When the Parent Isn’t Ready
Podcast Episode – April 21, 2025
Host: Christine Miroddi Yoder, Pediatric Feeding Therapist
________________
Hi, and welcome to another episode of How to Unpicky Your Picky Eater. We have a really special story today that’s very close to my heart.
If you're new here, I’m Christine — a pediatric feeding therapist specializing in helping parents of truly fearful eaters (what many might call "picky eaters") transform mealtimes from stressful to peaceful. We use a holistic approach that looks at the entire child — not just behavior, not just oral motor skills, not just the sensory system or mindset — but all of it. Because feeding is never just about one thing.
This One Broke My Heart
Today’s story is one that stuck with me. As a therapist, you work with a lot of families. But this one? I’ll remember them forever. It’s a powerful lesson in what happens when a parent isn’t ready.
Now, I want to be clear — this isn’t about blame. And it’s not a call-out. It’s just the truth. Because no matter how much training a therapist has, no matter how many sessions are provided, progress doesn’t happen if the parent isn’t in it.
This child had an extremely rare presentation — nonverbal, only eating purees, severe digestive issues, gagging, vomiting, constipation — and nothing had worked for them, even after lots of therapy. We began working with them through early intervention and started to see meaningful progress.
The Push for More Help — But Not the Right Kind
The parents wanted more therapy — more sessions, more support. We gave them that. I was seeing this child 3–4 hours a week — more than I’ve ever seen with another client. The mom said she wanted him to eat. But here’s the hard part: I don’t think she wanted to be part of the solution. She wanted someone to fix it for her.
Most sessions, mom wasn’t even present. It was the nanny, the housekeeper who didn’t speak English, or occasionally the dad in the other room. And I get it — she had other kids and a lot going on. I don’t fault her for that. But therapy is a team effort, and she just wasn’t in the game.
The Pattern That Repeated
When the child aged out of early intervention, we offered continued support — coaching, in-person sessions, virtual options — but she declined them all unless someone could come to the house. Not because it was better for the child, but because she could step away and not be involved.
Years later, we still hear from her asking for help. But it’s always the same request: “Can someone come to my house?” That pattern hasn’t changed.
Here's the Truth
You can have:
* A rare, complex diagnosis
* A highly trained therapist
* Multiple sessions per week
But if the parent isn’t on board, it won’t work.
We’ve seen families with similar or more complex challenges make amazing progress — not because of more therapy, but because the parent was engaged. One session a week with an invested parent can go further than four sessions with an absent one.
That’s why feeding therapy is different. It’s intimate. It’s relational. And the biggest changes happen at the table between you and your child — not just during therapy.
If You're Feeling Called Out...
Maybe this sounds familiar. Maybe you’re thinking, “That’s me. I check out. I don’t know what’s happening in sessions.”
You’re not failing. You’re not broken. Maybe no one ever asked you to be involved. But you can choose differently now.
You can be the reason your child transforms.
When You’re Ready, We’re Here
Our Unlocking Mealtimes program is designed for parents ready to become part of the process. We help you uncover the root issues, build a plan, and coach you every step of the way — so you’re never left wondering what to do next.
It’s not a one-size-fits-all course. We guide you, adapt with you, and give you real support.
So if you're ready, start by taking the 5-minute quiz at thepickyeaterstest.com. You’ll find out what type of eater your child is and get targeted recommendations on where to begin.
We’ll see you inside — or back here next week for a very different kind of story.
