Show Notes
If you’re in the stage of parenting where tears, tantrums, and big emotions seem to take over every day, you’re not alone. Today Karen and Emily are tackling questions from moms navigating the emotional ups and downs of preschoolers and early elementary kids. They discuss why some kids cry more than others, how to handle tantrums without giving in, and how to guide sensitive kids through big feelings. If you’re in the thick of it these days, we hope this episode reminds you that this stage is normal and it won’t last forever! Episode Recap: All of our kids go through hard phases, you are not alone (1:08) My 5 year old boy cries about EVERYTHING - help! (3:05) My son’s temper tantrums are out of control, what can I do? (7:08) My 4 yr old is very dependent on her brother, I’m worried about her clinginess (9:11) How do I approach the “stranger danger” conversation with my outgoing girl? (12:39) You’re not going to change the way your kid is wired, but you can understand it (20:00)
Scripture: Proverbs 22:6 (NIV) “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Discussion Questions: How do you usually respond when your child cries or throws a tantrum? How’s that working for your family? Karen talked about helping kids learn that not every situation is a “10 out of 10.” How do you teach your children perspective when they’re upset? What are some practical ways you can help your child learn to express feelings with words instead of tears? How does remembering that this stage is temporary change the way you respond in the moment?
Resources: Listen to the rest of our conversation on WT+: boaw.mom/insider Send us your questions through the BOAW Moms app [Apple] [Google Play] Check out our BRAND NEW Bible study: How To Teach Your Kids the Bible
Want More? Wire Talk+ listeners get extended conversations every week. Today Karen and Emily are sharing tips for how to make mornings easier with reluctant risers. Head HERE and join us for the full conversation.
More from Wire Talk with Karen Stubbs
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What if one of the best things we can do for our kids is let them struggle? Mom of eight and founder of The Exchange, Elizabeth Pehrson, joins Karen and Emily to talk about parenting for the long game. If you have a hard time watching your child fail, forget, or face the consequences of their choices, this conversation is for you! We hope it will encourage you to loosen your grip and trust God with the outcome. Episode Recap: Your job as a parent is to make sure they don’t need you - the hardest part is accepting your success (4:26) Long game parenting asks, “Who do I want my child to be at 25, 35, 45?” (6:45) How do we get more comfortable with watching our kids struggle? (9:37) Allowing them to experience natural consequences is loving (12:02) Practical examples of starting out small with independence (16:00) Trusting the Lord is the foundation of success in parenting (19:29) You are preparing them for leaving you (22:00)
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Big emotions can leave even the most confident mom wondering, Is this normal… or should I be concerned? Counselor Dr. Chinwé Williams joins Karen and Emily to explain what’s happening in our kids’ brains when they completely lose it and how we can partner with them to teach coping skills so they can move toward handling hard emotions on their own. Episode Recap: Are kids struggling with mental health more these days or are we just better at recognizing it? (2:32) As young as age 5, kids are struggling with ‘task persistence’ (4:41) Anxiety is a sign - it’s not the enemy (8:54) Understanding the upstairs vs. downstairs brain (15:48) How do we help our child via co-regulation? (20:04) Where’s the line between attachment science and gentle parenting? (22:50)
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