Wire Talk with Karen Stubbs Karen Stubbs and Christian Parenting

Today Courtney DeFeo, host of the Pardon the Mess podcast and a dear friend of Karen’s joins us to talk about raising her daughters. They talk about the season when Courtney felt God calling her to take a break from the professional world - which turned into a 3 year pause. Courtney shares what God did in her world during those years and the new season she is moving into now. She and Karen also share how motherhood uncovered their deep-seated selfishness and how the Lord has worked in their hearts to enable them to celebrate their husband’s successes. We know Courtney’s story will encourage you today! 

Episode Recap:
2:40 - How Courtney and Karen know one another
4:25 - Courtney’s family and work history
9:55 - God called Courtney to take a complete break from work
13:53 - Just as He told her when to get out, He told her when to get back in
15:58 - Motherhood taught them how selfish they were
21:20- Being jealous of their husbands’ careers and successes
24:19 - Separating her children’s struggles from her responsibilities
30:45 - Pause and pray when you are tempted to jump in and fix the situation
32:58 - Learning not to overcommit
34:17 - Seeing how God has been faithful and brought women into her children’s lives to encourage their faith

Questions for Discussion:

Have you ever felt God calling you to a season of rest?  Is there any tension in your relationship with work right now? Do you feel like you compete with your husband when it comes to your career or your success in life?Do you struggle with feeling guilty or responsible for the struggles your children are going through?What is something God has taught you through your journey of motherhood?
Resources:
Courtney’s podcast: Pardon the Mess: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pardon-the-mess-with-courtney-defeo/id1424241361Ephesians 3:18: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%203%3A18&version=NIVWant Karen to speak to the moms 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

Today we’re answering Bible questions you might feel silly asking out loud! This episode is full of insights across a breadth of biblical topics. Be sure to check out the show notes for every scripture reference Karen mentions! We hope this one encourages you to pick up your Bible, pray for wisdom, and get reading this week!  

Episode Recap:
1:45 - Emily’s confusion over multiple James and Johns in the New Testament
4:30 - Is everything all white in heaven? Where does that stereotype come from?
9:43 - What did the “judges” do in biblical times?
13:04 - Why do we tithe? Where does God command it?
15:50 - Help me straighten out all the ‘Marys’ in the New Testament!
19:03 - Why do so many Bible characters go by two different names?
21:30- What’s the difference between the Pharisees and the Sadducees?
23:20 - Where does the phrase, “for this child I have prayed” come from?
26:00 - Why do we obey the Ten Commandments but not the Levitical law? 
28:30 - Help! Reading the Bible confuses me! 
31:20 - Tools for studying the Bible

Questions for Discussion:
Did you learn anything new from this episode? What tools do you currently use when you study the Bible? Are there any “silly” Bible questions that came to mind as you listened to this conversation? What are they? 
Resources:
Karen’s study Bible: https://amzn.to/4aGhFVP John McArthur’s Revelation study: https://amzn.to/4aowoo8References to the color white in heaven (in the order Karen mentions them): Revelation 3:4-5, 6:11, 7:9&13, 19:8&14, Matthew 17:2, 28:3, Revelation 4:4, 6:2, 7:14References to color in heaven: Revelation 21:16-21Tithing Scripture: Malachi 3:10 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Malachi%203%3A10&version=NIVMary who poured perfume on Jesus’ feet Matthew 26:7: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew+26%3A7&version=NIVName change references: Genesis 17:5, 15, 32:2, Acts 13:9Hannah’s prayer of thanksgiving: 1 Samuel 1:27 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+samuel+1%3A27&version=NIVLuke 22:19-20, John 14:6The Bible Recap podcast & study tools: https://www.thebiblerecap.com/Want Karen to speak to the moms 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

Danielle from Intentional Marriages joins us today to share insights from over a decade of working with married couples. She offers practical ways couples raising young kids can connect with one another on a daily and weekly basis and shares hope for couples who are struggling in their marriage.
We hope you pick up one practical tip that helps you be intentional about prioritizing your marriage relationship today.

