The revelation he wasn't a very good dad changed Dr Justin Coulson's career path and family life.
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After the birth of his second child he realised he wasn't coping with his two young daughters.
With the help of wife Kylie, he decided to leave his radio announcing job and study a psychology undergraduate degree at Queensland University.
"I wanted to learn to be a better dad and help other families," he said.
A self-confessed "almost" high school dropout, Dr Coulson wasn't sure if he could handle university. He surprised himself.
"I fell in love with university and learning about parenting and happiness," he said.
After graduating with first-class honours, he wanted to do more for parents and families.
After accepting a scholarship from the University of Wollongong, he moved his family to the Illawarra and completed a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) in parenting in 2012.
Dr Coulson has been running Happy Families Inspired Parenting, a parenting advice website, as a hobby for the past 10 years.
Last year he decided to turn Happy Families into a full-time job.
"I feel like it's my life purpose to help make families happy," he said.
Dr Coulson will run a free parenting seminar, 3 Steps to a Happier Family, tomorrow night.
Dr Coulson hopes the seminar will help families develop peaceful, happy relationships.
"If we change a couple of things as parents, our children will also change," he said.
Now a father to five girls, with another baby on the way, Dr Coulson believes there are three secrets to achieve a happy family.
The first he discovered when he was cooking for his family when he had just started university.
A "terrible cook", Dr Coulson was cooking when his two-year-old started pulling on his pants.
"After brushing her away I realised as a parenting expert I'm supposed to pay attention," he said.
"I put the spoon down, crouched and held her hand. I said I was sorry for not listening when I should have been."
His daughter looked at him, smiled and said "I love you".
"Children want their parents to be open and available to them," he said.
The second secret is about understanding children on an emotional level.
"When we understand our kids, we can meet their needs and help them meet their own needs."
The third secret is about discipline.
"Our natural reaction to our children's challenging behaviour is almost always wrong," he said.
At the seminar Dr Coulson will explain how to discipline in ways that teach and nurture children.
He will reveal more about the three secrets at the seminar.
■ To attend contact Kylie Coulson on kylie@happyfamilies.com.au or 0413 969 092.
