The Mom Hour

From bedtime fears to big kid bed transitions, nightwaking big kids and second thoughts about co-sleeping, we’ve covered a lot of sleep challenges over the years. Today we’re bringing together some of the most common pain points our listeners have brought to us about SLEEP, complete with updated commentary and a fresh take on what sleep challenges are like with tweens and teens. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:We recorded this episode IRL! Check out this Instagram Live from our meetup!If you listen and one of the recordings was about your child we’d love to hear from you! Sarah mentioned her conversation with Dr. Catherine Pearlman on this recent episode. Laura asks for advice about strategies for helping her toddler who is afraid of ghosts and monsters at bedtime which originally aired in Episode 163.Brady asks about her six-year-old waking because he’s scared a few times a month which originally aired in Episode 242.Samantha asks for tips and tricks to make the transition to her one-year-old’s big girl bed easier which originally aired in Episode 111.New mom Amanda asks if Meagan or Sarah have experience co-sleeping and if they have advice on transitioning to a crib which originally aired in Episode 65.Meagan mentioned the books The No-Cry Sleep Solution: Gentle Ways to Help Your Baby Sleep Through the Night by Elizabeth Pantley and The No-Cry Sleep Solution for Toddlers and Preschoolers: Gentle Ways to Stop Bedtime Battles and Improve Your Child’s Sleep by Elizabeth PantleyMore sleep challenges we’ve addressed over the years that we didn’t have time for today:In Episode 275, Sarah weighs in on a question about how to use an “okay to wake” clock with a clever three-year-old (skip to 34:00)In Episode 224, a new mom of twins helps us reminisce about infant nap schedules (skip to 30:30)In Episode 211, we discuss how (and whether) to stick to sleep routines while traveling or on vacation (skip to 28:30)In Episode 135 we help tackle the challenge of a toddler who won’t stay in his room at bedtime(skip to 06:50)Sign up for our email newsletter!MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

While there’s a lot of value in setting goals and intentions at the start of a new year (and in revisiting and tracking progress throughout the year), sometimes the intentions we set months ago aren’t serving us the way we had hoped. In this More Than Mom episode, Meagan and Sarah revisit what we said we wanted to do and ways we hoped to grow in 2022, reflect on how we’ve done so far, and share how some intentions shifted over time. We also realize that sometimes life surprises us with growth we hoped for…just not in the way we thought it might happen. And that is OKAY. Join us! LINKS MENTIONED:Listen to our first episode on our 2022 intentions and our first check-in earlier this year. Here is Meagan’s first post on instagram about her Less Boozin’ January.Interested in hearing more about Sarah’s reading habits? Here’s a recent More Than Mom: Books Talk!where she discusses just that.Sarah clearly hit the goal of fostering kittens in 2022 (or failed depending on how you look at it!).Meagan wrote a post Flowing Streams, Not Full Cups, about not needing to have a completely full cup to give back.Meagan’s Mother Of Reinvention Community will launch in a few short weeks.MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When an article or study claims that a certain parenting approach is “best” or is “matters most,” how does that make you feel as a mom? Meagan and Sarah have thoughts, starting with this: assuming that every family defines “parenting success” the same way is a tricky proposition. In Episode 386 we dive deep into research-based parenting advice and, specifically, how parenting data as published in articles and studies impacts our day to day decision-making as well as our mom-confidence. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Meagan and Sarah referenced both The One Parenting Decision That Really Matters by Seth Stephens-Davidowitz and How to Quit Intensive Parenting by Elliot Haspel articles during this episode.Sarah mentioned Emily Oster, a data scientist and parenting writer, who writes a newsletter called ParentData on data, pregnancy, child rearing and whatever else is on the mind of parents. She’s published a few books that analyze the data behind choices in pregnancy and parenting. Email us [email protected] if you want to keep going with this conversation! Meagan & Sarah are together in Dallas this week! Be sure to check-in with us on Instagram to catch a glimpse of us IRL. More Than Mom this coming Sunday is all about our 2022 Goals and Intentions! You can catch up on our last Goals and Intentions check-in here.MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Whether you love everything about Halloween or mildly dread some of the excess (sugar, stuff, events, oh my!), today’s episode is meant to give you permission to find the traditions and celebrations that work for your family. Regular contributor Joanna Martin is back on the show to interview Sarah about how the Powers family has done Halloween over the years. Later in the episode Sarah chats with Diane Boden, host of the Minimalist Moms podcast about how a scaled-back approach to harvest season works in her family. Happy October, friends! LINKS MENTIONED:Learn more about our contributor Joanna Martin and follow her on instagram. Sarah’s family reads Pumpkin Soup (affiliate link) by Helen Cooper every year, and then makes this recipe for Butternut Squash Soup with Apple & Bacon.Joanna Martin uses this Roasted Pumpkin Seeds recipe every year during pumpkin carving.Check out Meagan’s essay about Trick-or-Treating TeenagersSarah’s family loves the Disney Halloween Special Mickey’s House of VillainsSarah mentioned loving the big kid crafts stage, including How to Marble a Pumpkin with Nail Polish from Color Made HappyDiane Boden is the voice behind the top-rated podcast and community, Minimalist Moms, where talks about living a life in the pursuit of less. You can find Diane at her website, on Instagram, and on Facebook. Diane wrote the book Minimalist Moms: Living and Parenting with Simplicity (affiliate link), full of on-the-go minimalist wisdom that teaches busy parents how to embrace simple living, focusing on what matters, and inner calm.Check out a few blog posts from the Halloween Archives:A Lesson Learned From A Costumeless HalloweenFive Festive Halloween Activities For Families With Little KidsBooks Talk: Our Favorite Halloween Picture BooksMORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Now that school routines are underway, we’re going deep into the details of lunch packing – with the help of our team! In Episode 385 Meagan and Sarah call on the experience, perspective and real-life lunch packing advice of five moms from around the country, whose lunch-eating kids range in age from two to sixteen. We touch on lunch packing pain points, tried-and-true ideas for each food group, strategies for snacking, and some of our must-have lunch packing accessories. We hope that a peek inside the bento boxes of other families will both validate that you’re already doing a great job (yes, even if you send the same thing every day!) AND infuse your lunch packing with some easy new ideas. Take a listen!LINKS MENTIONED:Did you enjoy hearing from our contributors on this episode? You can learn more about them here or follow them on instagram to show them the love!Jayme SherrodLisa PayneMandy YangJoanne Ruelos DiazJennifer CarrollProducts our contributors just love and use to pack lunches daily.Jennifer uses the Pottery Barn Kids All-In-One Bento Boxes each day for her preschoolers.Mandy packs her daughter’s salad everyday in the Sistema Salad Containers.Lisa loves these Amazon Easy Lunchboxes for her four children.Jayme’s favorite product is the Planet Box Stainless Steal Lunchbox for her two young children.Joann uses Sistema Lunchboxes for her children.Sarah loves these 1 oz plastic containers for sauce or dressing.Meagan wrote a blog back in 2011 where she did a lunch-making challenge!Momables is a lunch-packing subscription service that gives you menu plans and ideas.Don’t