Wire Talk With Karen Stubbs

From chaos in your newsfeed to chaos in your living room...there's plenty to be overwhelmed by in a mom's world. Today we're talking about how to have hope in the midst of a depressing season, how to stay sane despite bickering kids, how to manage the overwhelm of 3 kids under 3, and how to keep your home from falling apart on top of it all. Loads of grace and encouragement in this conversation, moms! It's a good one to share with a friend who may be feeling overwhelmed right now.  Don't forget to grab a copy of Karen's Prayer Journal while they're in stock! 

Whether it’s an issue surrounding family choices, politics, or religion, it’s not easy to know when to speak up and when to let something go. Today Karen offers wisdom for moms facing difficult conversations, and reminds us that as Christ-followers we can find a way to maintain personal boundaries and also be peacemakers in this world. Register TODAY for SURVIVE: A Retreat for Moms of Teens

Listen in as Karen and her youngest daughter, Abby, open up about the highs and lows their relationship has gone through over the years. From sweet preschool memories to going to counseling when Abby was in high school, this authentic conversation will encourage you to fight for your relationship with your child, no matter where it's at today. As Karen says, it's never too late to start building a bridge toward a better relationship with your child. Register for SURVIVE: A Retreat for Moms of Teens   

We get more questions about how to parent according to your child's personality than anything else! In today's show, Karen and Sunny answer your questions about kids with each of the temperament colors. As always, Karen offers practical tips that will help you better understand your child TODAY!  

Any moms with a “4nager” listening out there? Have we got a show for you! Today, Karen offers advice for moms wondering what on earth to do about disrespectful back talk, defiant behavior, and non-stop talking from their sweet little four year olds. We also tackle a poop question and Karen reminds us that it’s sometimes smart to call in the big guns (aka the pediatrician!) Tune in and share with a friend who may be at their wit’s end with their little angel. :) Shownotes at: birdsonawiremoms.com/podcast/episode282

If you have a school-age child, odds are good you’ve come up against one or more of the situations we’re talking about today. Whether it’s homework, teachers, relationships with classmates, or the behavior of your own child, knowing how to handle these issues can be tricky. Tune in today to hear Karen and Sunny’s advice for helping get school off to a great start this year! Have a middle or high schooler in the house? Don't miss our SURVIVE retreat just for moms of teens. Join Karen (in person!!) in North Carolina in November to be equipped specifically for this season of life. boaw.mom/survive 

Between Karen and Sunny, we've got 54 years of marital wisdom coming your way in this episode! In this episode, they tackle questions about helping your husband prepare to be a dad, dealing with extended family issues as a couple, how to handle disagreements about the number of children in your family, and we even talk about the "s" word (yep, submission). Tune in and share with a friend who might need encouragement during a hard season in their marriage!

Learn to wait patiently is a life skill we all need to work on, but man, is it hard to teach to our kids! Today Karen and Sunny offer tips for helping your toddler wait at the doctor's office and practice patience when you're having an adult conversation as well as tips for teaching your teen to wait for a phone, or to begin dating.  As Karen says, it's always going to be easier to give in, but consistency will pay off in the long run as you work diligently to teach these skills! 

Conflict is inevitable! As Sunny says, this is one of those episodes that applies to every family. Today, Karen tackles your questions about sibling conflict, a neighborhood cold war, toddlers who bite, and an only child who struggles to cope when she doesn't get her way. Be sure to check our show notes for links to everything we talked about on the show! birdsonawiremoms.com/podcast/episode278

Today we're answering your questions about all things back to school! How to set yourself up for success on crazy mornings, when to ask for help, and questions you can ask to find out how their day really went. We also commiserate with you about packing lunches and Karen and Sunny share their love for a good, old-fashioned school lunch. Soar is THIS WEEKEND! Grab your ticket HERE and snag a group pass for $50 off using code BOAWGROUP. 

Longtime podcaster and author Sarah Bragg joins us in The Nest to share a few lessons she’s learned about herself as she’s worked to raise her two daughters. We discuss how good and hard can run parallel to one another, why sometimes we have to say no to good things, and how to shut down the “shoulds” in our life and run our own race. Sarah’s new book, A Mother’s Guide to Raising Herself is out soon, be sure to pre-order your copy today!  And check out episode 41 of Sarah's podcast featuring Karen.

