Family in Focus®

If you have ever felt overwhelmed trying to help your child with eating, weight, or health—this conversation is for you.In this episode of Family in Focus, I’m joined by Joey Skelton, MD, MS, FAAP and Dara Garner-Edwards, MSW, LCSW, co-authors of Your Child Is Not Their Weight: Parenting in a Size-Obsessed World.Together, we explore how to support your child without shame, pressure, or food battles—and why focusing on weight often does more harm than good.Dr. Skelton and Dara bring nearly two decades of experience working with families through the Brenner FIT Program at Wake Forest University, where they focus on practical, family-centered care that creates lasting change.In this episode, we discuss:• Why weight-focused conversations can backfire• What children actually hear when we talk about food• The impact of pressure, restriction, and “fixing”• How to support your child’s health without shame• Why connection—not control—creates real change• The power of family meals and reducing stressIf you’ve ever felt stuck or unsure how to help your child, this episode offers a new way forward.About Our GuestsJoey Skelton, MD, MS, FAAP – Pediatrician and professor at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, leading the Brenner FIT Program.Dara Garner-Edwards, MSW, LCSW – Family counselor specializing in helping families create sustainable change without shame or judgment.Along with Melissa Moses, MS, RDN, LDN (co-author and registered dietitian), they wrote:📘 Your Child Is Not Their Weight: Parenting in a Size-Obsessed Worldhttps://www.amazon.com/Your-Child-Their-Weight-Size-Obsessed/dp/1610028546Join The Exhale newsletter:https://www.wendyschofermd.com/the-exhaleLearn more or work with me:https://www.wendyschofermd.comFollow along:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendyschofermdTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wendyschofermdFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/wendyschofermdLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-schofer-mdWhile I am a doctor, I am not your doctor. This podcast is for education, not medical advice.

If you are frustrated by constant conversations about your child’s eating habits, this episode is for you.In this episode of Family in Focus, I explain why focusing on habits often keeps families stuck and how shifting your attention to patterns can completely change the way you approach eating behaviors at home.Because it is rarely just about habits.What looks like a habit on the surface is often the visible tip of a much larger pattern shaped by stress, emotions, relationships, environment, and family dynamics. When parents begin to look beneath the surface, they gain a clearer understanding of what is actually influencing their child’s eating behavior.This episode introduces a pattern-based way of thinking that helps parents move away from pressure, control, and blame and toward curiosity, awareness, and meaningful change.We discuss:• Why focusing on habits alone often leads to frustration• The difference between habits and deeper behavioral patterns• How stress, emotions, and environment shape eating behaviors• Why small shifts in family patterns create lasting change• How curiosity can replace control in conversations about food• Why noticing patterns is the first step toward shifting them• A simple experiment parents can try this week to start seeing patterns differentlyIf you want to reduce tension around food and understand what is really shaping your child’s eating behaviors, this episode offers a new lens that can change the conversation in your home.New episodes air every Wednesday.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-exhaleLearn more about working together:https://www.wendyschofermd.comTo schedule a consult:https://wendyschofermdscheduling.as.me/consultFollow along and continue the conversation:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendyschofermd/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wendyschofermdFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/wendyschofermd/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-schofer-md/While I am a doctor, I am not your doctor. This podcast is for education, not medical advice.

If you are worried about eating disorders, disordered eating, dieting, or the intense focus on weight in today’s culture, this episode is for you.In this episode of Family in Focus, I explore what actually happens when weight becomes the hidden focus in your home and how that quiet shift can shape your child’s relationship with food, body image, and self-worth.Because it is rarely just about weight.When weight becomes the center of conversations, concerns, or decision-making, it often creates stress patterns that influence eating behaviors, emotional regulation, and family dynamics. Over time, those patterns can increase risk for disordered eating.This episode is about awareness, prevention, and protection.We discuss:• The rise in eating disorders and disordered eating• How weight-focused thinking increases stress in families• Why fear-based approaches to prevention often backfire• The connection between stress, control, and eating behaviors• How diet culture and social messaging shape kids’ body image• Why awareness is the first step toward prevention• How to build protective patterns that support a healthy relationship with food and bodyIf you want to reduce stress around food, decrease eating disorder risk, and build long-term protection for your child’s relationship with their body, this episode offers a thoughtful place to begin.New episodes air every Wednesday.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-exhaleLearn more about working together:https://www.wendyschofermd.comTo schedule a consult:https://wendyschofermdscheduling.as.me/consultFollow along and continue the conversation:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendyschofermd/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wendyschofermdFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/wendyschofermd/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-schofer-md/While I am a doctor, I am not your doctor. This podcast is for education, not medical advice.

