What Scripture and Science Say About Resilience with Dr. Nicole Wilke

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! 

This is our second week in my new series breaking down how to emotionally regulate your household. Specifically in this episode, I am explaining the HALT method--Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tireda powerful tool to help manage behavioral escalations. I am also sharing some personal examples and practical insights to guide you in fostering a nurturing environment with a biblical foundation. 

Tune in to learn how addressing basic and felt needs can transform family dynamics and build trust. Don't miss this essential episode for every parent looking to enhance emotional and behavioral regulation at home! 

Here are a few key takeaways: 

• The HALT method is essential for emotional regulation.
• Understanding hunger can prevent behavioral issues.
• Anger is a natural emotion that needs management.
• Loneliness can occur even in crowded spaces.
• Rest is crucial for emotional and physical health.
• Building trust is key to effective parenting.
• Recognizing triggers can help in de-escalation.
• Biblical examples provide insight into caregiving.
• Practical tools can be adapted for individual needs.
• Consistency in approach fosters better relationships.

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You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more! 

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! 

In this episode, I am kicking off a five-part series on emotional and behavioral regulation in your family. We are in the thick of summer but if were being honest, it hardly feels like a summer break. From summer camps, VBSs, traveling, and all other kinds of extracurricular activities that keeps our summers busy, there is hardly a normal day. The routine of the school year is almost completely out the window for many of us. This can be a fun time but it can also be an exhausting and overstimulating time of year. That is why it is the perfect time for me to tell you about these emotional and behavioral regulation tips and strategies, and I will be diving deeper into them over the next four weeks. 

I hope in this episode you will:

1. Better understand the signs of dysregulation and its impact on family dynamics
2. Learn how to model emotional regulation and create a calm environment
3. Discover the importance of maintaining healthy authority and setting boundaries
4. And, explore practical tools like positive reinforcement and teaching emotional language. 

Here are a few takeaways: 

• Disregulation affects both parents and children.
• Recognizing signs of disregulation is crucial.
• Self-regulation is essential for effective parenting.
• Creating a calm environment can reduce disregulation.
• Modeling emotional regulation helps children learn.
• Validating emotions while maintaining respect is important.
• Teaching emotional language aids in communication.
• Establishing boundaries provides safety for children.
• Encouraging problem-solving fosters ownership in children.
• Patience and consistency are key in parenting.

Grab your FREE DOWNLOAD: 10 Ways to Promote Emotional and Behavioral Regulation in Your Family

You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more! 

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! 

In this episode, I am joined by Katie Davis Majors. You may know her as the author of Kisses from Katie and she is the founder of the Amazima Ministries which works to keep kids with their biological families in Uganda. Katie shares her incredible story of how God took her Yes and and multiplied not just her family (raising 13 adopted girls and having two biological boys with her husband) but her ministry. 

In our conversation, I ask Katie about how on earth she juggles fifteen kiddos and all the work she does, along with other questions about trauma, supporting those kids with resources, and what she has learned along this wild journey. 

Here are a few takeaways from our conversation: 

• Katie's journey began with a mission trip to Uganda.
• Many children in institutional care have living relatives. 
• These kids are living in orphanages because it can be their best option for education, meals, and healthcare but it means separation from their biological families. This broke Katies heart. 
• Foster care experiences led Katie to adopting 13 children.
• Community support is vital in parenting and service.
• Learn how to say I need help! and not feel ashamed or embarrassed; we need each other, especially in this calling. 
• Dependence on God is essential in parenting challenges. 

Connect with Katie on social media

Check out her website

Check out her book, Kisses From Katie 

Learn more about Amazima Ministries! 

You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! 

In this episode, I am joined by Rachel Van Kluyve, who is a homeschooling, book-writing, bio and adoptive mama to four kiddos! Rachels two adoptive daughters are both Black American which has given Rachel some interesting challenges to navigate. She realized they do not have a lot of representation, from baby dolls to storybooks, which inspired her to create her own childrens book series about two black girls. 

In our conversation, we unpack the unique challenges of a transracial adoption: the unsolicited questions and comments from friends, family, or people online, how to style their hair, how to incorporate their culture and affirm their identities, and more. Rachel also shares that both of these adoptions are open adoption and recommends parents consider it, even though it seems scary. In fact, Rachel encourages parents to consider any kind of adoption and trust the Lord will provide the child, no matter the race, gender, background, etc 

Here are a few takeaways from our conversation: 

• Understanding the Lord's sacrifice is comparable to adoption.
• Open adoption can provide a sense of connection for children.
• Faith plays a crucial role in the adoption process.
• Representation in children's literature is essential.
• Navigating criticism as a transracial family can be challenging.
• Building relationships with birth mothers is important for the child's identity.
• Every adoption story is unique and requires grace and understanding.

Connect with Rachel on social media

Or you can check out her website 

And pre-order her new childrens book! Louie and La'Ree Empty the Sea (Sister Adventures)

You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! 

In this episode, I am joined by a man with an incredible and powerful story: Jackson TerKeurst. If you recognize that name, it is probably because he was adopted by author and speaker Lisa TerKeurst. Jackson came to the TerKeurst family after trying to survive gunfire and starvation during the Liberian Civil War. He was a teenager when he was adopted and now hes a published author too. 

In our conversation, Jackson discusses the challenges he faced, the importance of faith, and the lessons learned through adversity. He emphasizes the significance of being present for adopted children, celebrating their cultural identity, and embracing God's plan, which often diverges from our own expectations. His story is a testament to resilience, hope, and the power of community. 

Here are a few takeaways from our conversation: 

• His adoption story is unique, filled with years of prayer and longing for family.
• Adoptive parents should prepare their hearts, not just their homes.
• Celebrating a child's culture is crucial for their identity.
• Struggles in adoption are part of the journey, not a sign of failure.
• Being present and patient is essential for adoptive parents.
• God's plan often differs from our own, requiring surrender and trust.

Connect with Jackson TerKeurst on Instagram

Or you can check out his website 

And buy his new book on Amazon! 

You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!