What do you do when your child refuses to eat? When food, health, and body image turn into a dangerous battleground? In this deeply moving episode, Justin and Kylie unpack the devastating reality of eating disorders — with insights from a brave young woman who overcame anorexia, her incredible family, and a specialist psychologist who shares life-saving advice for parents.

KEY POINTS


90% of teens have negative thoughts about their bodies; eating disorders affect far too many young people, especially girls.


Social media and “diet culture” fuel body dissatisfaction, validation-seeking, and dangerous habits.


Even the most loving parents can have children who perceive themselves as unlovable — perception is reality for struggling kids.


Parents play a vital role: showing up consistently and lovingly is powerful even when it feels unnoticed.


 

Warning signs to watch for include:


Loose, baggy clothing (to hide weight loss or from skin sensitivity)


Avoiding family meals, picking at food, or excessive “health consciousness”


Withdrawing socially, prioritizing exercise obsessively


Personality changes, irritability, especially around meals

 
Parents need extraordinary patience, kindness, and firmness — staying at the table for hours if necessary, showing the eating disorder who’s stronger.


Separate “the eating disorder voice” from your child’s real self in your interactions.


It’s less about finding the “cause” and more about focusing on healing.


The Butterfly Foundation (butterfly.org.au) is an excellent resource for specialist help.

QUOTE OF EPISODE #1299

"You need to show that eating disorder that you're stronger than it, more patient than it, and you will sit there as long as it takes — because your child is worth fighting for." — Christine Gregory

RESOURCES MENTIONED


The Butterfly Foundation — national support for eating disorders


Parental Guidance episode (stream on 9Now)


Happy Families articles and resources on connection and body image (happyfamilies.com.au)

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS

1. Watch for early warning signs and trust your instincts — you know your child best.
2. Be patient, kind, and firm — sit with your child at meals and don’t let the eating disorder win.
3. Separate your child’s identity from the illness; speak to your child, not to the disorder.
4. Don’t obsess over what “caused” it — focus on healing and connection.
5. Seek professional help early through organizations like the Butterfly Foundation.
6. Show up consistently: being present every day sends a powerful message of love and commitment.

What do you do when your child refuses to eat? When food, health, and body image turn into a dangerous battleground? In this deeply moving episode, Justin and Kylie unpack the devastating reality of eating disorders &mdash; with insights from a brave young woman who overcame anorexia, her incredible family, and a specialist psychologist who shares life-saving advice for parents.
KEY POINTS
<ul>
<li data-start="580" data-end="708">
90% of teens have negative thoughts about their bodies; eating disorders affect far too many young people, especially girls.
</li>
<li data-start="580" data-end="708">
Social media and &ldquo;diet culture&rdquo; fuel body dissatisfaction, validation-seeking, and dangerous habits.
</li>
<li data-start="709" data-end="813">
Even the most loving parents can have children who&nbsp;perceive themselves as unlovable &mdash; perception is reality for struggling kids.
</li>
<li data-start="814" data-end="948">
Parents play a vital role: showing up consistently and lovingly is powerful even when it feels unnoticed.
</li>
<li data-start="949" data-end="1058">
&nbsp;
Warning signs to watch for include:
<ul data-start="1101" data-end="1381">
<li data-start="1101" data-end="1173">
Loose, baggy clothing (to hide weight loss or from skin sensitivity)
</li>
<li data-start="1101" data-end="1173">
Avoiding family meals, picking at food, or excessive &ldquo;health consciousness&rdquo;
</li>
<li data-start="1101" data-end="1173">
Withdrawing socially, prioritizing exercise obsessively
</li>
<li data-start="1101" data-end="1173">
Personality changes, irritability, especially around meals
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
</li>
<li data-start="1322" data-end="1381">Parents need extraordinary patience, kindness, and firmness &mdash; staying at the table for hours if necessary, showing the eating disorder who&rsquo;s stronger.</li>
<li data-start="1382" data-end="1536">
Separate &ldquo;the eating disorder voice&rdquo; from your child&rsquo;s real self in your interactions.
</li>
<li data-start="1537" data-end="1627">
It&rsquo;s less about finding the &ldquo;cause&rdquo; and more about focusing on healing.
</li>
<li data-start="1628" data-end="1703">
The Butterfly Foundation (butterfly.org.au) is an excellent resource for specialist help.
</li>
</ul>
QUOTE OF EPISODE #1299
"You need to show that eating disorder that you're stronger than it, more patient than it, and you will sit there as long as it takes &mdash; because your child is worth fighting for." &mdash; Christine Gregory
RESOURCES MENTIONED
<ul data-start="2060" data-end="2295">
<li data-start="2060" data-end="2156">
<a href="https://butterfly.org.au" data-start="2062" data-end="2114">The Butterfly Foundation</a> &mdash; national support for eating disorders
</li>
<li data-start="2060" data-end="2156">
Parental Guidance episode (stream on 9Now)
</li>
<li data-start="2060" data-end="2156">
Happy Families articles and resources on connection and body image (happyfamilies.com.au)
</li>
</ul>
ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS
1. Watch for early warning signs and trust your instincts &mdash; you know your child best. 2. Be patient, kind, and firm &mdash; sit with your child at meals and don&rsquo;t let the eating disorder win. 3. Separate your child&rsquo;s identity from the illness; speak to your child, not to the disorder. 4. Don&rsquo;t obsess over what &ldquo;caused&rdquo; it &mdash; focus on healing and connection. 5. Seek professional help early through organizations like the Butterfly Foundation. 6. Show up consistently: being present every day sends a powerful message of love and commitment.

The Happy Families Podcast with Dr. Justin Coulson is designed for the time poor parent who just wants answers now. Every day Justin and his wife Kylie provide practical tips and a common sense approach to parenting that Mums and Dads all over the world are connecting with. Justin and Kylie have 6 daughters and they regularly share their experiences of managing a busy household filled with lots of challenges and plenty of happiness. For real and practicable advice from people who understand and appreciate the challenges of a time poor parent, listen to Justin and Kylie and help make your family happier.

The Happy Families Podcast with Dr. Justin Coulson is designed for the time poor parent who just wants answers now. Every day Justin and his wife Kylie provide practical tips and a common sense approach to parenting that Mums and Dads all over the world are connecting with. Justin and Kylie have 6 daughters and they regularly share their experiences of managing a busy household filled with lots of challenges and plenty of happiness. For real and practicable advice from people who understand and appreciate the challenges of a time poor parent, listen to Justin and Kylie and help make your family happier.

The Happy families podcast with Dr. Justin Coulson is designed for the time poor parent who just wants answers now.

Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

When Food Becomes the Enemy: Helping Kids Through Eating Disorders [Parental Guidance Ep. 3] 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/e8a5c83d-b816-4dbb-b601-b3120012f667/transcript