Wire Talk With Karen Stubbs

When our kids are young, we have to do everything for them. But as they grow up, some moms get stuck continuing to do for their kids what they can and ought to do for themselves. Today Karen encourages us all to take a step back so our kids can step up, and suggests appropriate tasks for our kids to “own,” whether they are 6 or 16. Don’t miss the connection between kids who take ownership and confident kids! Mentioned on this episode: Grab Survival Guide to Motherhood Interested in having Karen come to your community? Reach out. Join our Patreon community for just $5

Surprise! We're bringing you an extra episode this week! Did you know BOAW has a monthly podcast available exclusively on Patreon? Well, we do! Real Life, Real Mom subscribers get an extra dose of Karen each month. Listen in today as Karen's oldest daughter, Kelsey, opens up about her family, her faith, and her walk with God. (Psst - you might want to grab a tissue before listening!) Become a member of our Patreon community today and get a brand new Real Life, Real Moms conversation in your podcast feed next week. 

Your child was uniquely formed by God before he or she took their first breath. When we approach a child with their uniqueness in mind, we can parent more effectively. Join Karen and Emily as they discuss temperaments and love languages and show us how we can use these lenses to study our child and parent them in wisdom.  Mentioned on this episode: Survival Guide to Motherhood by Karen Stubbs  Personality Plus for Parents by Florence Littauer Birth Order book by Kevin Lehmen The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman Colors Quiz Additional Personality Resources

Discipline might just be the most critical survival skill a mom can have! Whether you have toddlers or teens in the home, this episode gives practical steps you can take to focus on discipline this week. Listen for Karen's 3 stages of discipline and learn what each stage requires from parents. This is a great episode for dads to tune in to as well!  Get the book! Survival Guide to Motherhood  Deep dive into discipline with more episodes: WT 154: Laying the Foundation WT 155: The Middle Years WT 156: Adolescence & Beyond Find blog posts, more Wire Talk episodes and Karen's upcoming speaking events at birdsonawiremoms.com

Our family began with our marriage, and hopefully our marriage will be there long after the kids move out! Today we’re digging into the next chapter of Karen’s new book, Survival Guide to Motherhood - How to Stay Connected To Your Spouse. Listen in for Karen’s marital wisdom on respect, expectations, sex, and the idea of “choosing love.” Mentioned on this episode: Past episodes on sex + motherhood: WT 131 with Dr. Mike Sytsma, WT 165 with Juli Slattery Get the book! Survival Guide to Motherhood  Invite Karen to speak to the moms in your community! How the heck do I leave a WT review? (scroll all the way to the bottom of the page)

We sacrifice all the time as a mom, and if we’re not careful, we can lose ourselves in the process. This week we’re discussing the next chapter of Survival Guide to Motherhood- Know How To Keep Your Sanity. Karen reminds us of the importance of paying attention to our health and gives practical tips for keeping healthy in 4 different aspects of life, which will in turn, keep us from losing our minds as we raise our child! Mentioned on this episode: Chapter 1 of SGTM: Know How To Get Through the Day Chapter 2 of SGTM: Know How To Take Charge of Your Home Get the book! Survival Guide to Motherhood  Karen’s Self Talk curriculum Karen’s daily devotional and prayer journal for moms How the heck do I leave a WT review? (scroll all the way to the bottom of the page)

We’re in the second week of diving into Karen’s new book: Survival Guide to Motherhood. Today we’re unpacking Karen’s accumulated wisdom on taking charge in your home. If you are struggling with a home that seems to have been taken over by a surly teenage attitude or by a tyrannical toddler, this episode is for you! Don't miss Karen's practical tips for taking back charge so you feel at ease and at peace in your own home. Mentioned on this episode: Chapter 1 of Survival Guide to Motherhood: Know How To Get Through the Day Get the book! Survival Guide to Motherhood  Invite Karen to speak to your community or church Meal Planning blog post

Dive in to Karen's brand-new book, Survival Guide to Motherhood, with us today! We are digging deep into the first chapter, Know How to Get Through the Day. This one is for new moms, for whom each day can feel like a lifetime, and for seasoned moms, who face unanticipated challenges almost every season. You're going to love Karen's perspective on choosing joy daily!  Mentioned on this episode: Survival Guide to Motherhood 

Today friend of BOAW and family therapist, David Thomas, joins us in the studio to talk about our boys and their emotional health. He shares practical wisdom for how parents can equip boys with the tools they need to understand and manage their emotions. Don’t miss David sharing who we can look to as the ultimate blueprint for masculinity! Mentioned on this episode:  Wire Talk #140 with David Thomas - The Emotional World of Kids  Grab a copy of David's new book - Raising Emotionally Strong Boys Accompanying workbook - Tools Your Son Can Build on For Life

Motherhood is a journey, and it’s often a lonely one. Today we’re talking about taking one step to create the community that you are craving - starting a moms group. We are answering your questions about what that could look like and giving you encouragement to go for it! Mentioned on today’s episode: Join our private Facebook group for all moms Join our private Facebook group for group leaders Which BOAW study is right for your group of moms? More episodes on starting a group: WT 143, WT 193 Still have questions or doubts? Email us at info@birdsonawiremoms.com for a virtual pep talk!

