If you have ever tried to make healthier changes at home and been met with resistance, tears, or a flat-out “I hate this,” this episode is for you.
In this episode of Family in Focus, I walk through what is actually happening when your child pushes back on food changes and why it does not mean you are doing anything wrong.
Because the resistance you are seeing is not defiance.
It is development.
And when you understand what is underneath it, everything about how you respond starts to shift.
I break down why kids are wired to push back, how their current eating habits are actually solving problems for them, and why willpower-based approaches often make things harder instead of easier. From recognizing the needs food is meeting, to holding boundaries without power struggles, to building connection instead of control, this is about creating change that actually lasts.
In this episode:
Why pushback is a normal and necessary part of your child’s development
What your child’s current eating habits are really doing for them
Why removing foods without addressing the underlying need leads to more resistance
The two jobs parents actually have when it comes to food
How to build a “bridge” instead of a battle at mealtimes
Simple ways to introduce new foods without overwhelming your child
Why regulation, yours first, changes everything in these moments
Timestamps:
00:00 You Changed the Food… Now They’re Melting Down
02:36 Your Kid Isn’t Being Difficult. Here’s What’s Actually Happening
04:19 Why Snacks Feel So Good to Kids (And What They’re Replacing)
06:57 The Mistake That Turns Food Into a Power Struggle
09:46 The Simple Strategy That Actually Works
12:11 Sneaking Food? Watch This Next
New episodes air every Wednesday.
If you are listening and realizing your child is sneaking food, hiding wrappers, or eating in secret, there is a next step for you.
No More Candy Wrappers Under the Bed is a workshop designed to help you understand why this is happening and how to shift it without shame, control, or power struggles.
You can learn more and sign up here:
https://www.wendyschofermd.com/no-more-candy-wrappers
Join The Exhale, my newsletter for parents who want less stress around food, body image, and weight concerns and more confidence at the dinner table: https://www.wendyschofermd.com/the-exhale
Learn more about working together:
https://www.wendyschofermd.com
To schedule a consult:
https://wendyschofermdscheduling.as.me/consult
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While I am a doctor, I am not your doctor. This podcast is for education, not medical advice.