The Mom Hour

Is it EVER appropriate to correct another mom’s car seat buckling technique? A listener wants to hear Meagan and Sarah’s thoughts on whether we feel comfortable offering unsolicited safety tips to other parents. Another mom asks our thoughts on how you distribute your parenting energy evenly when one kid is really struggling and others are “just bopping along”. We also talk about how to get through the day as a mom when you’re the one struggling, and finish out the episode with advice for containing a super-creative kid’s projects and experiments. It’s another Listener Questions episode – enjoy, friends!LINKS MENTIONED:All of our Listener Questions episodes can be found hereTo listen to all of our episodes all the way back to the beginning, check out the archivesMORE 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

Meagan and Sarah both live in beach towns – but very different ones. Today’s More Than Mom episode invites you to come to our areas for a visit – and head to the beach! We talk about what it’s like to live in a beach area generally, and in our towns specifically, and offer tips for making a day at the beach fit with your idea of fun (yes, even with kids!). From parking to hotels, what to bring and when to go, we have locals-only insights that will help you think through your next trip to the beach – even if it’s not to Santa Barbara or Saint Joe. We finish up the episode by talking about the beach-related products we’re using currently, as well as some we have our eye on. Happy Summer, friends!LINKS MENTIONED:Sarah’s go-to beach flip flops are HavaianasSarah uses this Tommy Bahama umbrellaSarah loves this LL Bean Tote for the beach and also uses a mesh tote bag similar to this oneThese lightweight Turkish towels from Riviera Towel Company is a local favorite of Sarah’s

A mom of tweens asks Meagan and Sarah whether we require our own kids to keep their rooms tidy (we have thoughts!); another listener dealing with cultural and generational divides in her family asks our thoughts on how to handle well-meaning grandparent advice. Finally, we coach a new-to-preschool mom on how to begin setting up playdates and social opportunities when you don’t know anyone at the school (and are emerging from a global pandemic). Join us for another installment of Listener Questions & Our Advice!LINKS MENTIONED:All of our Listener Questions episodes can be found hereTo listen to all of our episodes all the way back to the beginning, check out the archivesWe referenced our episode A Summertime Chores, Life Skills & Freedoms Reset: Episode 315Meagan talked about our episode When You’re Feeling Criticized, Remember This: Episode 165MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be s

By pure coincidence, BOTH Meagan and Sarah have kids with broken bones right now – so we’re here to talk about it! We discuss the current injury situation in each of our homes, and reflect back on other kid-injuries that have occupied that tricky space in between “rub some dirt on it” and “call the ambulance”. From stitches to sprains, bumps to the head and busted lips, we know raising kids involves a lot of injuries, and that it can be tough on parents to know what to do in the moment. Today’s stories all ended well – we promise! – but we’re here to validate that parenting an injured kid can be tough, both in the moment of decision as well as in the aftermath. Join us!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.

From bad hair to failed friendships to terrible taste in music, there are some phases of our lives that, in hindsight, were just kind of the worst. Other eras we look back on fondly, whether it was because our social lives were dazzling or our fashion sense just worked. In today’s More Than Mom episode Meagan and Sarah look back at our lives – both before motherhood, and also since becoming a mom – and declare our Bests and Worsts in style, culture, and friendships. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:We’re hiring! Check out our current job opportunitiesWe mentioned our recent More Than Mom Episode, More Than Mom: #InfluencedFor more on friendships in motherhood, check out Friendships in Motherhood, Part One (Redefining “Ride Or Die”): Episode 307, and Friendships In Motherhood, Part Two (Deepening & Widening Your Circle): Episode 308MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membersh

Lindsey Hein is a lifelong runner with more than 16 marathons to her name, including several Boston Marathon finishes. She’s also mom to four busy boys, ages two to eight, and host of a popular podcast for runners. In this month’s Voices episode Lindsey chats with Meagan about training for races with four little kids, how her podcasting side hustle grew into a network of shows (including a parenting podcast!), and why she made the tough decision to have a prophylactic mastectomy after finding out she was positive for the BRCA 2 gene mutation when her oldest son was 16 months old. Enjoy!LINKS MENTIONED:Lindsey’s podcast network is  SandyBoy ProductionsConnect with Lindsey on Instagram or FacebookLindsey’s podcasts are I’ll Have Another with Lindsey Hein (highlighting pro & everyday runners) and Why Is Everyone Yelling (a parenting podcast)MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on

We’ve noticed something: the end of school and start of summer always makes it suddenly clear how dang much our kids have grown. They’re smarter, they’re taller, they’re more capable, and all that means…it’s time to level up! We think summer is a great time to teach new life skills, reset chores and responsibilities, and also grant expanded freedoms to growing kids. In Episode 315 Meagan and Sarah talk about summer resets generally, and Summer 2021 more specifically – what our kids are ready for, where they need some support in the independence department, and how we’re planning on expanding their worlds this summer. Join us! LINKS MENTIONED:We’re hiring! Check out our current job opportunitiesRelated episodes on chores and responsibilities are Life Skills We’re Glad Our Kids Have Right Now (And A Few They’re Still Working On), Chores, Life Skills, & Household Contributions, and Chores & DelegationSarah did a deep dive on family meetings in the latest episode of Kidlitera

