The Mom Hour

It’s February, and everybody loves a deep dive into childhood crushes, right? For this week’s More Than Mom episode, Meagan has many questions for us both about our failed early attempts at love and relationships. From preschool through high school, from celebrities to real-life boys from days gone by, we’re laughing our way through this walk down a rose-petal-strewn memory lane. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:We mentioned this article on the Mandela effectJoin our special Facebook Group for The Mom Hour Listeners (make sure to answer the questions to be approved!)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.

The pandemic has shaken everything up, and our kids’ diets and family’s eating habits are no exception. In this month’s Voices interview, Meagan talks to Julie Revelant, food and health writer, mom of two, and host of the new podcast Food Issues. Listen to Julie’s thoughts on how COVID-19 has affected everything from school lunches to snacking habits, the sneaky ways marketers are introducing junk food to children (including “kid influencers” and even online learning platforms!) and how you can give yourself a break and stay flexible while still helping your kids become “little foodies.”LINKS MENTIONED:Listen to Food Issues wherever you get your podcastsVisit Julie at her website julierevelant.comConnect with Julie on Instagram, Facebook, and TwitterMORE 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 h

Register for kindergarten, or wait another year? Scrap the distance learning and opt into a homeschool program, or stick it out and hope campus opens in the fall? Stick with what your friends and neighbors are doing, or blaze your own trail when it comes to kids’ education? There is no end to the list of questions parents face when it comes to making school decisions – and many of them crop up around this time of year when applications and registrations come due. In Episode 298 of The Mom Hour, Meagan and Sarah offer seven guiding principles to consider when making any school decision, from preschool through high school. We can’t help you decide or tell you what to do, but today we’re here to validate the struggle and give you our experience. Enjoy!LINKS MENTIONED:We mentioned last week’s episode Advocating For Your Kids During A CrisisOur episode Kindergarten Readiness & Parent-Teacher Relationships with Kelly Hiltz pairs well with this conversationAll our school-related episodes (includin

Getting pregnant was relatively easy for Dani Kilgore and her husband William, who looked forward to growing a family after getting married in 2009. But for Dani, a former teacher and soccer coach who now serves as a pastor in a church, staying pregnant proved challenging. Through miscarriage and preterm labor, a premature birth and devastating infant loss, Dani and William leaned on one another, their faith, and their community even as they navigated a healthcare system that didn’t always appear to have their backs.In today’s special episode, Dani shares candidly with Meagan about the years that have led up to where she is today: the heartbreak and loss, the learning to trust her own voice as a patient, and the healing and hope that shines through her five-year-old daughter Harper.This episode contains sensitive topics, including miscarriage and infant loss. We believe it’s important to provide a platform for moms to share pregnancy and birth stories that, while difficult to hear, help all of us understand a

Whether it’s a medical emergency, a surprise diagnosis, upheaval at school, or a mental health situation, most moms will at some point be called to fight hard for their kid’s health, safety, and best interests. And when that moment comes, you might be surprised at what’s most challenging and what’s most helpful. In Episode 297 Meagan shares publicly for the first time a recent family crisis that put her in a position where she had to quickly and fiercely advocate for one of her kids. She shares what she learned – and is still learning – and how the lessons apply to advocating for our kids, even when we’re not in crisis. 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.

Containing our kids’ chaos is one thing; keeping track of our OWN stuff is another altogether. To round out our recent series of episodes about where to put all the STUFF of family life, Meagan and Sarah chat about how we store and organize all the things that fall under “mom’s domain.” From our bathroom counters to our nightstand drawers, the kitchen “drop zone” to mask and mitten management, we’re here to share what works, what we’re working on, and where we need serious help. Join us!This rounds out a series of episodes on Where To Put All The STUFF. Listen to Part One here (it’s all about kids’ toys), and Part Two here (it’s about art supplies, board games, books and more).LINKS MENTIONED:Episode 294: Where To Put All The STUFF (LEGO, Tiny Toys, Dolls & More)Episode 295: Where To Put All The STUFF (Art Supplies, Books, Board Games & More)Meagan got an air fryer (affiliate link) for Christmas, which led to making some countertop space decisions (RIP pressure cooker)Sar