If you are struggling with your child’s eating habits, mealtime battles, picky eating, or concerns about weight, this episode is for you.In this episode of Family in Focus, I share 3 simple steps to transform your child’s relationship with food by addressing the emotional patterns and nervous system dynamics happening at home.Because it is not just about the food. It is about the patterns.Your child’s eating habits are shaped by stress, autonomy, family dynamics, and emotional regulation. When parents pause, get curious, and lead with connection, meaningful change becomes possible without shame, pressure, or power struggles.In this episode, we discuss:Why focusing only on food often backfiresThe difference between habits and patternsHow your nervous system impacts your child’s eating behaviorWhy regulation and connection come before behavior changeHow to build a healthier relationship with food at homeIf you want to improve your child’s eating habits without control or shame, this episode gives you a practical starting point.New episodes air every Wednesday.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-exhaleLearn more about working together:https://www.wendyschofermd.comTo schedule a consult:https://wendyschofermdscheduling.as.me/consultFollow along and continue the conversation:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendyschofermd/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wendyschofermdFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/wendyschofermd/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-schofer-md/While I am a doctor, I am not your doctor. This podcast is for education, not medical advice.

If you are worried about childhood obesity, BMI percentiles, or your child’s eating habits, this episode is for you.As a pediatrician, I see how often parents are told to focus on weight, growth charts, and body mass index, or BMI. But when we focus only on the number, we miss the deeper factors influencing your child’s health, emotional eating patterns, and relationship with food.In this episode of Family in Focus, I explain why weight is often just the tip of the iceberg and what parents need to understand beneath the surface to support healthy and sustainable change.So much of what we are taught to focus on is what we can see. The number on the scale. The BMI percentile. The growth chart. The food choices. When those numbers rise, it can feel urgent and scary.But what if weight is not the root issue?This episode explores the factors that influence child weight gain, eating habits, and overall health, including genetics, environment, hormones, social influences, and emotions.I also share a story from my pediatric practice that changed the way I approach conversations about child weight and growth. It is a reminder that behind every number is a child navigating weight stigma, body image pressure, and emotional experiences we cannot see.This episode is not about ignoring health. It is about understanding it more fully.In this episode, we discuss:Why focusing only on weight, BMI, and growth charts can cause harmThe iceberg metaphor and what influences child weight beyond foodHow genetics, environment, and hormones impact eating habitsEmotional eating in kids and how feelings shape behaviorThe impact of weight stigma and body image pressure on children and teensWhy connection based parenting creates healthier long term outcomesAt Family in Focus, I help parents improve their child’s eating habits and health without shame, food battles, or pressure. This episode is an invitation to slow down, get curious, and support your child’s health in a way that builds trust instead of fear.New episodes air every Wednesday.Join The Exhale, my newsletter for parents who want less stress around food, body image, and child weight concerns and more confidence in how they are supporting their kids.https://www.wendyschofermd.com/the-exhaleIf you would like support putting this into practice in your home, learn more about how I work with families at:https://www.wendyschofermd.comTo schedule a consult:https://wendyschofermdscheduling.as.me/consultFollow along and continue the conversation:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendyschofermd/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wendyschofermdFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/wendyschofermd/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-schofer-md/While I am a doctor, I am not your doctor. This podcast is for education, not medical advice.

If you are trying to help your child make changes and it feels like nothing is working, this episode is for you.I hear it every day from parents. Food feels like a battle. Screens feel impossible to limit. Movement feels forced. And no matter how hard you try, it can start to feel like you are failing over and over again.In this episode, I want to say this clearly. You are not failing.What is failing is the approach that has been handed to you. The plans, prescriptions, and one size fits all advice that assumes change should happen through control and pressure. I know this because I used to practice that way too. As a pediatrician and a parent, I followed the plans exactly, both in my office and in my own home. And they did not work.This episode is about the shift that changed everything for me.Instead of starting with what needs to be fixed, we start with what is already working. Even when things feel hard, there is something going well. That one thing becomes stable ground. It becomes the place where trust grows and where real change can begin.In this episode, I talk about:-Why feeling stuck is such a common parenting experience-How prescriptive approaches create frustration and shame-Why starting with what is going well changes the entire conversation-A simple practice you can use today with yourself and your childAt Family in Focus, I help parents lead change without harm. This episode is an invitation to stop proving you are not failing and start building from the strengths that are already there.New episodes air every Wednesday.Join The Exhale, my newsletter for parents who want less stress around food and body, and more confidence in how they are supporting their kids.https://www.wendyschofermd.com/the-exhaleIf you would like support putting this into practice in your home, you can learn more about how I work with families at https://www.wendyschofermd.comTo schedule a consult:https://wendyschofermdscheduling.as.me/consultFollow along and continue the conversation:-Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendyschofermd/-TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wendyschofermd-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wendyschofermd-LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-schofer-md/While I am a doctor, I am not your doctor. This podcast is for education, not medical advice.