We are wrapping up our reading of the Christmas Story today in chapter 2 of Luke. I think you’ll enjoy re-visiting this famous birth story through fresh eyes as we unpack Luke’s words verse by verse. Questions for Reflection: What is God doing in my life that I need to be treasuring in this season? Do you need to ask God to help you keep faith during a season when you can’t see Him at work in your life? Mentioned on this episode: Go back and listen to this series from the beginning: WT 342, WT 343, WT 344 Order Karen’s new book, Survival Guide to Motherhood, today!

Today in Luke, we read about Mary sharing her good news with her cousin, Elizabeth. I love that Luke recorded this intimate look at two women’s friendship and the way they rejoiced with one another! As you listen and read this passage on your own this week - reflect and ask yourself, “Who do I run to when I want to celebrate?” and, “When life gives me a surprise, is my first instinct to praise God?” Mentioned on this episode: Go back and listen to this series from the beginning: WT 342, WT 343 Order Karen’s new book, Survival Guide to Motherhood, today!

We’re continuing to unpack Luke’s account of the Christmas story today in chapter 1 of Luke. As Karen breaks down the angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary and her response to him she  draws out beautiful and practical truths we can learn from this section of Scripture. Mentioned on today’s episode: Wire Talk series on James Luke 1:26-38 (NLT version) Life Application Study Bible 2 Samuel 7 - God’s promise to David that his kingdom will never end

It’s easy as a mom to spend all of your time leading up to Christmas morning checking off a giant to-do list and completely neglect to set aside any time to focus your heart on what the point of all this fuss is - JESUS’s arrival! That’s why, over the next 4 weeks Karen is going to walk us through the Christmas story as recorded by Luke, and give you a slice of time that is just for your spirit. Today we are getting started in Luke 1 with the story of Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth. Mentioned on this episode: Wire Talk James study - Week 1 Luke 1:1-25 NLT version Life Application Study Bible Pre-order Survival Guide to Motherhood!

The holidays are a special time of year but they can be extremely tricky for families. Whether you're traveling or staying home, struggling with your mother-in-law or your own mom, there’s lots of family time involved and that often leads to tension. Today Karen gives moms tips for having tactful conversations with grandparents, preparing our kids for situations that are outside the everyday, and being especially proactive as we parent at this time of year.  Mentioned on the episode: Pre-order Survival Guide to Motherhood today! Find resources for educating grandparents or other family members about your child's personality color HERE. 

What topics aren’t sensitive when you’re talking to a teenager! Today Karen is tackling tricky questions, from how to talk about health issues and personality differences to sneaky behavior and dealing with aging parents. As always, Karen doles out her trademark practical wisdom with some gems for the teenage years! Mentioned on today’s episode: Karen’s new book is available for pre-order! Take Birds on a Wire’s personality colors quiz HERE Find more BOAW personality resources HERE. Kathleen Edelman’s A Grown Up’s Guide to Kids’ Wiring

Technology is increasingly a part of every aspect of today's world and there is so much to navigate! From gaming to social media to smartphones and everything in between, today Karen is answering questions about how to set boundaries and how to think about the technology we allow into our homes and into our kids' lives. Mentioned on today’s episode: GABB Wireless - safe phones for kids Wire Talk episode 116 with expert Tom Shefchunas Circle internet filtering Right Now Media - video library for kids Good Pictures, Bad Pictures (book about pornography for ages 6-11) Good Pictures, Bad Pictures JR. (ages 3-6)

Toni Collier, founder of the women’s ministry, Broken Crayons Still Color, joins Karen today to talk about the message of her brand new book - Brave Enough to be Broken. We know you’ll enjoy hearing Toni’s personal story and resonate with the message that God uses all of our brokenness for His glory. Be sure to grab a copy of Toni’s brand new book and share this episode with a woman in your life who needs some encouragement today! Mentioned on today’s episode: Toni’s ministry Get the book: Brave Enough to be Broken Connect with Toni on social media

If you have toddlers in the house, you know nap time is a BIG deal! Today Karen is fielding questions from moms desperate for a little afternoon peace. Listen in for tips on how to create a “quiet time” for your kiddo and how to navigate the tricky in-between season when they still need sleep, but just won’t surrender! 

Disagreement is inevitable in any relationship and marriage is no exception. When you’re parenting together, and your husband has his own way of doing things, disagreements cause even greater tension. Today we’re answering your questions about conflict with your husband, everything from planning date nights and handling criticism to riding motorcycles with the kids! Mentioned on today’s episode: Wild At Heart WT 197: Creative Date Nights Survival Guide to Motherhood (ages 0-5)