492: How to Handle a Difficult Mother-in-Law (Without Starting a Family War)

Wire Talk with Karen Stubbs

Karen Stubbs

Christianity, Parenting, Parenting Advice, Kids & Family, Christian Parent, Religion & Spirituality, Faith, Motherhood

4.9 • 936 Ratings

🗓️ 11 November 2025

⏱️ 25 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

This week, Karen tackles listener questions on navigating everything from over-involved mother-in-laws to family disagreements and unmet expectations. Karen shares wisdom from her 39 years of marriage about when to speak up, when to set boundaries, and how to keep your marriage strong even when extended family drama threatens your peace!

Episode Recap:

How do we make our relationships with our MILs stronger and better? (2:53)
As a MIL, how can I best help my DIL when Baby #3 arrives? (4:25)
My MIL doesn’t get along well in family situations, should I intervene? (8:35)
Boundaries are for you, not the other person (10:17)
My SIL never prioritizes our family, should I talk to her? (12:25)
My MIL is upset over our parenting choices, (15:18)
My husband and I are at odds over how best to honor his family (18:20)

Scripture: Matthew 11:28 (NIV)
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Discussion Questions:

When have you found it hardest to set boundaries with family? What helped you hold firm?
How can you and your spouse stay unified when you see a family situation differently?
What practical ways can you show love to your in-laws while still protecting your family’s peace?
When conflict rises, what would it look like for you to “take it to the Lord” instead of trying to fix it yourself?

Resources:

Reach out to https://birdsonawiremoms.com/book-karen-to-speak to have Karen come speak in your community!
Join our private FB group, BOAW Moms: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BOAWmoms

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	Do you have any practical advice on how to keep short accounts and not let things like hold
0:05.1	resentment when it comes to like family matters with your spouse?
0:08.5	Family's tricky because we all love our, well, we should all love our families.
0:13.6	We both loved our families, Greg and I, and, you know, it's just hard.
0:19.1	And as the kids get older, okay, we can't come Christmas, but we'll come this time,
0:23.5	or we tried to get it in, whatever, or can y'all come to us?
0:26.7	You know, sometimes it works, sometimes it didn't.
0:29.1	And we had to accept that.
0:30.5	But I have found in marriage in general, whenever Greg and I get it, that impasse,
0:35.7	and we just can't see eye to eye on things, I just have learned in my 39 years of marriage to take it to the Lord.
0:43.8	Like, we're not going to see the same on this.
0:46.7	Welcome to Wire Talk, where we encourage and equip moms by answering practical questions about motherhood.
0:52.5	We want to help instill God's truth in your heart so you can experience more joy and peace
0:57.6	on your journey of motherhood.
0:59.0	Are you ready for some truth?
1:00.4	Let's dive in.
1:04.4	Hey, everybody, and welcome to Wire Talk.
1:06.7	It's November, and we are so excited y'all are here with us today.
1:09.6	We are going to be talking about something that most everybody can relate to. Yeah. And it's in-laws and how to balance that relationship between your spouse and your in-laws and what to do when conflict arises and how to handle it. So I'm ready to jump in. Are you? Yeah, I am. Hey, Mom. Hey, how are you? Good. Sorry, I had to get that in there.
1:28.8	It was like, my brain was like, let's go. And I just went for it. I knew if I broke it, it just wouldn't have been the same. Well, it's because you got on that cute dress and you're in, like, very executive go mode. Well, thank you. I actually shout at my best friend McKenzie. I got it with her and we had had a girl date the other day. And that was so much fun. And being postpartum, it was fun to shop and be with a friend and just fill my own cup up. So it was really fun.
1:52.3	Well, you look amazing. And I'm telling you, you look amazing after Ellie.
1:56.5	Thanks, guys.
	...

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