The Mom Hour

In a year that changed nearly everything about how humans connect and communicate, it’s no surprise that friendships in motherhood have changed. Some deepened over the past year, as the pandemic gave us new ways to bond (and hard stuff to get real about). Some fell away, strained by distance or differences. And pandemic or no pandemic, not every close friendship is created equal, and they all go through seasons of change. In today’s episode, part one of two all about friendships in motherhood, Meagan and Sarah look at “ride or die” friendships (including a critical look at what that even means). We talk about ways close friends can show up for each other when things are hard, how close friendships have adapted over the past year, and what to keep in mind if you’re missing or grieving close friendships in your life right now. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Listen to Meagan’s new interview show Mother of Reinvention wherever you get your podcastsYou can see all the public comments from which we drew our comm

Our habits around media consumption are as unique as each of us is–and, when you think about it, there are quite a few little details that go into how each of us decides when, how, and where to listen to a podcast or pick up a book–not to mention the actual what of the content itself. Today’s More Than Mom episode is a look at how Meagan and Sarah currently consume their listening and reading media, from bluetooth struggles to library holds. As we go, we’ll recommend some shows and titles we’ve enjoyed so far this year too. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Meagan’s new podcast, Mother of Reinvention, just launched – check it out!We mentioned listening to podcasts on Pocketcasts and SpotifyPodcasts we mentionedRenegades: Born in the USAThe Ezra Klein ShowDare to Lead with Brene BrownUp FirstThe DailyDolly Parton’s AmericaMasters of ScaleHow I Built ThisOffice Ladies PodcastArmchair Expert with Dax ShepardBooks we mentionedThe Outlander Series (affiliate link)The Ps

Imagine being 13, the daughter of an influential megachurch pastor…and pregnant. That’s how Sarah Jakes Roberts began her journey to motherhood – and she grappled with feelings of shame and questions surrounding her self-worth while wondering if she could ever afford to “dream big” again. Today, Sarah is a happily married mom of six kids, a pastor and sought-after speaker, and five-time book author. In today’s Voices episode, Sarah tells Meagan about her journey from scared teen mom to mentor and leader, why she encourages moms to seek “soul care” as well as self-care, and how to dig deep to work toward purpose in your life.LINKS MENTIONED:Check out Sarah’s new book, Woman Evolve, coming out April 6!Connect with Sarah on Instagram, Facebook and TwitterSarah has a podcast called The Woman Evolve PodcastMORE 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 questio

One year ago, springtime plans got canceled, Easter dinners and baby showers and birthday parties and all the rest vanished from our calendars one event after another. As we shake off winter and look at the spring of 2021, there’s something in the air. We know we’re not out of the pandemic woods, but there’s a feeling of optimism that was missing last year, and we’re leaning all the way into it. In Episode 306 Meagan and Sarah share spring memories from when our kids were little, favorite rituals and traditions that make the season special, and what specific springtime activities we’re embracing with extra gratitude this year in particular. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Meagan’s new podcast, Mother of Reinvention, launched last week – check it out!Sarah loved this podcast episode and called it “science-backed optimism”: Finally, a Covid Conversation You Can Feel Good About (The Ezra Kline Show)Our 2019 episode about spring and Easter would pair nicely with this one! Spring Traditions & Sprin

Desiring a family culture of travel and adventure is one thing; pulling it off–and paying for it–is another thing altogether. But just because you’re not jetting off to international destinations doesn’t mean you and your family can’t cultivate that adventure spirit in meaningful ways. In today’s episode, Part Three in our series on family travel, Meagan looks back at many years of family adventures and meaningful memory-making. She offers validation for moms whose travel dreams don’t match up with their current reality, and makes a case for letting your kids see you handle travel’s ups, downs, and hassles with flexibility and a sense of humor. This is the pep talk we all need before hitting the road in 2021!This episode is part of our 3-part series Travel Stories To Inspire Your Next Family Adventure (Whenever The Time Comes). Listen to the whole series from this page.MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebo

