Ever feel like your kids walk straight past overflowing laundry baskets, open doors, or lights blazing—and simply don’t see it? You’re not imagining things. In this episode, Justin and Kylie share the hilarious (and slightly painful!) truth about raising kids who swear they’re “contributing”… while the adults quietly carry the load.

This feel-good Friday wrap-up dives into family meetings, chore systems that actually work, and the emotional load parents carry as we crawl toward the end of the year. It’s honest, relatable, and packed with practical ideas to help your kids step up—no nagging required.

KEY POINTS
Why teens truly believe they’re contributing (and why parents disagree).
The difference between helping when asked and true initiative.
How a simple four-station chore system brought calm back to the household.
The real reason parents burn out at the end of the year.
Why “don’t give up” might be the most important parenting rule of all.
How family meetings create clarity, connection, and accountability—even with adult kids.

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE

“Contribution is about initiative—eyes open, notice, and act.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED
Family meeting questions: What’s going well? What’s not? What do we want to focus on?
eSafety Commissioner updates on minimum age for social media platforms
Happy Families resources at happyfamilies.com.au

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS
Hold a quick family meeting—15 minutes max—with the three guiding questions.
Introduce clusters instead of chores (laundry, floors, kitchen, bathrooms).
Give kids longer rotations (weekly or monthly) to build mastery and responsibility.
Reframe contribution as noticing—not waiting.
Stay consistent: gentle reminders aren’t failure; they’re part of the process.

Ever feel like your kids walk straight past overflowing laundry baskets, open doors, or lights blazing&mdash;and simply&nbsp;don&rsquo;t see it? You&rsquo;re not imagining things. In this episode, Justin and Kylie share the hilarious (and slightly painful!) truth about raising kids who swear they&rsquo;re &ldquo;contributing&rdquo;&hellip; while the adults quietly carry the load.
This feel-good Friday wrap-up dives into family meetings, chore systems that actually work, and the emotional load parents carry as we crawl toward the end of the year. It&rsquo;s honest, relatable, and packed with practical ideas to help your kids step up&mdash;no nagging required.
KEY POINTS
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Why teens truly believe they&rsquo;re contributing (and why parents disagree).</li>
<li aria-level="1">The difference between helping when asked and true initiative.</li>
<li aria-level="1">How a simple four-station chore system brought calm back to the household.</li>
<li aria-level="1">The real reason parents burn out at the end of the year.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why &ldquo;don&rsquo;t give up&rdquo; might be the most important parenting rule of all.</li>
<li aria-level="1">How family meetings create clarity, connection, and accountability&mdash;even with adult kids.</li>
</ul>
QUOTE OF THE EPISODE
&ldquo;Contribution is about initiative&mdash;eyes open, notice, and act.&rdquo;
RESOURCES MENTIONED
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Family meeting questions: What&rsquo;s going well? What&rsquo;s not? What do we want to focus on?</li>
<li aria-level="1">eSafety Commissioner updates on minimum age for social media platforms</li>
<li aria-level="1">Happy Families resources at happyfamilies.com.au</li>
</ul>
ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS
<ol>
<li aria-level="1">Hold a quick family meeting&mdash;15 minutes max&mdash;with the three guiding questions.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Introduce clusters instead of chores (laundry, floors, kitchen, bathrooms).</li>
<li aria-level="1">Give kids longer rotations (weekly or monthly) to build mastery and responsibility.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Reframe contribution as noticing&mdash;not waiting.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Stay consistent: gentle reminders aren&rsquo;t failure; they&rsquo;re part of the process.</li>
</ol>

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

How to Help Kids Step Up at Home

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/ca42ccb4-a517-425b-8108-b396018a86da/transcript

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