Struggling to implement structure whilst still giving your child some freedom? Three things every parent needs to know to successfully set rules, limits and boundaries in a way that supports your child's autonomy rather than detracting from it.   (Replay)


3 basic psychological needs
Structure & boundary setting
Autonomy
Competence
Creating a sense of predictability
Swimming pool analogy
Command, control and conquer?
Justin shares a story from his new book 
The Parenting Revolution



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

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

Struggling to implement structure whilst still giving your child some freedom? Three things every parent needs to know to successfully set rules, limits and boundaries in a way that supports your child's autonomy rather than detracting from it.   (Replay)
 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.happyfamilies.com.au/articles/the-parenting-revolution">3 basic psychological needs</a> </li>
<li>Structure &amp; boundary setting</li>
<li>Autonomy</li>
<li>Competence</li>
<li>Creating a sense of predictability</li>
<li>Swimming pool analogy</li>
<li>Command, control and conquer?</li>
<li>Justin shares a story from his new book </li>
<li><a href="https://www.happyfamilies.com.au/shop/product/the-parenting-revolution-the-course">The Parenting Revolution</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

#850 Structure vs Autonomy

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/bc469835-1a43-441c-93b5-b07d000019e4/transcript

It's our final episode for 2025! With another year in the rear view mirror, its a very special I'll Do Better Tomorrow, as Justin and Kylie wrap up the year.

Topics discussed include:
Justin's reflection on the Bondi terror attack.
Kylie's thoughts on the recent New Zealand cycling trip, and persevering through hard things.
Digging deep when we're dealing with the day to day mundane.
Justin and Kylie's highlights of 2025.

Merry Christmas from the Happy Families Podcast team - Justin, Kylie, Mim and JR! We hope you have a wonderful season with those nearest and dearest to you.

Thank you for making the Happy Families Podcast the most downloaded parenting podcast in Australia this year.

We'll be back in 2026 with more daily parenting advice to help make your family happier.

As always visit the Happy Families website for more resources, or join the conversation on our Facebook page.

It's our final episode for 2025! With another year in the rear view mirror, its a very special I'll Do Better Tomorrow, as Justin and Kylie wrap up the year.
Topics discussed include:
<ul>
<li>Justin's reflection on the Bondi terror attack.</li>
<li>Kylie's thoughts on the recent New Zealand cycling trip, and persevering through hard things.</li>
<li>Digging deep when we're dealing with the day to day mundane.</li>
<li>Justin and Kylie's highlights of 2025.</li>
</ul>
Merry Christmas from the Happy Families Podcast team - Justin, Kylie, Mim and JR! We hope you have a wonderful season with those nearest and dearest to you.
Thank you for making the Happy Families Podcast the most downloaded parenting podcast in Australia this year.
We'll be back in 2026 with more daily parenting advice to help make your family happier.
As always visit the <a href="https://happyfamilies.com.au/">Happy Families website</a> for more resources, or join the conversation on our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/happyfamiliesau">Facebook page</a>.

2025 - The Highs, Lows & Lessons Learned

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/438b3289-0d84-44b7-bc59-b3a500b3e669/transcript

What if the Christmas your kids remember most isn’t about what’s under the tree — but how it felt to be together?

In this episode, we unpack the four gifts children truly need at Christmas — the ones you can’t buy, wrap, or return — and how letting go of perfection might be the very thing that brings more joy, calm, and connection into your home this season.

KEY POINTS
Why chasing the “perfect” Christmas often leaves parents exhausted and grumpy
How peace doesn’t mean quiet — it means letting go of pressure
Why kids crave presence more than presents
How playfulness creates connection without deep talks or big emotions
The role of purpose in giving Christmas meaning beyond consumerism
Why imperfection might be the secret to a more memorable day

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE

“Perfection isn’t what makes Christmas magical. Peace, presence, playfulness, and purpose do.”

RESOURCES
Born This Happy Morning
Luke Chapter 2 & Matthew (The Christmas story)
Take Back Christmas [Article]
10 Easy Traditions That Can Make Christmas Meaningful For Your Family [Article]

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS
Release one expectation that’s creating stress this Christmas
Put your phone away for a block of uninterrupted family time
Plan one playful activity just for fun (games, jokes, silliness encouraged)
Talk as a family about what Christmas means to you — beyond gifts

