Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

• #1294 - [Parental Guidance Episode 2] Nudes, Consent & Values: Talking to Kids About Sexting and Respect

  t’s the conversation most parents hope they never have — but need to. Sexting, short shorts, and the values we bring into how we talk to our kids about consent, respect, and peer pressure. In this episode, Justin & Kylie Coulson unpack the big issues raised on this week’s Parental Guidance, and how you can guide your kids through a digital world where nothing sent is ever truly private. KEY POINTS Sexting is prevalent and often normalised among teens — but there is no such thing as “safe sexting.” Conversations about consent, respect, and peer pressure are vital and should happen early. Girls are under more pressure to share explicit images and often face more shame when they do. Parents’ personal values (e.g., about clothing choices) are valid but must not drift into victim-blaming. Teaching kids respect means emphasising that what someone wears or does never justifies harassment or assault. Encourage kids to consider context and to be mindful of how they live out their own values while respecting others’. QUOTE OF THE EPISODE "Once you send an image, you lose control of what happens to that image — full stop, end of story." RESOURCES MENTIONED happyfamilies.com.au — Resources and articles on consent, sexting, and raising respectful kids. Justin’s book Miss-Connection: Why Your Teenage Daughter ‘Hates’ You, Expects the World, and Needs to Talk (for more on teen girls and digital challenges). Upcoming book on raising boys - join the waitlist. ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS 1. Start open, nonjudgmental conversations about sexting, consent, and peer pressure — don’t wait until it’s too late.2. Make it clear: no one “deserves” mistreatment based on what they wear or share.3. Teach kids to think critically about requests for photos and to value their privacy.4. Emphasise that respect and consent are non-negotiable — and model these values yourself.5. Remind kids: even trusted friends can break trust, and once something’s sent, it’s out of their control.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• #1293 - [Parental Guidance Episode 2] Getting Comfortable Being Uncomfortable: How to Talk to Kids About Consent

  It’s one of the hardest — and most important — conversations parents can have: teaching kids about consent. In this episode of the Happy Families Podcast, we break down the powerful lessons from Parental Guidance season 3, episode 2, including insights from consent educator Dan Principe. From why consent conversations can’t wait, to the right age to start, to how to empower kids without shame or fear — we’ll help you get comfortable having uncomfortable conversations, and raise kids who understand respect, boundaries, and healthy relationships. KEY POINTS Why consent education starts “before age two” — and why “early and often” matters. The startling reality: 15–19 year old girls are the largest group of sexual assault victims; 15–19 year old boys are the largest group of perpetrators. Why old-school “guns and shovels” attitudes harm more than they help. The role of ongoing, informal and formal family conversations about tricky topics. The three E’s: Explore, Explain, Empower — the simple framework for any difficult talk. How social media and “sharing” require kids’ consent too — even within the family. The risk of silence: what happens when kids don’t feel safe coming to their parents. QUOTE OF THE EPISODE "We need to get comfortable being uncomfortable — because no young person should feel like their curiosity or desires are shameful." — Dan Principe RESOURCES MENTIONED Dan Principe: Consent educator and speaker (recommended for schools) Federal Government’s Consent Can’t Wait campaign (Justin as ambassador) More parenting resources at: happyfamilies.com.au Watch Parental Guidance seasons 1–3 on 9Now ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS 1. Start the conversation early — even before they understand the words, practice being open and clear.2. Commit to ongoing “early and often” chats — not just one big talk.3. Schedule regular family check-ins to discuss tricky topics.4. Use the three E’s: Explore what they know and feel, Explain what’s important, Empower them to make good decisions.5. Check in on consent within your own family dynamics — ask before sharing kids’ stories or images online.6. Drop the fear-based jokes and attitudes — empower kids with respect and tools, not shame or threats.7. Remind yourself: if they don’t learn it from you, they’ll learn it somewhere else.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• #1292 - [Parental Guidance Episode 2] Peer Pressure: Fostering Healthy Friendships