We love all of our kids – but does each of them FEEL our love in the same way? In Episode 296 Meagan and Sarah take on the famous five love languages as a framework for talking about how we most naturally show love to our kids–and also how they receive it. We talk about our own primary love languages and how they shape the ways we tend to show affection, and also look at the changing dynamics of parent-kid love through the growing-up years. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:We referenced the books The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts and The 5 Love Languages of Children: The Secret to Loving Children Effectively both by Gary Chapman (affiliate links)Learn your love language, take the quiz!Sarah mentioned the book Playful Parenting by Lawrence J. Cohen (affiliate link)Join our special Facebook Group for The Mom Hour Listeners (make sure to answer the questions to be approved!)MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on Inst

With nearly a year of “everything’s cancelled!” behind us, and facing down an early 2021 of “Who knows?”, we’ve all learned a couple things: Truth #1: We all need to set goals and make plans to stay on course and keep working toward our deepest priorities, especially when life is unpredictable. Truth #2: When life is unpredictable, it feels really hard to set goals. How do we make these two realities jive?The solution: goal setting with a big dose of self-awareness and self-empathy. As 2020 taught us, things aren’t always going to look exactly the way we plan, but that doesn’t mean goal-setting is cancelled! From our personal finances to family priorities; hobbies and household projects to travel (what?!) and extracurricular activities, Sarah and Meagan are here with a real-life conversation about goal-setting that will meet you where you are and help you plan what you can – while allowing a lot of flexibility for the things that may change along the way.LINKS MENTIONED:Earlier t

Art supplies taking over your shared space? Losing library books under piles of what-even-IS-this-stuff? Ready for a January re-set of your home’s organization systems? You’re not alone. This week Meagan and Sarah continue the conversation about where to put all the STUFF of family life, covering arts and crafts, board games and puzzles, super-sized play stuff, and all those wonderful books. We also touch on ways to know if an organizational system will work for you and your family – because, as we’ve found, one size does NOT fit all. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Listen to the first part of this two part episode, Where To Put All The STUFF (Part One): Episode 294Be sure to check out our InstagramJoin our special Facebook Group for The Mom Hour Listeners (make sure to answer the questions to be approved!)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 ou

The holidays are behind us, but they’ve left their mark on our homes: mostly in the form of more STUFF to store. Meagan and Sarah have logged decades of toy sorting and stuff-storing and in this week’s episode share our experience finding just the right spot for all that brightly colored plastic. We talk about LEGO, we talk about stuffies and dolls; we remember the days of itty bitty sets and giant toddler ride-on toys. By the end of this episode we hope you’ll feel like you already have the space and sense required to store your kids’ stuff – no fancy bins required. Join us!Next week we’ll continue the conversation with board games, puzzles, arts & crafts, books, and more!LINKS MENTIONED:New? Check out our page just for new listenersSarah and Meagan both had something similar to this Delta Children Kids’ Toy Storage Organizer with 12 Plastic Bins from Target (affiliate link)Sarah likes large, flat bins for LEGO storage, like these Sterilite 41qt Under Bed Box With Lid from Target

For those who love to plan ahead, the past year has been a huge challenge–and the shiny promise of a brand new year feels a little lackluster as we look toward 2021. Is planning and goal-setting permanently on hold, shuttered just like schools and gyms and concerts? Sarah Hart-Unger says no.Our first Voices interview episode of 2021 features two Sarahs: host Sarah Powers chats with guest Sarah Hart-Unger about how to approach planning and goal-setting this year. We talk about the importance of reflecting on 2020, even though it didn’t go as planned, how to “pandemic-proof” your goals for 2021, and why the annual exercise of looking back and looking forward is still valuable. Sarah also answers your listener questions on the nitty-gritty of planning and goal setting. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Last year’s Voices 44 episode with Sarah Hart-Unger: Staying Organized & Motivated As A Full-Time Working MomSarah Hart-Unger’s blog and website: theshubox.comListen to Best Laid Plans (SHU’s plannin

