Wire Talk with Karen Stubbs

Talking to our kids about modesty can feel awkward, but it's a conversation worth having! Erin Mashaw, BOAW COO and author of Awkward Conversations, joins Emily to talk about shifting the conversation away from rules about what girls can and can't wear and toward something bigger: respect for ourselves, others, and God. If you've ever struggled with the "You're not wearing THAT!" conversation, this episode will give you practical language to help your kids think about modesty in a whole new way. Episode Recap: It’s an awkward conversation worth having (4:22) Let’s shift the conversation toward respect (6:33) You are only responsible for you (9:00) Confidence doesn’t mean showing more skin (13:19) How do I handle the, “You’re not wearing that!” conversation? (17:13) We want to give them tools to use when we aren’t around in the future (22:19) Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:23 (NIV) — “Everything is permissible,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible,” but not everything builds up.” Discussion Questions: How have you talked about modesty with your kids? Have you focused more on rules about clothing or the heart behind their choices? Erin talked about modesty as a matter of respect for ourselves, others, and God. How could that change the conversation in your home? When your child wants to wear something you don't approve of, how do you respond? Are you teaching them to think for themselves or just enforcing a rule? Are you putting more responsibility on your daughters than your sons when it comes to modesty? What might need to change? Resources: Pre-order Erin’s new book Awkward Conversations today! Reach out to have Karen or Erin come speak in your community. Want More of This Conversation? In Wire Talk+, Erin walks through real-life scenarios and gives moms practical scripts for navigating tricky conversations about bodies, clothing, and modesty. If you've ever struggled to find the right words in the moment, you won't want to miss this extra conversation. Become an Insider today to get bonus content each week, join quarterly Zoom calls with Karen and sustain the ministry of this podcast!

When should you push your child to do something hard, and when is it better to back off? Today Karen and Emily are answering questions straight from our Wire Talk Insiders about stubborn kids, sibling bickering, big feelings, and building confidence. If you've ever wondered whether you're being too tough, too lenient, or just plain overthinking it, this episode is for you! Episode Recap: Thanks to our WT Insiders for the questions today! (3:03) How do I motivate my stubborn and shy child?? (4:01) If I give my kids an inch, they take a mile. Help! (8:20) How do I handle sibling bickering? (10:43) How do I help my 7 year old handle big (to him) new things? (14:30) How do I build confidence in my kids? (18:30) How do I honor my husband when we disagree on something? (22:00) 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: Is there an area where you're pushing your child too hard or letting them off the hook too easily? How do you know the difference? What is something your child is afraid to try right now? How can you help them face that fear? Do you tend to overcorrect your kids or let things slide? What makes it hard for you to find the middle ground? When you and your husband disagree about parenting, how do you handle it? Are you working as a team or letting your differences create tension? Resources: Listen to marriage communication episode with guest Ted Lowe Reach out to have Karen or Erin come speak in your community. Want More of This Conversation? During Wire Talk+, Karen and Emily keep answering our Insider’s questions! Karen shares how she learned to trust her instincts as a mom, what to do when a parenting decision doesn't work out, and how to stop second-guessing every little thing. Become an Insider today to get bonus content each week, join quarterly Zoom calls with Karen and sustain the ministry of this podcast!

What if making life easier for our kids is actually making it harder for them to grow up? Counselor David Thomas joins Karen and Emily to explain why struggle is GOOD for our kids and how doing hard things builds confidence and capability. Listen in and you’ll be challenged to resist the urge to rescue your kids and give them room to grow! Episode Recap: The pace of life has drastically changed in the last 30 years (3:00) Capability and confidence are built in the struggle to do hard things (7:15) We put too much emphasis on happiness (10:57) Why David intentionally signed his son up for a losing team one season (14:31) Narrating our own capability helps kids learn what it looks like in the real world (17:33) How can parents re-train their brains to allow more struggle in their kids’ lives? (24:47) A challenge for moms of boys! (30:30) Scripture: Romans 5:3-4 (NIV) — “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Discussion Questions: Where are you making life easier for your kids when you need to be allowing them to struggle? Where should you step back? Do you let your kids see when life gets hard for you? How do you model perseverance in your own life? Are you more focused on your child’s happiness today or their character in the long run? How does that affect the decisions you make as a parent? Resources: Find resources for raising capable kids at: https://www.raisingboysandgirls.com/ Pick up a copy of Capable on Amazon Reach out to have Karen or Erin come speak in your community. Want More of This Conversation? Dads bring something unique to the parenting table! In Wire Talk+, David Thomas shares how dads help build capability in their kids, plus practical advice for moms who want to connect better with their sons and dads who want stronger relationships with their daughters. Don’t miss this extra conversation! Become an Insider today to get bonus content each week, join quarterly Zoom calls with Karen and sustain the ministry of this podcast!

