Join us as we dive into the wild, wonderful world of parenting boys in today’s show. Karen shares her wisdom on re-integrating older sons who return from college and disrupt your routine, navigating the world of a perfectionist 7-year-old who's feeling blue (in more ways than one), and handling an argumentative teenager who could debate for a living. Plus, we answer the age-old question: when is it okay to ignore a temper tantrum in order to keep your sanity intact? Mentioned on this episode: A Grown Up’s Guide to Kids’ Wiring  Raising Emotionally Strong Boys book and  workbook Wire Talk interview with David Thomas

388: Raising Boys Right: Balancing Discipline and Love

Wire Talk was created to encourage and equip moms throughout the challenging and life-changing journey of motherhood. Each week on Wire Talk Karen Stubbs offers godly, practical advice on the topics every mother has questions about: mom guilt, our children’s faith, potty-training, divorce, our teenagers dating, and more! Wire Talk is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Kids & Family

Parenting

In this episode, Karen and Emily answer questions about helping prepare your child for their big Kindergarten transition. From building essential skills to creating lasting memories, we've got you covered with tips to make summer fun and to ease you into a new routine this fall. Don’t miss Karen’s life hack for getting those adorable first day of school pictures and her assurance that God goes before your child in every place they go and in every season.  
 Episode Recap: 2:45 - Emily’s feelings about her daughter going to Kindergarten next year 5:34 - Karen reminisces about Kelsey’s Kindergarten years 6:15 - How can I prepare my household for the Kindergarten transition?  9:35 - How do you manage tired and worn out kiddos after a (new to them) long day at school? 11:45 - As a working mom, I’m stressed out during the summer. How can I make summer special since Kindergarten will be a change of pace?  14:05 - Are there practical skills I should be working on with my rising Kindergarteners this summer? 16:50 - What FUN things can we do to mark this milestone in our kids’ lives?  21:00 - Don’t miss the BEST hack for getting those adorable first day of school pics? 21:45 - Any tips for communication when kids get home from school?  24:00 - God goes before them in every season! God has your kids.  
 Questions for Discussion:Does the transition to Kindergarten make you feel excited, anxious, or something else? What are you looking forward to in this season of your child’s life?What worries can you give to the Lord about this next year? 
 Resources:Want to bring Karen to speak in your community? Reach out: https://www.birdsonwiremoms.com/invite Connect with Birds on a Wire Moms on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birdsonawiremoms  and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/birdsonawiremoms


417: Countdown to Kindergarten: How to Make the Most of the Summer Before School Starts

Whether you’re parenting toddlers or teens - these 5 books will give you the tools you need to create a healthier family. Join us as we dive into Karen's top recommendations for parenting books that offer invaluable insights, practical strategies, and wisdom to navigate the ups and downs of raising children. From building strong connections to setting boundaries with love, this episode is packed with essential reads for every parent's bookshelf. 
 Episode Recap: 4:25 - These 5 books truly helped Karen in her parenting journey 5:25 - Personality Plus for Parents unpacks the four temperaments 7:30 - PPP helps you understand the child’s strengths and weaknesses, especially if they are very different from your own 13:21- A Grown Ups Guide to Kids’ Wiring - great for “translating” our kids behavior and helping us speak to them in ways that are more effective  15:40 - Boundaries book: moms are afraid to set boundaries with our kids, but boundaries bring security 18:17- The Birth Order Book explains how the order of our children and age gaps in our family can help us understand our kids’ behavior and tendencies 22:10 - The Five Love Languages of Children  28:02 - Honorable Mentions: Survival Guide to Motherhood, Parenting By The Book, Raising Worry-free Girls, Raising Emotionally Strong Boys, Wild Things, Shepherding A Child’s Heart, Parenting Your Powerful Child, The New Strong-Willed Child, Moms on Call Parenting Series 
 Questions for Discussion: 
What is the most helpful parenting book you have read to date? Why? Have you read any of Karen’s Top 5 books? Which one? How has it helped you parent more effectively? Which of these books do you think would help equip you for the season of parenting you are in? 
 
 Resources:Personality Plus for Parents: https://amzn.to/3UHqTdyA Grown Ups Guide to Kids’ Wiring: https://amzn.to/3ysKgziBoundaries series of books: https://amzn.to/3ypMYFMhttps://amzn.to/3WFjXA1Even Jesus Set Boundaries blog post: https://birdsonawiremoms.com/blog/2019/3/21/even-jesus-set-boundariesThe Birth Order Book: https://amzn.to/4bypAEl The Five Love Languages of Children: https://amzn.to/4bCFkqe Honorable Mentions: Survival Guide to Motherhood: https://amzn.to/4bysA3zParenting By The Book: https://amzn.to/4bfuR46Raising Worry-free Girls: https://amzn.to/4ag7fLjRaising Emotionally Strong Boys: https://amzn.to/4dF5hH8 Wild Things: https://amzn.to/4dEN2lqShepherding A Child’s Heart: https://amzn.to/3UXO4l4Parenting Your Powerful Child: https://amzn.to/44FtB7MThe New Strong-Willed Child: https://amzn.to/4bgvJWfMoms on Call Parenting Series: https://amzn.to/44ClNnn
Want to bring Karen to speak in your community? Reach out: www.birdsonwiremoms.com/invite Connect with Birds on a Wire Moms on Instagram: www.instagram.com/birdsonawiremoms  and Facebook: www.facebook.com/birdsonawiremoms

