Wire Talk With Karen Stubbs

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! 

During the month of June, Wire Talk is re-airing 5 of our most popular episodes from years past. We’re kicking off the month with a great one, all about toddlers! Moms are constantly asking, how can we survive the chaos and maybe even enjoy a little bit of these fleeting years? Today Sunny and Karen are addressing your questions and hopefully giving you hope that you CAN do this!  Love Wire Talk? Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! 

As your little girl turns the corner toward adulthood, your relationship dynamic will definitely start to change. Today Karen shares her thoughts on connecting with older daughters while still holding the line on boundaries and discipline. Don’t miss wisdom bombs, like, “listen before you lecture” and “you do not need to be your child’s best friend”. :) We hope this episode equips those of you navigating Tinder and tattoos while encouraging our toddler moms that you really can enjoy the teenage years. And stay tuned for an upcoming episode all about fostering a great relationship with your teenage son! Save the Date for Survive: A Retreat for Moms of Teens Are you a Wire Talk superfan? Leave us a review and help more moms find Wire Talk this week! Not sure how? Head HERE and scroll down for a step-by-step how to. 

We all want kids with great character, but how do you help your kids take the lessons you are teaching them at home out into the real world? Today Karen is sharing the family values she and Greg tried to instill in their kids (and why they never had a family mission statement!) while answering questions about character issues at school and on the ball field. Mentioned on today’s episode: Wire Talk episode 125: How Do I Handle My Sweet Little Liar Join our BOAW Moms FB group today!

Whether it’s a friend’s bad behavior rubbing off on your child, or your child having trouble being a good friend, today Karen and Sunny are tackling your questions about friendship. As always, we hope this conversation encourages you right where you are, and gives you a practical tool (or two!) that you can put into practice with your kids today. Mentioned on today’s episode: WT 133: What Do I Do About Mean Girls? Join our Patreon community, Real Life, Real Moms, today!

"We feel out of control and so the easiest place and most natural place to control when we feel fearful, even fearful for our kids, is to step in and control them."  Author and counselor Sissy Goff joins us today to talk about the rise in anxiety and depression among moms (and our kids!) in the past year. There is so much wisdom packed into this conversation, moms. Please listen and SHARE!  Need to hear more about anxiety in your kids? Listen to episode 191 Pick up a copy of Brave: A Teen Girl's Guide to Beating Worry and Anxiety today! 

Sabbath first appears in the story of creation and again in the 10 commandments, but what does Sabbath actually look like in a mom's world? Today pastor Shireen Eldridge joins Karen and Sunny to share how practicing Sabbath helps recalibrate our hearts to love God and love the people around us better. We also dive into the practical; what does Sabbath REALLY look like in a house with young kids? Join us for this encouraging conversation! 

Gathering together this past year has been a complicated component of spiritual life for many of us. On today’s episode Karen and Sunny answer questions from moms weary of virtual church, about what to do when your kids hate going to church, and offer suggestions for gathering together with other moms during this unique season. Resources from today’s episode: Curious about starting a BOAW group? Head here. Read about each of the BOAW mom studies HERE. Parent Cue - more faith resources for kids

We're continuing this month's series on Spiritual Disciplines with a conversation about prayer today. Karen and Sunny address the tenderest questions from moms about how to pray when the words won't come, why Christians say the words, "In Jesus' name, Amen" at the end of prayers and what the purpose of prayer is. If your prayer life is feeling less than inspired lately, we hope this conversation is an encouragement to begin where you are.  P.S. That prayer journal Karen mentions? It's not available yet, but will be later this year. Be sure you're subscribed to our email list to know when it is released! 

All month long we are diving into spiritual disciplines of the Christian faith. We’ll be talking about studying God’s Word, prayer, intentional community with other believers and Sabbath.  Today we are kicking things off by answering your questions about studying the Word. Practically speaking, what does that look like with little kids (and little quiet) in your house? What resources do Karen and Sunny recommend and how can we lead our children well in this discipline? We hope this episode encourages you to start today, whenever you are, knowing that God sees you and has grace and understanding for the season of life that you are in.  Links from today’s episode: Keep God’s encouragement close by with our Moments with God or Tips on Motherhood card sets. Listen to our Spotify worship playlist on the go Adventures in Odyssey  @kidsbiblestories  God’s Big Story podcast from The Village Church Wild & Wacky and Totally True Bible Stories A study Karen is currently doing: The Grave Robber by Mark Batterson

Those strong-willed kiddos - phew! We know they'll be leaders one day, but what do we do TODAY when they won't listen or are constantly pushing back against us? How do we establish our authority without crushing their spirits? How do we teach them to harness their innate confidence without being aggressive or coming across as a bully?  We hope this conversation gives you a few tools to parent your headstrong children with confidence. Don't know your kid's color? Take our quiz! 

Both Karen and Sunny have moved A LOT in their lifetimes! In this episode, we’re answering questions about preparing your heart to move, staying in touch with friends and family who live far away, and helping your child navigate the difficulties that come with moving frequently. Shownotes: birdsonawiremoms.com/podcast/episode256 Related Wire Talk episode: Getting on the Same Page With Your Partner  

Today we are talking all things home management on Wire Talk. From splitting space in your home with a work-from-home spouse to organizing toys and rooms, we even talk about how to keep the kids from getting into your stuff! Karen is feeling fiesty today, so get ready for a little tough love. Become a Patron today and gain instant access to our other podcast, Real Life Real Moms.