Wire Talk With Karen Stubbs

Parenting a teen in today’s world is not for the faint of heart! Join us today as we answer your questions about raising teenagers and dealing with tough topics like pornography, low self-esteem, smartphones, and social media. Moms of littles, please listen! Looking down the road a few years can help you make choices today that will make your tomorrow easier. Find show notes at: birdsonawiremoms.com/podcast/episode298

One of our primary roles in our child's life is to point them toward God, but their relationship with God is just that, it's their relationship. Your child is not an extension of you, and for better or worse, you are not in control! In this conversation we talk about the importance of being a prayer warrior for your child and how to approach them in a winning way. 

Consistency is Karen’s key word for discipline and on today’s episode we are talking about what that looks like in the life of a teenager. From how to pick your battles and knowing which topics aren’t worth the fight, today’s episode gives practical tips and encouragement to stay the course and be consistent during the teenage years.

We’re baaaaack! And we’re kicking off the New Year with a month of episodes focused on teenagers. Whether you’re the mom of multiple teens or you’re still in toddler world, you’ll benefit from tuning into today’s practical wisdom for dealing with drama. Grab a copy of Karen's 365 day devotional for moms HERE. 

Today we’re giving you a peek into our Patreon podcast - Real Life, Real Moms!  Ann Mason and I have been friends for a while, and I've been so impressed by the God-honoring way she parents. She has three children, one of whom is special needs and non-verbal. We talk a little about that and the isolation and grieving that often comes alongside having a special needs child. We also chat a little about boundaries and freedoms as kids get older.  Become a Patron today and hear the rest of Ann's episode!  

Blended family expert Ron Deal joins Wire Talk today to answer questions from moms in our BOAW community and offer his unique perspective from decades of ministry with stepfamilies. Ron tackles everything from how to prepare your child's heart to accept a new relationship to disciplining stepchildren. This episode is packed with great advice, and no matter what kind of family you have, listening will leave you with a nugget of wisdom you can put into practice today. Mentioned on today's episode: Become a Birds donor and enable us to continue making episodes like this one! Find all of Ron’s resources at SmartStepFamilies.com Ron’s new book: Preparing to Blend Join our Patreon community this month!

We love how this show has enabled the Birds ministry to grow and impact families across the world. Today, Karen and Sunny share emails from listeners with BOAW advice that is making a difference in their lives today. What BOAW advice has worked for YOU lately?  Find show notes (and that family values pic) HERE.  

When expectations collide with reality, especially around the holidays, disappointment can be the inevitable result. Today Karen shares how the holidays will be different for her this year with four married children and gives us practical ways to keep our heart in the right place no matter what the season looks like this year. Become a Patreon supporter today and get immediate access to two years of Real Life, Real Moms episodes!  

Helping our teens navigate the world of dating can be tricky. In this episode, Karen offers fantastic, practical advice for keeping the lines of communication open and speaking truth in love into your teen’s life. Pick up a copy of Karen's Prayer Journal in the BOAW shop today!  

Lying wreaks havoc on family relationships, whether your child is a toddler or a tween. Today Karen shares her thoughts on disciplining a habitual liar and reminds us of the importance of dealing with lying early and consistently, so our children's hearts do not get hardened to this sin.  You might also enjoy this episode: How Do I Handle My Sweet Little Liar?

Moms make all kinds of magic happen for our families. And these days, it’s easy to look around and see the awesome ways other moms love on their families and feel like you fall short by comparison. So today, we are celebrating some of the fun traditions BOAW moms have started in their families and at the same time, releasing you from any pressure to do the same things! You do you, because you are enough for your own family!

Disciplining children is both a science and an art. What works at one age doesn’t work at a different age and just when you think you’ve got a handle on things, they throw something new at you and you’re back to square one. Today we are talking about disciplining lying, how to handle a child who runs from confrontation, and bickering siblings. As Karen reminds us in this episode, children learn through repetition (and so do we!) so join us today and learn a few nuggets to help you out next time you’re stuck with a discipline issue. Psst...don't forget to grab a copy of Karen's Prayer Journal while they're in stock! 

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!