Wire Talk with Karen Stubbs

Have you ever looked at your child and wondered, Where in the world is this behavior coming from? If you’re feeling overwhelmed by big emotions, difficult behavior, or a child you just can’t seem to figure out, this episode is for you. Karen and Emily share practical insight and tools to help you better understand your child and respond with confidence instead of frustration.
Episode Recap:
Sign up for SOAR today!  (1:32)
My 10 yr old is so domineering that other kids don’t want to play with him (3:44)
My ADHD daughter cannot control her temper and hits frequently (5:39)
My son has been horribly mean to us lately, what could be wrong that he has started to treat us this way? (10:05)
It’s okay to pause and remind your kids of your family’s rules (13:25)
When we discipline our son, he takes his anger out on our Sheetrock (18:09)

Scripture: James 1:19-20 (NIV)
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”
Discussion Questions:
What behavior in your child scares/worries you the most right now? Are you dealing with what’s actually happening, or are you catastrophizing about where it could lead?
Karen talked about knowing her children’s sin tendencies. Do you know your child’s? Have you asked God to show you what’s really going on in their heart?
When your child loses control, do you tend to lose control too? What would it look like for you to pause before responding?
Is there a behavior you’ve been excusing that actually needs a clear boundary or consequence? What do you need to address this week?

Resources:
Use code WT20 to get $20 off SOAR registration today! 
Listen to past ADHD specific episodes: 207, 208, 530
Reach out to have Karen come speak in your community.
Become a WT+ Insider this month and get an exclusive SOAR discount! 

Want More of This Conversation?
During Wire Talk+, Karen pulls back the curtain on what discipline really looked like in the Stubbs home, plus she and Emily talk about how to keep from catastrophizing when our kids’ behavior scares us.
Become an Insider today to get bonus content each week, join quarterly Zoom calls with Karen and sustain the ministry of this podcast.

Ever wish God would just TELL you what to do? Today, Karen and Emily tackle parenting decisions that don’t have a clear right or wrong answer; from kindergarten readiness and family size to going back to work and navigating technology at school. If you’re facing a parenting dilemma, we hope this episode helps you pray, trust God’s guidance, and move forward with confidence. 

Episode Recap:
SOAR is only one month away! Sign up today (2:00)
Should I redshirt my Kindergartener? (2:40)
How do you know when you are done having kids? (5:39)
Is there a time that it’s wise to stop having kids? (7:20)
How do I know if it’s time to go back to work or if I should continue staying home? (10:44)
I’m frustrated about the amount of technology my young child is using at school (14:58)
Practical capability exercises for each age group (18:00)

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) 
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Discussion Questions:
Is there a parenting decision you are wrestling with right now?
What influences your decisions most: fear, opinions, practicality, or prayer?
How can you invite God into a decision you’re facing?
What parenting decision once felt huge but seems much smaller in hindsight?

Resources:
Use code WT20 to get $20 off SOAR registration today! 
Reach out to have Karen come speak in your community.
Become a WT+ Insider this month and get an exclusive SOAR discount! 

Want More of This Conversation?
Wire Talk+ moms will hear Karen share some of the parenting decisions that kept her up at night!
Become an Insider today to hear more from Sissy and help us reach our goal of 400 subscribers this year!

Kids today are becoming increasingly afraid of risk and discomfort- are parents part of the problem? Today bestselling author and counselor Sissy Goff joins Karen and Emily to talk about her new book, Capable, and why loving our kids well sometimes means encouraging them to do hard things. Sissy shares how moms can manage their own anxiety and trust their parenting instincts to prepare their kids for greater confidence. Don’t miss the absolutely brilliant catchphrases she offers for reminding kids that hard isn’t a bad thing! 

Episode Recap:
Sissy is a therapist and counselor in Nashville who has been counseling families for 33 years! (1:30)
Kids today more than ever are risk and discomfort avoidant (2:18)
Parents are abdicating intuition for the sake of experts (5:19)
We need to re-evaluate what it means to love our kids well (7:00)
How can we let go of our own anxiety to help our kids step up in independence? (13:30)
The three Cs of Capability (16:17)
Practical capability exercises for each age group (18:00)

Scripture: James 2:1-4 (NIV)  
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,  because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
Discussion Questions:
Where are you most tempted to step in and remove risk, discomfort, or struggle for your child?
How might your own anxiety be affecting your child’s willingness to try hard things independently?
What is one responsibility or challenge your child may be ready to handle without your help?
What words could you use this week to remind your child that something being hard does not mean it is bad?