Some days, parenting does not just feel hard. It feels confusing.You are trying to do the right thing for your child, especially around food and health, but the messages are overwhelming. Eat this. Do not eat that. Worry about weight. Do not talk about weight. Move more. Stress less. Somewhere in all of that, it can start to feel like you are failing.If that sounds familiar, you are not alone. You are in the right place.Welcome to Family in Focus, where I help parents lead meaningful change without harm. I am Dr. Wendy Schofer, and this episode opens Season 2 by setting a different foundation for how we think about children’s health, food, and family life.This season is not about quick fixes, control, or micromanaging your child. It is about creating change through connection, emotional awareness, and relationships, so progress does not come at the cost of trust or well-being.In this episode, I talk about:-Why so many parents feel stuck around food and health-How shame and pressure quietly disrupt relationships-Why emotions are not the problem but important signals-How connection creates the conditions for lasting changeThis episode is an invitation to slow down, exhale, and begin again.When you are ready, Episode 2 is where we take the first step forward by starting with what is already going well.Join The Exhale, my newsletter for parents who want less stress around food and body, and more confidence in how they are supporting their kids.https://www.wendyschofermd.com/the-exhaleLearn more about how I support families at:https://www.wendyschofermd.comSchedule a consult here:https://wendyschofermdscheduling.as.me/consultFollow along and continue the conversation:-Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendyschofermd/-TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wendyschofermd-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wendyschofermd-LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-schofer-md/While I am a doctor, I am not your doctor. This podcast is for education, not medical advice.

Hey. I see you. I know the struggle.Let me ask you something.What would it mean if you didn’t feel so much pressure around your child’s eating, growth, or health?What would it be like to stop sorting through advice that feels stressful or even harmful?I’d like to invite you to Family in Focus, a space for parents who want to lead change without harm. We focus on connection over control, emotional health over numbers, and parent-led shifts that actually last, so families can build healthier relationships with food, body, and especially each other.A new season begins Wednesday, February 11.Much love. I’m so glad you’re here.Want to stay in the loop as Season 2 of Family in Focus® begins?Join the list for supportive insights and practical guidance on family eating habits and relationships, without harm.Sign up here:https://www.wendyschofermd.com/podcast-waitlistJoin The Exhale, my newsletter for parents who want less stress around food and body, and more confidence in how they are supporting their kids.https://www.wendyschofermd.com/the-exhale

The summer offers a magical time to kick back, change the routine, and unfortunately it also means that the easing of structure and routine can cause challenges. How are you saving your summer for the whole family, recreating the structure that helps you find fun, connection and health? Listen in for how we're addressing it in our family. Full show notes available here. --------------------- I ask a favor of you: if you liked this episode, please subscribe, rate and review on your favorite podcast service, and share with your friends so they know that there is a different way to stop struggling with worries about weight. It's easy and fun! And when you're ready to start applying this in your own home, check out www.wendyschofermd.com for more information about how the Family in Focus program can help you and your family create lifelong healthy relationships with food and body, now and at every weight. Disclaimer: While Wendy Schofer, MD discusses health and wellness, this is not medical advice and she is not your doctor. Optimal health is achieved in combination with your physician, who collaborates with you for your individual health. Talk to your doctor. And tell them about Family in Focus. Mwah!

Doesn't it seem like we speak a different language than our kids, especially when it comes to getting them to do something like move, try something new, or change their eating habits? How do we motivate our kids? How do we connect with them to help them change? It starts with learning your child's language... let's dive in. Full show notes available here. --------------------- I ask a favor of you: if you liked this episode, please subscribe, rate and review on your favorite podcast service, and share with your friends so they know that there is a different way to stop struggling with worries about weight. It's easy and fun! And when you're ready to start applying this in your own home, check out www.wendyschofermd.com for more information about how the Family in Focus program can help you and your family create lifelong healthy relationships with food and body, now and at every weight. Disclaimer: While Wendy Schofer, MD discusses health and wellness, this is not medical advice and she is not your doctor. Optimal health is achieved in combination with your physician, who collaborates with you for your individual health. Talk to your doctor. And tell them about Family in Focus. Mwah!  

