Wire Talk with Karen Stubbs

• 495: Finding Hope This Christmas

  Today we’re kicking off our Advent series with a focus on hope. December fills up fast with activities, expectations, and pressure for a picture-perfect holiday, making it easy to place our hope in circumstances, schedules, and our spouses. But what do we do when Christmas doesn’t go as planned?In this episode, Karen invites us to ask a powerful question: Where am I placing my hope this Christmas? If you’re craving a calmer, more Christ-centered Christmas, this conversation will help you anchor your hope in Him alone.(Psst! If you’re listening with littles, you may want to skip to 3:30, we talk about Santa early on.)Episode Recap:Karen and Emily talk Santa and gift purchasing (1:45)What is one thing about Christmas you love & one thing you could do without? (4:15)Karen went on an advent deep dive this year (7:59)Everyone can use more hope (12:27)There’s a lot of grief and sadness at the holidays (14:50)Emmanuel means ‘God with Us’ (16:52)Our hope cannot be in our circumstances (18:02)Where are you placing your hope right now? (19:07)Scripture: Micah 7:7 (NIV) “But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.”Discussion Questions: Where are you most tempted to place your hope: your spouse, finances, health, kids’ behavior, or a “perfect” holiday?Have you ever walked through a Christmas marked by grief, disappointment, or loneliness? How did God meet you there (or how are you asking Him to now)?What would it look like, practically, to shift your hope from circumstances to Christ this month?How can you help your kids see Christmas as a season of hope in Jesus, not just presents and activities?Resources:Give today to help us reach more moms with Wire Talk in 2026! boaw.mom/giveReach out to https://birdsonawiremoms.com/book-karen-to-speak to have Karen come speak in your community!Join our private FB group, BOAW Moms: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BOAWmoms

  --------  

  25:28

  --------

  25:28
• 494: Helping Teens Grow Up: Boundaries, Phones & Real-Life Responsibility

  Today Karen is tackling your questions about navigating the teenage years, from motivating strong-willed teens to handling independence, changing relationships, and the ever-present “that’s not fair!” Karen shares what worked in her home, including how to stay connected to strong-willed teens, helping boys who are pulling away, and parenting through the ever-changing norms of phones, jobs, and freedom.Episode Recap:You can be strict in the teen years and have great relationships with adult kids (4:00)Give them a “no, because…” during the teen years (5:54)How do I motivate my 15 year old to help out around home? (7:25)Help! My 13 yr old thinks he knows everything! (11:37)My teenage son is pulling away, I feel sad and rejected (15:35)How do you handle keeping things “fair” during the teenage years? (18:40)We have to remember our teens are growing up and that’s messy (22:01)Scripture: James 1:5 (NIV) “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”Discussion Questions: Where do you struggle most in balancing independence and safety with your teen?Are you naturally stronger in boundaries or connection? What needs strengthening?How does remembering your teen is still maturing affect your responses to them?Who supports you during the teen years, and how can you invite more support?Resources:Reach out to https://birdsonawiremoms.com/book-karen-to-speak to have Karen come speak in your community!Join our private FB group, BOAW Moms: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BOAWmoms

  --------  

  24:05

  --------

  24:05
• 493: The Secret to Stress-Free Potty Training

  If you’re staring down the potty training season with dread, this one’s for you! Karen and Emily are joined by Christine Clark—a mom, preschool teacher, and pro who’s successfully potty trained 17 children. From handling accidents with grace to dealing with fear, regression, or defiance, this episode is packed with wisdom and encouragement for moms in the potty-training trenches. Episode Recap:Christine runs an in-home daycare and LOVES toddlers (2:33)Personality definitely feeds into potty training (5:58)Is there a difference in training girls vs boys? (7:25)Give us a step-by-step for those who are new to this (8:55)What are the biggest mistakes parents make? (12:00)How to support your child’s training at daycare (14:16)What about kids who have “accidents” out of defiance? (16:35)What if a child is afraid to go #2? (22:21)Scripture: Galatians 6:9 (NIV) “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”Discussion Questions: What’s been your biggest potty training challenge so far, and what mindset shift could help you handle it with more patience?How can you bring fun and encouragement into the process instead of frustration?What does “everything can be cleaned” look like for you in this season of motherhood?What other “hard things” have you done recently that remind you you’re capable of more than you think?Resources:Reach out to https://birdsonawiremoms.com/book-karen-to-speak to have Karen come speak in your community!Join our private FB group, BOAW Moms: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BOAWmoms