Episode Recap:
11:45 - Connecting with Your Spouse in Seasons of Busyness
14:30 - What Does a Daily Check-In Look Like?
15:50 - Pausing to Talk Through “The Story I’m Telling Myself…”
19:10 - Tigers Vs. Turtles
23:15 - You Need a Weekly Check-In
27:30 - Everything Else Is Scheduled, Schedule Sex!
31:30 - Get Help Before Your Relationship Is In Trouble

Resources:
Check out Danielle and Russ’s ministry and resources: Intentional Marriages: https://www.intentionalmarriages.net/Want Karen to speak to the moms in your community? Reach out to us for events in 2025: www.birdsonwiremoms.com/invite Connect with Birds on a Wire Moms on Instagram: www.instagram.com/birdsonawiremoms and Facebook: www.facebook.com/birdsonawiremoms
Questions for Group Discussion:
If you were to rank the health of your marriage today on a scale from 1 (on life support) to 5 (thriving) where would you put it? Are you the “turtle’ or the “tiger” in your relationship? What’s one practical thing Danielle mentioned in this conversation that you can put into practice this week? When’s the last time you had a weekly check-in with your spouse?

Our strong-willed children can drive parents up the wall with their forceful opinions! In today’s episode Karen gives advice for any mom locked in a battle with her “red” child. She reminds us of the needs our strong-willed children have, and offers encouragement for coming alongside them without giving in to their demands. 

Episode Recap:
04:28 - Why Karen Loves Her Reds
5:30 - Strengths and Weaknesses of the Red Personality
7:50 - Dead Giveaways You Have a Red Child
11:00 - How Do I Handle My 6 Year Old’s Stubbornness?
19:00 - How Do I Discipline a Defiant Toddler Who Hits?
24:15 - How Do I Break Bad Habits We Started During Covid?
29:05 What Do I Do About My Picky Eater?
32:00 - Give Choices to Your Strong-Willed Child
34:33 - Reds Are Your Leaders, Get Them on the Right Path

Resources:
Take the quick quiz to learn your child’s personality color: boaw.mom/quizGrab Kathleen Edelman’s book: A Grown Up’s Guide to Kids’ Wiring https://amzn.to/3vnmyUdCheck out Karen’s latest curriculum on Right Now Media: Survival Guide to Motherhood: https://app.rightnowmedia.org/en/content/details/760101Want Karen to speak to the moms 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

Today Karen is sharing a simple way to talk with your kids about the meaning of Easter. Listen as she walks us step-by-step through the Easter story using Resurrection Eggs. This may be a great new tradition you can start with your family this year! 

Episode Recap:
11:00 - Karen walks through the Resurrection Eggs
14:30 - Old Testament prophecy Jesus fulfilled (Zec. 9:9)
22:10 - Don’t try to sugarcoat the ugliness of the crucifixion for your kids
36:05 - You can have fun with Easter and still focus on the reason we celebrate
36:45 - How can we share the Good News of the resurrection with our older kids? 

Resources:
Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@birdsonawiremomsGrab Resurrection Eggs for your family this Easter! https://amzn.to/48QOWM5Pick up Karen’s Teen Devotional: https://store.birdsonawiremoms.com/collections/frontpage/products/preorder-teen-devotionalWant Karen to speak to the moms 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

Moms face conflicting priorities daily. From little things, like: do I wake up early to get a workout in or catch extra sleep because the baby was up last night to bigger questions like, do we have another baby or do I prioritize going back to work? The answers aren’t always black and white, but today Karen offers up wisdom to help guide you when you’re caught between two good choices. 

Episode Recap:
08:34 - How do I shift my mindset about the heavy workload I carry as a working mom?15:44 - How can I be a more playful mom? 20:07 - I’m finding it hard to be joyful as a newly expectant older mom…22:37 - Help! The blue personalities in my life are draining me! 
Resources:
Pick up Karen’s Teen Devotional: https://store.birdsonawiremoms.com/collections/frontpage/products/preorder-teen-devotionalCheck out Karen’s grandkids on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ee2YYTZ-mfQListen to our Dad Color series from last summer: 368, 369, 370, 371Want Karen to speak to the moms 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