo;s experience.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Pick your battles. Focus on habits and boundaries, not just hours.</li>
</ol>

Has Screen Use Crossed the Line? (with Brad Marshall) [R]

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/4cf25a5c-47ce-42cd-8fd9-b41900abe657/transcript

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

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&mdash;they require intention and time."
Key Insights:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Close friendships require 200+ hours of intentional time</li>
<li aria-level="1">School belonging needs two key relationships</li>
<li aria-level="1">Third spaces beyond home and school are crucial</li>
<li aria-level="1">Adult friendships can be valuable for children</li>
<li aria-level="1">Structured activities help build new friendships</li>
<li aria-level="1">Medical and psychological checks may be needed</li>
<li aria-level="1">School relationships often need parental facilitation</li>
<li aria-level="1">Quality family time remains foundational</li>
</ul>
Resources Mentioned:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Jeffrey Hall's <a href="https://news.ku.edu/news/article/2018/03/06/study-reveals-number-hours-it-takes-make-friend#:~:text=In%20a%20new%20report%20published,and%20more%20than%20200%20hours">friendship research</a> from the University of Kansas&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">School belonging research</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.happyfamilies.com.au">Happy Families</a></li>
</ul>
Action Steps for Parents:
<ol>
<li aria-level="1">Facilitate Intentional Friend Time</li>
<ul>
<li aria-level="2">Organise structured activities</li>
<li aria-level="2">Create regular playdates</li>
<li aria-level="2">Use third spaces effectively</li>
</ul>
<li aria-level="1">Work with Schools</li>
<ul>
<li aria-level="2">Identify potential friend matches</li>
<li aria-level="2">Build teacher relationships</li>
<li aria-level="2">Focus on school belonging</li>
</ul>
<li aria-level="1">Consider Broader Solutions</li>
<ul>
<li aria-level="2">Explore adult mentoring</li>
<li aria-level="2">Check medical factors</li>
<li aria-level="2">Strengthen family connections</li>
</ul>
</ol>

When Your Child Has No School Friends [R]

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/447be1a9-934a-482d-bd91-b41900abc5cf/transcript

#755 Saving 30 Grand in One Year

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