  --------  

  28:29

  --------

  28:29
• 492: How to Handle a Difficult Mother-in-Law (Without Starting a Family War)

  This week, Karen tackles listener questions on navigating everything from over-involved mother-in-laws to family disagreements and unmet expectations. Karen shares wisdom from her 39 years of marriage about when to speak up, when to set boundaries, and how to keep your marriage strong even when extended family drama threatens your peace! Episode Recap:How do we make our relationships with our MILs stronger and better? (2:53)As a MIL, how can I best help my DIL when Baby #3 arrives? (4:25)My MIL doesn’t get along well in family situations, should I intervene? (8:35)Boundaries are for you, not the other person (10:17)My SIL never prioritizes our family, should I talk to her? (12:25)My MIL is upset over our parenting choices, (15:18)My husband and I are at odds over how best to honor his family (18:20)Scripture: Matthew 11:28 (NIV) “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”Discussion Questions: When have you found it hardest to set boundaries with family? What helped you hold firm?How can you and your spouse stay unified when you see a family situation differently?What practical ways can you show love to your in-laws while still protecting your family’s peace?When conflict rises, what would it look like for you to “take it to the Lord” instead of trying to fix it yourself?Resources:Reach out to https://birdsonawiremoms.com/book-karen-to-speak to have Karen come speak in your community!Join our private FB group, BOAW Moms: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BOAWmoms

  --------  

  24:43

  --------

  24:43
• 491: Why Helping Your Kids Might Be Hurting Them with Elizabeth Pehrson

  When it comes to raising independent kids, doing less can actually mean loving more. Karen and Emily welcome back mom of eight, Elizabeth Pehrson, whose last Wire Talk clip went viral with over 7.6 million views! In this powerful conversation, Elizabeth unpacks the long-term value of letting kids struggle, take responsibility, and learn from consequences. From packing lunches to doing laundry, she shares age-appropriate ways to teach kids ownership and why moms need to resist the urge to over-function.Episode Recap:Elizabeth’s last conversation on Wire Talk struck a nerve with viewers (3:31)Her children are reaping the rewards of parents who did less, not more (8:16)Age-appropriate chores for all ages (9:28)How does not helping set our kids up for success in the long run? (14:30)We set ourselves up for failure when we put too much of ourselves into our kids (19:20)Overfunctioning means doing things for your child that they can do for themselves (17:23)How can we start small this week? (23:00)It’s not what matters today, it’s what matters when they’re 30 (29:11)Just because you can do, provide, or give…doesn’t mean you should (29:43)Scripture: Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”Discussion Questions: What’s one area where you tend to step in for your kids instead of letting them handle it?How does doing less for your children actually prepare them for adulthood?Elizabeth said, “Just because you can do, provide, or give, doesn’t mean you should.” What does that look like in your home?What are some areas you need to teach your children to do for themselves this week? What might God be teaching you about releasing control as your children grow?Resources:Follow Elizabeth online: www.instagram.com/octomama or www.instagram.com/theexchangeus Reach out to https://birdsonawiremoms.com/book-karen-to-speak to have Karen come speak in your community!Join our private FB group, BOAW Moms: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BOAWmoms

  --------  

  35:21

  --------

  35:21

More Kids & Family podcasts

Trending Kids & Family podcasts

About Wire Talk with Karen Stubbs