Is Homework Actually Helping Your Child?

Is Homework Actually Helping Your Child?

Author: Dr Justin Coulson March 30, 2026 Duration: 14:05

What if the nightly homework battle… isn’t worth fighting?

In this episode, we unpack a surprising truth about primary school homework that challenges everything parents have been told. Plus, breaking global news reveals a major court ruling against social media giants, and why it should completely change how we think about screens at home.

If you’re exhausted by homework resistance or worried about screen time, this episode will shift your perspective fast.

KEY POINTS

  • Why primary school homework often does more harm than good
  • The real reason kids resist homework (and it’s not laziness)
  • What actually improves academic outcomes in younger children
  • The one simple habit that matters more than any worksheet
  • Landmark court ruling finds social media platforms contributed to harm
  • How persuasive tech design is keeping kids hooked
  • Why this changes the conversation around screens for parents

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE

“Kids don’t hate homework because they’re lazy. They hate it because it’s either pointless or painful.”

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS

  • Drop the pressure around primary school homework
  • Prioritise reading daily (together or independently)
  • Protect unstructured play time after school
  • Limit passive screen use where possible
  • Focus on connection and curiosity over compliance

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


Finding a clear path through the chaos of family life can feel overwhelming. Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families steps into that space with grounded, relatable conversations. Hosted by parenting expert Dr. Justin Coulson and his wife Kylie, this podcast feels like a honest chat with friends who truly understand the daily grind. Together, they draw from their own life raising six daughters, offering a common-sense perspective that resonates with parents everywhere. The discussions move beyond theory, focusing on practical strategies you can apply immediately to navigate common challenges and strengthen your relationships at home. Each episode aims to cut through the noise of conflicting advice, providing thoughtful insights that address real-world situations with empathy and evidence-based wisdom. Tuning into this podcast is like finding a moment of calm reflection in a busy week, a resource for building a more connected and joyful family culture. It’s a place where the complexities of parenting, culture, and society are explored through the lens of everyday experience, making the journey feel a little less solitary and a lot more manageable.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
Podcast Episodes
Q&A: My Eight-Year-Old Turns Aggressive and I Don’t Know Why [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:30
He’s perfect at school. Polite. Award-winning. Well behaved. Then he comes home… and explodes. If your 7–8-year-old is melting down over TV, pushing boundaries, or even getting physical when you say no — this episode wil…
Whose Cup Are You Filling? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:05
You are pouring yourself out every single day. But into whose cup? In this powerful conversation inspired by Derek Thompson, Justin and Kylie explore a simple metaphor that will stop you mid-scroll: every morning you wak…
When “I Don’t Want To” Is Really “I’m Scared” [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:30
What if your child’s resistance isn’t laziness… but fear? In this heartfelt Friday “I’ll Do Better Tomorrow” episode of the The Happy Families Podcast, Justin and Kylie unpack a powerful parenting moment: an 11-year-old…
The Learning Zone That Builds Unstoppable Kids [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:51
When your child says “I can’t do this” and wants to quit right now… what do you do? Whether it’s maths, piano, friendships, or riding a bike, kids hit the wall. They avoid. They melt down. They take their bat and ball an…
E-Bikes: When Teenage Freedom Turns Dangerous [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:35
Teenagers are riding at 70km/h with no helmets. Police are investigating. Communities are furious. Parents are terrified. E-bikes are everywhere — and the debate is explosive. Is this about reckless teens? Bad laws? Or s…
Stop the Sneaky Lies Without Crushing Trust [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:24
Your child lies. You catch them. They double down. Now what? When an 8-year-old swears they didn’t sneak the TV or the treats (even with chocolate on their face), most parents panic about what it means for the future. In…
The Hidden Cost of Tracking Your Kids [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:33
We tell ourselves it’s about safety.But what if tracking our kids is quietly costing them confidence, independence… and trust? With apps like Life360 becoming the norm, many parents are asking: Are we protecting our chil…
I'll Do Better Tomorrow - The Virtue of Patience [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:20
You’re one eye-roll away from losing it.You’ve called their name four times.You’re hot, tired, and absolutely done. And then patience changes everything. In this Friday episode, Justin and Kylie share two small choices t…
Growth Mindsets & Academic Improvement [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:00
We’ve told kids for years that effort changes everything. But the biggest review of growth mindset research in decades just found the results are tiny… sometimes nothing at all. So should parents and teachers stop talkin…
Good Daughtering [with Dr Allison Alford] [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:57
She loves her parents. She wants to be a good daughter. So why does it feel so heavy? In this powerful conversation, Dr Allison Alford names the invisible emotional labour millions of women are carrying — and why being a…