Wire Talk With Karen Stubbs

Any working moms out there? We thought so. On today's show Karen answers your questions about managing work plus motherhood and the conflicting emotions that often accompany that combination. She reminds us all to quit chasing perfect and tells us exactly what we should do with all our mom guilt.  -Find links to resources mentioned on the show at the Birds on a Wire Moms website.  -Subscribe to Karen's weekly Tips on Motherhood email newsletter -Like what you heard? Double tap that subscribe button and leave us a review in iTunes.

Karen dives into her mentoring bag of tricks on today's episode to share three key principles for fighting fairly in our families. Learn to practice assertiveness and what it means to actively listen to one another. Plus, find out what Karen's "wish list" activity for conflict resolution is all about.  Like what you heard? Double tap that subscribe button and leave us a review iTunes. For more encouragement on your journey of motherhood, subscribe and receive Karen's weekly Tips on Motherhood every Tuesday in your inbox!  

Author Susannah B. Lewis of Whoa, Susannah! joins Karen and Sunny today for a conversation you don't want to miss. Susannah opens up about the very real way she clings to God and His Word while facing the curve balls life inevitably throws. If you're already a fan, you're going to love Susannah even more after this chat (if that's possible). And if she's a new voice for you, you're going to understand why more than a million folks find her honest and encouraging humor so refreshing! Stay tuned through the end of the show for details on a fun giveaway!  Want more?  -Find links to the resources discussed on this episode on the Birds on a Wire Moms website.  -Subscribe to Karen's weekly Tips on Motherhood email newsletter -Don't forget to double tap that subscribe button and leave us a comment on Facebook or Instagram to enter this week's giveaway! 

Dr. Juli Slattery joins Karen and Sunny today to answer your questions about sexual intimacy within marriage. Juli gives her thoughts on what to do when you’re the one with the higher sex drive, how to keep your sex life alive when you’re exhausted at the end of every day, and how we can integrate our spirituality with our sexuality. (Psst, pop in your earbuds for this one!) Want more?  -Find links to all the resources Juli mentions at the Birds on a Wire Moms website.  -Subscribe to Karen's weekly Tips on Motherhood email newsletter -Like what you heard? Double tap that subscribe button and leave us a review in iTunes.

Yellow moms, this episode is for YOU! Karen is also a yellow, so this conversation is especially fun to listen to as she tells stories about growing up as a yellow and how she brought her yellow strengths to play in her mothering. Not a yellow mom? Listen in to better understand and love on your friends!  In today's conversation, Karen and Sunny address your questions about the monotony of mothering, how to balance your desire for FUN with your kiddo's need for structure, and how to keep the long-term in mind when your nature is to live for the moment.  Want more?  -Find links to the resources discussed on this episode on the Birds on a Wire Moms website.  -Subscribe to Karen's weekly Tips on Motherhood email newsletter -Like what you heard? Double tap that subscribe button and leave us a review in iTunes.  

We all want to be the healthiest version of ourselves possible, but what happens when we fall into destructive patterns with exercise or eating? And what can we do when we see a loved one struggling with the same thing? Today, therapist Angela Schaffner joins Karen and Sunny in the studio to answer your questions about struggling with eating disorders, uncovering the reasons behind our damaging behaviors, and setting an example for our children. Want more?  -Find links to the resources discussed on this episode on the Birds on a Wire Moms website.  -Subscribe to Karen's weekly Tips on Motherhood email newsletter -Like what you heard? Double tap that subscribe button and leave us a review in iTunes.

There's no way around it, motherhood changes a woman's body. Whether it's stretch marks from giving birth, or a stretched schedule that allows little time for exercise, there's a new normal once kids are a part of your daily routine. Today Sunny and Karen answer your questions about making time to work out, giving yourself grace, and ultimately, making peace with the beautiful and capable body God has given you.   Like what you heard? Double tap the subscribe button and leave us a review iTunes. For more encouragement on your journey of motherhood, subscribe and receive Karen's weekly Tips on Motherhood every Tuesday in your inbox!    

Is it okay that my 7 year old prefers to spend time with our family over other kids? How can I teach my son to be a good friend at school? How do I handle “tricky” friends - ones who look good on paper but who are secretly doing all the things I don’t want my teenage son involved in? On today’s show we’re tackling questions about your kids and their peer relationships. Tune in to hear this far-ranging discussion and stay tuned until the end for the verse Karen wants us to meditate on as we relinquish control over this arena of our children’s lives. Like what you heard? Double tap that subscribe button and leave us a review iTunes. For more encouragement on your journey of motherhood, subscribe and receive Karen's weekly Tips on Motherhood every Tuesday in your inbox!  

Blue mommas, today is all about YOU. You love order, routine, and nothing makes you smile quite like fresh vacuum lines on a rug. So often times the chaos of mom life drives you nuts! Today Karen and Sunny are tackling your questions on how to carve out time to restore your peace, how to let go of the mile-long to-do list in your mind and just enjoy your kids, and how to communicate your needs to your spouse or kids.  Like what you heard? Double tap the subscribe button and leave us a review iTunes. For more encouragement on your journey of motherhood, subscribe and receive Karen's weekly Tips on Motherhood every Tuesday in your inbox!    