  In a world where kids feel lonelier than ever- despite being constantly “connected” - how can we help them build real, meaningful friendships and resist negative peer pressure? How are the families on Parental Guidance helping their kids make and foster friendships? In this episode, we dive into the crucial role of social skills, healthy face-to-face interactions, and intentional parenting to help children thrive socially and emotionally. KEY POINTS Not all peer pressure is bad — positive peer pressure can help kids adopt healthy habits. Many kids today struggle with loneliness despite being surrounded by peers, often due to excessive screen time and lack of real-world social practice. Social skills like introducing oneself, showing curiosity, and maintaining conversations are essential for resisting negative peer pressure. Parents play a key role by modelling healthy social interactions, facilitating opportunities, and keeping conversations about relationships open and non-judgemental. Excessive technology use may hinder social development, but more evidence is needed to fully understand the impact. QUOTE OF THE EPISODE "You become the average of the five people you spend the most time with — so help your kids choose wisely." – Dr Justin Coulson RESOURCES Find more parenting resources and tips for making your family happier at Happy Families. You can watch Parental Guidance on demand at 9NOW. ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS ✅ Reduce your child’s screen time and encourage more in-person social interactions.✅ Organise supervised, face-to-face playdates or gatherings to help kids practice social skills.✅ Have regular conversations with your child about their friendships — what’s working, what’s hard, and how they feel about making new friends.✅ Teach curiosity and empathy by modelling how to ask good questions and show interest in others.✅ Support your child in developing both structured (team sports, clubs) and unstructured (free play) social experiences.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• #1291 - Parental Guidance is Back On Tonight! (Episode 2 Preview)

  Tonight on Parental Guidance, Season 3 continues with one of the most important—and challenging—parenting topics: peer pressure and consent. Justin and Kylie preview Episode 2, teasing the big questions you’ll want to discuss with your kids after watching. From raising upstanders to helping kids say “no” when it matters most, this episode is packed with practical ways to strengthen your family’s values in the face of social pressure. KEY POINTS: Season 3 of Parental Guidance airs tonight at 7:30 on Channel 9 and 9Now, with Episode 2 focusing on peer pressure and consent. Peer pressure often drives kids into non-consensual or harmful behaviour—helping them stand firm is critical. Questions parents should reflect on and discuss with their kids: How comfortable are your children in new social situations? Have you had clear, age-appropriate conversations about consent? Will your child be an upstander when others are excluded or bullied? Can your child say “no” even when everyone else is saying “yes”? Watching Parental Guidance offers real-time insights from other families and adds powerful tools to your parenting toolkit. QUOTE OF THE EPISODE: "How strong are your kids? Are they willing to say no when everyone else is saying yes?" RESOURCES MENTIONED: Watch Parental Guidance, Season 3, Episode 2 tonight at 7:30 on Channel 9 or stream on 9Now. Parenting resources and family tools: happyfamilies.com.au ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS: 1. Watch Parental Guidance tonight and pay attention to the ways families handle peer pressure and consent conversations.2. Use the four big questions from this episode to spark meaningful discussions with your kids.3. Model and teach your children how to be upstanders, not bystanders, in social situations.4. Revisit your conversations about consent, ensuring they’re clear, ongoing, and age-appropriate.5. Reflect on your own parenting approach and add at least one new idea to your “toolkit” after watching.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• #1290 - Hey Kit #1 - Raising Money-Smart Kids: Teaching Under 10s About Dollars and Sense

  Talking about money with kids can feel awkward, but it matters more than most parents realise. In this episode, Dr Justin Coulson is joined by Ish Co, Managing Director of Kit – a pocket money app by the Commonwealth Bank. Together, they unpack how to teach kids under 10 the foundations of money management. From delayed gratification to understanding digital money, this is a must-listen for any parent wanting their kids to grow up financially savvy. KEY POINTS: Kids learn most about money from parents, not schools. Conversations, role modelling, and real-life experiences build financial literacy. Key lessons for kids under 10: saving, understanding interest, delaying gratification, and learning how earning works. Use cash with younger kids to make money tangible, but transition to digital tools as they grow. Pocket money works best when it’s regular, not random. Automation can help teach saving and spending habits without the parent constantly managing it. The average pocket money for 8–10-year-olds is $7.30 per week, but the amount matters less than the learning opportunity it provides. Use money conversations to teach kids about choices, consequences, and even charity. QUOTE OF THE EPISODE: “Being good at money isn’t about having lots of money. It’s about using money as a tool to live the life you want.” RESOURCES MENTIONED: Hey Kit – a pocket money app and card for kids (by Commonwealth Bank) Moneysmart.gov.au—Australian Government financial literacy tools for families ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS: Start talking about money early—age 5 and up. Model good money behaviours—saving, budgeting, and mindful spending. Use pocket money (even small amounts) to teach saving, spending, and giving. Make money visible: show account balances before and after spending to teach the concept in a digital world. Link money to goals—whether it's saving for a toy, a holiday, or something bigger. Don’t shut down questions about money—turn them into meaningful conversations. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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