Our family began with our marriage, and hopefully our marriage will be there long after the kids move out! Today we’re digging into the next chapter of Karen’s new book, Survival Guide to Motherhood - How to Stay Connected To Your Spouse. Listen in for Karen’s marital wisdom on respect, expectations, sex, and the idea of “choosing love.”
Mentioned on this episode:
Past episodes on sex + motherhood: WT 131 with Dr. Mike Sytsma, WT 165 with Juli Slattery
Get the book! Survival Guide to Motherhood
Invite Karen to speak to the moms in your community!
How the heck do I leave a WT review? (scroll all the way to the bottom of the page)
We sacrifice all the time as a mom, and if we’re not careful, we can lose ourselves in the process. This week we’re discussing the next chapter of Survival Guide to Motherhood- Know How To Keep Your Sanity.
Karen reminds us of the importance of paying attention to our health and gives practical tips for keeping healthy in 4 different aspects of life, which will in turn, keep us from losing our minds as we raise our child!
Mentioned on this episode:
Chapter 1 of SGTM: Know How To Get Through the Day
Chapter 2 of SGTM: Know How To Take Charge of Your Home
Get the book! Survival Guide to Motherhood
Karen’s Self Talk curriculum
Karen’s daily devotional and prayer journal for moms
How the heck do I leave a WT review? (scroll all the way to the bottom of the page)
We’re in the second week of diving into Karen’s new book: Survival Guide to Motherhood. Today we’re unpacking Karen’s accumulated wisdom on taking charge in your home. If you are struggling with a home that seems to have been taken over by a surly teenage attitude or by a tyrannical toddler, this episode is for you! Don't miss Karen's practical tips for taking back charge so you feel at ease and at peace in your own home.
Mentioned on this episode:
Chapter 1 of Survival Guide to Motherhood: Know How To Get Through the Day
Get the book! Survival Guide to Motherhood
Dive in to Karen's brand-new book, Survival Guide to Motherhood, with us today! We are digging deep into the first chapter, Know How to Get Through the Day. This one is for new moms, for whom each day can feel like a lifetime, and for seasoned moms, who face unanticipated challenges almost every season. You're going to love Karen's perspective on choosing joy daily!
Mentioned on this episode:
Today friend of BOAW and family therapist, David Thomas, joins us in the studio to talk about our boys and their emotional health. He shares practical wisdom for how parents can equip boys with the tools they need to understand and manage their emotions. Don’t miss David sharing who we can look to as the ultimate blueprint for masculinity!
Mentioned on this episode:
Wire Talk #140 with David Thomas - The Emotional World of Kids
Grab a copy of David's new book - Raising Emotionally Strong Boys
Accompanying workbook - Tools Your Son Can Build on For Life
Motherhood is a journey, and it’s often a lonely one. Today we’re talking about taking one step to create the community that you are craving - starting a moms group. We are answering your questions about what that could look like and giving you encouragement to go for it!
Mentioned on today’s episode:
Join our private Facebook group for all moms
Join our private Facebook group for group leaders
Which BOAW study is right for your group of moms?
More episodes on starting a group: WT 143, WT 193
Still have questions or doubts? Email us at info@birdsonawiremoms.com for a virtual pep talk!
We are wrapping up our reading of the Christmas Story today in chapter 2 of Luke. I think you’ll enjoy re-visiting this famous birth story through fresh eyes as we unpack Luke’s words verse by verse.
Questions for Reflection:
What is God doing in my life that I need to be treasuring in this season?
Do you need to ask God to help you keep faith during a season when you can’t see Him at work in your life?
Mentioned on this episode:
Go back and listen to this series from the beginning: WT 342, WT 343, WT 344
Order Karen’s new book, Survival Guide to Motherhood, today!
Today in Luke, we read about Mary sharing her good news with her cousin, Elizabeth. I love that Luke recorded this intimate look at two women’s friendship and the way they rejoiced with one another! As you listen and read this passage on your own this week - reflect and ask yourself, “Who do I run to when I want to celebrate?” and, “When life gives me a surprise, is my first instinct to praise God?”
Mentioned on this episode:
Go back and listen to this series from the beginning: WT 342, WT 343
Order Karen’s new book, Survival Guide to Motherhood, today!
We’re continuing to unpack Luke’s account of the Christmas story today in chapter 1 of Luke. As Karen breaks down the angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary and her response to him she draws out beautiful and practical truths we can learn from this section of Scripture.
Mentioned on today’s episode:
Luke 1:26-38 (NLT version)
2 Samuel 7 - God’s promise to David that his kingdom will never end
It’s easy as a mom to spend all of your time leading up to Christmas morning checking off a giant to-do list and completely neglect to set aside any time to focus your heart on what the point of all this fuss is - JESUS’s arrival! That’s why, over the next 4 weeks Karen is going to walk us through the Christmas story as recorded by Luke, and give you a slice of time that is just for your spirit. Today we are getting started in Luke 1 with the story of Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth.
Mentioned on this episode:
Wire Talk James study - Week 1
The holidays are a special time of year but they can be extremely tricky for families. Whether you're traveling or staying home, struggling with your mother-in-law or your own mom, there’s lots of family time involved and that often leads to tension. Today Karen gives moms tips for having tactful conversations with grandparents, preparing our kids for situations that are outside the everyday, and being especially proactive as we parent at this time of year.
Mentioned on the episode:
Pre-order Survival Guide to Motherhood today!
Find resources for educating grandparents or other family members about your child's personality color HERE.
