Wire Talk With Karen Stubbs

Maybe your teenage daughter suddenly bursts into tears at the drop of a hat or maybe your 9 year old son is constantly slamming the door over math homework. The variety of emotions our kids express in one afternoon can leave us confused and exhausted.  David Thomas, one of our most popular break-out speakers at this year's Soar conference, joins Sunny today to address the questions so many of us have when it comes to our kids' emotional needs. We cover when to lean in and when to back off, how to discern what is hormones and what is normal behavior and David gives loads of practical tips to help you navigate the outbursts. Whether you're dealing with anger, sadness, anxiety or frustration, we think you'll hear something in this episode that equips you to respond with grace.  Like what you heard? Subscribe and leave us a review in iTunes! Need more encouragement? Sign up at www.birdsonawiremoms.com/weeklyemail for tips from Karen delivered right to your inbox each week!     

Meal times, temper tantrums, their constant desire for your undivided attention ... it seems we can't do enough episodes on how to survive  the toddler years! Many of you are 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!  If you enjoyed what you heard, head to www.birdsonawiremoms.com for more encouragement on your daily journey of motherhood. And don't forget to subscribe and leave us a review on iTunes! 

Just in time for the holidays! On today's episode we're answering your questions on how to handle those awkward, messy, and sometimes frustrating situations that occasionally (okay, maybe often) pop up with the grandparents. Karen and Sunny address boundaries, holiday travel and child care questions. So tune in on that long drive to see your family and we hope you feel ready to engage your family in a healthy way this year.  Like what you heard? Subscribe so you never miss an episode and leave a review so other moms can find Wire Talk!  Visit www.birdsonawiremoms.com for more encouragement on your journey of motherhood.

Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among students today. As a society we are clearly in crisis, and as mothers, we are fighting on the front line in this battle. Today one of Karen's best friends, Debbie Causey, joins us to talk about her own journey as the mother of a child with mental health conditions. As a mental health professional, Debbie also shares her wisdom on warning signs we can be looking for and the steps we can take to fight for our children's lives.  Even if you have toddlers and this conversation feels light years away, listen for a friend, a family member, or a student you know and love.  For more equipping on your journey of motherhood, visit www.birdsonawiremoms.com and subscribe to Wire Talk so you never miss an episode!   

Organized, thoughtful, loyal, precise. Our "blue" kids will grow up to be incredible leaders one day. The only problem is ... today may not be that day. Listen in as Karen and Sunny address questions from listeners all about the blue, or melancholy, temperament. From how to balance their need for quiet with your family's activities to addressing their mood swings without catering to them, this is one episode packed with practical advice for all you moms of little Eeyores!  Read all of our blog posts specific to the personality colors HERE.  If you enjoyed this show, why not subscribe so that you never miss an episode?! You can also visit www.birdsonawiremoms.com and sign up for our weekly Tips on Motherhood email for more practical advice delivered to your inbox each Tuesday.

How many times have you coached your child to say, "thank you" during the younger years? While teaching a two year old to respond politely is one task, teaching a 14 year old to be grateful for opportunities and possessions is entirely another. On today's episode Sunny and Karen answer your questions about instilling gratitude in our children's hearts. Make sure you have your close-toed shoes on mommas, Karen may step on a few toes in this one!  Did you enjoy this episode? Subscribe and leave a review so other moms can find Wire Talk! Visit www.birdsonawiremoms.com for more encouragement on your journey of motherhood. 

Mother and occupational therapist Christy Bennett joins Sunny and Karen in this episode to dive into sensory based behavior. We discuss what sensory behaviors are and how to provide the sensory stimulus (or lack thereof) that your child is craving. Christy also answers your questions on how to talk to teachers about your child's specific needs and how parents can advocate for their child in the school system and in situations with other adults (coaches, church leaders, etc.)  Like what you heard? Visit www.birdsonawiremoms.com for more encouragement on your journey of motherhood and subscribe to our weekly email for Karen's Tips on Motherhood delivered directly to your inbox each Tuesday! 

We may love to quote Lindsay Lohan in Mean Girls, but no one thinks it's funny when you encounter a real-life mean girl. On Wire Talk today Sunny and Karen answer your questions all about girl drama. From playdate peer pressure to the high school hierarchy, how do you equip your daughter to handle mean girls and the yuck that inevitably comes along with some female relationships? Whether your daughter is 3, 13 or 30, tune in to hear Karen's thoughts, and be encouraged that you can mother with confidence through these difficult times.  If you loved this episode, leave a review and be sure you're subscribed so you never miss a week of Wire Talk! For more encouragement on your journey of motherhood, visit www.birdsonawiremoms.com/weeklyemail for Karen's Tips delivered straight to your inbox each week. :) 

Peaceful, easy-going, conflict-avoiders ... however you describe them, to a parent who doesn't understand their motivations, 'green' kids can be a mystery. Today Karen and Sunny discuss teaching our greens to take responsibility for themselves when they are younger and how we can help them handle the pressures that come along with high school when they get older. Whether or not you have a green child, we think you'll learn something new when you tune in.  For Karen's blog posts about each of the personality colors, head HERE.  Like what you heard? Visit Birds on Wire online for more encouragement on your journey of motherhood. 

