What do you do when your 17-year-old refuses to go to school, skips classes and has no idea what he wants to do instead?

Justin and Kylie tackle a tricky question from a parent whose son is struggling with Year 11. They explore vocational schools, apprenticeships, TAFE, distance education and the idea that education doesn’t have to mean sitting in a classroom until Year 12. The goal is to help young people keep learning, contributing and moving forward without forcing them into a path that clearly isn’t working.

KEY POINTS:
Why school isn’t the only way to get an education
Vocational schools and hands-on learning
School-based apprenticeships and TAFE
Why “earning or learning” is a useful family expectation
Helping teenagers build character, reliability and practical skills
Why a 17-year-old doesn’t need their whole future figured out
Finding purpose through contribution and solving real problems

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE:
“You need to be either full-time earning or full-time learning.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Boys: Building Strong Young Men from the Inside Out by Justin Coulson
The Industry School
School-based apprenticeships
TAFE and vocational education
Lift the Load 50 for 50 fundraiser for Top Blokes

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS:
Talk to your child’s school about alternative pathways.
Look beyond university and traditional Year 12 pathways.
Explore apprenticeships, TAFE, vocational schools and practical training.
Help your teenager find something that builds skills and a sense of contribution.
Take the pressure off having their entire future figured out at 17.
Focus on reliability, communication, initiative and integrity.

What do you do when your 17-year-old refuses to go to school, skips classes and has no idea what he wants to do instead?
Justin and Kylie tackle a tricky question from a parent whose son is struggling with Year 11. They explore vocational schools, apprenticeships, TAFE, distance education and the idea that education doesn&rsquo;t have to mean sitting in a classroom until Year 12. The goal is to help young people keep learning, contributing and moving forward without forcing them into a path that clearly isn&rsquo;t working.
KEY POINTS:
<ul data-spread="false">
<li>Why school isn&rsquo;t the only way to get an education</li>
<li>Vocational schools and hands-on learning</li>
<li>School-based apprenticeships and TAFE</li>
<li>Why &ldquo;earning or learning&rdquo; is a useful family expectation</li>
<li>Helping teenagers build character, reliability and practical skills</li>
<li>Why a 17-year-old doesn&rsquo;t need their whole future figured out</li>
<li>Finding purpose through contribution and solving real problems</li>
</ul>
QUOTE OF THE EPISODE: &ldquo;You need to be either full-time earning or full-time learning.&rdquo;
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
<ul data-spread="false">
<li><a href="https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/5kjvy3">Boys: Building Strong Young Men from the Inside Out</a> by Justin Coulson</li>
<li>The Industry School</li>
<li>School-based apprenticeships</li>
<li>TAFE and vocational education</li>
<li><a href="https://www.lifttheload.org.au/50for50">Lift the Load 50 for 50</a> fundraiser for Top Blokes</li>
</ul>
ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS:
<ul data-spread="false">
<li>Talk to your child&rsquo;s school about alternative pathways.</li>
<li>Look beyond university and traditional Year 12 pathways.</li>
<li>Explore apprenticeships, TAFE, vocational schools and practical training.</li>
<li>Help your teenager find something that builds skills and a sense of contribution.</li>
<li>Take the pressure off having their entire future figured out at 17.</li>
<li>Focus on reliability, communication, initiative and integrity.</li>
</ul>

Deciding which parenting advice to follow? Join the thousands of mums and dads who turn to Australia’s most downloaded parenting podcast.

Dr Justin Coulson and his wife Kylie bring real parenting solutions every day, cutting through the noise of modern advice with clear, practical guidance for every step of parenting.

From early childhood challenges to the complexities of the teenage years, each daily episode offers simple, evidence-based strategies to help you feel more confident in your decisions and more connected to your kids.

Deciding which parenting advice to follow?&nbsp;Join the thousands of mums and dads who turn to Australia&rsquo;s most downloaded parenting podcast.
Dr Justin Coulson and his wife Kylie bring real parenting solutions every day, cutting through the noise of modern advice with clear, practical guidance for every step of parenting.
From early childhood challenges to the complexities of the teenage years, each daily episode offers simple, evidence-based strategies to help you feel more confident in your decisions and more connected to your kids.

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

When School Isn’t Working, Find a Better Path [a Listener Q&A]

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/9462751b-d402-4062-bf39-b4cd0073df51/transcript

Nine in 10 teens who get periods regularly experience pain, and around half report moderate to severe symptoms. In this episode, Dr Justin Coulson speaks with paediatrician Dr Anthea Rhodes from the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne about why so many girls are missing school, sport and social events because of period pain. They unpack the myths parents need to stop believing, how to recognise when pain needs attention, and practical ways to help teens feel supported. Plus, learn why boys need to understand periods too and how families can make these conversations less awkward.