Resources:
Connect with Sissy: https://www.daystarcounseling.com/
Pick up a copy of Capable on Amazon
Use code WT20 to get $20 off SOAR registration today! 
Reach out to have Karen come speak in your community.
Become a WT+ Insider this month and get an exclusive SOAR discount! 

Want More of This Conversation?
Wire Talk+ moms will hear practical capability-building exercises for preschoolers through teenagers, along with specific phrases that help kids believe they can handle hard things.
Become an Insider today to hear more from Sissy and help us reach our goal of 400 subscribers this year!

If you've ever lost your temper with your kids, this conversation is for you. Counselor Josh Thames shares practical tools to help moms stay calm, communicate more effectively, and respond with confidence, even when emotions are running high. Whether you're parenting a child with ADHD, anxiety, or just big feelings, you'll walk away with practical encouragement you can use today.
Episode Recap:
Josh is an LPC with a background in teaching (1:30)
Are we making parenting decisions out of fear? (5:18)
Remaining steady is critical, especially for parents of kids with ADHD (8:07)
How can I stay calm on crazy, back to school mornings? (10:22)
A practical illustration of what tasks are like for an ADHD brain (14:29)
How can I bring down the emotional climate in my home? (17:30)
Having kids who are wired differently is a really good thing! (20:11)

Scripture: Isaiah 40:11 (NIV)
"He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young."

Discussion Questions:
Josh said our job is to be shepherds, not engineers. How does that change the way you think about your role as a parent?
When your child becomes emotionally overwhelmed, what usually happens inside of you? How can you become the calm your child needs?
Which parenting habit would make the biggest difference in your home this week: using more concrete language, planning better transitions, or slowing down your own reactions?
Josh reminded us that success isn't measured by our child's behavior on any given day. How would redefining success change the way you parent this week?

Resources:
Connect with Josh: @joshthameslpc, thamescounseling.com
Use code WT20 to get $20 off SOAR registration today! 
Reach out to have Karen come speak in your community.
Become a WT+ Insider this month and get an exclusive SOAR discount! 

Want More of This Conversation?
During Wire Talk+, Josh shares practical advice for connecting with teens who don't want to talk, helping kids navigate transitions, and learning how to stay calm when your own emotions start to rise. This extra conversation is full of real-life parenting wisdom you won't want to miss!
Become an Insider today and help us reach our goal of 400 subscribers this year!

You don't have to carry the weight of discipling your kids by yourself! In this episode, Karen and Emily sit down with children's ministry leader Kendra Fleming to share how partnering with your church can strengthen your family's faith without adding more to your plate. As we head into a new school year, we hope this episode encourages you to lean into the support God has already provided.
Episode Recap:
Kendra has been working in children’s ministry for 30+ years (3:30)
Church gives your kids another trusted voice and a place to serve (7:00)
What are some church rhythms that are worth protecting this school year? (11:00)
What does spiritual development look like at the different stages of childhood? (15:50)

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
"Two are better than one...if either of them falls down, one can help the other up."

Discussion Questions:
When you think about discipling your children, do you feel excitement, pressure, fear, or something else? Why?
Has your church encouraged or supported your family in ways you couldn't have done on your own?
What rhythms around church have been most life-giving for your family? Are there any you've allowed to slip?
Is there a children's ministry leader, small group leader, or mentor you could intentionally encourage or build a relationship with this fall?
What practical step could your family take this year to more intentionally partner with your church in helping your kids grow in their faith?

Resources:
Connect with Kendra on Instagram: @kendrafleming
Use code WT20 to get $20 off SOAR registration today! 
Reach out to have Karen come speak in your community.
Become a WT+ Insider this month and get an exclusive SOAR discount! 
Join our private FB group, BOAW Moms

Want More of This Conversation?
During Wire Talk+, Kendra continues to encourage us to be authentic in our relationship with Jesus, plus Kendra and Karen each give advice to their younger selves!
Become an Insider today and help us reach our goal of 400 subscribers this year!