Growing Independent Eaters recognizes that children struggle to eat and drink for varying reasons, and our Happy Eaters program exists to support families as they help their child move towards safe, happy, empowered, and age-appropriate eating.

The Happy Eaters program is designed for families struggling with:

• Mealtime battles;

• Feelings of stress, fear, and frustration for children and parents;

• Lack of a mealtime schedule and routine;

• A medicalized view of eating after weaning from a feeding tube;

• Introducing new textures and flavors; and

• Feeling “stuck” – tied to certain locations, foods, or ways of eating that are unwelcome.

What do we offer to help?

• Ongoing support to help repair the parent-child relationship around meal;

• Coaching in the Division of Responsibility approach (what’s your mealtime job? And what’s your child’s job?);

• Guidelines and support in creating opportunities for happy eating and introducing new textures/flavors; and

• Personalized suggestions to help your family reach your mealtime goals.

How does the program work?

We know that each family comes to us with different goals, different struggles, and different types of eating experience. It is important to remember that even when mealtimes are made happy, what a child can eat (in terms of food types) will depend on their age, diagnoses, and overall development. Our Happy Eaters program is designed in two phases: some families will only need the first phase to reach their goals, while other families will choose to sign up for the second phase, for ongoing support. No matter where your family is, we are here to help you – the parents – make your family mealtimes the best they can be. 

Fill out a free intake form today to determine whether your child is a fit for our Happy Eaters program!

Phase One- Pre program consultation: $629

This consultation helps families to assess their current mealtime and eating dynamics, and to propose steps that can be taken to improve both. The Pre-Program Consultation includes:

1. A one (1) hour consultation with a Parent Coach

2. A one (1) hour consultation with a Feeding Therapist

3. The review of mealtime videos

4. A written summary of the consultations, along with recommendations on where to begin

After Phase One, your team will let you know if we think that local therapy is recommended. If so, we can advise on how to set therapy goals that line up with your mealtime goals. Your team will also let you know if they think that Phase Two would be helpful for you.

Phase Two (optional and priced individually):

Lite Support: $459
This consultation plan helps families who want the security of additional dietary recommendations, and more hours of specialist or coach time. The Lite Support Program includes:

1. Step-by-Step support as you move towards your goals.

2. The addition of a Dietitian to your support team.

3. Three (3) hours of support and consultation to be shared across your team including Dietician, Parent Coach, and Feeding Specialist.

4. Access to our private members-only Facebook Group, support group, and an online Members area with additional resources, support, and access to education.

Moderate Support: $599
This plan helps families who want extra reassurance and strategies for mealtimes. It is designed to help parents recover from the deep stress of long and difficult medical journeys, and includes:

1. Step-by-Step support as you move towards your goals.

2. The addition of a Dietitian and Social Worker to your Support Team.

3. One (1) hour with a Social Worker to provide strategies on managing anxiety on recovery from post-traumatic stress.

4. Four (4) hours of support and consultation to be shared across your team including Dietician, Parent Coach, and Feeding Specialist.

5. Access to our private members-only Facebook Group, support group, and an online Members area with additional resources, support, and access to education.

Full Support: $759
The Full Support Program helps families who feel highly stressed or anxious, and who want to have a full team available to support them through every step of their feeding plan. This plan provides you the end-to-end support you and your family needs to complete to meet your goals and includes:

1. Step-by-Step support as you move towards your goals.

2. The addition of a Dietitian and Social Worker to your Support Team.

3. One (1) hour with a Social Worker to provide strategies on managing anxiety on recovery from post-traumatic stress.

4. Six (6) hours of support and consultation to be shared across your team including Dietician, Parent Coach, and Feeding Specialist.

5. One (1) additional hour with the Social Worker to follow up on strategies for self-care and healing.

6. Access to our private members-only Facebook Group, support group, and an online Members area with additional resources, support, and access to education.

To get started with the Happy Eaters program, fill out our free intake form today!