Wire Talk With Karen Stubbs

Setting boundaries can be uncomfortable, whether you are trying to take control of your schedule, your toddler, or any other area of life. Listen in as Karen and Sunny answer questions from moms in our Facebook group about healthy, biblical boundaries and saying “no” without guilt! Head to birdsonawiremoms.com/podcast/episode196 for links to all of the resources mentioned on today's show.  And thank you to our newest Patrons: Mollie, Jessica V., Rachel, Allison, Ashley, Mariah, Lynn, Paula, Jessica B., Alice, Catherine, Sonia, Natalie, Amber, Jessica R., Halli, Mary Ellen, Caylin, Dana, Melissa, Robin, Brittany, Meghan, Valerie, Alicia, Julie, Nicolette, Rodnie, Abby, Bethany, Renee, Maggie, Laura, Cooper, Audrey, Candice, and Rachel P.   Become a Wire Talk Patron today!  

Our first episode of Real Life Real Moms is coming soon and features Karen's daughters Kelsey and Emily. Listen in for a sneak peek of their conversation and to hear Karen explain what our new show is all about.  Become a Patron today to get the whole episode as soon as it's released.  And a big thank you to Patrons Katie, Fernanda, Alison, Cara, Kareen and Brittany for your early support!  

Until our society makes the internet safe for kids, parents must be proactive in teaching what pornography is, why it’s dangerous and exactly how to reject it. Today Karen and Sunny talk with Kristen Jenson, author of Good Pictures, Bad Pictures about porn-proofing our kids. We discuss age-appropriate definitions of pornography, how to talk about it with our kids, and how to help our kids form a plan for what to do when they see it.  Warning: this topic is not for young ears, moms. Pop in those earbuds before you start listening!  Find links to everything mentioned on today's show HERE.  Become a Patreon supporter of BOAW HERE. 

Whether you wish you had a closer relationship with your in-laws, are dealing with a broken relationship with a parent, or your relationship is a little too close (and not in a good way) with the grandparents, we think you’ll relate to one of the questions Karen tackles on today’s show. Don’t miss Karen walking us through how we can forgive someone who does not deserve our forgiveness or her surprising (to Sunny) take on one momma’s situation. You’ll especially want to her perspective as a grandmother herself to the very last question! Check out today's show notes for all the links from this episode. If you love Wire Talk, share this episode with a friend or double tap that subscribe button. And it really does make a difference for us when you leave a review in iTunes!

On today’s episode, Maria Shanlian from the Birds on a Wire group in Wayne County, OH joins Karen and Sunny to share what happened in her community when she and a friend said yes to God’s prompting to pour into the moms in their community. Maria shares the hesitations they had, how God confirmed this calling, and how they went from 35 moms to more than 125 moms in just two years. We think what’s going on in Wayne County is inspiring and we are praying hearts are stirred by this conversation!  For more on starting a BOAW group in your community, visit birdsonawiremoms.com/groups 

Prioritizing rest is hard to do throughout the year, and for moms, it can be especially difficult during the holiday season. We're going all of the places and doing all of the things, all of the time! On today’s show Karen answers questions from moms about making room in their schedules, their hearts, and in their cars, for rest this season. Whether you’re a single mom, a new mom, or just a mom of non-stop talkers, listen in and be encouraged to find rest even in the busiest of seasons. To help fund Birds on a Wire for 2020, head to boaw.mom/give today. And thank you for joining us in our mission to equip and encourage mothers around the world. 

Author and counselor Sissy Goff joins Karen and Sunny in the studio today to talk about the rise of anxiety in our daughters. Sissy shares how anxiety presents in girls, the power there is in naming anxious thoughts, and offers strategies we can put in place to help our daughters cope with their “worry monster” in healthy ways. Plus, she gives a little tough love to moms by suggesting a few ways we may be contributing to our daughters’ struggles without knowing it. While this conversation is specific to girls, boy moms, there is a ton of wisdom in this episode for you as well! Share this show link with a friend who may need to hear Sissy's wisdom today!  if you're a regular around Birds, would you give today to help us reach more moms in 2020? Birds on a Wire is a 501(c)3, so any donation is tax-deductible! 

Why does bedtime have to come at the end of the day when we’re already exhausted? All of us know what it’s like to look forward to getting our little ones down, only to be called back to their rooms again and again or woken up in the middle of the night by a scared little one. If you’re in the middle of a rough sleep season, listen in and be encouraged, you are not alone! We hope Karen’s wisdom equips you to handle the bedtime routine with confidence this evening! Enjoying Wire Talk? Push that subscribe button in your podcast app so you never miss an episode!  And if you're a Wire Talk regular, we'd love to have your support as we work toward funding the Birds on a Wire ministry for 2020. Click here to give today. 

Whether it’s a clash over chores, homework, or just a difference of personality, our kids’ attitudes can bring us down in a heartbeat. Listen for Karen’s wisdom on how to handle attitude explosions, how to celebrate and not fight your kids’ wiring, and how to set healthy boundaries so their emotions don’t suck you in! Check out today's show notes for links to all the books and resources Karen mentions in this episode. Will you partner with Birds on a Wire to help us grow in 2020? Click here today!

Learning to do life alongside a spouse is a constantly evolving process. Similar to being a student of your child, we have to work to understand and connect with our partners, even after decades of marriage! In this episode, Karen tackles your questions about communication, what to do when you’re at an impasse with your husband, and of course, sex! Enjoy mommas! Check out today's show notes for all the links from this episode. Will you partner with Birds on a Wire to help us grow in 2020? Click here today!

