After being married for a while, it's easy to get stuck in a rut. Especially in the busy years between having kids and becoming empty nesters, it’s easy for our weeks to become a blur of dividing kid duties. This week on Wire Talk, Sunny and Karen talk about getting creative for date night, how to find great babysitters and why we should even bother!
Encouraged by this conversation? Share Wire Talk with a friend and leave us a five-star review in iTunes.
For more encouragement on your journey of motherhood, visit www.birdsonawiremoms.com
Dr. Michelle Harding joins Sunny and Karen in the studio today to share her professional wisdom and personal experience with postpartum depression. We answer your questions about how to recognize PPD, what to do if you're going through PPD, and how we can be good friends to moms around us walking through a season of postpartum depression. As always, we hope you are encouraged by this conversation!
Like what you heard? Share Wire Talk with your friends and be sure you're subscribed so you always get episodes as soon as they release.
For more encouragement on your journey of motherhood, visit www.birdsonawiremoms.com/email to get Karen's practical tips in your inbox each Tuesday.
We all walk down the aisle with hearts full of hope, but a few years and a kid or two down the road, we often discover marriage is more work than we thought it would be.
On today's episode Karen and Sunny answer questions from moms struggling in their marriages in different ways; wondering how to stay content, how to get on the same page with their spouse, and even what to do when they aren't sure their marriage will survive. We hope this conversation encourages you to choose joy and fight for your marriage, especially when it feels like the hardest thing to do.
Like what you heard? Subscribe in iTunes so you never miss an episode. For more encouragement on your journey of motherhood, sign up for Karen's weekly email, Notes from the Nest!
Yellow kids are bubbly, affectionate, fun loving...and they can be exhausting! Today we're wrapping up our series on the four personality temperaments by answering questions all about "yellow" kids. If you've ever wished your child would just stop talking, this is an episode you don't want to skip.
For more advice from Karen on the other personality types, listen to episodes 121, 132 and 136.
Read all of our blog posts specific to the personality colors HERE.
Like what you heard? Subscribe in iTunes so you never miss an episode! And if you'd like more encouragement on your journey of motherhood, sign up for our weekly email at www.boaw.mom/email.
These days moms work more hours than ever and are usually the primary keepers of the family schedule. Grocery shopping, doctor's appointments, preparing dinner, driving carpool, buying birthday gifts, folding laundry and oh yeah, for many of us there's a little thing called work, too. We're often looking at our calendars and scratching our heads, wondering how we can control them instead of being controlled by them.
On today's show, Karen and Sunny answer questions about routine, schedules and managing the busyness that accompanies family life. We hope you're encouraged by a tip to help calm the chaos and as always, reminded that you are not alone!
Like what you heard? Subscribe today and leave a written review for us in iTunes!
For more encouragement on your journey of motherhood, sign up for our weekly Tips on Motherhood email at www.boaw.mom/email
Did you know moms all over the U.S. and even across the world gather together weekly or monthly in small groups to learn from Birds on a Wire studies together? On today's Wire Talk we're answering questions from moms who host BOAW groups. Everything from, "how do I get a new group going?" and "how can I get moms to open up?" to "what do I do when I need a break from leading but don't want the group to end?" Tune in to hear the advice Karen has for our BOAW host moms - maybe you'll be inspired to host a BOAW group yourself!
Like what you heard? Learn more about Birds on a Wire small groups here: www.birdsonawiremoms.com/groups.
For more encouragement on your journey of motherhood, subscribe to receive Karen's weekly Tips on Motherhood email
It’s our last episode of 2018 and this year we are doing something we have never done before. Wire Talk is taking some time off! We wanted to take the advice we are always giving moms, and take a break from our usual routine so we can spend the time in between Christmas and New Year's Day resting and enjoying our families. Enjoy this episode all about the holidays and we'll see you back here in 2019!
Did you enjoy this episode? Leave us a review and let us know! For more encouragement and advice for your journey of motherhood, visit www.birdsonawiremoms.com/weeklyemail and subscribe to receive Karen's Tips on Motherhood email each Tuesday.
Being on the same page with your spouse is never simple, and when one spouse is frequently away from home, things get even more complicated. On Wire Talk today, Karen and Sunny answer questions about how to squash resentment, smooth out the re-entry process, and even get dinner on the table when you're flying solo.
Like what you heard? Subscribe and leave us a review in iTunes!
For more encouragement on your journey of motherhood, head over to www.birdsonawiremoms.com/weeklyemail to get Karen's Tips on Motherhood delivered directly to your inbox each Tuesday.
Maybe your teenage daughter suddenly bursts into tears at the drop of a hat or maybe your 9 year old son is constantly slamming the door over math homework. The variety of emotions our kids express in one afternoon can leave us confused and exhausted.
