<p>If your child has ever said something like “I hate how I look,” and you felt unsure what to say next, this episode is for you.</p><p></p><p>In this episode of Family in Focus, I share a different way to respond in those moments when your child is struggling with body image, food, or how they see themselves.</p><p></p><p>Because your child does not need you to fix it.</p><p></p><p>They need you to stay with them in it.</p><p></p><p>Drawing from improv, I introduce a simple framework that can help you respond with more connection and less pressure, even when the moment feels heavy or uncertain.</p><p></p><p>When kids open up about how they feel, it can trigger a strong instinct to reassure, correct, or make it better as quickly as possible. But those responses can unintentionally shut down the conversation.</p><p></p><p>This episode walks you through how to shift from fixing to connecting so your child feels seen, supported, and safe to keep sharing.</p><p></p><p><b>I discuss:</b></p><p>• Why your instinct to fix is a natural stress response<br />• What kids actually need when they talk about body image or food<br />• How the improv principle “yes, and” can change the way you respond<br />• The ABC framework for staying present in hard moments<br />• How to acknowledge your child’s experience without reinforcing the fear<br />• Why curiosity builds more trust than correction<br />• How connection helps reduce stress and supports long term change</p><p></p><p>If you want to feel more confident responding in these moments and create more connection with your child, this episode offers a simple and powerful place to start.</p><p></p><p><b>New episodes air every Wednesday.</b></p><p></p><p>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:<br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.wendyschofermd.com/the-exhale" target="_blank">https://www.wendyschofermd.com/the-exhale</a></p><p></p><p>Learn more about working together:<br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.wendyschofermd.com" target="_blank">https://www.wendyschofermd.com</a></p><p></p><p>To schedule a consult:<br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://wendyschofermdscheduling.as.me/consult" target="_blank">https://wendyschofermdscheduling.as.me/consult</a></p><p></p><p>Follow along and continue the conversation:</p><p>Instagram: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/wendyschofermd/" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/wendyschofermd/</a><br />TikTok: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@wendyschofermd" target="_blank">https://www.tiktok.com/@wendyschofermd</a><br />Facebook: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/wendyschofermd/" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/wendyschofermd/</a><br />LinkedIn: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-schofer-md/" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-schofer-md/</a></p><p></p><p>While I am a doctor, I am not your doctor. This podcast is for education, not medical advice.</p>