As we wrap up Wire Talk for 2024, we’re diving into practical ways to connect with your spouse during busy seasons. From showing appreciation in small ways to navigating family expectations and finding joy in spontaneity, Karen has got wisdom and real-life practical tips for you! Whether you’re balancing the holidays, family dynamics, or simply trying to plan a date night, we hope this conversation inspires you to be intentional in your marriage.

Episode Recap:

5:30 - How can I show my spouse they matter in small, but meaningful ways?

9:00 - How can I accommodate my in-laws' tendency to plan way ahead? 

11:45 - Communicating clearly is gracious, even if it disappoints others

13:30 - I don’t feel lovey-dovey when we’re travelling, but my husband does. How do we navigate this dynamic? 

16:50 - Did your yellow ever rub your blue husband the wrong way? How do I be more spontaneous to accommodate him? 

23:00 - Thank you for all of your support this year! Sign up for SOAR in 2025

Scripture for Reflection:

1 Corinthians 16:14 (NIV) "Do everything in love." 

Questions for Discussion:

1. What are some small but meaningful ways you can show your spouse they are appreciated during busy seasons?
2. How can you find balance between accommodating family expectations and maintaining boundaries for your immediate family?
3. Have you experienced differences in how you and your spouse handle travel or holiday dynamics? How do you navigate those differences?
4. How can you practice flexibility in your plans while still honoring your own needs and personality?
5. What’s one new date-night idea you’d like to try with your spouse?

Resources:

• Register for SOAR 2025 in the BOAW Moms app today [App Store] [Google Play]
• Give today to support BOAW Moms and our plans in 2025: boaw.mom/donate

Today Karen and Emily are diving into what it means to love like Jesus, even when it’s difficult. They cover preparing your heart, navigating tricky relationships, and approaching family gatherings with humility. You’ll learn how to manage expectations and hear practical ways we can love others like Christ loves us. Whether you’re juggling in-laws, extended family, or just trying to survive the season, this episode is packed with encouragement and wisdom for the holidays.

Episode Recap:

5:41 - Why is it so challenging to love our extended family like Jesus?

10:26 - How can we shift our mindset and love family when it feels impossible? 

12:33 - You can’t ignore your feelings, but you don’t have to act on your feelings. 

13:30 - What are some practical ways we can prepare our hearts before family gatherings?

16:00 - Pray and ask God to show you what He loves about hard to love people

23:44 - The holidays can bring joy, but they can bring a lot of trigger points as well

Scripture for Reflection: John 13:34-35 (NIV)
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Questions for Discussion:

1. How can you demonstrate love to family members who may be difficult to connect with during the holidays?
2. What practical steps can you take to prepare your heart to approach family gatherings with humility and grace?
3. How does Jesus’ example of unconditional love challenge the way you interact with extended family or in-laws?
4. What boundaries could you set to help maintain peace and joy during the holiday season, while still showing Christ-like love?

Resources:

• Give today to support BOAW Moms and our plans in 2025: boaw.mom/donate
• Register for SOAR 2025 in the BOAW Moms app today [App Store] [Google Play]

The holidays can often bring stress and guilt for moms as we try to make everything perfect for our families. In this episode, Karen and Emily share how to embrace a simpler, more joyful approach to Christmas. From favorite childhood memories to navigating tight budgets, they remind us that the best moments often come from just being together! We hope this episode inspires you to let go of the pressure, focus on what truly matters (Jesus’ birth!), and create meaningful traditions—whether planned or unplanned.

Episode Recap:

3:08 - Karen and Emily “This or That’ Christmas edition

9:30 - Emily’s favorite Christmas memories growing up in the Stubbs’ home

11:20 - The best memories aren’t always the ones you plan

16:54 - Pick a few things that are important to you and forget the rest

18:20 - Some traditions happen organically and end up being the kids’ favorite

20:10 - How do I keep the holiday spirit alive as my kids grow?

23:00 - Explain the budget to your kids and don’t feel bad about sticking to it

25:32 - Mishaps can lead to new traditions and memories.

27:30 - Give yourself grace and just enjoy this holiday season! 

Scripture for Reflection: Luke 2:10-12 (NIV)
“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Questions for Discussion:

1. What are some of your favorite childhood holiday memories?
2. How can you simplify your holiday plans this year to focus more on connection and less on perfection?
3. What are some inexpensive ways to create lasting memories with your family during the holiday season?
4. How can you be intentional about letting go of comparison during the holidays?
5. What new traditions could you start as your children grow older and your family’s needs change?