I've been reading the GAP and the GAIN by Dan Sullivan and Dr Benjamin Hardy recently. Briefly, the book discusses our natural tendency to focus on the gap between where we are and where we want to be (comparing to others), our expectations (comparing to our anticipated future selves), and external pressures. And there is a greater value by focusing on the gains that we have made over time - looking at how we got here from where we started, essentially only comparing ourselves to where we started. We can also be in the gap when we approach our family members: comparing where they are now to the ideal we have for them in our minds. Listen to apply in your home - creating a ripple effect for everyone's health. And... a special guest, my Gigi busts in on the podcast at the end. Enjoy. Full show notes available here. --------------------- I ask a favor of you: if you liked this episode, please subscribe, rate and review on your favorite podcast service, and share with your friends so they know that there is a different way to stop struggling with worries about weight. It's easy and fun! And when you're ready to start applying this in your own home, check out www.wendyschofermd.com for more information about how the Family in Focus program can help you and your family create lifelong healthy relationships with food and body, now and at every weight. Disclaimer: While Wendy Schofer, MD discusses health and wellness, this is not medical advice and she is not your doctor. Optimal health is achieved in combination with your physician, who collaborates with you for your individual health. Talk to your doctor. And tell them about Family in Focus. Mwah!

It's time to celebrate! One year of the Family in Focus with Wendy Schofer, MD podcast. And, time to celebrate you and your family. The progress that you are all making. Celebrate exactly where you are right now. Not sure how? Listen to the podcast.   Full show notes available here. --------------------- I ask a favor of you: if you liked this episode, please subscribe, rate and review on your favorite podcast service, and share with your friends so they know that there is a different way to stop struggling with worries about weight. It's easy and fun! And when you're ready to start applying this in your own home, check out www.wendyschofermd.com for more information about how the Family in Focus program can help you and your family create lifelong healthy relationships with food and body, now and at every weight. Disclaimer: While Wendy Schofer, MD discusses health and wellness, this is not medical advice and she is not your doctor. Optimal health is achieved in combination with your physician, who collaborates with you for your individual health. Talk to your doctor. And tell them about Family in Focus. Mwah!

Truth: I was going to talk about this subject in regards to weight, body image, bullying, heck even having sex talks… and here, this week, we experienced another mass shooting. How do we as parents answer our kids' questions? Here are 4 tips you can use today to have those difficult conversations with the kids, no matter the subject. It takes a village to help raise kids today - you are not alone.  Much love - Wendy Full show notes available here. --------------------- I ask a favor of you: if you liked this episode, please subscribe, rate and review on your favorite podcast service, and share with your friends so they know that there is a different way to stop struggling with worries about weight. It's easy and fun! And when you're ready to start applying this in your own home, check out www.wendyschofermd.com for more information about how the Family in Focus program can help you and your family create lifelong healthy relationships with food and body, now and at every weight. Disclaimer: While Wendy Schofer, MD discusses health and wellness, this is not medical advice and she is not your doctor. Optimal health is achieved in combination with your physician, who collaborates with you for your individual health. Talk to your doctor. And tell them about Family in Focus. Mwah!

Yes, I'm an Improv... Comedian? I own the improvisational part, just not sure about the comedian.  The parallels between the rules of improv and coaching tools have made me a better parent. Listen in to hear about "Yes, and..." and other practices I use every day to support my family. Full show notes (including silly pictures of the Improv show!) available here. --------------------- I ask a favor of you: if you liked this episode, please subscribe, rate and review on your favorite podcast service, and share with your friends so they know that there is a different way to stop struggling with worries about weight. It's easy and fun! And when you're ready to start applying this in your own home, check out www.wendyschofermd.com for more information about how the Family in Focus program can help you and your family create lifelong healthy relationships with food and body, now and at every weight. Disclaimer: While Wendy Schofer, MD discusses health and wellness, this is not medical advice and she is not your doctor. Optimal health is achieved in combination with your physician, who collaborates with you for your individual health. Talk to your doctor. And tell them about Family in Focus. Mwah!

Today, we're talking body image. What is it? What makes it? And how can we as parents understand and help our kids with their body image? You're gonna learn 4 things to help at home, so take a listen!   Full show notes available here. --------------------- I ask a favor of you: if you liked this episode, please subscribe, rate and review on your favorite podcast service, and share with your friends so they know that there is a different way to stop struggling with worries about weight. It's easy and fun! And when you're ready to start applying this in your own home, check out www.wendyschofermd.com for more information about how the Family in Focus program can help you and your family create lifelong healthy relationships with food and body, now and at every weight. Disclaimer: While Wendy Schofer, MD discusses health and wellness, this is not medical advice and she is not your doctor. Optimal health is achieved in combination with your physician, who collaborates with you for your individual health. Talk to your doctor. And tell them about Family in Focus. Mwah!