forget to check out our Instagram this week to see some visuals that go along with the episode.MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Oh, you bought THAT carseat? Your third grader has a cell phone? Wow, you really give your kids freedom! No moms we know are immune from feeling judged, or criticized, or called out by comments from others (even if it’s mostly in our heads!). In Episode 384 Meagan and Sarah discuss our own insecurities and vulnerabilities when it comes to parenting. We share our specific insecurity triggers, plus offer ideas for what to think about BEFORE your insecurities get activated, what to say IN THE MOMENT when someone makes a comment, and what to remember AFTER you’ve had an experience that makes you feel judged. We hope you find this conversation comforting; you are not alone!LINKS MENTIONED:If this episode was helpful to you and you want to help US out a little, share and tag us on social media! It helps us so much! Next week, we are covering a week of real-life lunch packing featuring our contributorsMORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Have you found some renewed energy now that the season is changing and the kids are back in school? Now is the perfect time to start some tiny habits to make the most of that fall mojo! Today, Meagan and Sarah share some of our small habits that are making a big difference for us this fall, along with the driving principles behind them. While some habits impact our morning and bedtime routines (like skin care, water before coffee and learning Finnish), others are woven into our busy weeks whenever we get the chance (like picking up and reading the local paper). And never forget: while we may seem like we have it figured out at times, some areas of our lives are still chaos, this fall and always. Enjoy!LINKS MENTIONED:We will have a final check-in in a few weeks of the goals and intentions we each set for 2022. Here’s our last check-in from earlier this year. Meagan uses the free version of Duolingo each morning to learn Finnish.Meagan shared her skincare routine in the post Why I’m Embracing Midlife Skincare Monogamy.Sarah can’t get enough of the Todoist app (affiliate link – get 2 months of Pro free!) for managing her to-do list (you can listen to her detail how she uses it in this episode of Best Laid Plans).Interested in gua sha (which Meagan talked about having an at-home routine similar to)? We learned a lot from this Good Housekeeping articleMORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Teaching kids life skills around money isn’t as straightforward as, say, teaching them how to order a pizza or do a load laundry. Not only are there different ways to approach each topic – from allowance and paying for chores to saving and charitable giving – but money is also incredibly emotionally-charged and often complicated by our own life experiences (ahem, baggage). Today Meagan and Sarah reflect on how our upbringings impacted our financial points of view, and the challenges we face when it comes to teaching our kids good money habits. Join us! LINKS MENTIONED:Meagan read the book The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel which describes how everybody is emotional about money and nobody is rational about money. Here’s the recent College Plans & Family Culture episode where Meagan discussed how she talks about the cost of college with her children.Sarah interviewed a personal financial planner in Spending, Saving, and Living Your Values with Natalie Taylor: Voices 36.Meagan is launching a virtual community for midlife moms! Visit www.MORcommunity.com to learn more about Meagan’s private community for midlife moms coming soon!Sarah’s kids use Go Henry as a debit card and app to help them learn about money.MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Separation anxiety – but make it for moms! Today we’re talking about the feelings and experiences that come up when we’re separated from our children, whether it’s for a couple of hours or many days. Meagan and Sarah look back on what separation felt like as new moms, how the tears at preschool drop-off years are sort of the worst, and why we both can go into “out of sight, out of mind” compartmentalization pretty easily when we’re not with our kids. We also discuss how much information we like to have about what our kids are up to when they’re away from us, and whether it helps or hurts to get a peek into their lives away from us. Whether you’re getting ready for your first caregiver handoff or sending an adult off to college, this episode is for you!LINKS MENTIONED:Meagan mentioned the recent episode of Lessons In Motherhood From Chickens & Kittens: Episode 379–If you didn’t listen yet, it’s a very entertaining one!New on the blog–Our contributor Stacy Bronec shares how to decide what to keep or to toss when all the papers start coming home from school.MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s been a while since we talked about books and reading! These days Meagan identifies as a total bookworm and Sarah as more of a modest reader in terms of quantity – during other seasons of life we’ve been just the opposite. In this More Than Mom episode, Meagan and Sarah share how our reading habits ebb and flow, where and how we find new books to read, and specific titles we’ve read so far in 2022. Cozy up on the couch as we dive into some of our weirdest, quickest, fluffiest, unfinished, most educational and inspirational books we’ve been reading lately. Whether you’re an avid reader yourself, or just want some books talk by osmosis, enjoy!LINKS MENTIONED:Books listed below are affiliate links at Bookshop.org. That means if you click through from this page and make a purchase, we’ll earn a small commission at no additional cost to you – and you’ll be helping to support indie bookstores around the country! We also love to hear when you support your local bookstores and public libraries, too!Meagan’s List of BooksOne’s Company by Ashley HutsonGood Husbandry & The Dirty Life both by Kristin KimballInto The Wilderness by Sara DonatiBreath by James NestorThe Sound of a Wild Snail Eating by Elisabeth Tova BaileyAt Home by Bill Bryson (Sarah recommends How We Got To Now by Steven Johnson if you enjoyed At Home)Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall KimmererWintering by Katherine MayI Guess I Haven’t Learned That Yet by Shana NiequestSarah’s List of BooksBroken (in the Best Possible Way) by Jenny LawsonMaybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed by Lori GottleibThe Duke and I: Bridgerton by Julia QuinnThe Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel Van Der KolkDigital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World by Cal NewportJust Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan StevensonShakespeare by Bill BrysonCity of Girls by Elizabeth GilbertThe Vanishing Half by Brit BennettWant to listen to more episodes about books? You may enjoy the following past episodes:Books We’re Loving Lately: Voices 72 With Joanna Martin & Katherine DeVriesBooks Talk: Summer Beach ReadsCozy Audiobooks For FallBooks Talk: Fiction For MomsOur friends at The Girl Next Door Podcast have lots of books talk. Check them out!Want to learn more about Meagan’s good friend Amy Clark’s Book Club? Click here to access her Book Club and here to check out her podcast (all about books!). Meagan interviewed Amy on the Mother Of Reinvention Podcast–Leaning (Back) In To What You Love with Amy Clark of the Mom Advice Book ClubMORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is your fridge neat and tidy inside with organized compartments, or is it more like a game of Tetris? Taking a peek into someone’s fridge can tell a lot about the season of life they’re in, and in today’s episode, Meagan and Sarah are opening ours for you! We cover the things we love and hate about the fridge models themselves, the items inside that make us cringe, what see in the fridge that makes us feel proud, and much more! Plus, Meagan looks for advice about how to better utilize her garage fridge, Sarah shares a meal prep fail, and we play a fun game of “in the fridge or on the counter” for food staples in our homes. Enjoy! LINKS