Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
The Secret to Raising Kids Who Love Reading [with author Samantha Summers]
Published: 9 June 2026 at 20:00 Europe/London
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Episode notes
Finding genuinely good books for tweens can feel impossible. Too young feels childish. Too old feels uncomfortable. So when one book keeps kids reading under the blankets long after bedtime… parents notice.
In this episode, Justin chats with author and coach Sam Summers about her new middle-grade fantasy novel The Lost Defenders — the fast-paced monster adventure kids are devouring in a single night.
But this conversation goes deeper than books.
Sam also opens up about rebuilding her life as a single mum, the pressure so many working mothers carry, and why “balance” might actually be making parents feel worse.
If you’ve ever felt stretched too thin while trying to raise happy, confident kids, this episode will hit home.
KEY POINTS:
- Why finding age-appropriate books for tweens is so difficult
- The secret to writing stories kids can’t put down
- How Sam tested her book on real kids before publishing
- Why reading together became an anchor during single motherhood
- The hidden pressure working mums carry every day
- Why “balance” is often an impossible goal
- The healthier mindset shift parents need instead
- What kids really learn from watching their parents
QUOTE OF THE EPISODE:
“What we want is for our children to see us happy, because one day they’ll copy the way we lived.”
- The Lost Defenders by Sam Summers
- Top 48 Reads for Kids Aged 9-12
ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS:
- Find books that stretch your child without overwhelming them
- Create small reading rituals your kids will remember
- Stop chasing perfect balance and focus on what matters most right now
- Ask yourself: what version of adulthood am I modelling for my children?
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