Resources:

• Register for SOAR 2025 in the BOAW Moms app today [App Store] [Google Play]
• Give today to support BOAW Moms and our plans in 2025: boaw.mom/donate

Moms often struggle with guilt and overthinking, especially when it comes to making decisions for their families. In this episode, Karen talks about how to avoid the trap of overanalyzing every choice and instead focus on what brings peace and unity to your family. Whether you're navigating school decisions, holiday traditions, or just everyday challenges, this discussion will help you let go of guilt and embrace the best yes for your family with confidence.

Episode Recap:

• 4:00 Navigating mom guilt around holiday decisions
• 7:30 Deciding whether to do Elf on the Shelf
• 13:00 Setting boundaries for attending kids' birthday parties
• 17:45 Learning to communicate clearly with your children before making commitments
• 22:00 Making decisions that are right for YOUR family, without comparison

Scripture for Reflection:

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."

Questions for Discussion:

1. What kind of mom guilt are you facing in this season of parenting, and how can you let go of it?
2. How do you decide which traditions to embrace and which to let go of?
3. What are some ways you can involve your kids in making decisions, like attending parties or events?
4. How can we give ourselves grace if our plans or decisions don’t look like those of other families?

Resources:

Download the BOAW Moms app (for FREE!) [App Store] [Google Play]

Navigating the holidays as a grandparent can be tricky, but holding plans with open hands can make all the difference. In this episode, we talk about how to foster unity, embrace flexibility, and keep a spirit of grace at the center of holiday gatherings. Whether you're a mom of grown children or still in the thick of raising kids at home, Karen offers practical tips to help you approach the season with love and understanding.

Episode Recap:

4:56 Grandparents need to hold holiday plans with open hands

7:45 Remember what it was like to be a young adult and all of the pressures they are facing

10:00 Be open and flexible to new traditions

13:00 Enjoy the kids when they are around and be okay if they are not present some years

14:55 Learn how to communicate plans early 

16:30 It’s okay for grandparents to spoil the grandkids and overindulge them once a year!

19:30 Ask your grown children, “what can I do to make holidays easier/better for you?” 

23:00 The holidays aren’t about exactly ‘when’ or ‘how,’ they are about being together

Scripture for Reflection:

Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV): "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."

Questions for Discussion:

1. In what ways can you be more understanding of the pressures your grown children face during the holiday season?
2. What new traditions could you embrace that might help create a more joyful and flexible holiday experience for everyone?
3. How can you learn to hold your holiday traditions with open hands? Is there anything specific you know will be hard to let go of? 
4. What steps can you take to communicate our holiday plans early, while still being considerate of everyone’s needs and desires?
5. How can you maintain a spirit of grace if plans change or things don't go as expected?

Resources:

Download the BOAW Moms app (for FREE!) [App Store] [Google Play]

Today, DeDe Wilbanks joins us to explore how we can set healthy boundaries around the technology in our homes. With John 10:10 as our guide, DeDe reminds us of our God-given role to protect our children's hearts and minds from the addictive nature of technology. While we can't control everything, we can be intentional about setting limits that nurture our families, trusting God with the rest.

Episode Recap:

• 4:30 What downtime and screen time parameters do you put on your devices? 
• 9:43 Is there a right age to give kids a phone? 
• 13:09 Why do screen time limits matter? 
• 15:15 What mistakes have you made when it comes to technology in your home?
• 19:10 I had to learn to enjoy the “no”
• 22:00 How do you actually set limits on the iphone? 
• 31:22 What simple practical tips can you offer to get started?

Scripture for Reflection:

John 10:10 (NIV) "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

Questions for Discussion:

1. What boundaries are in place around the tech that your kids have access to? (Games, ipads, TV, phones, etc.)
2. Have you made any mistakes with the technology you have allowed in your home? 
3. How do you model healthy technology habits for your children? 
4. What challenges do you face when setting screen time limits, and how do you handle them?
5. What action steps are you taking after listening to this episode? 