KEY POINTS:


Why period pain shouldn’t be something teens simply have to endure


The signs that pain is interfering with everyday life


Why boys and dads need to understand periods


Practical ways to make period products and support accessible


How to start conversations when teens feel embarrassed asking for help

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE:
“Just because something’s common doesn’t mean there aren’t things that you can do to actually make that better.” Dr Anthea Rhodes

RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne Teen Health Info and Kids Health Info fact sheets, plus resources from the Pelvic Pain Clinical Network.

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS:


Ask your teen how their period affects school, sport and friendships.


Take pain seriously, especially when it stops them participating in everyday activities.


Keep period products and suitable pain relief accessible at home and in the car.


Make conversations about periods normal, not embarrassing.


Speak with your GP if symptoms are persistent, severe or not improving.

Nine in 10 teens who get periods regularly experience pain, and around half report moderate to severe symptoms. In this episode, Dr Justin Coulson speaks with paediatrician <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-anthea-rhodes-9496a010a/">Dr Anthea Rhodes</a> from the Royal Children&rsquo;s Hospital Melbourne about why so many girls are missing school, sport and social events because of period pain. They unpack the myths parents need to stop believing, how to recognise when pain needs attention, and practical ways to help teens feel supported. Plus, learn why boys need to understand periods too and how families can make these conversations less awkward.
KEY POINTS:
<ul data-spread="false">
<li>
Why period pain shouldn&rsquo;t be something teens simply have to endure
</li>
<li>
The signs that pain is interfering with everyday life
</li>
<li>
Why boys and dads need to understand periods
</li>
<li>
Practical ways to make period products and support accessible
</li>
<li>
How to start conversations when teens feel embarrassed asking for help
</li>
</ul>
QUOTE OF THE EPISODE: &ldquo;Just because something&rsquo;s common doesn&rsquo;t mean there aren&rsquo;t things that you can do to actually make that better.&rdquo; Dr Anthea Rhodes
RESOURCES MENTIONED: Royal Children&rsquo;s Hospital Melbourne Teen Health Info and Kids Health Info fact sheets, plus resources from the Pelvic Pain Clinical Network.
ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS:
<ul data-spread="false">
<li>
Ask your teen how their period affects school, sport and friendships.
</li>
<li>
Take pain seriously, especially when it stops them participating in everyday activities.
</li>
<li>
Keep period products and suitable pain relief accessible at home and in the car.
</li>
<li>
Make conversations about periods normal, not embarrassing.
</li>
<li>
Speak with your GP if symptoms are persistent, severe or not improving.
</li>
</ul>

Stop Telling Girls to Put Up With Period Pain [with Anthea Rhodes]

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/fe52eaa5-8bf3-4141-9665-b4e7008065ff/transcript

Can paracetamol during pregnancy increase the risk of autism or ADHD? Justin and Kylie Coulson unpack four provocative studies challenging what we think we know about pregnancy, relationships, gender differences and rising neurodevelopmental diagnoses. From a major study examining paracetamol use during pregnancy to the possible reasons autism and ADHD diagnoses are increasing, this episode separates research findings from assumptions and explores what the evidence actually tells us.

KEY POINTS

• What a large study found about paracetamol use during pregnancy and autism or ADHD risk.
• Why men and women may appear to multitask differently.
• How pessimism about relationships may affect young women's expectations for happiness.
• Whether broader diagnostic criteria help explain rising autism and ADHD diagnoses.

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE

“Science isn't about convenience.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Prenatal Acetaminophen or Paracetamol Use and the Risk of Autism and ADHD Among Sibling-Matched Cohorts, published in JAMA Internal Medicine.
• Research published in Psychological Research on gender differences in multitasking.
• Suzanne Venker's discussion of heteropessimism on the Modern Wisdom podcast with Chris Williamson.
• Institute for Family Studies article on heteropessimism and relationship outcomes.
• Changes in Genetic Contributions to ASD and ADHD by Year of Diagnosis, published in JAMA Psychiatry.

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS

• Look at the research behind controversial health claims before accepting or dismissing them.
• Discuss questions about medication during pregnancy with your healthcare professional.
• Focus on finding healthy relationships built on kindness, trust and mutual support.
• Remember that research findings are part of an evolving evidence base, especially when it comes to autism and ADHD.

