Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Your child’s behaviour problems might start with the way they breathe.
Dentist Dr Jason Leung joins Justin to explain why mouth breathing can affect sleep, concentration, emotional regulation and behaviour, and why some of the signs can look remarkably similar to ADHD.
They unpack the clues parents often miss, including snoring, teeth grinding, waking tired and breathing through an open mouth. Jason also explains why jumping straight to mouth taping, expanders or other devices may not fix the underlying problem, and what parents should check first.
KEY POINTS
How mouth breathing can interfere with quality sleep
Why poor sleep can show up as hyperactivity, poor concentration, grumpiness and meltdowns
The possible connection between sleep-disordered breathing and ADHD-like behaviour
Signs to watch for, including snoring and teeth grinding
Why children need to be able to breathe freely through their nose before trying to change their breathing habits
The role of the tongue, lips and diaphragm in healthy breathing
Why mouth tape and airway devices aren't always the answer
When Jason recommends having a child’s breathing and oral function assessed
QUOTE OF THE EPISODE
“If you don't have good sleep, what happens for a child? They're not concentrating. They're hyperactive. They're waking up tired.”
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Dr Jason Leung, Oral Myology Perth
Breath by James Nestor
ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS
Notice how your child breathes when they’re relaxed and asleep.
Look for regular mouth breathing, snoring or teeth grinding.
Pay attention to whether they wake tired, grumpy or poorly regulated despite getting enough hours in bed.
Don’t use mouth tape if your child cannot comfortably breathe through their nose.
If you’re concerned, seek professional assessment of their airway, breathing and oral function.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your child loves reading… but now the books feel too mature. Do you step in, or risk shutting it down altogether?
This episode tackles the tricky middle ground between protecting your child and preserving their love of reading. Discover how to set boundaries without constant battles, why pushing back can backfire, and how to guide your child toward better choices—without losing connection.
Plus some great book recommendations below!
KEY POINTS:
Why boundary-pushing is a normal (and necessary) part of growing up
The tension between encouraging reading and managing content
The risk of shutting down a child’s love of reading
How to guide without controlling—and reduce power struggles
When to hold firm boundaries—and when to soften
Shifting from protecting kids to preparing them
QUOTE OF THE EPISODE:
“Get curious, not furious—because the moment you push, they pull away.”
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
The Keepers Trilogy by Leanne Tanner
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
Clean romance suggestions for 10-12 and 12-14 year olds (from @thekidsbookshop)
Two Hearts - Australian middle-grade romance series
Romance Novels for Tweens - compiled by author A.L.Tait (@yourkidsnextread)
Top 48 reads for kids aged 9-12 - free download from @bookswithbecandjane
ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS:
Protect your child’s love of reading—even when the content worries you
Have regular, low-pressure conversations about what they’re reading
Ask more questions instead of shutting things down
Offer alternatives that align with their interests (not just “better” options)
Set clear boundaries where it truly matters—and explain why
Focus on teaching values so they can self-regulate over time
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When life gets overwhelming, even good people become hard to live with.
In this deeply honest episode, Justin and Kylie open up about the pressure, stress, snapping, guilt, and emotional overload that can quietly take over family life — especially when the mental load becomes too heavy to carry well.
From impossible deadlines and overflowing to-do lists to the simple reset strategies that actually help, this conversation is a powerful reminder that productivity means nothing if it costs you your relationships.
If you’ve ever felt short-tempered, emotionally unavailable, constantly “on edge,” or like your family gets the worst version of you… this episode will hit close to home.
KEY POINTS
Why overwhelm makes us less patient, kind, and emotionally available
The hidden cost of “pushing through” stress
How emotional bandwidth affects family relationships
Simple ways to reset when you’re close to breaking point
Why movement, sleep, connection, breathing, and nutrition matter more than we think
The surprising productivity boost that comes from slowing down
QUOTE OF THE EPISODE
“Stop being a human doing and remember how it feels to be a human being.”
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Boys: Building Strong Young Men from the Inside Out by Dr Justin Coulson
4-7-8 breathing technique
happyfamilies.com.au
ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS
Pause for 5–10 minutes before pushing harder
Go outside, move your body, or reconnect with someone you love
Prioritise sleep, hydration, and proper meals during stressful seasons
Notice when your overwhelm is spilling onto your family
Replace “powering through” with small moments of regulation and connection
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The harder we push, the more our kids can push back.
Fresh from a free-diving trip in the Philippines, Justin shares an unexpected parenting lesson from 20 metres underwater: staying calm can get you further than forcing your way through. Kylie brings it back to the village around our kids and the power of adults who stop, listen and make a child feel like the most important person in the room.
KEY POINTS
Why force often creates resistance with kids
What freediving taught Justin about staying calm under pressure
How regulating ourselves can change a difficult parenting moment
Why kids need trusted adults beyond their parents
The impact of giving children your full attention
How ordinary moments can help rebuild the village around our kids
QUOTE OF THE EPISODE
“Force creates resistance.”
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Let It Be Tough by Ant Williams
Happy Families
ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS
When tension rises, slow yourself down before responding.
Notice when you’re trying to force an outcome and soften your approach.
Give your child your full attention when they want to tell you something.
Think about the good adults in your child’s life and create more opportunities for connection with them.
Be that trusted adult for another child in your wider family or community.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Location tracking. Checking a partner’s phone. Constantly asking where they are and who they’re with. For some teenagers, controlling behaviour is becoming so normal they may not even recognise it as a red flag.
Justin and Kylie share three simple questions sparked by Victorian Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny’s conversation with her teenage son: Do you know that’s wrong? Do you know that’s a red flag? What do the girls think?
They unpack consent, coercive control, rejection and the messages boys are absorbing about what it means to be a man. Most importantly, they explain why these conversations need to start long before our kids begin dating.
KEY POINTS
Why jealousy, phone checking and location tracking can be mistaken for love or devotion
Three questions that help teenagers recognise controlling behaviour
Why conversations about consent should start when children are young
Teaching kids to trust the feeling that says, “I don’t like this”
Helping boys understand that rejection should be met with grace
How online culture and unhealthy models of masculinity can shape boys’ ideas about relationships
Why healthy relationships should leave people feeling safer and stronger
Keeping conversations open so kids come to you when something doesn’t feel right
QUOTE OF THE EPISODE
“Healthy males help the people around them feel safer and stronger.”
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Boys: Building Strong Men From the Inside Out by Dr Justin Coulson
Victorian Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny’s comments about coercive control
Happy Families school parent presentations
ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS
Ask the three questions: When relationship behaviour comes up, ask, “Do you know that’s wrong?”, “Do you know that’s a red flag?” and “What does the other person think?”
Start consent conversations early: Teach younger children that they can say no to unwanted affection, scary play or anything that makes them uncomfortable.
Talk about what healthy masculinity looks like: Ask your child when they saw a boy or man help someone feel safer and stronger today.
Talk about the opposite: Ask when they saw someone leave another person feeling smaller or weaker, then discuss what made the behaviour different.
Keep talking: Make relationships, consent, pornography, online influences and red flags normal topics of conversation rather than one big awkward talk
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.