411: "Dumb" Bible Questions Answered

417: Countdown to Kindergarten: How to Make the Most of the Summer Before School Starts

In this episode, Karen and Emily answer questions about helping prepare your child for their big Kindergarten transition. From building essential skills to creating lasting memories, we've got you covered with tips to make summer fun and to ease you into a new routine this fall. Don’t miss Karen’s life hack for getting those adorable first day of school pictures and her assurance that God goes before your child in every place they go and in every season.

Episode Recap:

2:45 - Emily’s feelings about her daughter going to Kindergarten next year

5:34 - Karen reminisces about Kelsey’s Kindergarten years

6:15 - How can I prepare my household for the Kindergarten transition?

9:35 - How do you manage tired and worn out kiddos after a (new to them) long day at school?

11:45 - As a working mom, I’m stressed out during the summer. How can I make summer special since Kindergarten will be a change of pace?

14:05 - Are there practical skills I should be working on with my rising Kindergarteners this summer?

16:50 - What FUN things can we do to mark this milestone in our kids’ lives?

21:00 - Don’t miss the BEST hack for getting those adorable first day of school pics?

21:45 - Any tips for communication when kids get home from school?

24:00 - God goes before them in every season! God has your kids.

Questions for Discussion:

1. Does the transition to Kindergarten make you feel excited, anxious, or something else?
2. What are you looking forward to in this season of your child’s life?
3. What worries can you give to the Lord about this next year?

Resources:

• Want to bring Karen to speak in your community? Reach out: https://www.birdsonwiremoms.com/invite
• Connect with Birds on a Wire Moms on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birdsonawiremoms and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/birdsonawiremoms

416: 5 Must-Read Parenting Books for Every Mom

Whether you’re parenting toddlers or teens - these 5 books will give you the tools you need to create a healthier family. Join us as we dive into Karen's top recommendations for parenting books that offer invaluable insights, practical strategies, and wisdom to navigate the ups and downs of raising children. From building strong connections to setting boundaries with love, this episode is packed with essential reads for every parent's bookshelf.

Episode Recap:

4:25 - These 5 books truly helped Karen in her parenting journey

5:25 - Personality Plus for Parents unpacks the four temperaments

7:30 - PPP helps you understand the child’s strengths and weaknesses, especially if they are very different from your own

13:21- A Grown Ups Guide to Kids’ Wiring - great for “translating” our kids behavior and helping us speak to them in ways that are more effective

15:40 - Boundaries book: moms are afraid to set boundaries with our kids, but boundaries bring security

18:17- The Birth Order Book explains how the order of our children and age gaps in our family can help us understand our kids’ behavior and tendencies

22:10 - The Five Love Languages of Children

28:02 - Honorable Mentions: Survival Guide to Motherhood, Parenting By The Book, Raising Worry-free Girls, Raising Emotionally Strong Boys, Wild Things, Shepherding A Child’s Heart, Parenting Your Powerful Child, The New Strong-Willed Child, Moms on Call Parenting Series

Questions for Discussion:

1. What is the most helpful parenting book you have read to date? Why?
2. Have you read any of Karen’s Top 5 books? Which one? How has it helped you parent more effectively?
3. Which of these books do you think would help equip you for the season of parenting you are in?

Resources:

• Personality Plus for Parents: https://amzn.to/3UHqTdy
• A Grown Ups Guide to Kids’ Wiring: https://amzn.to/3ysKgzi
• Boundaries series of books:
• https://amzn.to/3ypMYFM
• https://amzn.to/3WFjXA1
• Even Jesus Set Boundaries blog post: https://birdsonawiremoms.com/blog/2019/3/21/even-jesus-set-boundaries
• The Birth Order Book: https://amzn.to/4bypAEl
• The Five Love Languages of Children: https://amzn.to/4bCFkqe
• Honorable Mentions:
• Survival Guide to Motherhood: https://amzn.to/4bysA3z
• Parenting By The Book: https://amzn.to/4bfuR46
• Raising Worry-free Girls: https://amzn.to/4ag7fLj
• Raising Emotionally Strong Boys: https://amzn.to/4dF5hH8
• Wild Things: https://amzn.to/4dEN2lq
• Shepherding A Child’s Heart: https://amzn.to/3UXO4l4
• Parenting Your Powerful Child: https://amzn.to/44FtB7M
• The New Strong-Willed Child: https://amzn.to/4bgvJWf
• Moms on Call Parenting Series: https://amzn.to/44ClNnn

• Want 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

415: Honoring Your Own Mother

In today’s episode, we’re fielding questions about the situations you are facing in your relationship with your own mom. Whether it’s a conflict over parenting style, a strained relationship, or a concern about childcare, Karen has the practical answers you’re looking for so you can honor your mother while still maintaining your boundaries.

Episode Recap:

2:31 - Honoring your mom can be difficult when the relationship has not been good

3:57 - This can be a spiritual battle more than anything

4:40 - How can I help my mom out after the death of my father?

8:15 - My mom watches my kids weekly and their misbehavior is causing tension between us

13:00 - I’m afraid my mom will resent us choosing daycare, how would you address it?

16:37- My mom has a new boyfriend and I don’t want to be around his dysfunctional family. What can I do?

Questions for Discussion:

1. How would you characterize the relationship you have with your mother? Healthy? Distant? Conflicted? Non-existent?
2. If that is a healthy relationship, what part have you played in keeping it healthy?
3. If your relationship with your mom is difficult, strained, or unhealthy, how does that impact your mental and spiritual health?
4. What is one thing you can do to honor your mother this week, no matter what the current state of that relationship is?

Resources:

• Grief podcast with Dr. Judy Wolfe: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wt-159-processing-grief-in-motherhood-with-judy-wolfe/id1101953069?i=1000436874170
• Want 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/birdsonawiremomsand Facebook: www.facebook.com/birdsonawiremoms

414: God Does Not Give Us A Spirit of Fear

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:

1. 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.”?
2. Do you truly believe that God loves your child and is actively pursuing your child’s heart?
3. 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.
4. 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/3QcTp5e
• Want 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…

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:

1. 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?
2. 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?
3. 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-leather
• Related episode: Preparing Your Senior for College - https://birdsonawiremoms.com/podcast/episode158
• Want 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/birdsonawiremomsand Facebook: www.facebook.com/birdsonawiremoms