Having a house rule gives parents a shorthand for handling the same small annoyance the same way, every time. Will it stop your kids from fighting over the coveted “fishy cup” or arguing over whose turn it is to set the table? It will not. But it WILL allow you to consistently apply the same judiciary process (and one that feels right to YOU) each time kids start to go at it, which can cut down on a lot of mental gymnastics for mom. The beauty of house rules is that they’re born from necessity and are unique to each family, so in today’s episode we’re including smart ideas from dozens of our community members, all in the pursuit of House Rules For Sibling Harmony. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:We mentioned Kendra Adachi, The Lazy Genius, who says wise things about house rules in her book The Lazy Genius Way: Embrace What Matters, Ditch What Doesn’t, and Get Stuff DoneOther episodes where we talk about raising siblings are collected hereJoin us in our Facebook Group for The Mom Hour Listeners&nbs

So many firsts, so many outgrown outfits, so many unforgettable mom-moments, and so much MESS. Join Meagan and Sarah as we walk month-by-month through a baby’s first year of life, sharing our personal memories as well as general thoughts on what makes each month unique. If you’re beyond the infant years, we hope this will offer a little trip down your own nostalgic memory lane; if you’re in the middle of baby-land, we hope you feel seen and validated. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Share your baby’s first year memories with us in our Facebook Group for The Mom Hour Listeners (make sure to answer the questions to be approved!) or on our 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.

From swimsuits to fitness programs, nail polish to meal delivery, we admit: we’re influenceable. But there’s a lot to unpack about the concept of influencer marketing and influencer culture in general. In today’s More Than Mom episode Meagan and Sarah talk about about the silly stuff (like the kind of ads the algorithm INSISTS on delivering us) and also the more substantial (like the ways in which we’ve been positively influenced by friends, both IRL and on the Internet). Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Sarah was influenced by her sister to get this L’Ange flat iron (affiliate link)Sarah shops Jane a lot, also influenced by her sister (affiliate link)Meagan loves SmartWool socks (influenced by a friend) and her Arc’teryx fleece (influenced by a very effective salesperson) – affiliate linksSarah loves following Instagrammers who authentically share product recs – and feels extra motivated to support their sponsored work because of the trust factor. Some favorites include Me

We’ve talked a lot about how little kids (and their parents) experienced schooling disruptions over the past year. But college students, their families, and their instructors also went through a major shift in how higher education is delivered and experienced. Today’s special bonus episode features a conversation with Hsiao-Yun Chu, Ph.D., a college professor, mom of two young children, and longtime listener of the podcast. She shares her thoughts with Sarah on how virtual learning and virtual teaching created some real positives in higher education this year, and even what she hopes will continue after the pandemic is behind us. Enjoy!LINKS MENTIONED:Interested in contributing your Voice to a future episode? Email us at hello@themomhour.com. We read every pitch we receive, and we love getting pitches from listeners. We cannot respond to every one, but if we’re interested we’ll be in touch! Sarah mentioned her conversation with kindergarten teacher Kelly Hiltz in last week’s Voices interviewepi

Having a functional kitchen relies on a number of factors, many of which are outside our control (funny floor plans, small spaces, or that weird area between where the open dishwasher blocks off access to that one cabinet? yeah, things like that). But as moms of many kids who have occupied at least as many kitchens in our combined histories, we’ve also realized there are some things we can do to use the space we have in ways that helps us enjoy being in the kitchen more. Today’s episode looks at what’s currently frustrating us about kitchen storage and organization (as always, we love your solutions sent by email or as comments on our social pages!), and also what’s working well. Come inside our kitchens, friends!LINKS MENTIONED:We recently did a More Than Mom episode on our Fantasy KitchensSarah’s under sink wire basket for linens is similar to this one (affiliate link)Sarah mentioned a stair step cabinet storage like this (affiliate link)We both love the OXO POP brand pop-

As this incredibly strange and stressful school year winds to a close, parents are looking ahead to next fall and wondering: Should I send my 5-year-old to kindergarten, or wait a year? Will my first grader remember how to make friends since she’s been behind a screen all year? Will the struggle that was virtual learning mean my kid never learns to love school again? These are understandable worries, especially for those who are in the middle of their own first experience as school parents. This month’s Voices interview guest is Kelly Hiltz, kindergarten teacher who has seen it all this year – remote, hybrid, in-person – and mom to two boys in preschool and early elementary. Sarah and Kelly address the concerns parents have about kindergarten specifically, COVID learning loss generally, and what a 2021-2022 school year might look like for families. We also touch on “red-shirting” younger kinders, how to know what decision is right for your child, and what specific things families can do this summer to best pr