Have you ever dreamed of taking your family on the road? It’s tempting–especially with the changes to work and school many families have experienced this past year. Chelsey Christiansen is a full-time working mom, and she and her husband and toddler son currently work and travel full-time out of their fifth-wheel camper. In today’s episode, Part Two in our three-part series on family travel, Meagan and Sarah chat with Chelsey to find out what road-living is like with a toddler, what they’ve learned about sharing a small space with a growing family, and how learning to roll with the punches of family travel have helped her become a more confident mom in general.This episode is part of our 3-part series Travel Stories To Inspire Your Next Family Adventure (Whenever The Time Comes). Listen to the whole series from this page.LINKS MENTIONED:All our travel archives are hereMORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Fa

Taking small kids on a trip is daunting: Where and how will everyone sleep? Can a rental cottage be baby-proofed? How will little ones used to a schedule and the structure of home deal with time zone changes and grandparents whose house rules differ from what they’re used to? In Part One of our three-part series on family travel, Sarah looks back on her extensive experience traveling with babies, toddlers, and kids–especially trips to the grandparents’ and in-laws’–and shares what worked, what didn’t, and what she’d do differently.This episode is part of our 3-part series Travel Stories To Inspire Your Next Family Adventure (Whenever The Time Comes). Listen to the whole series from this page.LINKS MENTIONED:Sarah has spoken at length about air travel with small kidsAll our travel archives are hereMORE 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

Planning meals for the week is one thing; pulling them off is another altogether. In this fourth installment of our popular Week Of Real-Life Dinners series, Meagan and Sarah share what we served and ate the week of March 8, 2021. From springtime twitterpation that led to spontaneous fast-food tacos, to a reptilian kitchen squatter, things did not go as planned for us that week–which is part of the fun. We also share real-life meals served by listeners who wrote in with their own meal plans. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Read the real-life dinner menus submitted by our listeners in this blog postListen to more of our Week of Real-Life Dinners episodesMeagan’s recipe for Pork and Sweet Potato HashMORE 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/

It’s always a toss-up: when discussing a new topic, will Meagan and Sarah be EXACTLY ALIKE (to the point that it’s almost weird) or TOTALLY OPPOSITE? Turns out when it comes to our fantasy kitchens, we have a lot in common. Join us for a fun More Than Mom deep dive into the kitchens we grew up watching on television and in movies, thoughts on current home design trends and how we feel about them, and what our dream kitchens would look like. Enjoy!LINKS MENTIONED:Meagan mentioned this article when we talked about those gorgeous movie kitchens from the 90s and 00s: Nancy Meyers’s Kitchens: A Love Letter in 7 Photos (Olivia Hosken for Town & Country)Sarah found this article with more TV kitchens we remember, including Family Ties, The Cosby Show, and Mad About You: 15 TV Kitchens We d Love to Cook In (Kristin Appenbrink for People.com)Sarah has this book by Joanna Gaines: Homebody: A Guide to Creating Spaces You Never Want to Leave(affiliate link)Sarah loves following&

A stay-at-home mom wonders how best to re-enter the workforce, and another listener has questions about how to talk about working motherhood with our young kids. A mom of big kids wants our opinions on when it’s OK to leave them home alone–and how best to get started. Listener voicemails about house rules around swearing and the conflicting emotions of motherhood round out another Listener Questions episode this week. It’s a fun one–join us!LINKS MENTIONED:We mentioned our episode with Career Challenges & Working Mom Strategies: Voices 41 with The Mom Project’s Colleen CurtisSarah referenced Brene Brown’s Dare to Lead Podcast, specifically the two-part episode with Susan DavidCheck out our other Listener Questions episodesYou can access all of our episodes in our 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 newsletterSe