416: 5 Must-Read Parenting Books for Every Mom

In today’s episode, we’re fielding questions about the situations you are facing in your relationship with your own mom. Whether it’s a conflict over parenting style, a strained relationship, or a concern about childcare, Karen has the practical answers you’re looking for so you can honor your mother while still maintaining your boundaries.  
 Episode Recap: 2:31 - Honoring your mom can be difficult when the relationship has not been good  3:57 - This can be a spiritual battle more than anything 4:40 - How can I help my mom out after the death of my father?  8:15 - My mom watches my kids weekly and their misbehavior is causing tension between us 13:00 - I’m afraid my mom will resent us choosing daycare, how would you address it?  16:37- My mom has a new boyfriend and I don’t want to be around his dysfunctional family. What can I do?  
 Questions for Discussion:How would you characterize the relationship you have with your mother? Healthy? Distant? Conflicted? Non-existent? If that is a healthy relationship, what part have you played in keeping it healthy? If your relationship with your mom is difficult, strained, or unhealthy, how does that impact your mental and spiritual health? What is one thing you can do to honor your mother this week, no matter what the current state of that relationship is?
 Resources:Grief podcast with Dr. Judy Wolfe: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wt-159-processing-grief-in-motherhood-with-judy-wolfe/id1101953069?i=1000436874170Want to bring Karen to speak in your community? Reach out: www.birdsonwiremoms.com/invite Connect with Birds on a Wire Moms on Instagram: www.instagram.com/birdsonawiremoms and Facebook: www.facebook.com/birdsonawiremoms

415: Honoring Your Own Mother

Fear and anxiety among moms today is rampant. In the emails we receive, the churches we visit, and with the moms Karen speaks to- fear is a big deal. Today Karen teaches us a powerful verse and reminds us to fight fear with the truth of God’s Word. 
 Episode Recap: 5:32 - Generally speaking, moms these days are incredibly fearful 6:23 - If fear does not come from God, where is it coming from? 8:27 - I want to trust my family to watch my kids, but feel like I should be scared of letting others watch them based on what I hear in society 12:12 - Help! I worry about all the “what ifs” in life 16:23 - Every evening my anxiety spikes and fear persists 19:33 - My son struggles with fear and I find it hard to understand or be compassionate 
 Questions for Discussion:Do you struggle with fear in your life? Have you ever contemplated 2 Timothy 1:7 “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”?Do you truly believe that God loves your child and is actively pursuing your child’s heart? How can you fight fear with the Word of God this week? Some ideas: memorize it, write it out and post it around your home, play worship music, etc. How are you praying for your child and your home this week? 
 Resources:2 Timothy 1:7: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+tim+1%3A7&version;=ESV Sissy Goff’s The Worry-Free Parent: https://amzn.to/3QcTp5eWant to bring Karen to speak in your community? Reach out: www.birdsonwiremoms.com/invite Connect with Birds on a Wire Moms on Instagram: www.instagram.com/birdsonawiremoms  and Facebook: www.facebook.com/birdsonawiremoms

414: God Does Not Give Us A Spirit of Fear

May is coming moms - and it’s full of school commitments, parties, end of year events and more. Today we’re talking about what you can do before the chaos begins to prepare yourself and your family for a more peaceful May.  
 Episode Recap: 7:36 - You can’t do everything for everybody 10:58 - Find the beauty in letting your Senior go 12:50 - Stay present and enjoy it! 16:25 - Find time for self-care 18:53 - Involve your husband in the to-do list    
 Questions for Discussion: 
What does your calendar look like as you look ahead to May? What can you do this week to protect your time and account for the busyness ahead?From 0-10, how are you doing with self-care right now? What little things can you incorporate into your day and week that help you feel like you?When was the last time you spent time alone praying and reading your Bible or just connecting with God? Can you make time for that this week? 
 Resources:Karen’s 365 day devotional for moms: https://store.birdsonawiremoms.com/collections/accessories/products/copy-of-moments-with-god-for-moms-daily-devotional-faux-leatherRelated episode: Preparing Your Senior for College - https://birdsonawiremoms.com/podcast/episode158Want to bring Karen to speak in your community? Reach out: www.birdsonwiremoms.com/invite Connect with Birds on a Wire Moms on Instagram: www.instagram.com/birdsonawiremoms and Facebook: www.facebook.com/birdsonawiremoms

388: Raising Boys Right: Balancing Discipline and Love

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