David Thomas, one of our most popular break-out speakers at this year's Soar conference, joins Sunny today to address the questions so many of us have when it comes to our kids' emotional needs. We cover when to lean in and when to back off, how to discern what is hormones and what is normal behavior and David gives loads of practical tips to help you navigate the outbursts. Whether you're dealing with anger, sadness, anxiety or frustration, we think you'll hear something in this episode that equips you to respond with grace.
Like what you heard? Subscribe and leave us a review in iTunes!
Need more encouragement? Sign up at www.birdsonawiremoms.com/weeklyemail for tips from Karen delivered right to your inbox each week!
Meal times, temper tantrums, their constant desire for your undivided attention ... it seems we can't do enough episodes on how to survive the toddler years! Many of you are asking, how can we survive the chaos and maybe even enjoy a little bit of these fleeting years? Today Sunny and Karen are addressing your questions and hopefully giving you hope that you CAN do this!
If you enjoyed what you heard, head to www.birdsonawiremoms.com for more encouragement on your daily journey of motherhood. And don't forget to subscribe and leave us a review on iTunes!
Just in time for the holidays! On today's episode we're answering your questions on how to handle those awkward, messy, and sometimes frustrating situations that occasionally (okay, maybe often) pop up with the grandparents. Karen and Sunny address boundaries, holiday travel and child care questions. So tune in on that long drive to see your family and we hope you feel ready to engage your family in a healthy way this year.
Like what you heard? Subscribe so you never miss an episode and leave a review so other moms can find Wire Talk!
Visit www.birdsonawiremoms.com for more encouragement on your journey of motherhood.
Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among students today. As a society we are clearly in crisis, and as mothers, we are fighting on the front line in this battle. Today one of Karen's best friends, Debbie Causey, joins us to talk about her own journey as the mother of a child with mental health conditions. As a mental health professional, Debbie also shares her wisdom on warning signs we can be looking for and the steps we can take to fight for our children's lives.
Even if you have toddlers and this conversation feels light years away, listen for a friend, a family member, or a student you know and love.
For more equipping on your journey of motherhood, visit www.birdsonawiremoms.com and subscribe to Wire Talk so you never miss an episode!
Organized, thoughtful, loyal, precise. Our "blue" kids will grow up to be incredible leaders one day. The only problem is ... today may not be that day. Listen in as Karen and Sunny address questions from listeners all about the blue, or melancholy, temperament. From how to balance their need for quiet with your family's activities to addressing their mood swings without catering to them, this is one episode packed with practical advice for all you moms of little Eeyores!
Read all of our blog posts specific to the personality colors HERE.
If you enjoyed this show, why not subscribe so that you never miss an episode?! You can also visit www.birdsonawiremoms.com and sign up for our weekly Tips on Motherhood email for more practical advice delivered to your inbox each Tuesday.
How many times have you coached your child to say, "thank you" during the younger years? While teaching a two year old to respond politely is one task, teaching a 14 year old to be grateful for opportunities and possessions is entirely another. On today's episode Sunny and Karen answer your questions about instilling gratitude in our children's hearts. Make sure you have your close-toed shoes on mommas, Karen may step on a few toes in this one!
Did you enjoy this episode? Subscribe and leave a review so other moms can find Wire Talk! Visit www.birdsonawiremoms.com for more encouragement on your journey of motherhood.
Mother and occupational therapist Christy Bennett joins Sunny and Karen in this episode to dive into sensory based behavior. We discuss what sensory behaviors are and how to provide the sensory stimulus (or lack thereof) that your child is craving. Christy also answers your questions on how to talk to teachers about your child's specific needs and how parents can advocate for their child in the school system and in situations with other adults (coaches, church leaders, etc.)
Like what you heard? Visit www.birdsonawiremoms.com for more encouragement on your journey of motherhood and subscribe to our weekly email for Karen's Tips on Motherhood delivered directly to your inbox each Tuesday!
We may love to quote Lindsay Lohan in Mean Girls, but no one thinks it's funny when you encounter a real-life mean girl. On Wire Talk today Sunny and Karen answer your questions all about girl drama. From playdate peer pressure to the high school hierarchy, how do you equip your daughter to handle mean girls and the yuck that inevitably comes along with some female relationships? Whether your daughter is 3, 13 or 30, tune in to hear Karen's thoughts, and be encouraged that you can mother with confidence through these difficult times.
If you loved this episode, leave a review and be sure you're subscribed so you never miss a week of Wire Talk!