Grief doesn't make exceptions or take a time out because you're a mom. Whether you're dealing with the loss of a parent or pregnancy, an unexpected diagnosis or the death of a dream, grief touches us all at some point along our journey of motherhood. On today's episode Karen speaks with reverend Judy Wolfe on how we can navigate the complex emotion of grief and how we can help our children process grief when it intersects with their lives as well.  If you've ever wondered how you're supposed to keep driving carpool and checking homework while walking through the valley of grief, we hope you'll tune in today and be encouraged. You are not alone, momma.  Like what you heard? Double tap that subscribe button and leave us a review iTunes. For more encouragement on your journey of motherhood, subscribe and receive Karen's weekly Tips on Motherhood every Tuesday in your inbox!  

On today’s episode Karen and Sunny answer questions from moms with high school seniors getting ready for graduation! We cover enjoying this last summer at home with your child, how often is too often to “check in”, what to expect on move-in day and even how to handle visits home now that your child is living independently at school. Enjoying Wire Talk? Subscribe and leave us a review in iTunes! For more encouragement on your journey of motherhood, visit www.birdsaonawiremoms.com

Red moms, this is the episode you've been waiting for! Today Karen tackles your questions and talks about both the positives and the negatives that come along with being a red mom. We discuss anger, identity, and what happens when a red mom and a red child face off.  Like what you heard? Subscribe and leave a review iTunes. For more encouragement on your journey of motherhood, subscribe and receive Karen's weekly Tips on Motherhood every Tuesday in your inbox!  

Today we're wrapping up our three part series by answering your questions on what discipline looks like as our kids move into adolescence. Karen explains the key principle that as moms, these are the years when we need to let consequences play out in our kids' lives. We answer questions about a lying daughter, how to address arrogant attitudes, and the role men can play in our sons' life during high school. Plus, find out why a pair of AirPods might just be the thing you need to make it through these years without losing your mind.  Loving Wire Talk? Leave us a review and subscribe in iTunes! For more encouragement on your journey of motherhood, sign up to receive Karen's weekly Tips on Motherhood email. 

How do you discipline in the middle years when time outs aren't an effective option any more and your kids are rapidly closing in on adolescence? Tune in to hear Karen's philosophy on the purpose of discipline in these years and hear your questions answered about the discipline situations you are facing with your 6 to 12 year olds.  Loving Wire Talk? Leave us a review and subscribe in iTunes! For more encouragement on your journey of motherhood, sign up to receive Karen's weekly Tips on Motherhood email. 

What do you do when time outs just aren't cutting it anymore? Join Karen and Sunny today for the first discussion in a three part mini-series all about discipline. We talk about the why behind the how, explain what Karen means when she talks about a child's "currency," and even take a deep dive into the topic of spanking. We hope this episode is a little refresher course on the purpose of discipline and helps you understand the importance of laying a solid foundation during the early years.   Like what you heard? Subscribe and leave us a review in iTunes! For more resources on motherhood and parenting, visit www.birdsonawiremoms.com     

We all know establishing boundaries is important, but we don't always understand how to communicate those boundaries to those around us. On today's show, Karen helps us understand how to communicate our family boundaries to our children, how to deal with toxic relationships in extended families, and how to stand your ground without feeling guilty. Plus Sunny shares a great tip for taking the pressure off of your child as far as keeping your rules when they head to a friend's home.  Mommas, we hope this episode brings you great freedom as you parent this week! For more resources on motherhood and parenting, visit www.birdsonawiremoms.com  

We're talking personalities again today, but this time we're discussing YOUR personality, and specifically answering questions from our tender and peace-loving GREEN mamas. Listen to hear the advice Karen has for a green mom worn out by her red and yellow kids, how green moms can thrive in a rainbow of competing family members, and stay tuned to hear Karen share a text she receives in the middle of recording with exciting news about her son! :)   Enjoy Wire Talk with Karen Stubbs? Share our show with a friend and help us encourage more moms!  For more information on Birds on a Wire and to find all our episodes in an easily searchable format, visit us online at www.birdsonawiremoms.com/podcast 

Do your bickering kids drive you nuts some days? You're in good company, momma! On today's episode Karen and Sunny answer your questions all about sibling relationships, rivalry, and the inevitable run-ins that happen when you have more than one child in your family.  Like what you heard? Subscribe today so you never miss an episode and if you're a fan of Wire Talk - leave us a review in iTunes so other moms can find the show!  For more encouragement on your journey of motherhood, visit us at www.birdsonawiremoms.com 

How do you know when your family is complete? On today's episode of Wire Talk Karen and Sunny answer questions about family planning, infertility, and what it looks like to seek God in prayer when it comes to His plans for your future family.  Love Wire Talk? Leave a review so that more moms can find us and be encouraged!  Find more encouragement on your journey of motherhood by visiting www.birdsonawiremoms.com

Today Greg Stubbs joins Karen in the studio to talk about how they navigated dating relationships during their children's teenage years. They discuss the boundaries they set for their kids during the dating years, how they handled boyfriends and girlfriends they didn't like, and how they kept the lines of communication open during these important years.  Like what you heard? Share Wire Talk with a friend or leave us a 5 star review in iTunes. Having great reviews helps other moms find Wire Talk so that as many moms as possible can be encouraged by our episodes!