Today we have a much anticipated episode for you! With us in the Nest studio is Dr. Mike Sytsma. Dr. Mike has been a break-out speaker the past several years at our annual Soar Conference. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Georgia, a Certified Sex Therapist, and a Certified Sexual Addictions Specialist. He's also an ordained minister who is passionate about marriage and helping couples grow in their marriage. We are so glad he is hear to provide expert level advice and answers to your questions moms about Intimacy After Babies. Dr. Mike thank you for joining us! Visit www.birdsonawiremoms.com for more encouragement on your journey of motherhood and don't forget to subscribe and leave a review in iTunes! Your review helps us reach more moms! ;)

We often talk about bringing peace to the world, but what about bringing peace to your home? On the last of our month-long series of re-broadcast episodes today, Karen doles out advice on everything from creating a family routine and what do when the kids come to you with the dreaded, "I'm bored!" to how to handle differences between you and your spouse when it come to chores and household maintenance. As always, we hope you take away a nugget of practical advice that helps you maintain the peace in your home this week. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to www.birdsonawiremoms.com/weeklyemail to have encouragement delivered straight to your inbox each week! 

When children enter the picture, your life changes forever. Your sleep habits change, your diet is changed, your schedule is changed and the amount of laundry you do definitely changes. As your child grows, some of these areas in your life get back to normal, except for your laundry ... that continues to build! The addition of children changes your marriage too. So how do you balance life with children and your spouse? It's hard to do, and let’s be honest, sometimes our spouses are put on the back burner because we don’t have the energy to put in the “extra” time with them. Tune in to today's episode to hear Karen answer questions from moms about how to re-connect with their spouse now that kids are in the picture!  Like what you heard? Visit www.birdsonawiremoms.com for more encouragement on your daily journey of motherhood and subscribe to our weekly email for Karen's tips on motherhood delivered directly to your inbox each Tuesday! 

How do you keep a balance between kids, marriage, work, spirituality, and time for yourself? On today's re-broadcast of a Wire Talk favorite, Karen tackles a broad variety of questions moms constantly ask. Is balance possible? And what does a balanced life even look like? Tune in to hear Karen's straightforward advice as always!  Like what you heard? Visit www.birdsonawiremoms.com/weeklyemail for encouragement delivered directly to your inbox every Tuesday morning. 

Moms, the feelings of guilt are REAL. We feel guilty being late to get our kids at daycare and guilty for not staying late at the office. Guilty for taking them to Chick-fil-A for dinner and guilty that we DIDN'T take them to Chick-fil-A for dinner! That's why we love what Karen has to say about guilt and how we can shake free of what can feel like a constant burden to us as mothers. We hope this episode gives you a practical way to overcome your mommy guilt and leaves you encouraged! For more encouragement on your daily journey of motherhood, visit us at www.birdsonawiremoms.com and subscribe so you never miss an episode of Wire Talk! 

If anything is a universal experience among mothers, it's sleep deprivation. Whether you're nursing through the night, have a toddler who climbs into your bed too early in the morning or you're staying up late to take advantage of a finally quiet home ... moms know what it's like to miss out on sleep.  Listen in for Karen and Sunny's practical advice on how to get the sleep both you and your kids need!  Like what you heard? Visit www.birdsonawiremoms.com for more encouragement for your daily journey of motherhood. 

Lying is one thing we never teach our kids how to do and yet somehow they figure it out all on their own. On today's episode Karen shares her thoughts on how to discipline when you're not sure which child is lying, what the difference is between tattling and confessing and how to encourage honesty between teenagers.  Like what you heard? Visit www.birdsonawiremoms.com for more encouragement in your daily walk of motherhood.

Whether you're a working mom or a stay at home mom, studies show that women tend to bear the brunt of the work in and around the home. On today's episode Karen and Sunny answer questions from moms about household chores, fighting with our kids over mealtime and how to ask for help from our partners. We love that Karen tells one mom to let it go, one mom to ask for help and one mom to get a maid! Stay tuned 'til the end to hear Karen's #1 hack for keeping your house tidy. Like what you heard? Visit www.birdsonawiremoms.com for more encouragement on your journey of motherhood. 

Whether your kids have already headed back to school or the yellow bus will be rolling around the corner in the next few weeks - today's episode is for all moms with school-age kiddos. From getting out the door in the morning to checking homework at night, Karen doles out practical wisdom to help you and your kids thrive this school year. Don't miss Karen's advice for those of you suffering from volunteeritis (the inability to say no when asked to volunteer at school) and stay tuned to hear about the perfect back-to-school product you can snag at this year's Soar Conference. For more encouragement on your journey of motherhood, visit www.birdsonawiremoms.com and subscribe to Karen's weekly Tips on Motherhood email. 

We've got a fun one for you today moms! Candace Cameron Bure, actress, mom and as she often points out, first and foremost a follower of Jesus, joins us to talk about faith and family. 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.  If you like what you've heard, subscribe in iTunes! And don't forget to leave a review and let other moms know why you love Wire Talk.  For more encouragement on your journey of motherhood, visit www.birdsonawiremoms.com 

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? In this discussion, Karen and Sunny take questions about these strong personalities; how do we effectively discipline them? 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.  For Karen's blog posts about each of the personality colors, head HERE.  Like what you heard? Visit www.birdsonawiremoms.com for more encouragement for your journey of motherhood. And don't forget to leave us a review and subscribe to the podcast! Reviews help other moms find us!