When we hear a new diagnosis, whether it is weight-related, mental health, behavioral, or physical, a lot of questions come up for us as parents. How do you learn to ask questions that actually help you and your child, now? Full show notes available here. --------------------- I ask a favor of you: if you liked this episode, please subscribe, rate and review on your favorite podcast service, and share with your friends so they know that there is a different way to stop struggling with worries about weight. It's easy and fun! And when you're ready to start applying this in your own home, check out www.wendyschofermd.com for more information about how the Family in Focus program can help you and your family create lifelong healthy relationships with food and body, now and at every weight. Disclaimer: While Wendy Schofer, MD discusses health and wellness, this is not medical advice and she is not your doctor. Optimal health is achieved in combination with your physician, who collaborates with you for your individual health. Talk to your doctor. And tell them about Family in Focus. Mwah!

Is it emotional eating? Is that bad? What do I do? So many questions about emotional eating. Let's dig into it today.   Full show notes available here. --------------------- I ask a favor of you: if you liked this episode, please subscribe, rate and review on your favorite podcast service, and share with your friends so they know that there is a different way to stop struggling with worries about weight. It's easy and fun! And when you're ready to start applying this in your own home, check out www.wendyschofermd.com for more information about how the Family in Focus program can help you and your family create lifelong healthy relationships with food and body, now and at every weight. Disclaimer: While Wendy Schofer, MD discusses health and wellness, this is not medical advice and she is not your doctor. Optimal health is achieved in combination with your physician, who collaborates with you for your individual health. Talk to your doctor. And tell them about Family in Focus. Mwah!

Parents with children who are overweight and diagnosed with obesity are not the only ones worried about weight. In fact, more often than not, I hear from parents whose children aren't overweight... and yet, the parents are worried about weight.   Why are we worried about weight? We say it's not about the weight, but what is it really about? Dive in, understand why the worry, and what to do now instead. Full show notes available here. --------------------- I ask a favor of you: if you liked this episode, please subscribe, rate and review on your favorite podcast service, and share with your friends so they know that there is a different way to stop struggling with worries about weight. It's easy and fun! And when you're ready to start applying this in your own home, check out www.wendyschofermd.com for more information about how the Family in Focus program can help you and your family create lifelong healthy relationships with food and body, now and at every weight. Disclaimer: While Wendy Schofer, MD discusses health and wellness, this is not medical advice and she is not your doctor. Optimal health is achieved in combination with your physician, who collaborates with you for your individual health. Talk to your doctor. And tell them about Family in Focus. Mwah!

The news headlines tell us there is a pandemic of obesity. We hear how our health is at risk, our children's lives are at risk. It's all wrong. It's the wrong approach. Listen now to hear about the right approach to weight for our families. Full show notes available here. --------------------- I ask a favor of you: if you liked this episode, please subscribe, rate and review on your favorite podcast service, and share with your friends so they know that there is a different way to stop struggling with worries about weight. It's easy and fun! And when you're ready to start applying this in your own home, check out www.wendyschofermd.com for more information about how the Family in Focus program can help you and your family create lifelong healthy relationships with food and body, now and at every weight. Disclaimer: While Wendy Schofer, MD discusses health and wellness, this is not medical advice and she is not your doctor. Optimal health is achieved in combination with your physician, who collaborates with you for your individual health. Talk to your doctor. And tell them about Family in Focus. Mwah!

So many similar questions: Why are our waistlines increasing? Why am I overweight? Why are my kids overweight? The questions ask for a reason, something to address and fix. Listen now to hear why we have overweight - and what to do about it. Show notes available here. --------------------- Please do me a favor: if you liked this episode, please subscribe, rate and review on your favorite podcast service, and share with your friends so they know that there is a different way to stop struggling with worries about weight. It's easy and fun! And when you're ready to start applying this in your own home, check out www.wendyschofermd.com for more information about how the Family in Focus program can help you and your family create lifelong healthy relationships with food and body, now and at every weight. Disclaimer: While Wendy Schofer, MD discusses health and wellness, this is not medical advice and she is not your doctor. Optimal health is achieved in combination with your physician, who collaborates with you for your individual health. Talk to your doctor. And tell them about Family in Focus. Mwah!