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

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.