MENTIONED:Sarah mentioned a similar episode, More Than Mom: What’s In Our PursesSarah is loving Trader Joe’s Cold Brew Coffee BagsSarah’s longtime go-to banana bread recipe that led to the prep-ahead failHere’s an easy recipe for pickled red onions (store and use on salads, tacos, and more!)Repurposing these Costco Olive Jars are a food storage staple in Sarah’s kitchen.Our contributors will be taking over our Instagram stories this week to share what’s in their fridge. Check it out!MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Fall is just around the corner and while some of us look to classic markers like crisp air, sweatshirts and chili, others – especially those in warm-weather climates – have to work a bit harder to make a mindful shift into a new season. In today’s Voices episode (and in a fun hot seat role-reversal!) our contributor Katherine DeVries interviews Meagan about seasonally-led parenting and homemaking. Meagan and Katherine share seasonal activities we enjoy with our kids (and some we avoid), tips for bringing seasonality into home decor (without breaking the budget), ways to change up your cooking routine depending on the time of year (we’re looking at you, farmer’s markets), and ideas for getting through long stretches of dreary weather. Enjoy!LINKS MENTIONED:Meet Katherine DeVries, one of our contributors, featured in this episode and follow her on instagram @thepaperdart.If you haven’t seen it, here’s the infamous photo (and backstory) of Meagan carrying her son Issac “The surfboard kid” on her hip in 2003.Looking for other fall-themed content?What’s For Breakfast This Fall: Episode 3267 Ways We’re Saving Money This Fall: Episode 277Getting It “Right” For The Right-Now, blog by Meagan Cozy Audiobooks For FallMORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Empty your lunch box! Wash your hands! No screens before homework! What non-negotiable rule do you enforce when the kids walk through the door after school gets out? In our latest “House Rules” episode, Meagan and Sarah tackle the time between when school-age kids get home and the onset of dinner and bedtime. We asked our community for rules, systems or routines that make the after-school time just a bit easier (having a rule can be pure magic because it takes the pressure off of mom!), as well as what small rituals help with reconnecting and decompressing after school. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:You can find all the House Rules For After School on this Facebook post or this Instagram post.Sarah mentioned learning the “two truths and a lie” tactic for asking kids about their school day from somewhere last year, and we dug up the source!MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

While we WILL be talking all about motherhood today, we WON’T be talking about mothering any humans. In this one-of-a-kind episode, Meagan and Sarah talk motherhood through the lens of caring for chickens and kittens! If you’ve been following us on instagram, you know we’ve been busy welcoming 23 chickens (Meagan) and two newborn kittens plus their lactating mama (Sarah) into our lives. We share how similar (and different) animal babies and mamas are compared to our own families (and how we just can’t help but assume human thoughts are happening in these creatures’ minds). Join us to find out why Meagan compares her roosters to bad 80’s sitcom dads and why Sarah gets reprimanded by mama cat! Enjoy! LINKS MENTIONED:Here’s the article Meagan referenced about chickens and their behaviorPic of Sarah’s mama cat watching her kittens exploreDon’t forget to send us your House Rules For After School! The best places to add your comments are this Facebook post or this Instagram post (no need to comment on both) – that way we’ll be sure to see them before we record!MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Got any empties? You know the ones–those products that you use down to the VERY last drop. In this super fun More than Mom, Meagan and Sarah share products that we simply can’t stop adding to our cart because they’re just THAT good. We cover all of our go-to skin care and makeup products, our can’t-live-without clothing essentials, candle obsessions and much more! Enjoy!LINKS MENTIONED:Sarah mentioned watching @jamiebgolden’s Empties stories on InstagramSarah’s List of EmptiesNeutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Body Gel Cream with Hyaluronic Acid (affiliate link)DRMTLGY Universal Tinted Moisturizer SPF 46DRMTLGY Retinol Complex 0.5%L’Oréal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Concealer (affiliate link)Gemmist Hair ProductsShampoo 6Conditioner 13Sheer StylerHarper Wilde bras – we discussed the Base, the Bliss, and the Bliss TriangleThe Gemini Boutique in Chicago where Sarah re-bought her favorite necklace, the Anna NecklaceNuun Hydration Tablets in Citrus Fruit flavor (affiliate link)Lulu Lemon Align Cropped Jogger Shop Lulu Lemon Like New (gently used gear for resale)Meagan’s List of EmptiesBurts Bees Lip Balm (affiliate link)OSEA Face Products (You can use code Meagan at checkout for 10% off):Advanced Protection CreamHyaluronic Sea SerumAtmosphere Protection CreamNative Lilac and White Tea Natural Deodorant (affiliate link)Sun Bum Tinted Mineral SunscreenGrove Co. Orange Rosemary Dish Soap (affiliate link)Flying Bird Botanicals TeaTJ Maxx CandlesVuori JoggersMORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You’re invited to our accidentally-annual-grab-bag chat! In today’s episode, Meagan and Sarah have a good-old fashioned girl chat to catch up on all the things. We share our late summer moods (one of us is very ready for school to begin; one of us likes August to linger), our planned social media breaks (we’ll be back in September, promise!), trips we’ve taken this summer, creatures living on our properties (cute kittens and chickens) and more. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:2021’s Late Summer Grab Bag Chat Episode Need a few kitten videos in your life? Sarah’s got you covered with her foster kittens! Eeek, does it get any cuter than this?Take a glimpse into Meagan’s beautiful vacay in the Upper Peninsula!Sarah mentioned the Self-Improvement & Self-Acceptance In Motherhood: Episode 373 from earlier this summer being one of her all-time favorites!We love to hear from you! Send us an email or chat with us in our Facebook Group!If you’re still getting to know us, you might like other “grab bag” style episodes like these:Behind The Scenes & End Of Summer Catch-Up: Episode 276Grab Bag Catch-Up & Reading While Traveling: Episode 236More Than Mom: Late Summer Check-In & ProcrastinationLate-Summer Check-In & Managing Seasonal Transitions: Episode 168MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The back to school season brings that sense of routine that some of us crave–but it can also bring on a whole lot of anxiety (getting the right supplies, attending all the events, filling out paperwork…the list goes on!). In this Glad I Did / Wish I’d Done episode, Meagan and Sarah reflect on all the things we’re glad we did to ease the transition into this season and also some things we could have done differently (or that we plan to try this year!). We share what to do with all those school supplies from one year to the next (Meagan is genius, really!), our approach for communicating with teachers, our thoughts on homework, how we plan to hold onto summer JUST a little bit longer this year, and more. Enjoy!LINKS MENTIONED:Have a child entering kindergarten? Check out our Kinder Parent Primer filled with past episodes and blog posts all about kindergarten.Like this episode format? We’ve done episodes like this for Summer Planning and Tech & Devices.See a whole season at a glance with The Essential Calendar. You can save 10% with code THEMOMHOUR. (When you do, we’ll earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.)Check out some of our contributor’s blog posts from 2021 about Back to School:10 Things I’m Looking Forward To Doing The Day My Kids Go Back To SchoolThree Places To Declutter Before Back-To-SchoolPreparing Your Preschooler For Big Kid School ExperiencesMORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When