What topics aren’t sensitive when you’re talking to a teenager! Today Karen is tackling tricky questions, from how to talk about health issues and personality differences to sneaky behavior and dealing with aging parents. As always, Karen doles out her trademark practical wisdom with some gems for the teenage years!
Mentioned on today’s episode:
Karen’s new book is available for pre-order!
Take Birds on a Wire’s personality colors quiz HERE
Find more BOAW personality resources HERE.
Kathleen Edelman’s A Grown Up’s Guide to Kids’ Wiring
Technology is increasingly a part of every aspect of today's world and there is so much to navigate! From gaming to social media to smartphones and everything in between, today Karen is answering questions about how to set boundaries and how to think about the technology we allow into our homes and into our kids' lives.
Mentioned on today’s episode:
GABB Wireless - safe phones for kids
Wire Talk episode 116 with expert Tom Shefchunas
Right Now Media - video library for kids
Good Pictures, Bad Pictures (book about pornography for ages 6-11)
Good Pictures, Bad Pictures JR. (ages 3-6)
Toni Collier, founder of the women’s ministry, Broken Crayons Still Color, joins Karen today to talk about the message of her brand new book - Brave Enough to be Broken. We know you’ll enjoy hearing Toni’s personal story and resonate with the message that God uses all of our brokenness for His glory.
Be sure to grab a copy of Toni’s brand new book and share this episode with a woman in your life who needs some encouragement today!
Mentioned on today’s episode:
Get the book: Brave Enough to be Broken
Connect with Toni on social media
If you have toddlers in the house, you know nap time is a BIG deal! Today Karen is fielding questions from moms desperate for a little afternoon peace. Listen in for tips on how to create a “quiet time” for your kiddo and how to navigate the tricky in-between season when they still need sleep, but just won’t surrender!
Disagreement is inevitable in any relationship and marriage is no exception. When you’re parenting together, and your husband has his own way of doing things, disagreements cause even greater tension. Today we’re answering your questions about conflict with your husband, everything from planning date nights and handling criticism to riding motorcycles with the kids!
Mentioned on today’s episode:
There's a reason they're called the 'Terrible Twos' friends! Whether it's daycare drop-off, not wanting to share, or just not getting their way, it can take us by surprise when our little angels find their voice and use it in a big way. If there's a toddler in your home, today's questions will probably sound familiar, so listen for a pep talk from Karen to stay the course, not give in, and keep up the good work, mom!
When you have elementary and middle school aged kids, the pressure and the busy schedule that come with pursuing athletics or the arts can really stress a mom out! Whether it’s pushback from your kids, or a strain on your schedule and your finances, today Karen gives advice on how to juggle it all and keep the most important things central in your world during this season of life.
Check out today's shownotes and find all things BOAW at: birdsonawiremoms.com
Megan and Leigh join us in the studio today to share how they see the world through the lens of a GREEN MOM. They'll talk about what makes motherhood easy for greens and how it challenges their temperaments; if you're a green, we think you'll hear a bit of your own experience in this conversation and if you're not green, we think it will give you valuable insights into the green moms in your world.
Not sure your color? Don't forget to take our quiz at BOAW.MOM/QUIZ
Mentioned on the show:
I Said This, You Heard That by Kathleen Edelman
Today Ashley and Anisa join us in the studio to share how they see the world through the lens of a BLUE MOM. They'll talk about how blues thrive in mom world and what doesn't come easily to them as blues.
If you're a blue, we think you'll hear a bit of your own experience in this conversation and if you're not blue, we think it will give you valuable insights into the blue moms in your world.
Not sure your color? Don't forget to take our quiz at BOAW.MOM/QUIZ
Mandee and Erin join us in the studio today to share how they see the world through the lens of a YELLOW MOM. You know Karen is yellow, so this is one FUN conversation!
We'll hear what these yellows love about mom life, but also how it refines them. If you're a yellow, we think you'll hear a bit of your own experience in this conversation and if you're not yellow, we think it will give you valuable insights into the yellow moms in your world.
Not sure your color? Don't forget to take our quiz at BOAW.MOM/QUIZ
Today Katie and Kelly join us in the studio to share how they see life and parenting through the lens of being a "red". They'll talk about working life, home life, and everything in between. If you're a red, we think you'll hear a bit of your own experience in this conversation and if you're not red, we think it will give you valuable insights into the red moms in your world. Not sure your color? Don't forget to take our colors quiz at BOAW.MOM/QUIZ
Mentioned on today's episode:
This episode kicks off 5 weeks of a new Personality Colors series! We're going to share what the colors are, where the concept comes from, how to find out your color, and why it’s a helpful tool for families. Then, week by week we're bringing you interviews with moms of each color to help you understand how this temperament plays out in motherhood. We hope you come away encouraged and equipped to use the colors in your family!
Mentioned on the show:
I Said This, You Heard That by Kathleen Edelman
We all know focusing on a healthy marriage should be a priority while you raise kids, but sometimes your kids are the source of conflict in your marriage! Today Karen and Sunny are answering your questions about how to navigate the inevitable disagreements that go hand in hand with parenting together.
Links from today's show:
Our newest study: Survival Guide to Motherhoood (ages 0-5)
Have you ever been taken aback by the BIG feelings coming out of your child's small body? Today we're talking about angry outbursts, emotional meltdowns, sibling jealousy, and a crippling fear of failure. Listen and learn from Karen's wisdom so you can equip your kids to handle big emotions.
Mentioned on today’s episode:
A Grown Up’s Guide to Kids’ Wiring
Snag Karen’s devotional and start the school year off right: Moments with God for Moms