#1283 - Communication Wins and Big Conversations

Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

“Having your heart right towards your child is probably the most important thing you can do... but how you communicate is right up there too.”

In this episode of I’ll Do Better Tomorrow, we share two powerful parenting wins from our own family this week. From navigating bedtime battles with our youngest to having a meaningful (and sometimes hilarious) conversation about consent and relationships with our teens, this is real-life parenting in action.

These are the conversations that create connection, foster trust, and build resilience — and we’re sharing exactly how we did it.

KEY POINTS:

• A Bedtime Breakthrough: How revisiting the basics (routines, rituals, and conversations) transformed bedtime struggles with our youngest daughter.
• The Power of the 3 E’s: Explore, Explain, Empower — a simple yet profound communication framework that creates buy-in, not battles.
• Tricky Talks That Stick: Why our once-a-month ‘tough talks’ with our teens have become weekly — and how they’re building confidence and safety around topics like consent, relationships, pressure, and boundaries.
• Start Early, Talk Often: Even our 11-year-old stayed engaged in a complex conversation about consent, showing that these conversations are never too early (or too late).
• It’s Not About Perfection: Success comes from showing up, leaning in, and keeping the conversations going — not from getting it right every time.

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE:

“When kids understand the rationale, things go so much better.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Happy Families – Resources for a happier family.
• Consent.gov.au – Consent resources and the Consent Can’t Wait campaign.
• Parental Guidance TV Show – Channel 9 and 9Now.

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS:

1. Use the 3 E’s: Next time you face a challenge, pause and ask yourself — have I explored their perspective, explained mine, and empowered them to help solve it?
2. Rethink Bedtime: If routines are breaking down, revisit rituals that worked when they were younger — and involve your child in creating the new plan.
3. Schedule Tricky Talks: Don’t wait for problems to arise. Make space for regular conversations about emotions, consent, relationships, and boundaries.
4. Make It Fun (and Safe): Keep these talks light, warm, and open — banter, laughter, and snacks help!
5. Remember the Timing: Big conversations are most effective when emotions are calm — not in the middle of conflict.
6. Share This Episode: Know someone struggling with bedtime battles or tricky teen conversations? Flick this episode their way.

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