Resources:

• Download the BOAW Moms app (for FREE!) [App Store] [Google Play]
• The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

Election Day can bring a lot of uncertainty and even fear into our lives. Today, Karen and Emily remind us to keep our focus on God, no matter who ends up in the White House. They encourage us to pray for our leaders and show us how to foster peace, especially if our families are divided on political views. Karen shares powerful biblical truths to help us navigate the ups and downs of the election season with faith and grace, reminding us that our hope is always in Christ and that we are citizens of heaven.

Episode Recap:

7:12 How should Christians approach political elections?

10:20 What does Jesus say about engaging with governments and politics? 

13:04 Daniel 2:21 says God “deposes kings and raises up others”

14:30 We have to focus our eyes on God and not our circumstances

15:45 Go vote! And also, pray for our leaders

17:45 Look at the story of Nebuchadnezzer, God can turn the hearts of evil leaders

20:39 We can have different opinions and still love one another

21:58 Your children are watching you

Scripture for Reflection:

Romans 13:1 (NIV) "Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God."

Questions for Discussion:

1. Do you enjoy talking about politics, would you rather ignore it, or do you fall somewhere in between? 
2. Has this election season disrupted your internal peace?
3. Do you pray for the leaders in our country? Would you be willing to commit to praying for the President Elect until Inauguration Day? 
4. Did any of the verses Karen mentioned during this episode resonate with you? What is something you can do to practically apply the message of this conversation? 

Resources:

Download the BOAW Moms app (for FREE!) [App Store] [Google Play]

“You just have to last one second longer…” If you are constantly fighting discipline battles these days, we hope those words stay with you long after this episode! In this conversation, Karen tackles questions about disciplining your younger children. From chaos in the car, to rough play, to bad behavior that only happens at school, Karen offers practical advice for finding consequences that work for your child.

Episode Recap:

6:37 My four year old is constantly getting in trouble at school - what can we do?

12:30 Car rides are the worst! How can I stop the cycle of craziness?

17:00 You just have to last one second longer than they do!

18:25 My son plays too rough at school - does he need therapy? 

21:30 How do I know which things are discipline worthy and which things I should let go? 

27:18 My son gets really angry- we don’t want to punish him for feeling emotions, but know we need to find ways to help him regulate, any advice?

Scripture for Reflection:

Proverbs 29:17 (NIV) “Discipline your children, and they will give you peace; they will bring you the delights you desire.”

Questions for Discussion:

1. What are some of the biggest discipline challenges you face with your young children?
2. Have you found any specific consequences that seem to work well with your child? What hasn’t worked as well?
3. How do you decide which behaviors are worth disciplining and which ones to let go?
4. How do you handle situations where your child gets very angry? Are there strategies that help them regulate their emotions?

Resources:

• Send Karen your questions using the BOAW Moms app (for FREE!) [App Store] [Google Play]
• Raising Emotionally Strong Boys by David Thomas: https://amzn.to/48r4ZkZ
• Listen to Wire Talk episode 347 with David Thomas: https://wiretalk.transistor.fm/episodes/347-raising-emotionally-strong-boys-with-david-thomas
• A Grown Up’s Guide to Kids’ Wiring: https://amzn.to/3YmsRlo
• Survival Guide to Motherhood: https://amzn.to/3NKXXyd

Are your kids’ personalities shaped by their birth order? In today’s episode, Karen and Emily explore how birth order influences personality. They share insights from their own families and tackle questions like, “How do I help my oldest think of others before herself?” and “How can I teach my daughter to let go of things without holding on to everything?” Plus, Emily talks about how she’s using the BOAW Moms app to keep up with studies and episodes!

Episode Recap:

2:00 Emily is loving using the BOAW Moms app to watch studies and look up podcast episodes

3:45 Karen and Emily share how their personalities were shaped by their birth order 

7:13 Is it possible to avoid reinforcing birth order stereotypes as a parent?

10:25 How do I help my 5 year old let go of things? She wants to hold onto all the things!

15:24 How do I help my oldest daughter think of others before herself? 

20:45 How do I help nurture my daughter’s kindness? 

24:50 Send in your question on the app using the “Ask Karen” section

Scripture for Reflection:

Galatians 6:9 (NASB) “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.”

Questions for Discussion:

1. How do you think birth order has influenced your children’s personalities? Can you see any traits that match typical birth order stereotypes?
2. How do you encourage your child to let go of unnecessary items or habits without making them feel pressured?
3. What did you think of Karen’s story about taking Kelsey to the Dominican Republic and the change she saw in her heart afterwards? Is that something you have done or would consider doing with your children? 
4. Karen mentioned several times that some issues we see in our kids are heart issues while others are merely maturity issues (things they will grow out of)- do you feel like you can tell the difference in your children? 