A mom of two littles is overwhelmed and yelling more than she wants to be; young adults at a family gathering forget that little ears are listening. Helping kids become more independent in the kitchen doesn’t always go smoothly; a preschool perfectionist is a head-scratcher for mom; and a mom of all boys wonders if they’ll all grow up and live far from home one day. Today’s episode takes on these questions from our listener community, and Meagan and Sarah offer a mix of validation, encouragement, and advice. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:We mentioned this NYTimes article on parenting perfectionist kidsSarah also loves Meghan Leahy’s parenting advice, and found this post on perfectionist “quitters” and another article from The Washington PostCheck out our other Listener Questions episodesYou can access all of our episodes in our archivesEmail us or send a voicemail with a question for future Listener Questions episodes.MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out de

The real question is: are we still entertained by squirrels as much as we were last spring? You’ll have to listen to find out! In today’s More Than Mom episode Meagan and Sarah take a deep dive into diversions, 2021-style. We’re not as cooped up as last March, but things aren’t back to normal yet either. From this in-between place we talk about a little of everything: board games for adults, TV and books, home improvement and gardening, fitness, beauty, and more. (And squirrels, obvs.) Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:We talked about our episode More Than Mom: COVID Made Us Do It (Weird Ways We’ve Changed Since March)Board Games mentioned:RummikubFarkleQuiddlerSkyJoSettlers of CatanBogglePictionary AirTV mentioned:Sarah mentioned: The Queen’s Gambit, All Creatures Great & Small, The Office, Survivor, Framing Britney Spears, and Mad MenMovies mentioned:Sarah watched The Dig and Irresistible recentlyBooks mentioned:Sarah read The Dutch House last fallS

Kendra Adachi is The Lazy Genius. Either you know and love her already, or you’re about to. Kendra’s principles for finding YOUR best middle ground between perfectionism and giving up are helping moms everywhere decide what matters, ditch what doesn’t, and get stuff done. In this month’s Voices interview Kendra joins Sarah to talk about how Lazy Genius principles got put to the test during the early months of the pandemic, how moms in the trenches can be gentler on themselves and still feel fulfilled, and why acknowledging the season you’re in just might be the key to enjoying it. PLUS, Kendra helps Sarah solve a frustrating home management issue using The Lazy Genius method in real time. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Connect with Kendra on Instagram, and check out her podcast The Lazy Genius wherever you listen to podcastsLearn more about Kendra on her website, The Lazy Genius CollectiveKendra has a new book out, The Lazy Genius Way: Embrace What Matters, Ditch What Doesn’t, and Get Stuff

Whether schools in your area are open in-person, on a hybrid model, or fully remote, chances are that March is looking different than September did. And believe it or not, we’re already looking toward the end of the year. In Episode 302 Meagan and Sarah share how our own kids are doing at this point in the year, what’s changed and how school has evolved in our respective communities. We also offer validation for those who worry about kids’ academic progress this year, and our hopes for finishing out the year on a positive trajectory. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:We talked about our two recent episodes Advocating For Your Kids During A Crisis: Episode 297, and School Decisions Feel Like a LOT (Here’s What To Keep In Mind): Episode 298Our friend Christine Koh wrote this article, Parents Can Care About Education and Still Be Ok Writing This School Year OffPlease take our listener survey!MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener

Whether it’s for a weekend, a season, or a decade, parenting on your own introduces challenges and complications at every turn. Expanding on the conversation we began last week, today’s episode–part two in our This Is Solo Parenthood series–dives into practical tips from seasoned moms on how to survive solo parenting’s tougher moments. From bedtimes to me-time, routine changes to feelings of loneliness, Meagan and Sarah share some been-there-done-that tips from our own seasons of parenting solo, as well as tap into the wisdom of The Mom Hour community. LINKS MENTIONED:Listen to last week’s episode, part one in the This Is Solo Parenthood series hereCheck out our special landing page for the This Is Solo Parenthood series at themomhour.com/soloVisit the #ThisIsParenthood community page for more authentic and honest representations of the parenting experience, including this incredible videoMORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our p