Can paracetamol during pregnancy increase the risk of autism or ADHD? Justin and Kylie Coulson unpack four provocative studies challenging what we think we know about pregnancy, relationships, gender differences and rising neurodevelopmental diagnoses. From a major study examining paracetamol use during pregnancy to the possible reasons autism and ADHD diagnoses are increasing, this episode separates research findings from assumptions and explores what the evidence actually tells us.
KEY POINTS
&bull; What a large study found about paracetamol use during pregnancy and autism or ADHD risk. &bull; Why men and women may appear to multitask differently. &bull; How pessimism about relationships may affect young women's expectations for happiness. &bull; Whether broader diagnostic criteria help explain rising autism and ADHD diagnoses.
QUOTE OF THE EPISODE
&ldquo;Science isn't about convenience.&rdquo;
RESOURCES MENTIONED
&bull; <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/2850975">Prenatal Acetaminophen or Paracetamol Use and the Risk of Autism and ADHD Among Sibling-Matched Cohorts</a>, published in JAMA Internal Medicine. &bull; Research published in Psychological Research on <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00426-026-02279-5">gender differences in multitasking</a>. &bull; <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/hu/podcast/the-career-trap-that-makes-women-miserable-suzanne/id1347973549?i=1000773498234">Suzanne Venker's discussion of heteropessimism on the Modern Wisdom podcast</a> with Chris Williamson. &bull; <a href="https://ifstudies.org/blog/men-and-women-with-multiple-sex-partners-are-less-desirable-as-long-term-mates">Institute for Family Studies article </a>on heteropessimism and relationship outcomes. &bull; <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/article-abstract/2850079">Changes in Genetic Contributions to ASD and ADHD by Year of Diagnosis</a>, published in JAMA Psychiatry.
ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS
&bull; Look at the research behind controversial health claims before accepting or dismissing them. &bull; Discuss questions about medication during pregnancy with your healthcare professional. &bull; Focus on finding healthy relationships built on kindness, trust and mutual support. &bull; Remember that research findings are part of an evolving evidence base, especially when it comes to autism and ADHD.

Paracetamol, Autism and ADHD: What the Latest Research Really Says

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/aa87fa90-7862-4edf-af4e-b4e70080145c/transcript

When school leaves your child overwhelmed, anxious and struggling to learn, is pushing through really the best option? Justin and Kylie Coulson share their experience with homeschooling, the emotional toll of traditional schooling and how to decide what your child needs most. They explore social skills, independence, learning and the importance of helping children feel safe enough to thrive.

Key Points
How to recognise when traditional schooling isn't working for your child
Why emotional regulation matters for learning and friendships


The social opportunities children can find outside traditional school


The realities of homeschooling for parents, finances and work


How time at home can help children rebuild confidence and return to school

Quote of the Episode

“How on earth is a child whose emotions are so highly strung in that moment going to learn anything?”

Resources Mentioned


Happy Families: https://happyfamilies.com.au

Action Steps for Parents


Listen to what your child’s behaviour may be telling you about their school experience.


Look into local homeschooling groups and alternative learning options.


Consider your child’s emotional wellbeing alongside their academic and social development.


Build a supportive community where your child can develop friendships, independence and confidence.

When school leaves your child overwhelmed, anxious and struggling to learn, is pushing through really the best option? Justin and Kylie Coulson share their experience with homeschooling, the emotional toll of traditional schooling and how to decide what your child needs most. They explore social skills, independence, learning and the importance of helping children feel safe enough to thrive.
Key Points
<ul>
<li>How to recognise when traditional schooling isn't working for your child</li>
<li>Why emotional regulation matters for learning and friendships</li>
<li>
The social opportunities children can find outside traditional school
</li>
<li>
The realities of homeschooling for parents, finances and work
</li>
<li>
How time at home can help children rebuild confidence and return to school
</li>
</ul>
Quote of the Episode
&ldquo;How on earth is a child whose emotions are so highly strung in that moment going to learn anything?&rdquo;
Resources Mentioned
<ul data-spread="false">
<li>
Happy Families: <a href="https://happyfamilies.com.au" data-rich-text-autolink="">https://happyfamilies.com.au</a>
</li>
</ul>
Action Steps for Parents
<ul data-spread="false">
<li>
Listen to what your child&rsquo;s behaviour may be telling you about their school experience.
</li>
<li>
Look into local homeschooling groups and alternative learning options.
</li>
<li>
Consider your child&rsquo;s emotional wellbeing alongside their academic and social development.
</li>
<li>
Build a supportive community where your child can develop friendships, independence and confidence.
</li>
</ul>

The Truth About Homeschooling and Social Skills [a Listener Q&A]

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/368cfd34-b0af-46de-aa73-b4e7007fea75/transcript

When School Isn’t Working, Find a Better Path [a Listener Q&A]

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