Is being a mindful and present parent really that important? How does household chaos impact on family communication? Should corporal punishment be banned in Australia? In this week's 'From the Doctor's Desk' Justin and Kylie unpack these questions and more - sharing the science that will help make you a better parent.

Topics in this episode:

• Mindful parenting 
• Positive parenting and childhood stress
• The hippocampus, memory and learning
• The impact of household chaos on healthy family communication (particularly adolescent disclosure)
• Smacking/corporal punishment
• Mindfulness in schools
• Joan Grusec - 'Mindful Parents, Mindful Children'
• Jamie Hansen - Positive parenting can help protect against the effects of stress in childhood and adolescence
• Professor Daryl Higgins - Corporal punishment of children in Australia: The evidence-based case for legislative reform 
• Why It's Not Ok To Smack Your Kids - a Happy Families article
• Jackie Nelson - A Hidden Source of Disconnection Between Teens and Parents
• The MYRIAD project - Mindfulness in schools 

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