to get kids their first cell phone brings up all kinds of questions: How do you know when your child is ready? How to talk to kids about safety? How to help kids develop a healthy relationship with their phone? Social Media? Phone etiquette? (The list goes on!) In today’s episode, Sarah welcomes back her friend Dr. Catherine Pearlman to talk about kids and technology–specifically the learning that happens when kids start to navigate their own personal devices, like phones.Dr. Catherine Pearlman is a social worker who has been helping kids and families navigate all kinds of challenges for the past 25 years. She recently published First Phone: A Child’s Guide to Digital Responsibility, Safety & Etiquette, written for kids 8-14. Today Catherine helps us navigate the new and murky waters of personal devices for our kids and answers some of your burning questions about first phones. Plus, stick around for a short conversation Sarah had with her own 9- and 12 year-olds about what THEY think about this topic!LINKS MENTIONED:You can order a copy of Catherine’s book First Phone: A Child’s Guide To Digital Responsibility, Safety & Etiquette (This is an affiliate link.)Catherine first appeared on The Mom Hour in Voices 16Catherine’s website and coaching practice is The Family CoachYou can find Catherine @TheFamilyCoach on Twitter, @TheFamilyCoach on Facebook, and on instagram at both @catherinepearlman and @thefamilycoachsaysCatherine’s book Ignore It!: How Selectively Looking the Other Way Can Decrease Behavioral Problems and Increase Parenting Satisfaction (This is an affiliate link.)Catherine was kind enough to provide us with her sample phone contract from her book (Thanks, Catherine!)MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

College decision-making is influenced by so many things–parents, peers, teachers, family members, your larger community and more. And as with everything else: all families approach this differently! While some bleed their alma mater colors, others don’t see college as the only option for helping launch kids after graduation. In this episode, Meagan and Sarah have an open-ended conversation about the role college played in our own stories, our family-of-origin culture, and the narrative we’re shaping for our kids now. We also give you a peek into our educational paths, how we made those decisions and how our eight kids perceive the idea of college today. This is a topic close to home for Meagan as she prepares to send Will off in the next few weeks to start his own journey. Enjoy!LINKS MENTIONED:Are you actively in the college preparation stage and have tips to share with us or our community? If so, we’d love to hear from you. Come back Friday for a Voices episode all about kids getting their first phone with our friend Catherine Pearlman.MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What are Meagan and Sarah’s best tips for getting kids started with their first phone? And with a new school year right around the corner, a mom asks how to prepare her child for the first day of kindergarten and looks for some fun traditions to help celebrate back to school. The “bigger kids, bigger problems” stage arrives early for one listener’s family, and she looks for strategies for maintaining her mental health and other relationships while they navigate tough times. Lastly, a mom of bickering siblings sets us up for a lively discussion about whether it’s mom’s job to prevent kids developing a complex or identity stemming from their birth order and sibling roles. In addition to our own thoughts, we tap the wisdom of our contributors as we tackle your listener questions in Episode 375. Enjoy!LINKS MENTIONED:Sarah will be interviewing Meagan about midlife and reinvention this week on Meagan’s podcast Mother of Reinvention. Check it out as soon as it drops on July 28!Our Listener Sheri uses a GABB phone for her 11-year-old’s first go at a cell phone In our Glad I Did/Wish I’d Done Tech & Devices Episode, Sarah highlighted some life skills and communication skills her children learned by having their first cell phone. Check back next week for more on the first phone topic, when Sarah will be joined by Catherine Pearlman, author of First Phone: A Child’s Guide to Digital Responsibility, Safety, and EtiquetteFor those interested in our past discussions about choosing a school for your kids, check out:School Decisions Feel Like a LOT (Here’s What To Keep In Mind)What Teachers & Educators Wish Parents Knew About Making School DecisionsChoosing The Right School (Not As Scary As It Seems)For those who want more about sending your kid to Kindergarten, check out:What To Expect When Your Child Starts KindergartenKindergarten Readiness & Parent-Teacher RelationshipsFreaking Out Less About Kindergarten, COVID Learning Loss & Elementary School AcademicsTips For Starting (Elementary & Middle) SchoolHouse Rules for Sibling Harmony and House Rules For Travel & Vacation include tips and tricks for supporting and fostering healthy sibling relationships.MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What’s a mom to do when one kid feels left out of outings his younger sibling gets to do while he’s at school? A listener about to move to a new city for just one year wants tips for finding mom friends quickly, and another listener’s question about how common it is for moms to feel the need to keep spirits up in a family with moodier characters really gets Meagan and Sarah thinking about their own families. Finally, a newer listener is curious about Meagan’s backstory of young motherhood and journey to becoming a mom of five. In Episode 374 we take these questions from our community and – for the first time! – include words of wisdom from members of our contributor team in addition to our own advice. Enjoy!LINKS MENTIONED:Meagan is struggling with a fly infestation in her sunroom! Has anyone dealt with this before? If so, Meagan would love to know how you solved it! Reach out to her on Instagram.If you’re struggling to find mom friends like our listener Annie, our contributor Catie recommended joining Meet Up and our Contributor Stacy recommended finding a MOPS groupHow To Make Mom Friends on the blog has some great ideas for finding mom friends, too!MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today we’re talking about advice: asking for it, giving it, and consuming it in general. Things have come a looong way since the days of Dear Abby (we’re looking at you, Facebook crowdsourcing!), and in this fun More Than Mom conversation, Meagan and Sarah share how we individually show up when it comes to receiving advice, whether we’re comfortable giving advice, and how it all has changed for us over the years. We also discuss our mutual fascination with advice-column culture and parse the difference between seeking wise counsel from trusted friends and looking for quick answers from the Internet hive mind. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:New York Times Ask the Ethicist is a current advice column that considers readers’ ethical quandaries.Here’s a link to Megan Leahy’s On Parenting Advice Column with The Washington Post.Our Facebook Mom Hour Listener Community is a supportive place to crowd source (if that is your thing!)More Than Mom: Meagan & Sarah As Kids And Teens is a good pair to today’s episode if you missed it earlier this summer.MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We get dueling messages from our culture: On the one hand, come as you are! Accept yourself fully, imperfections and all. On the other hand, you deserve better! Here’s what to do (and buy) to sleep better, eat better, look better, and feel better. It can be confusing to navigate a genuine desire to live your best life alongside the necessary self-acceptance it takes to feel like you’re doing enough today. Do we have this figured out? We do not, but today we’re here to talk about it. Meagan and Sarah share what self-improvement AND self-acceptance look like for them in the reams of wellness, career, mental health, and leisure – plus we reflect on what this balance has looked like at different seasons of motherhood. