Wire Talk with Karen Stubbs Karen Stubbs

In this episode of "The Summer Before...", Karen and Emily discuss the summer before college and answer your questions about preparing for this big transition. They talk about fostering independence, celebrating your Senior, and teaching essential life skills. Emily shares some hilarious advice on dorm room safety, and Karen reminds moms to lower our expectations when it comes to phone calls. As always, tune in for practical tips and heartfelt encouragement as your child embarks on this exciting new chapter.
Episode Recap:5:16 - Karen’s goal was to have her kids ready for independence by the time they left high school 7:19 - How can I celebrate my Senior well? 10:10 - Karen shares how she ended up at Auburn University11:29 - What are some life skills I can teach my 18 year old this summer? 14:52 - Emily gives advice for how not to set your college dorm room on fire ;)
15:45 - How do I set my teen up to be supported in their faith while they are away from home
17:23 - Your prayer life is essential to your child’s faith
18:18 - What should my expectations be for how often I talk to my kids while they’re at school? 
22:58 - Be excited for your child as they enter this new phase of life! 
Questions for Discussion:
How are you feeling about your child leaving for college? What emotions have surfaced as you prepare for this significant transition, and how are you processing them?How do you think the dynamics in your household will change with your child away at college? Have you thought ahead to how you will navigate that shift? What challenges do you foresee in balancing guidance and allowing your child to make their own decisions? How do you plan to handle situations where you might need to step back and let them navigate on their own?What are you most excited about for your child as they embark on this new journey? 
Resources:
Pre-order Karen’s all-new Survival Guide to Motherhood today! Orders ship July 31st: https://amzn.to/3Vr7LlDWant 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

As your kids transition to a new season in their school journey, summer presents a unique opportunity to support and celebrate them. In this episode, we discuss the developmental changes happening at this stage and the importance of letting your middle schooler discover their identity. We also tackle preparing your daughter for dealing with mean girls and how your child evolves during high school years. Plus, we explore the benefits of summer jobs, ways to connect with your son, and setting reasonable expectations for this new season. Tune in for practical tips and encouragement as you navigate this pivotal summer with your child! 
Episode Recap:
3:25 - What is changing developmentally as our kids move on from elementary years?
7:14 - Let your middle schooler start to figure out who they are and find their path
13:47 - How do I prepare my daughter for dealing with mean girls? 
20:43 - How are our kids changing as they move into the high school years? 
25:10 - Is having a summer job important? 
28:43 - How can I connect with my son this summer?
31:49 - How do I set reasonable expectations for my child in this new season?
Questions for Discussion:
After hearing about the developmental changes our kids go through as they move from elementary to middle and high school, what new insights did you gain about your child’s behavior or needs?What strategies have you used (or do you plan to use) to help your middle schooler begin to figure out who they are and find their path?What are your thoughts on encouraging your child to get a summer job? Do you think it’s important, and why?How do you plan to set reasonable expectations for your child in this new season of middle or high school?What challenges do you foresee in setting these expectations, and how do you plan to address them?
Resources:
Moments with God for Teenage Girls: https://store.birdsonawiremoms.com/collections/accessories/products/preorder-teen-devotionalWant 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/birdsonawiremomsPowered by Transistor.fm

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

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/44ClNnnWant 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

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 anything4:40 - 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 us13:00 - 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

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 fearful6:23 - 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 society12:12 - Help! I worry about all the “what ifs” in life16:23 - Every evening my anxiety spikes and fear persists19:33 - My son struggles with fear and I find it hard to understand or be compassionateQuestions 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