This is Part Two of a deeply important conversation with Ros Nealon-Cook, ex-psychologist and fearless advocate for children’s mental health.

In this wide-ranging episode, we dive into the foundations of emotional wellbeing — the stuff that’s so basic we often overlook it: sleep, movement, nutrition, play, laughter, and connection. Ros unpacks how these simple daily habits build true resilience and mental strength in our kids.

She then introduces a practical emotional education framework known as the Zones of Regulation, helping parents and children alike tune into emotions, triggers, and stress in a language that’s simple, non-judgmental, and actually works at home.

We also explore how families can begin healing the hidden trauma and division left over from the COVID years — a conversation that’s long overdue — and why processing collective shame and grief is key to moving forward.

Other topics include:

- How to raise courageous, emotionally literate kids in an age of fear and censorship

- Ways to engage doctors and medical professionals and rebuild trust without blame or bitterness

- The technology tsunami shaping our kids’ brains — plus real, workable family tech contracts to help your kids self-regulate their screen-time

- The confronting reality of pornography’s impact on adolescent boys — and a surprising take on how to best address it positively

Ros brings both compassion and clarity to one of the biggest issues facing parents today. This episode finishes on a note of hope, creativity, and practical optimism for rebuilding our kids’ emotional worlds — and our society — from the inside out.

Resources:

Zones of Regulation: https://zonesofregulation.com/

Shoppers Guide to the "Dirty Dozen": https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/dirty-dozen.ph

Technology Contracts (Many available, here are some Australian starting points):

• https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/resources/family-tech-agreement


• https://danielmorcombe.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/2021_SafeBedrooms_Family-Technology-Agreement_EDITABLE.pdf
  
  
  • https://danielmorcombe.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/2021_SafeBedrooms_Family-Technology-Agreement_EXAMPLE.pdf
  
  
  
  



• Good for teens: https://www.brightcanary.io/digital-device-contract-template/

Childhood 2.0 Free Docco (Ros suggests every parent watches before giving child a device)

• 2 min Trailer: https://youtu.be/ucrDBe8v1q4


• Full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wT35tX_mu2g

Look up Ros Nealon-Cook on X: Rosalina_nc

And please consider signing the Lighthouse Declaration at  www.lighthousedeclaration.org