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Meagan mentioned her interview with Rachel Hughes on Mother Of Reinvention is an inspiration for this conversationMeagan is trying out Parsley Health for her own wellness curiositySarah mentioned our 2022 Goals & Intentions episode (and if you like that one, don’t miss the six-week check-in we did here)Sarah is reading Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know by Adam Grant (affiliate link)MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Meagan’s first baby shower was – wait for it – twenty-five years ago this summer. To bring her up to speed on how things are done nowadays and what’s new in baby gear, gifting, and registries, Meagan is joined by Kia and Katherine from our contributor team. Both are seasoned moms who have seen trends evolve, and both have had babies much (much) more recently. Join us as we talk about the pros and cons to today’s baby product landscape, what’s changed and what hasn’t, and what we’d do differently when registering for our very first baby shower. Kia and Katherine also share their must-have product recommendations and registry favorites while Meagan puts it all into context for us. Enjoy!LINKS MENTIONED:Read How To Make The Most Out Of Your Baby Registry by contributor Sarah LimbergKia and Katherine both mentioned Babylist as a go-to registry siteKia also loves Spearmint Love BoutiqueThe Snoo was discussed (as was the age-old conversation around automated baby-soothing)Meagan was blown away hearing about the Haakaa pumpThere was much talk about the utility of various slings and babywearing carriers; while the choices are overwhelming the choice is personal, Kia is currently loving the Ergo 360MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“How do you know when your family is complete?” is one of the most common listener questions we receive. Meagan and Sarah both now have several years of hindsight separating them from the baby and toddler years, and today we’re reflecting on the idea of a “complete” family unit. We acknowledge that it doesn’t necessarily look like what we imagined it would – and that for many moms there is uncertainty and even grief wrapped up in all of this – but we also find much to celebrate about the current and future states of our proverbial “family tables”. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:It’s that time again–to send us your Listener Questions! Email us at [email protected] and be sure to put Listener Question in the subject line. We can’t wait to hear from you.Sarah refers to the recent More Than Mom: Meagan and Sarah as Kids & Teens episode when she compares how her sibling relationships were throughout childhood to her kids’ sibling relationships. We reference the Muscle Memory of Motherhood, however, we’d need a crash course on babies again today being so far removed from having newborns!MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Not feeling like an expert in the housework realm? Turns out, very few of feel like we know what we are doing. Last week Meagan and Sarah talked about WHAT we do to keep our households in a state of "good enough," and this week's Part Two is all about the feelings that came up as we tracked a week of real-life housework. We dive into some of our insecurities as home managers, the difference between housework and mothering, and some of the really sticky aspects of finding your identity as a mom and homemaker in the 21st century. We have LOTs of thoughts - and we hope you'll join us! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What we remember from childhood helps build our narrative of who we were - even if those memories are fuzzy or slightly flawed. Today Meagan and Sarah get in the way-WAY-back machine and reflect on what we were like as kids and teens. As a child, Meagan was dreamy, imaginative, chatty, and obsessed with balloons (!!), while Sarah was studious, quiet-but-sociable, responsible, and circumstantially prone to tears. We touch on how our personalities developed as we grew up, whether we were “popular” or not, and if we felt clueless or confident come high school. Join us for this fun More Than Mom to get a glimpse into our growing up years (at least the way we remember it!). See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Most of us enjoy having a clean and tidy home, but have you ever kept track of how much you do throughout the week to keep it that way? In today’s episode, Meagan and Sarah share what seven days of real-life housework looks like in our homes. We reflect on the tasks we knew went into running a home, and some surprising ones we never thought of as housework before (like picking plums and chasing chickens!). Whether you prioritize deep-cleaning on a regular schedule or tend to tidy as you go and hope for the best, it’s eye-opening and gratifying to acknowledge the work that goes into managing a home full of kids. Join us for Part One, and check back next week for Part Two!LINKS MENTIONED:Sarah mentioned using this Keepsake Portfolio for all things kids’ artwork and school keepsakes.Like the style of the “Week of Real Life…” episodes? Here’s our Week of Real-Life Dinners series:A Week Of Real-Life Dinners (Vol. 5): Episode 336A Week of Real-Life Dinners: (Vol. 4) Episode 3058 Moms Share Their Family’s Real-Life Dinners For A WeekA Week Of Real-Life Dinners (Vol. 3): Episode 254A Week Of Real-Life Dinners (Vol. 2): Episode 196A Week of Real-Life Dinners (Vol. 1): Episode 72MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you travel with kids, it’s just a matter of time before a trip goes off the rails in spectacular fashion. Maybe it’s a flat tire in the middle of nowhere, or an expensive vacation spent sick in a pricey hotel room. Today Sarah is joined by Catie, Stacy, Emily and Lisa – regular contributors to the show and seasoned travelers with a combined 13 kids – who share their most memorable travel mishap stories. (Full disclaimer: there will be puke-talk.) In sharing these stories, we hope to normalize that travel with kids doesn’t have to go perfectly to be “worth it” and remind you that you’re not alone if this summer’s adventures go awry. Plus, one of the only perks to surviving stories like these is that we get to laugh about them later. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Check out the Family Travel Hub where our contributors share their tips, how-to guides and all things family travelMeet The Mom Hour Contributor TeamFollow today’s guest co-hosts on InstagramCatie Parrish, Brand Partnerships Manager at The Mom HourStacy Bronec, contributorEmily Roark, contributorLisa Payne, contributorMORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As moms, we can be hard on ourselves…and sometimes we just need to hear the simplest, oft-repeated pieces of advice and encouragement to remind us that it is all going to be OK. Join Meagan and Sarah for a reflection on eight pieces of wisdom that have carried us through motherhood struggles at every age and stage. We are offering them to you, to ourselves, and to all of our future selves in Episode 369. Enjoy!LINKS MENTIONED:Don’t miss chicken content on Meagan’s InstagramIf you don’t know what we’re talking about when we mention toddler Isaac and the viral meme featuring Meagan and Isaac, read this or listen to this or watch thisWe mentioned answering a listener question about gentle parenting in this episodeSarah loved this conversation and mentioned it in the context of not being alone in whatever you’re going through: Jen Hatmaker: What We Win When We Lose It All (We Can Do Hard Things with Glennon Doyle)Meagan and Sarah originally introduced these “mom truths” in Episode 100. Meagan wrote the blog post “You Probably Won’t Remember This Later…And That’s OK”MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Have you ever fantasized about attending a camp-like environment for grown-ups? Much about the classic summer camp experience is appealing to us (though not EVERYTHING–we could certainly do without the bugs), and the idea of simply showing up for a perfectly curated experience without any responsibility, or planning, sounds AMAZING. Listen to this fun More Than Mom to hear all of our must-have activities (like food and wine tastings, yoga, personal style consults and more!), things that would be a hard no (like swimming in the gross, murky lake or participating in corny, guided crafts) and our daydreams about creating a Mom Hour Retreat (maybe someday?)! Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Do you have a fun idea for a Mom Hour Retreat? Share it with us–we’d love to hear from you!You might also like this episode: More Than Mom: Meagan And Sarah Get Stranded On A Deserted Island9 Perfect Strangers on Hulu is a worthwhile show to watch to give you that fantasy camp feel, it just turns a bit dark.Here are a few camp-like environments we shared in this episode:Chico Hot Springs in MontanaKripalu Center for Yoga & Health in Massachusetts Esalen Lodge in Big Sur, California, for an off-the-grid experienceMORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Among parents, technology and screen time can be a loaded topic. How much is too much? Is that movie too mature? And what’s the best age for a first phone? In today’s episode, Meagan and Sarah share the role technology played in our families when kids were little, and reflect on how things changed as they grew. We discuss the tech parenting choices we still stand behind today, and with hindsight, what we could have done differently. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:If you have topic suggestions for this Glad I Did / Wish I’d Done series, email us!If you enjoyed this episode check out Episode 359, Glad I Did / Wish I’d Done: Summer PlanningMeagan mentioned past show sponsor Gryphon, is a mesh wifi router system that was created by parents who wanted a better way to control their families’ internet. Check out our Family Travel HubThe blog post Making A Case For Video Games pairs nicely with this episodeMORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

There are big benefits to getting kids outside as much as possible. But as a mom to young kids, it can feel intimidating to curate the perfect outside experience for them (and you)! In this Voices episode, Meagan chats with regular contributors Jayme Sherrod and Jennifer Carroll about ways to weave nature into your family’s routine. Both Jennifer and Jayme love the outdoors, but their approaches to getting outside with young kids are very different; listen to get their best tips and must-have gear for successful outdoor family adventures. Whether you are looking for encouragement to take baby steps to get kids outside regularly or some inspiration to try bigger adventures, you’ll love this conversation. Enjoy! LINKS MENTIONED:The Seek App identifies wildlife, plants and fungi so you can learn about the organisms all around you.Merlin Birding App helps you identify birdsThese Battery-Operated Spray Fans keep Meagan and her kids cool in the heat.Last Child In the Woods by Richard Louv is a good read according to Meagan.Jennifer recommends the Coleman Dark Room Tent to make it extra dark for little kids with bedtimes.Arrive Outdoors is the camping gear rental website Meagan mentioned.Trekking Poles are great to provide stability for moms carrying littles on a hike.This Hiking Carrier is perfect to carry kids on long hikes.That time when Meagan owned a camper.Check out some of Jennifer’s blog posts featuring the outdoors:Five Tips for Water Safety This SummerGift Guide For The Outdoor Adventuring Family Car camping with kidsFun episodes that pair well with this one:Meagan Goes Camping and Sarah Has QuestionsCamping With Kids (And Other Outdoor Adventures)Getting Outside With Kids: Episode 204Follow Jennifer Carroll on InstagramFollow Jayme Sherrod on InstagramMORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s the last day of May, which means that for many families it’s time to stow away backpacks, say ‘see ya later’ to early morning alarms, and settle in for a more laid-back (or at least DIFFERENT) routine. In this episode, Meagan and Sarah tap into the wisdom of our community and share your simple summer rituals and traditions for filling summer calendars with fun – without totally throwing structure out the window. Enjoy this mashup of sweet, family rituals along with clever house rules to help you prepare for summer days ahead!LINKS MENTIONED:The Facebook Mom Hour Listener Community Thread that inspired episode 367The Mom Hour Family Travel Hub is a great place to go for all things travel related like must-have travel gear, water safety tips, keeping kids entertained in the car, and much more! Past episodes that pair well with Episode 367A Summertime Chores, Life Skills & Freedoms ResetPreparing Kids (And Ourselves!) For Summer IndependenceGlad I Did / Wish I’d Done: Summer Planning(Realistic) Summer Schedule IntentionsMORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Looking back at old photos is a quick way to feel ALL the feels: everything from “I can’t believe they were ever that little” to “What was I thinking with that haircut?” to “Oh riiiiiiiight, that was one exhausting season of life.” Looking back is also a great reminder of the value in documenting everyday life – whether we share it publicly or keep it tucked away for our future selves. In this episode, Meagan and Sarah take a stroll down motherhood memory lane as we look back at one day (May 24) in our motherhood lives over several years. Spoiler Alert—our kids are cute, we’ve had many life changes over the past ten years and Meagan will forever be paranoid about applying sunscreen (sorry Owen!). Enjoy!MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Products. Just because. Yay! Meagan and Sarah pop into your Sunday feed with a light and fluffy chat about the products we are loving lately. From linen pants to fizzy beverage makers, pens for lefties and Very Many Opinions About Mugs, we cover our latest can’t-live-without products in this fun More Than Mom episode. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:The Essential Calendar is perfect to help you get organized this summer (that’s our affiliate link – and you can see what the calendar looks like here)Did you snag The Mom Hour mug from our merch shop yet?Sarah’s loving the everyday mugs from this Etsy shop (the Powers family has the ones labeled “mug,” which are quiet large, and the ones labeled “medium mug,” which are smaller)Sarah bought Meagan this insulated mug for Christmas last yearSarah’s Hydroflask Coffee Mug is the 12oz version seen on this page, and the replacement lids are also listed on the same page. We think the new colors and the 6oz version are both adorable.Megan is loving the loose leaf teas from Good Medicine Tea, Justea, and Modestine TeaSarah enjoys the Ooly Seriously Fine Felt-Tip Markers and Stabilo Point 88 Fineliners for calendar color coding and suchThese pens are perfect for leftiesMeagan’s fav pen for everyday writing is the Pilot Precise V7 rt (affiliate link)Meagan is loving her Sparkel which makes anything fizzy!  Osea’s anti-aging body balm is a staple for MeaganThis Flamingo lotion (affiliate link) smells like a hotel that brings back happy memories for Meagan.Sarah’s loving Thrive Cosmetics’ overnight sensation brightening sleep maskThrive is a sponsor of The Mom Hour, but this mention was totally un-sponsored. If you do decide to shop Thrive, be sure to use our special URL thrivecausemetics.com/themomhour for 15% off your first purchase!Meagan uses her Infuse mop (affiliate link) from Casabella on the regular + her trusty old Libman and sometimes this Libman (affiliate link) tooSarah and Meagan both purchased the cabo linen wide-leg pants from Athleta Sarah chatted about these high-waisted crop linen-blend pants from Old NavyMORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Between the raging hormones, sleep deprivation, and overstimulation that occurs on the daily, it’s no wonder most moms feel a little “off” for a few weeks after delivery. But how do we know when the baby blues develop into something more? In this episode, Sarah chats with contributors Emily Roark and Kia Hammond, who share their personal postpartum mental health journeys, including how they recognized signs of postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety, when and how they got help, and which coping strategies