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Wire Talk with Karen Stubbs

503: Why Mom Friendships Feel Harder Than We Expected

Wire Talk with Karen Stubbs

Karen Stubbs

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

4.9 • 936 Ratings

🗓️ 3 February 2026

⏱️ 21 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Friendships in motherhood can feel complicated, especially when old wounds and insecurities get stirred up in new seasons. In this episode, Karen and Emily talk honestly about why friendships can feel hard for moms and how to move forward with grace, healthy expectations, and a “generous explanation” for the people around us.

Episode Recap:

  • Friendship is difficult as a mom (2:23)
  • We all have past hurts that impact how we receive or offer friendship today (4:30)
  • How do we prevent self-sabotaging friendships? (6:17)
  • Communicate clearly when you have moved into a new season of life (8:06)
  • Choose a generous explanation whenever possible (10:02)
  • How do I handle someone who is not a good fit wanting to be friends?! (13:54)
  • How do I maintain friendships in a very full season? (16:45)
  • Continue this conversation on WT+ at the link below (20:16)


Scripture: Ephesians 4:2 (NLT) “Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.”

Discussion Questions: 

  1. Have you had a friendship since becoming a mom that didn’t turn out the way you expected. What made it hard?
  2. When friendships feel disappointing or painful, what past experiences or insecurities tend to get stirred up for you?
  3. Where do you think your expectations in friendships might need to shift to match the reality of your current season?
  4. What would it look like for you to give a “generous explanation” instead of assuming the worst in a friendship right now?
  5. What is one practical way you can pursue friendship with more grace this month without overextending yourself?


Resources:


Want More of This Conversation?

Wire Talk+ listeners get extended conversations every week! Today Karen and Emily share how their past relationships have affected the kind of friend they are today.

To become a Wire Talk+ Insider, head HERE and join us for the full conversation.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

Welcome to Wiretalk. Today we're going to be talking about friendships. In this season of

0:04.6

motherhood, friendships can be hard because of our past hurts. But today, we're going to dig

0:09.6

into some solutions and how to give yourself grace and peace. Let's get started.

0:18.6

Well, hey, moms. Welcome to Wiretog. This is the first week of February, and I'm so excited. I've enjoyed January. It hasn't been as slow, but I'm just ready for February. I know. Sometimes, you know, January, it's the new year. We're excited, fresh starts, all that. We've made our resolutions. But by February, we're ready to go.

0:38.1

I mean, it's still winter. It's just like, oh, so I'm ready to start February too.

0:44.2

And you know, growing up, Valentine's Day wasn't my favorite because I never really had a cute boyfriend like Kelsey, but that's okay.

0:52.6

But like with kids, it's fun.

0:54.6

I enjoy getting the kids' valentines

0:57.1

and getting them ready for their classroom.

0:59.2

And this year, Grayson wants Dragons Loves Tacos.

1:02.1

If you've not read that book, it's adorable.

1:03.9

And Harper wants Stitch.

1:05.1

So I enjoy that part of it.

1:07.1

Oh, so you give them a book for their Valentine?

1:10.0

No, Grace, just leave it up to my kids. He just wants Dragons loves tacos Valentine's. Oh, Valentine, like the little cards. Yes, for his class. I've never even heard of Dragons Love. Tacos. Tacos. Okay. It's about Dragons, and they love tacos. Oh, and then Harper wants Stitch. She is in love with Stitch. You know,

1:30.0

they say Stitch is the new Mickey Mouse, Mom. I don't understand it, guys. I'm not seeing the

1:34.8

appeal of Stitch. Well, she loves it. She got like a huge stitch for Christmas and she wants

1:39.6

Stitch. Everything. She loves it. And when we go to Disney, she's like all about Stitch. So it is her best friend in her world. Okay. I did not know this. I know. I know. But even though it is February, it's cold, you're kind of like a little tired. Yeah. I'm getting into your routine, but it's a good routine. But, you know, you just got back from Mexico. You're not too shabby, mom. No, I'm loving life, guys. That's right. You are. It's exciting because we're talking about friendship and Wire Talk today and how it looks in our motherhood journey and how it's, you know, what friendships look like in high school and elementary school and then in college and then into motherhood. It's kind of all, it is ever changing. You know what I mean? It does. And I think that

2:21.6

catches people off guard, you know, the fact that why is friendship so hard in this season of

2:27.4

being a mom? Yeah. You know, I don't know if you've ever experienced that. I've experienced that.

2:32.3

Like whenever y'all were younger and I would switch preschools with y'all if we did.

2:36.8

I know Taylor one time, I'd switched preschools for him.

...

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