Today Karen and Emily welcome school counselor, Sarah Coats, to discuss anxiety in middle schoolers. Sarah opens a window into what she sees in her office and in the halls of middle school right now. We'll learn how to discern everyday worries from anxiety, and Sarah offers practical tips for moms who wants to support an anxious student without enabling anxious behavior.

383: Understanding and Supporting Your Anxious Middle Schooler

Wire Talk was created to encourage and equip moms throughout the challenging and life-changing journey of motherhood. Each week on Wire Talk Karen Stubbs offers godly, practical advice on the topics every mother has questions about: mom guilt, our children’s faith, potty-training, divorce, our teenagers dating, and more! Wire Talk is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Kids & Family

Parenting

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 fearful 6:23 - 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 society 12:12 - Help! I worry about all the “what ifs” in life 16:23 - Every evening my anxiety spikes and fear persists 19:33 - My son struggles with fear and I find it hard to understand or be compassionate 
 Questions 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

414: God Does Not Give Us A Spirit of Fear

May is coming moms - and it’s full of school commitments, parties, end of year events and more. Today we’re talking about what you can do before the chaos begins to prepare yourself and your family for a more peaceful May.  
 Episode Recap: 7:36 - You can’t do everything for everybody 10:58 - Find the beauty in letting your Senior go 12:50 - Stay present and enjoy it! 16:25 - Find time for self-care 18:53 - Involve your husband in the to-do list    
 Questions for Discussion: 
What does your calendar look like as you look ahead to May? What can you do this week to protect your time and account for the busyness ahead?From 0-10, how are you doing with self-care right now? What little things can you incorporate into your day and week that help you feel like you?When was the last time you spent time alone praying and reading your Bible or just connecting with God? Can you make time for that this week? 
 Resources:Karen’s 365 day devotional for moms: https://store.birdsonawiremoms.com/collections/accessories/products/copy-of-moments-with-god-for-moms-daily-devotional-faux-leatherRelated episode: Preparing Your Senior for College - https://birdsonawiremoms.com/podcast/episode158Want 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

413: Help! It’s gonna Be May…

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

412: Trusting God Enough to Take a Break

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

411: "Dumb" Bible Questions Answered

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? 

383: Understanding and Supporting Your Anxious Middle Schooler

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