worked best. We also get into preparing for mental health support during subsequent pregnancies, how the COVID upended mitigation strategies for pandemic babies, and more. We hope you’ll join us for this important conversation. LINKS MENTIONED:If you’re struggling, you can speak to someone right now about how you’re feeling by reaching out to Postpartum Support International’s HelpLine at 1-800-944-4773. If you ever feel like you might harm yourself or your baby, text HOME to the National Crisis Text Line at 741741 for immediate support. You can also find a trained provider on their website here.Sarah interviewed Kate Rope in Voices 26 to talk about her journey through postpartum anxiety, and how moms can support each other during new motherhood. Kate Rope wrote Strong as a Mother: How to Be Happy, Healthy and (Most Importantly) Sane From Pregnancy to Parenthood: The Only Guide to Taking Care of YOU! (affiliate link), a book we highly recommendKate Rope also wrote an article with more about Why new moms have scary thoughts about their babiesKia and Emily were also featured in our episodes Pandemic Babies And The Moms Who Love Them, Part 1 and Part 2. Meagan interviewed Monique Dozier in Black Motherhood & Mental Health: Voices 69You can hear more from Kia in a conversation with Meagan about Preparing Kids (Of All Ages) For A New Baby: Voices 67 Follow @kiamhammond and @Emilyeroark on Instagram Emily found the book The Postnatal Depletion Cure (affiliate link) by Oscar Serrallach very helpful throughout her postpartum journeyEmily and Kia recommend the following instagram accounts @biglittlefeelings, @pedsdoctalk, @psychedmommy, and @happyasamother. Kia recommends the book Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts: A Healing Guide to the Secret Fears of New Mothers (affiliate link)MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Performances. Plays. Graduations. The lusty month of May is upon us as we ditch our well-oiled, calendar-planning systems and enter our end-of-school-year survival mode. In this episode, Meagan and Sarah share strategies for tackling the extra-ness of this season (like death by a thousand emails), setting intentions for the next few weeks and the many lessons May tries to teach us year after year (maybe someday we will learn?). Enjoy this May madness roundup as you dream of the peaceful, calm days of summer ahead (Ha, wouldn’t that be great!). LINKS MENTIONED:Talking About Our Own Kids. Or Not: Episode 364 pairs well with this episode. For more May madness, check out our Playlist: May Survival Guide for School ParentsMORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As moms, we are our kids’ biggest fans. But when it comes to deciding when, how and what to share about them with others, the struggle is real. In today’s episode, Meagan and Sarah discuss how talking about our own kids in a public forum gets tricky as they get older (think bigger kids, bigger problems) – and not just for the reasons you might think. Join us for a real conversation about navigating the ever-changing seasons of motherhood and how we think you can be honest and authentic without sharing *everything* going on inside your four walls. We wrap up with some updates on our specific kids (all eight!). Enjoy!LINKS MENTIONED:Meagan interviewed Will in Real Talk About High School (With A Real Teen!): Voices 71You might also like this episode where we talk about “Sharenting”Here’s a link to additional episodes featuring conversations about our specific eight kidsMORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Moms are savvy consumers, conscientious home managers, and discerning decision-makers. So why are we so often the target of hyper-generalized and cringey marketing efforts? In today’s More Than Mom episode – airing on Mother’s Day! – Meagan and Sarah keep it light (and a bit snarky ?) as we vent about the sloppy intent, terrible puns and ridiculous stereotypes advertisers use to market to us moms. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:We’d love to hear your thoughts around opting out of Mother’s Day messaging. Have you ever found that to be helpful? Let us know in the comments below or on this episode’s Instagram post!Here’s the Mother’s Day Ad Spend Data Meagan referencedMeagan’s podcast, Mother Of Reinvention, recently featured an interview with Katie Keating about marketing to – and by – midlife womenFancy, a NYC advertising agency, surveyed 500 women over 40 about their feelings concerning advertising and marketing and highlighted their findings in this post.MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Has your reading life come to a screeching halt due to the responsibilities of motherhood? In this month’s Voices interview, Meagan welcomes back blogger, podcaster, and book club leader Amy Clark, to discuss how a busy mom can take small steps to create a readerly life. We discuss all the hacks for finding the time to dive back in (think TikTok’s #sundayreset for inspiration!) and a neat tool for finding the perfect book to match your mood. Amy also shares how reading can help you “find your people” during your current season of life. This episode is for anyone looking to fit more reading into their lives (in little and big ways). Enjoy!LINKS MENTIONED:Amy debuted on The Mom Hour in Living and Mothering with a Chronic Illness: Voices 39You can find Amy on her Blog, The Mom Advice Book Club, and on the Book Gang Podcast.Meagan mentioned stuffing The Flowers In the Attic series of books under her mattress as a teen. Wondering what it’s about? Find it here. Megan interviewed Amy on a recent Mother of Reinvention podcast about Leaning (Back) In To What You LoveThis Cup of Jo Article shares how an Articles Club can be a much easier commitment for busy moms than a book club. Here’s Amy’s tutorial for how to use Storygraph for a better reading life.Read about Amy’s diagnosis storyMORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Crouching. Bending. Stooping. The magical, ninja-like way you lay a baby down in the crib without waking her up; the feeling of wet, sloppy gums on your knuckles as he teethes. In Episode 363, Sarah and Meagan reflect on the muscle memories associated with the repetitive motions of early motherhood. Some bring back all the warm fuzzies and others make us shudder (looking at you, nipple-biting babes), but we promise, this episode will bring the memories flooding back. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Interested in learning more about our Contributor Joanna who we mentioned inspired this episode? Here’s a link to her contributor page or listen to her on this recent Voices episodeMeagan’s detailed memories of breastfeeding included placing a soggy nipple back in her bra! She and Sarah could have used Kia’s recent roundup of her favorite breastfeeding products on our blog.We mentioned Jennifer’s blog post Five Tips for Water Safety This SummerMORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Between our kids’ school schedules, extracurricular activities, and social plans, we spend a lot of time driving them around. And when they get older and start driving themselves, a whole new world of independence (and issues) presents itself. In this special episode of The Mom Hour, Meagan and Sarah talk about how we use car time to connect with our kids and how we handle some of the challenges that crop up over time, from crying babies and sibling squabbles to sensory overload and car sickness. Buckle up!LINKS MENTIONED:Listen to past episodes on Car Talk (Then, Now, Someday) as well as Minivans, Mom-Mobiles & Grownup CarsWe’ve shared a lot of advice on road trips and family travel!MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sports and extracurriculars are picking up this spring, and two different listeners have questions about what age to start kids in activities and how to budget for this part of family life. We take a question about “gentle parenting” that leads into an in-depth discussion about discipline philosophies and finding the approach that works for your family. Finally, a busy mom of three has the chance to get help from neighborhood “mother’s helpers” and wants our guidance on how