What if the Christmas your kids remember most isn&rsquo;t about what&rsquo;s under the tree &mdash; but how it felt to be together?
In this episode, we unpack the four gifts children truly need at Christmas &mdash; the ones you can&rsquo;t buy, wrap, or return &mdash; and how letting go of perfection might be the very thing that brings more joy, calm, and connection into your home this season.
KEY POINTS
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Why chasing the &ldquo;perfect&rdquo; Christmas often leaves parents exhausted and grumpy</li>
<li aria-level="1">How peace doesn&rsquo;t mean quiet &mdash; it means letting go of pressure</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why kids crave presence more than presents</li>
<li aria-level="1">How playfulness creates connection without deep talks or big emotions</li>
<li aria-level="1">The role of purpose in giving Christmas meaning beyond consumerism</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why imperfection might be the secret to a more memorable day</li>
</ul>
QUOTE OF THE EPISODE
&ldquo;Perfection isn&rsquo;t what makes Christmas magical. Peace, presence, playfulness, and purpose do.&rdquo;
RESOURCES
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Born This Happy Morning</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%202&amp;version=NIV">Luke Chapter 2</a> &amp; <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%201%3A18-2%3A23&amp;version=ESV">Matthew</a> (The Christmas story)</li>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://happyfamilies.com.au/articles/take-back-christmas">Take Back Christmas</a> [Article]<a href="https://happyfamilies.com.au/podcast/episode/639-online-sextortion-with-detective-superintendent-jayne-crossling"></a></li>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://happyfamilies.com.au/articles/10-easy-traditions-that-can-make-christmas-meaningful-for-your-family">10 Easy Traditions That Can Make Christmas Meaningful For Your Family</a> [Article]</li>
</ul>
ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Release one expectation that&rsquo;s creating stress this Christmas</li>
<li aria-level="1">Put your phone away for a block of uninterrupted family time</li>
<li aria-level="1">Plan one playful activity just for fun (games, jokes, silliness encouraged)</li>
<li aria-level="1">Talk as a family about what Christmas means to you &mdash; beyond gifts</li>
</ul>

What Kids Really Need on Christmas Day

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/a85e3584-b25f-4357-9433-b3a500b3a724/transcript

Christmas is meant to be joyful… so why does it leave so many parents anxious, exhausted, and overwhelmed?
In this episode, Justin sits down with Rebecca Dredge (CEO of the Kiddo App) to unpack why school holidays spike parental stress — and what actually helps families survive the juggle of work, money, childcare, and endless commitments without burning out. This is a permission-giving conversation every tired parent needs before Christmas arrives.

KEY POINTS
Why over a third of parents feel anxious about school holidays
The hidden pressure of “making Christmas magical”
How saying no can protect your family (and your sanity)
Why over-planning everything backfires — and what to plan instead
Practical ways to get support without guilt or overwhelm

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE

“It’s okay to say no. Your fridge doesn’t need every invitation on it.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED
Kiddo App – On-demand babysitting and care support for families
Happy Families resources at happyfamilies.com.au


ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS
Circle the non-negotiables that matter most to your family
Say no to at least one invitation this week
Plan a few meaningful moments — not every moment
Line up support before you’re desperate for it
Aim to “glide into Christmas,” not collapse into it

Christmas is meant to be joyful&hellip; so why does it leave so many parents anxious, exhausted, and overwhelmed? In this episode, Justin sits down with Rebecca Dredge (CEO of the Kiddo App) to unpack why school holidays spike parental stress &mdash; and what actually helps families survive the juggle of work, money, childcare, and endless commitments without burning out. This is a permission-giving conversation every tired parent needs before Christmas arrives.
KEY POINTS
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Why over a third of parents feel anxious about school holidays</li>
<li aria-level="1">The hidden pressure of &ldquo;making Christmas magical&rdquo;</li>
<li aria-level="1">How saying no can protect your family (and your sanity)</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why over-planning everything backfires &mdash; and what to plan instead</li>
<li aria-level="1">Practical ways to get support without guilt or overwhelm</li>
</ul>
QUOTE OF THE EPISODE
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s okay to say no. Your fridge doesn&rsquo;t need every invitation on it.&rdquo;
RESOURCES MENTIONED
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://kiddoapp.com.au/">Kiddo</a> App &ndash; On-demand babysitting and care support for families</li>
<li aria-level="1">Happy Families resources at <a href="https://www.happyfamilies.com.au">happyfamilies.com.au</a> </li>
</ul>
ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Circle the non-negotiables that matter most to your family</li>
<li aria-level="1">Say no to at least one invitation this week</li>
<li aria-level="1">Plan a few meaningful moments &mdash; not every moment</li>
<li aria-level="1">Line up support before you&rsquo;re desperate for it</li>
<li aria-level="1">Aim to &ldquo;glide into Christmas,&rdquo; not collapse into it</li>
</ul>

Parental Anxiety and Exhaustion at Christmas [with Rebecca Dredge]

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/b8e4481c-96b9-4182-b142-b3a500b36d9e/transcript

#850 Structure vs Autonomy

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