What if one of the best things we can do for our kids is let them struggle? Mom of eight and founder of The Exchange, Elizabeth Pehrson, joins Karen and Emily to talk about parenting for the long game. If you have a hard time watching your child fail, forget, or face the consequences of their choices, this conversation is for you! We hope it will encourage you to loosen your grip and trust God with the outcome. Episode Recap: Your job as a parent is to make sure they don’t need you - the hardest part is accepting your success (4:26) Long game parenting asks, “Who do I want my child to be at 25, 35, 45?” (6:45) How do we get more comfortable with watching our kids struggle? (9:37) Allowing them to experience natural consequences is loving (12:02) Practical examples of starting out small with independence (16:00) Trusting the Lord is the foundation of success in parenting (19:29) You are preparing them for leaving you (22:00) 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: How comfortable are you letting your child fail or experience natural consequences? What makes it hard for you to step back? Think about your child at 25, 35, or 45. What kind of adult are you hoping to raise, and is the way you're parenting today moving them toward that? Where do you need to loosen your grip and trust God more with your child? Resources: Connect with Elizabeth on IG: @long_game_parenting Reach out to have Karen or Erin come speak in your community. Atlanta moms - sign up for Mom Core Live! - a short term group with Karen and Erin Want More of This Conversation? In Wire Talk+, Karen and Emily ask, “How much should I really know about my kid?” They talk about technology (hello Life360), over-functioning, and knowing when staying informed crosses the line into keeping our kids from growing up. Become an Insider today to get bonus content each week, join quarterly Zoom calls with Karen and sustain the ministry of this podcast!

Parenting a neurodivergent child can feel lonely, especially when the people around you don’t understand what everyday life looks like. Counselor Dr. Chinwé Williams joins Karen and Emily to unpack neurodivergence, executive functioning, and the important difference between “won’t” and “can’t.” Whether you’re raising a neurodivergent child or want to better understand a friend who is, this conversation will help you respond with more empathy and grace. Episode Recap: What does neurodivergent mean and who falls under that umbrella? (2:56) How do I know if it’s an actual skill deficit or simply a will deficit?’ (4:41) What is executive functioning and how do I know if my kid struggles with it? (7:53) Don’t get into unnecessary power struggles (13:08) How do we advocate for our child without removing all obstacles for them? (14:50) Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:18 (NIV) — “But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.” Discussion Questions: Where are you most tempted to compare your child’s abilities or behavior to other kids their age? How could asking, “Is this a skill deficit or a will deficit?” change the way you respond to frustrating behavior? Where are you getting pulled into unnecessary power struggles with your child? What could you do differently? How can you advocate for and support your child while still allowing them to experience challenges that build independence and resilience? Resources: Listen to last week’s episode with Dr. Chinwé Pick up a copy of Calm, Courageous, and Connected Sign up for Dr. Chinwé’s free monthly newsletter online Connect on IG: @dr.chinwewilliams Reach out to have Karen or Erin come speak in your community. Atlanta moms - sign up for Mom Core Live! - a short term group with Karen and Erin Want More of This Conversation? In Wire Talk+, Dr. Chinwé Williams opens up about her own journey processing an autism diagnosis and gets practical with specific strategies for the real-life parenting moments that can leave us wondering, What do I do now? Become an Insider today to get bonus content each week, join quarterly Zoom calls with Karen and sustain the ministry of this podcast!