to make the most of the extra sets of hands. Meagan and Sarah offer validation, support, and encouragement in another Listener Questions episode this week – join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Listen to all our Listener Questions episodesListen to Mother Of Reinvention, Meagan’s other podcast!Shop our merch collection! (And, follow the #MyMomHour hashtag on Instagram to catch our team reflecting on how they’d spend an hour to themselves … with mug-in-hand)Meagan interviewed Kelly Rippon about raising elite athletes in this Voices episodeOther episodes that speak to activities and extracurriculars: Let’s Talk About Sports Parenting, How To Be A Happier Sports Parent, Nurturing Kids’ Talents (And When To Let Them Quit), The Fall Sarah Quit EverythingPositive Discipline: The Classic Guide to Helping Children Develop Self-Discipline, Responsibility, Cooperation, and Problem-Solving Skill (affiliate link) by Jane Nelson was formative in Sarah’s childhood and early child-rearingDr. Becky Kennedy is popular in the positive parenting space right now; Sarah always got a ton of value out of Dr. Laura Markham’s work; Janet Lansbury’s work is popular with RIE (respectful parenting) advocatesWithout Spanking or Spoiling: A Practical Approach to Toddler and Preschool Guidance (affiliate link)Sarah mentioned this resource roundup: Go-To Resources For Parenting ToddlersNoelle, who asked the question about using teenage babysitters, might enjoy these episodes: Sitters & Caregivers Part 1 and Part 2MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

English cottages, sunny greenhouses, cozy cabins, and professors’ offices. What do these spaces have in common? They all evoke an essence we wish we could recreate in our own spaces. Join Meagan and Sarah as we reveal our twinkle-lit, midlife-lady dream spaces . . . even if we may never have them. We talk about our actual homes, too, and our romantic visions vs. reality. Plus we imagine nap rooms (yes, please) and opening The Mom Hour satellite offices in our favorite fantasy locales. This is a fun one; join us!LINKS MENTIONED:We find inspo on Instagram (Sarah mentioned @houseandgardenuk specifically), Rinky Dink Retro, Skoolie, In Her Studio Magazine, and Where Women Create MagazineCheck out these related episodes: City Lives, Country Lives (& Suburbia, Too!), Our Fantasy Kitchens, and The Lives We Didn’t LeadMORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A mom of big kids is going back to work full-time and wondering how to prepare her family. A toddler needs to brush his teeth and take vitamins, but hates it; should Mom force it? A lucky listener now has two pantries and is looking for tips on optimal organization for kitchen items and back stock storage. Finally, a teacher mom is stuck on how to balance school behavior and discipline at home. For today’s episode, we’re answering these questions from our community together in person (woohoo!) Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:We enjoyed our time together at Hotel Vin in Grapevine, TX.Our Contributors Joanna and Katherine joined Sarah to chat about Books We’re Loving Lately.Let us know know about how you feel about a live event for The Mom Hour community!Read our Contributor Mandy’s blog post: “We Moved Twice Last Year: Here Are 10 Things I Wish I’d Known”Check out all our Listener Questions episodes.MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Settle in for a books chat! Sarah is joined by two guest co-hosts from our contributor team today: Joanna and Katherine. Both are former educators and avid readers, here with lots to say about books. We touch on our reading lives as moms, what we're reading lately, and how and when we prefer to do our reading. Then we dive into book recommendations for kids - starting with babies and moving all the way up through teens. This episode is for anyone who loves to read or aspires to read more - grab a warm beverage and join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Watch Joanna's IG Takeover and read her blog postsWatch Katherine's IG Takeover and read her blog postsKatherine was part of Pandemic Babies seriesJoanna contributed to A Week Of Real-Life DinnersWe talked about Kindles:Joanna's eight-year-old got a Paperwhite Kids and she uses the OasisSarah's family has Paperwhites (affiliate link)Epic read-to-me books are great for pre-readersWe mentioned #bookstagram, Goodreads, and the Libby app as a way to discover and discuss book recsJoanna loves Laura Tremaine and Annie JonesKatherine listens to writing podcasts like Sh*t No One Tells You About Writing and The Happy Writer to discover new authors and new booksWe all love Kelsey and Erica from The Girl Next Door, who share about their reading lives regularly on the podcast and on their socials We love shopping at our local bookstores! Katherine's is Bel Canto Books and Sarah's is Chaucer's. Bookshop.org is a great online retailer that supports indie booksellers everywhere.Katherine loves the books for babies that come with Lovevery subscription boxes (For free shipping when you sign up to receive your Play Kit visit lovevery.com/themomhour)Joanna has had good luck with nonfiction titles published by UsborneMORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When we imagine the “refrains of motherhood,” poetic sweet-nothings of love and encouragement come to mind. In reality? The words that come out of moms’ mouths on repeat are a little more… normal. And that’s OK! We’re here to normalize being normal. In Episode 360 Meagan and Sarah highlight the best of our communities oft-repeated phrases–everything from clever quips to 1,001 different ways to say “No”. We love how universal mom-speak is in the end, and we’re marveling over the clever ways moms find to talk to their families. Get ready to take notes!LINKS MENTIONED:Here’s the Instagram post where our community shared their motherhood refrainsWe mentioned our House Rules For… seriesLast call for Listener Questions! Email us to have your question considered for an upcoming episode (please put Listener Question in the subject field!).We’ll be together in person this week! Follow along on Instagram.MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Calling all experts . . . OR at least those who have been there, done that, and are willing to share their thoughts. In this week’s More Than Mom episode, we’re flipping the script and sharing our own challenges in the hopes that our smart, skilled, and seasoned listeners have the solutions we need. We’re stuck when it comes to a variety of topics such as home organization, the care and keeping of living things, hair maintenance, and sibling bonding screen time. Can you help? Listen and let us know!LINKS MENTIONED:Got advice for us? Let us know in the comments on these posts on our Instagram feed or in our Facebook group (or comment on the show notes on our website)Are you a zoologist OR do you want our advice? Email us at [email protected] and if you have a query, please type “Listener Question” in the subject line. Our friend Amy Clark uses Madison Reed hair colorMORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today we’re looking back on past summers and remembering the choices we appreciate and the ones we regret. This is a fantastic episode to listen to if you’re starting to plan your summer! We cover family traditions, camps, childcare, travel, and overall philosophies for fun (with boundaries). There’s a fine line between unstructured leisure time and going off the rails, and hopefully our reflections will help you find the right balance for your family. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:The Lazy Genius talks about opening ceremoniesIf you have topic suggestions for this Glad I Did / Wish I’d Done series, email us!Sarah loves What Do We Do All Day for kids’ book lists by ages (and don’t forget she hosted a podcast all about kids’ books from 2018-2020: Kidliterate!)Check out our Family Travel HubListen to these related episodes: Preparing Kids (And Ourselves!) For Summer Independence, A Summertime Chores, Life Skills & Freedoms Reset, and It’s Time To Plan For SummerMORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.