Whether it’s going to sleep, staying asleep, or dealing with fears at bedtime, nighttime can become a battleground when young kids are in the home. Today Karen offers tips and practical advice for taking back your evenings and helping your children get the rest their little growing bodies desperately need! Find links to everything mentioned on today's show at birdsonawiremoms.com/podcast/episode275  

Whether your child is 7 or 17, talking with them about sex and sexuality is often a little bit awkward. Today Karen offer no-nonsense advice on how to approach these conversations without going too deep or avoiding the topic altogether. We cover periods, puberty, TV, and TMI today's show, so pop in your earbuds and join us for a good one! ;)  Find links to all our recommended resources in today's show notes.

Our kids aren't the only ones who struggle with screen time, are they? Today Karen and Sunny commiserate about how easy it is to let our phones control how we spend our time and offer thoughts for cutting back and setting boundaries. We hope this show reminds you that you are not the only mom struggling here, and also encourages you to make some changes to your habits this week. Don't miss out on this year's Soar conference! Register today and use coupon code BOAW21 for $10 off your ticket. 

Whether you are dealing with your own anger or angry outbursts from a child or spouse, in this episode Karen and Sunny offer encouragement and practical strategies you can implement in your home today. From anger that explodes when your kids won't behave to anger that simmers under the surface from feeling unappreciated, today's conversation covers it all with biblical wisdom and practical nuggets to help you find hope moving forward. This is a great one to share with a friend or discuss in your women's group this week.   Psst! Grab a ticket to this year's Soar conference if you haven't already. Use coupon code BOAW21 for $10 off your ticket today! 

A mom’s relationship with her son is by nature going to be different from her relationship with her daughter. Our boys usually pull away toward independence sooner than our girls and that’s okay! Today Karen shares her thoughts on maintaining your connection with older boys while still being the adult. We cover how to find common ground with your newly independent teen, what to do about disrespectful behavior, navigating a rebellious college student coming back home, and how to instill character in your boys all along the way. If you’re a girl mom, be sure to go back and listen to episode 265 where Karen shares all the wisdom on teenage daughters! Don't miss out on this fall's SURVIVE retreat  (just for moms of teens and pre-teens!) Register today. 

These days moms work more hours than ever and are usually the primary keepers of the family schedule. Grocery shopping, doctor's appointments, preparing dinner, driving carpool, buying birthday gifts, folding laundry and oh yeah, that little thing called work, too. We're often looking at our calendars and scratching our heads, wondering how we can control them instead of being controlled by them. To round out our June 2021 of re-airs, we're bringing back this popular show where Karen and Sunny answer questions about routine, schedules and managing the busyness that accompanies family life. We hope you're encouraged by a tip to help calm the chaos and as always, reminded that you are not alone!   

How many times have you coached your child to say, "thank you" during their younger years? Teaching a two year old to respond politely is one task, but teaching a 14 year old to be grateful for opportunities and possessions is entirely another! Today we're re-airing this popular episode answering your questions about instilling gratitude in a child's heart, whether they are toddlers or teens. Show notes are at birdsonawiremoms.com/podcast/episode269

We all walk down the aisle with hearts full of hope, but a few years and a kid or two down the road, we often discover marriage is more work than we thought it would be. Right after discipline,  marriage is the topic we get the most questions about for Wire Talk. If you have a friend whose marriage could use a shot of encouragement, share this episode! 

We've got a fun one for you today moms! Today we're re-airing one of our favorite interviews of all time. Candace Cameron Bure, actress, wife, mom, and as she often points out, first and foremost, a follower of Jesus joins us in the studio to talk faith, career, and motherhood. We love Candace's words of encouragement for young mothers and think that wherever you are in your journey of motherhood, you'll benefit from the reminder in this conversation that our primary purpose in all that we do is to glorify God. Love this conversation? Get more of Karen talking with moms on our Patreon podcast, Real Life Real Moms...become a Patreon member today!