For more encouragement on your journey of motherhood, visit www.birdsonawiremoms.com/weeklyemail for Karen's Tips delivered straight to your inbox each week. :)
Peaceful, easy-going, conflict-avoiders ... however you describe them, to a parent who doesn't understand their motivations, 'green' kids can be a mystery. Today Karen and Sunny discuss teaching our greens to take responsibility for themselves when they are younger and how we can help them handle the pressures that come along with high school when they get older. Whether or not you have a green child, we think you'll learn something new when you tune in.
For Karen's blog posts about each of the personality colors, head HERE.
Like what you heard? Visit Birds on Wire online for more encouragement on your journey of motherhood.
Today we have a much anticipated episode for you! With us in the Nest studio is Dr. Mike Sytsma. Dr. Mike has been a break-out speaker the past several years at our annual Soar Conference. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Georgia, a Certified Sex Therapist, and a Certified Sexual Addictions Specialist. He's also an ordained minister who is passionate about marriage and helping couples grow in their marriage.
We are so glad he is hear to provide expert level advice and answers to your questions moms about Intimacy After Babies. Dr. Mike thank you for joining us!
Visit www.birdsonawiremoms.com for more encouragement on your journey of motherhood and don't forget to subscribe and leave a review in iTunes! Your review helps us reach more moms! ;)
We often talk about bringing peace to the world, but what about bringing peace to your home? On the last of our month-long series of re-broadcast episodes today, Karen doles out advice on everything from creating a family routine and what do when the kids come to you with the dreaded, "I'm bored!" to how to handle differences between you and your spouse when it come to chores and household maintenance. As always, we hope you take away a nugget of practical advice that helps you maintain the peace in your home this week.
If you enjoyed this episode, head over to www.birdsonawiremoms.com/weeklyemail to have encouragement delivered straight to your inbox each week!
When children enter the picture, your life changes forever. Your sleep habits change, your diet is changed, your schedule is changed and the amount of laundry you do definitely changes. As your child grows, some of these areas in your life get back to normal, except for your laundry ... that continues to build!
The addition of children changes your marriage too. So how do you balance life with children and your spouse? It's hard to do, and let’s be honest, sometimes our spouses are put on the back burner because we don’t have the energy to put in the “extra” time with them. Tune in to today's episode to hear Karen answer questions from moms about how to re-connect with their spouse now that kids are in the picture!
Like what you heard? Visit www.birdsonawiremoms.com for more encouragement on your daily journey of motherhood and subscribe to our weekly email for Karen's tips on motherhood delivered directly to your inbox each Tuesday!
How do you keep a balance between kids, marriage, work, spirituality, and time for yourself? On today's re-broadcast of a Wire Talk favorite, Karen tackles a broad variety of questions moms constantly ask. Is balance possible? And what does a balanced life even look like? Tune in to hear Karen's straightforward advice as always!
Like what you heard? Visit www.birdsonawiremoms.com/weeklyemail for encouragement delivered directly to your inbox every Tuesday morning.
Moms, the feelings of guilt are REAL. We feel guilty being late to get our kids at daycare and guilty for not staying late at the office. Guilty for taking them to Chick-fil-A for dinner and guilty that we DIDN'T take them to Chick-fil-A for dinner! That's why we love what Karen has to say about guilt and how we can shake free of what can feel like a constant burden to us as mothers. We hope this episode gives you a practical way to overcome your mommy guilt and leaves you encouraged!
For more encouragement on your daily journey of motherhood, visit us at www.birdsonawiremoms.com and subscribe so you never miss an episode of Wire Talk!
If anything is a universal experience among mothers, it's sleep deprivation. Whether you're nursing through the night, have a toddler who climbs into your bed too early in the morning or you're staying up late to take advantage of a finally quiet home ... moms know what it's like to miss out on sleep.
Listen in for Karen and Sunny's practical advice on how to get the sleep both you and your kids need!
Like what you heard? Visit www.birdsonawiremoms.com for more encouragement for your daily journey of motherhood.
Lying is one thing we never teach our kids how to do and yet somehow they figure it out all on their own. On today's episode Karen shares her thoughts on how to discipline when you're not sure which child is lying, what the difference is between tattling and confessing and how to encourage honesty between teenagers.
Like what you heard? Visit www.birdsonawiremoms.com for more encouragement in your daily walk of motherhood.
Whether you're a working mom or a stay at home mom, studies show that women tend to bear the brunt of the work in and around the home. On today's episode Karen and Sunny answer questions from moms about household chores, fighting with our kids over mealtime and how to ask for help from our partners. We love that Karen tells one mom to let it go, one mom to ask for help and one mom to get a maid! Stay tuned 'til the end to hear Karen's #1 hack for keeping your house tidy.
Like what you heard? Visit www.birdsonawiremoms.com for more encouragement on your journey of motherhood.