One of us co-slept throughout the baby and toddler stage, and let naps happen whenever and wherever. The other sleep trained and held tight to nap schedules even through the preschool years. While our differences in the realm of sleep are worth digging into, just as interesting are the shared feelings we experienced, even at opposite ends of the spectrum. We both felt judged at times; we both made choices around our social lives because of how our babies slept (or didn’t sleep). Among our combined eight kids we experienced good sleepers, terrible sleepers, and several in the middle–plus a host of “sleep surprises” that cropped up later on. Join Meagan and Sarah for Episode 301, a look at infant, toddler, and kid sleep through the comforting lens of hindsight with a healthy dose of “It’s all gonna be OK.” Enjoy!LINKS MENTIONED:We did a listener episode question on baby and toddler sleep, Listener Questions (Vol. 21): Episode 224(listen around the 30 minute mark)Meagan liked The No-Cry Sleep

Sarah is wearing children’s sweatpants and leaving the house in her slippers. Meagan has cracked the code on being Zoom-face-ready AND workout-available with a single outfit. It may not look like the mom-style we aspired to you a few years ago, but it’s working for February 2021. Today’s More Than Mom episode is a (very) honest, semi-pantsless look at the state of our style situation right now. We share what we’re wearing, what’s working well, items we’re in search of, and where we need serious help as we look ahead to spring. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:We mentioned Meagan’s Voices interview with Dacy How To Create A Mindful Closet (And Discover Clothes You Truly Love): Voices 53Sarah loves shopping Jane for inexpensive basics and has had some great luck, including (all links are affiliates):soft, everyday leggings 3/4-sleeve doman tops cute stud earringsextra-long layering camisSarah mentioned these basic briefs from Amazon (affiliate link)Sarah’s favorite lululemon joggersMeagan l

Whether it’s for a weekend, a season, or a decade, parenting on your own introduces challenges and complications at every turn. Expanding on the conversation we began last week, today’s episode–part two in our This Is Solo Parenthood series–dives into practical tips from seasoned moms on how to survive solo parenting’s tougher moments. From bedtimes to me-time, routine changes to feelings of loneliness, Meagan and Sarah share some been-there-done-that tips from our own seasons of parenting solo, as well as tap into the wisdom of The Mom Hour community. LINKS MENTIONED:Listen to last week’s episode, part one in the This Is Solo Parenthood series hereCheck out our special landing page for the This Is Solo Parenthood series at themomhour.com/soloVisit the #ThisIsParenthood community page for more authentic and honest representations of the parenting experience, including this incredible videoMORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our p

Today’s episode is a party and YOU’re invited! Yes you, whether you’re a brand-new listener or have been with us from the very beginning. Ever the planner, Sarah surprises Meagan with a some fun facts and a pop quiz; ever the fun one, Meagan shows up ready for anything. We share some memories, behind-the-scenes thoughts, and reflections on the community that has grown around this podcast over the last 300 Tuesdays. Come on in, and enjoy!LINKS MENTIONED:Join our special Facebook Group for The Mom Hour Listeners, where we have twice as many Sarahs as Meagans (make sure to answer the questions to be approved)!Our most popular episode by downloads is What’s One More? The Practical Realities of 3+ Kid Families: Episode 230Other episodes we mentioned in this episode:Mom Meltdowns, Oh No! Episode 01We Hate Fun: Episode 109Mom Myths & Mom Truths: Episode 23410 Things We Love About Toddlers: Episode 243Home Management Systems That Work (For Now): Episode 220Self-Care As Self-Preservat

Early in the pandemic, takeout from local restaurants, pantry cleanouts, and epic baking marathons made a lot of sense for the crazy new world we were living in. An entire year in, however, and the lingering habits and longterm effects of feeding our families in survival-mode are more clear. Today Meagan and Sarah look at what’s changed about the way we snack, cook, shop, and serve in the last year – for better and for worse. We share the parts of feeding our families that are working well right now and also the parts where we need some help. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Listen to more of our episodes on feeding a familyIf you haven’t listened to our recent Voices interview, check it out! The State Of Kids And Food In 2021MORE 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