How do parents nurture a child’s God-given individuality without letting that individuality run the family?

🎙️ In this episode of Rooted by the River, host John Houmes sits down with Torrey Roberts, Engagement Director at Oceanview Baptist Church and longtime family ministry leader, to talk about one of the most common (and confusing) parenting tensions: raising unique children while building a unified family culture.

Drawing from her experience as a behavioral specialist at Sheridan House Ministries and her 15 years co-hosting the Parenting on Purpose podcast, Torrey offers practical wisdom for Christian parents who want to raise kids who are faithful, resilient, and grounded in truth—without overcorrecting, micromanaging, or reacting out of fear.

✨ This conversation is especially helpful for parents navigating strong-willed children, teens, or siblings with very different personalities who want to parent with grace, truth, and wisdom.

#parenting #individuality #children #personality

⏱️ 00:00 – Welcome & introduction ⚖️ 02:20 – Individuality vs. family culture 🌱 02:50 – “The way they are bent” (Proverbs insight) 🚩 05:47 – Signs parents might be struggling stewarding kids’ individuality 😨 07:59 – Parental fear, control, and need for perfection 🧠 10:17 – How to let kids fail and self-awareness 🌍 14:32 – Cultural radical individualism vs. biblical identity 📚 17:16 – Being a student of your child and God’s purpose for them 🕰️ 20:41 – Family rules, consistency, and rhythms ✅ 22:46 – Preferences vs. right and wrong 💍💼✝️ 24:07 – Raising kids to be marriageable, employable, and God-honoring 📝 25:34 – John’s reflections and takeaways

In this episode, host John Houmes talks with therapist Jill Dagistino about emotion regulation in parenting.

They explore how emotions impact both parents and children, why emotional awareness matters, and practical tools parents can use to help kids understand and manage big feelings.

Jill shares the RAIN Method, explains the difference between guilt and shame, and highlights why connection and vulnerability are essential for emotionally healthy families. This episode offers practical, faith-based insight for parents raising children in today’s world.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

01:33 The Role of Emotion Regulation & Definitions

05:15 Cultural Perspectives & Misconceptions on Emotions

10:06 The RAIN Method for Emotion Regulation - Core Emotions

19:52 Training Children to recognize their Emotions

23:13 Navigating Emotions while Parenting

24:18 The Importance of being Honest

26:42 Guilt vs. Shame & Vulnerability in Parenting

30:00 Closing Thoughts/Takeaways and Prayer

#guiltvsshame #kidsandemotions #parentingkids #emotionalregulation #raisingemotionallyhealthykids

Resources

Feelings Wheel

Jill Dagistino — Spanish River Counseling Center

Parenting teens around food can feel like a constant balancing act. One day they’re not hungry, the next they’re starving—and underneath it all are deeper questions about body image, control, comparison, and faith.

In this episode of Rooted by the River, John talks with registered dietitian Jenna Braddock about helping children and teenagers develop a healthy, God-honoring relationship with food. Together they explore how family rhythms, shared meals, and grace-filled conversations can shape both physical health and spiritual formation.

This episode offers practical encouragement for parents who want to:

• Teach healthy eating without shame or fear

• Address body image in a faith-filled way

• Stay connected to teens navigating comparison

• Use family meals as a place of discipleship

“Shared meals can change lives.” — Jenna Braddock

Whether you’re a parent, pastor, or caregiver, this conversation will help you approach food, faith, and family with wisdom and peace.