Resources:

• Check out Karen’s new study: The Counter-Intuitive Parent on Right Now Media or from the BOAW Moms store 
• Download the BOAW Moms app: [App Store] [Google Play]
• Kevin Leman’s Birth Order book: https://amzn.to/3AdPCzI

“There is nothing that beats conversation with our kids.” Today we’re chatting with Erin Mashaw about the new book she co-authored, A Student’s Guide to Sexual Integrity. We touch on purity culture, pornography, and the constantly shifting cultural values around us. Erin shared the importance of having small conversations early and often and offered practical tips for getting over the awkwardness! Our hope is that you will be encouraged to engage in new conversations this week in your home and feel equipped that YOU are the best source of information for your child. Psst - pop some earbuds in for this one!

Episode Recap:

• 3:20 What is the difference between integrity and purity? 
• 6:54 ‘The Talk’ is no longer one marathon session, it’s simpler than that! 
• 8:30: Is it possible to make these conversations less awkward?
• 11:37 Your mind is your most important sex organ 
• 14:00 Teach your kids to live by the Integrity Code
• 18:30 How do we share the truth that the historical biblical sexual ethic is loving and not exclusive with kids who are seeing something different all around them?
• 20:30 It’s parents’ job to be the first voice speaking to our children a consistent message on sexuality
• 24:00 What do moms need to know about protecting our (even young) kids from being sexualized online? 
• 30:10 It’s never too late to start this conversation! 
• 33:00 God is writing your child’s story and His Holy Spirit will guide you as you lead your kids in this area of their lives

Scripture for Reflection:

Deuteronomy 11:18-19 (NIV): “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”

Questions for Discussion:

1. When did you begin talking with your kids about topics related to sex? If you haven’t started yet, what’s holding you back? Did this episode encourage you to initiate those conversations in your home?
2. How do you define sexual integrity versus purity, and why do you think this distinction is important when talking with your children? What stood out to you in Erin’s explanation?
3. How can you be proactive in protecting your children from exposure to inappropriate content online? What strategies have worked for you, or what new steps could you take based on the information shared in this episode?
4. What does it look like to trust God with your child’s journey while still being intentional about shaping their understanding of sexual integrity

Resources:

• Check out Karen’s new study: The Counter-Intuitive Parent on Right Now Media or from the BOAW Moms store 
• Grab a copy of A Student’s Guide to Sexual Integrity 
• Jim Burns book, God Made Your Body, How God Makes Babies
• More resources from HomeWord ministry: https://homeword.com/ 
• Download the BOAW Moms app for FREE [App Store] [Google Play]

When your kids are little, the challenges of day-to-day parenting often pit one spouse against another. Today Karen and Emily are answering questions from weary moms. They discuss practical ways you can connect with your spouse, strategies for handling the stress that comes with parenting young children, and remind us of the importance of prioritizing our husband’s needs during this season of life.

Episode Recap:

4:50 BIG announcement coming later this month - get the app to be the first to know 

10:45 How do we find time to connect as spouses with 3 little kids at home? 

15:05: Help! My 3 yr old twins are pitting us against one another! 

17:14 Our marriage is struggling! We need help. 

22:20 Ask your spouse: what is one way I can love you better this month? 

25:20 I want to move back to where my family lives. What do you think we should do?

Scripture for Reflection:

Mark 10:9 (NIV): “Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

Questions for Discussion:

1. How do you currently prioritize connection with your spouse while raising young children? What practical strategies have worked for you, and where do you feel there’s room for improvement?
2. How do you and your spouse handle conflict when your children (especially young ones) try to pit you against one another? Do you feel like you have a united front, or is this something you struggle with?
3. What’s one way you could better support your husband’s needs during this busy season of life? Have you asked him how you can show love to him in the coming weeks?
4. When making major family decisions, such as moving or changing jobs, how do you and your spouse communicate and weigh each other’s opinions? What steps do you take to ensure that both of your voices are heard?

Resources:

• Download the BOAW Moms app for FREE [App Store] [Google Play]
• Watch the Parenting Together curriculum in the app! [App Store] [Google Play]