If you have mixed feelings about Mother’s Day, you’re not alone. For some, it’s a reminder of loss or grief, unmet expectations or missing people we love. For others, the social media buildup and commercialized clichés create expectations that can lead to disappointment. And even for those who don’t completely dread Mother’s Day, it can be hard to articulate what we really want to the ones who want to spoil us. In short: it’s a lot. In this week’s Episode 311, Meagan and Sarah validate why Mother’s Day can be complicated, reflect on our own celebrations during different seasons of life, and offer ideas for how to celebrate in a way that feels right to you this year. Join us! LINKS MENTIONED:Celebrate sisterhood in motherhood with the Coffee + Crumbs Mother’s Day BrunchMORE 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

Are we “car people”? Turns out, yes and no. After 25+ years of driving, Meagan and Sarah have many stories and a few opinions on what we want in our four-wheeled rides. From first cars to true lemons, minivans to post-divorce pre-mid-life-crisis splurges, this More Than Mom episode is an ode to our vehicles. We also chat about the process of procuring a new car, how much haggling at the dealer is a sport we do NOT enjoy, and what we hope for in our future cars. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:We last talked about our cars way back in Episode 97 from 2017 (reminder: old episodes may no longer show up in your podcast apps because they limit archives to 300 episodes, but you can always listen from our website!)Meagan learned so much from this episode of This American Life, all about car dealership salesMeagan is very happy with this after-market Bluetooth adapter for her pre-Bluetooth carMORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private l

Big news: Sarah is joining the Parents Of Teenagers club! In honor of Sarah’s oldest turning 13, Meagan taps into wisdom gained from over a decade of parenting teens and gives Sarah the real story. We unpack some stereotypes about teens (they’re moody! they’re smelly! they’re obsessed with their phones!) and find out what’s totally true, what’s sometimes true, and what might very much depend on the kid. We also explore some of the best and sweetest parts of parenting teens, validate that these are often very lonely years for moms, and compare teenage milestones to those reached earlier in childhood. Whether you’re a new mom or a mom of teens, we think you’ll enjoy this one!LINKS MENTIONED:Meagan wrote an essay for our newsletter about a conversation with her son Will, and then also wrote this Insta-essay about a different moment with WillCheck out our episode Toddlers vs. Teenagers: Episode 192MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin o

Whether it’s a career pivot, a creative passion, a relationship change, or just one of life’s unexpected twists, most women find themselves in a season of reinvention at least once. Today Meagan and Sarah are here with a surprise bonus episode, chatting about the idea of reinvention, how it intersects with motherhood and raising young kids, and how Meagan’s new podcast celebrates women reinventing themselves in a variety of wonderful ways. Join us for a fun conversation, followed by an extended excerpt from Season 1 of the Mother of Reinvention show. Happy Friday!LINKS MENTIONED:Listen to Mother of Reinvention on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listenFind out more, and see all the episodes at motherofreinventionshow.comFollow @meaganfrancis on Instagram, and check out her blog at meaganfrancis.com to stay connected to Meagan’s personal reinventionMORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our pri

Whether it’s pulling out the puke bucket juuuuuussst in the nick of time, or speeding across the room while pregnant to save a toddler from a toppling accident, we all know that feeling of doing what needs to be done in the moment without so much as a conscious thought. Call it quick-thinking, mom-heroics, or just another day in the life of parenting young kids, but these are moments that deserve to be celebrated. In Episode 309 Meagan and Sarah share stories from our own in-the-trenches days — some truly life-or-death and others just, well, messy — as a reminder that sometimes you have no idea just how strong, quick, clever, or brave you are until you’re called into action. Enjoy!LINKS MENTIONED:Listen to Meagan’s new interview show Mother of Reinvention wherever you get your podcastsWe mentioned related episodes Our Worst #MomFail Moments: Episode 157 and Mom Milestones (By Popular Request!): Episode 257MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersF

Hobbies outside of everyday work, life, and parenting ebb and flow as your season of life changes, but it’s fun to think about what creative pursuits you’ll add back in as time opens up. In today’s More Than Mom episode Meagan and Sarah speak from the perspective of moms whose kids are getting older, and who are pursuing hobbies in our own (often very different) ways. We talk about what hobbies we’re enjoying now, which ones we could imagine trying, in theory, without needing a total life overhaul, and then some “maybe someday” hobbies we can see ourselves enjoying much later on. It’s a fun one – enjoy!LINKS MENTIONED:Love hobby talk? Here are some older episodes from our archives you might 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.co

Conversations about friendship in motherhood often center around those ride-or-die besties that you just can’t imagine life without (which, as we discussed last week, isn’t always helpful). But as pandemic life has shown us in all kinds of ways, regular interactions with acquaintances, co-workers, fellow school parents, neighbors, and other “friendlies” are also really important to feeling rooted in a community and fulfilled in the friendship space. Today Meagan and Sarah look at these outer-circle relationships and share what 2021 looks like for us, how our listeners feel about the changes brought about by the past year, and what we hope our friendship landscape will look like a year from now. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:This episode is part of a two part series on friendships; listen to the first episode Friendships in Motherhood, Part One (Redefining “Ride Or Die”): Episode 307Meagan mentioned this article about friendships during the pandemic from The AtlanticIf you want more on the topic