Whether it’s outbursts of your own anger, temper tantrums from your 5 year old, or the overwhelm that comes from working full time as a new mom…we all know what it’s like to feel defeated from day to day in motherhood. On today’s show Karen answers questions about what to do when it seems like nothing you’ve done has worked. Listen in, be encouraged, and as always, remember that you are a GREAT mom! Check out today's show notes for all the links from this episode. If you love Wire Talk, share this episode with a friend or double tap that subscribe button! And it really does make a difference for us when you leave a review in iTunes. :)

From losing a parent and co-parenting with a wayward ex, to dealing with disappointment and silence from God - today we are talking about the role faith plays in our lives when things are not easy. Don’t miss Karen sharing stories she’s never told before about experiencing God’s voice throughout her life, including the story of God telling her to start this ministry. We hope today’s show leaves you encouraged to seek God and run after his will regardless of the circumstances of your life. Check out today's show notes for all the links from this episode, including two powerful news articles from 1996 detailing Greg's mid air collision. If you love Wire Talk, share this episode with a friend or double tap that subscribe button! And it really does make a difference when you leave a review in iTunes, so share some love with us today. :)

Whether you're trying to understand what is actually happening during their school day, or struggling with an issue at home, today Karen answers your questions and shares wisdom on how to communicate so our school-age kids hear and understand us. Don't miss a short list of alternative questions to ask besides, "how was your day?" and Karen's approach to dealing with sibling jealousy. As always, we hope this conversation encourages you and gives you a practical nugget to carry into your mom world today.  If you love Wire Talk, double tap that subscribe button. And it really does make a difference when you leave a review in iTunes, so share some love with Wire Talk today!  

We're back today with the last installment in our Love Languages mini-series. Acts of service and physical touch are the final languages we're covering as we answer your questions and Karen gives loads of practical tips. If you're just tuning in, be sure to catch up with episodes 182 and 183 in this series!  Check out today's show notes for links to everything we talked about and if you love Wire Talk, subscribe and leave us a review in iTunes!    

We're back with part two of our conversation on the five love languages today. In this episode, we're taking a look at Quality Time and Gifts. Karen defines what it means to speak these languages to your kids and answers your questions like, "how much quality time is enough?" and "how do I deal with sibling jealousy when I give gifts to one child?"  Check out our show notes for links to everything we talked about on today's episode. And if you love Wire Talk, subscribe and leave us a review in iTunes!    

We're kicking off a brand-new series today with Part One of a three-part conversation all about the five love languages. You'll get a birds-eye view (no pun intended) of what the five languages are, and then we'll deep dive into Words of Affirmation. As always, Karen gives loads of practical phrases you can start using this week, and even shares how the love languages still help her love her adult children well today. Mentioned on the show: Leave us some Words of Affirmation with an iTunes review!  Karen’s Lunch Box Notes The Five Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman Video lesson: Being A Student of your Child from Mom Core Subscribe to Karen's Tips on Motherhood email newsletter for more wisdom in your inbox each week.  Like what you heard? Help other moms find Wire Talk by double tapping that subscribe button. :) 

Karen’s son Taylor joins her in the studio today for a conversation about his years growing up in the Stubbs household. He reflects on some of the ways Karen and Greg instilled character in him across the years and the one family habit that stands out in his mind as character-building. He also shares a recent story of personal failure, and how the lessons he was taught as a boy gave him resilience to get back up again as a man. Mentioned on the show: Colors Personality Quiz Subscribe to Karen's Tips on Motherhood email newsletter for more wisdom in your inbox each week.  Like what you heard? Help other moms find Wire Talk by double tapping that subscribe button and leaving us a review in iTunes!

On today's show we're talking about the habits that bring our families together. From big, intentional practices like creating a family mission statement to fun traditions like weekly queso-fests at the local Mexican restaurant, Karen shares her thoughts on how to create a family culture that ensures your children know they belong. Whatever your family looks like, we think you'll find something in this episode that you can take and make your own.  Subscribe to the Tips on Motherhood email newsletter for Karen's wisdom delivered directly to your inbox each week.  Like what you heard? Leave us a review in iTunes and let us know you love Wire Talk! Reviews help us fulfill our mission by pointing other moms to the encouragement and biblical equipping of Birds on a Wire.

On today’s episode, Karen reflects back over 29 years of parenting and shares the big lessons she learned from all of those small moments. Plus, she shares the greatest lesson she believes she taught her kids and gives a great little tip for any moms of perfection-minded blue kids. We hope this episode inspires you to take a deep breath, to keep the long view in mind, and reminds you that raising children really does take a village.  Links from today's show: Corey's Auto Service - Karen’s mechanic, aka the best mechanic in North Georgia! Get the BOAW app  Subscribe to Karen's Tips on Motherhood email newsletter for more wisdom in your inbox each week.  Like what you heard? Help other moms find Wire Talk by double tapping that subscribe button and leaving us a review in iTunes!

Discipline is a constant in our world as moms and it's made harder by the fact that what works for your family constantly changes depending on the child you're disciplining and their age. On today's show we're discussing the idea of discipline as "currency", what that means and how to find out what your child's is. Plus, hear Karen delve into the idea of "pain now = peace later" and the Scripture that keeps her motivated to be consistent. If you're struggling with disciplining one or more children in your family, listen in and be encouraged!  Links from the show today: Discipline series: Episodes 154, 155, 156 Mom Core curriculum - Discipline lesson Start a BOAW group! Books on raising boys: Boy Mom, Bringing Up Boys Hebrews 4:11 Subscribe to Karen's Tips on Motherhood email newsletter for more wisdom in your inbox each week.  Like what you heard? Help other moms find Wire Talk by double tapping that subscribe button and leaving us a review in iTunes!