Meagan and Sarah tiptoe very cautiously into the waters of futurecasting in today’s episode, still through the hazy, cheese-filled lens of that strange week between Christmas and New Year’s. We talk about where our kids and home lives will be one year from now and what that means for the evolution of our family units. We meditate on all that was stripped away in 2020, and when and how it may start to return in the coming year. And we also share the things we’re MOST excited to return to post-pandemic, as well as a few things we don’t ever need to go back to the way they were. Join us for the final 2020 episode of The Mom Hour!LINKS MENTIONED:In case you missed it, this is loosely the third part in a series that talked about Holidays Past and Holidays PresentIf you’re already getting excited for Friday’s Voices episode with Sarah Hart-Unger coming up on January 1, listen to the interview we did with her last yearMORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us

Last week the ghost of holidays past took us on a tour of our past lives as moms of littles during the Christmas season. This week, as we continue the loosest of adaptations of A Christmas Carol, Meagan and Sarah sit with the reality of the present moment. We talk about how this holiday season will differ from the 2020-that-could-have-been, and about how things have changed as our kids have grown, with or without a global crisis. As we head into the final few days before Christmas, we also share some of the small details about what our homes and lives are like right now, in an effort to capture–and even be grateful for–the present moment. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:We were both wearing leggings from Jane when we recorded! Sarah has these Slimming Fleece-Lined Leggings ($6.99!), and Meagan loves these jeggings in black (both affiliate links, and don’t forget you can click “Notify Me!” on any Jane deal and you’ll get an email when they’re back in stock!)Listen to our episode from last week

In our very own motherhood-inspired take on A Christmas Carol, Meagan and Sarah are visited by the ghost of holidays past for today’s episode. Join us as we peek in at our younger-mom selves by sharing moments and memories from years gone by. There are gift mishaps, angry pregnant lady meltdowns, Christmas tree disasters, and convenience store dinners–all shared to help you remember that no matter what goes down this month, someday it will be but a memory. Enjoy!LINKS MENTIONED:Be sure to check out our blog, where Meagan is doing a 25 day holiday pep talkSign up for Meagan’s email list hereMeagan loved this version of A Christmas Carol growing up, and we both like the Muppets and DisneyversionsMORE 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

From spiced nuts to festive cocktails, traditional meat-and-sides dinners to nostalgic or cultural throwbacks, holiday menus are wide open for interpretation. In this More Than Mom episode, Meagan and Sarah chat about the holiday food memories we carry from childhood, how those patterns changed as we formed our own families, and what a typical Christmas Eve and Christmas Day meal looks like these days. We share favorites and recipes, along with family quirks and fuzzy memories; it’s a fun one–join us! LINKS MENTIONED:Sarah’s family is obsessed with this pickled shrimp recipe Meagan makes this baked eggs recipe she found on Martha StewartMeagan has also made a French toast casserole like this one using day-old Jimmy John’s breadPeanut Butter BlossomsFrango Mints from Macy’sMeagan’s family has loved getting gift baskets from Wolferman’sRisamalande is a Danish rice pudding dessert–with a traditional Christmas Eve “game” of one lucky bowl containing a whole almond. You

When you feel the pressure to do, make, or be something this holiday season, pause and ask yourself three questions. Does this TRULY matter to me? Is the PROCESS joyful or meaningful (or is it that others make the product look so easy)? And–a big one–what if I DON’T? In Episode 290 Meagan and Sarah offer gut-checks on some of the biggest pressures moms feel during the holiday season–from magazine-worthy living rooms to the mental load of shopping for (and giving gift ideas to) a large extended family–and offer concrete tips for releasing yourself from expectations of perfection in pursuit of a peaceful season. Join us, friends!As always, our holiday episodes often make brief mention of magical night visitors. If you have curious ears about, you’ve been warned!LINKS MENTIONED:The “What if I don’t?” question comes from Sarah’s conversation with Whitney Hawthorne in our November Voices episodeMeagan talked about her interview with Ashley Brown for December’s Voices episodeJoin our s

Obsessive nail-painting rituals, facial hair secrets, fussy skincare routines, and blame-it-on-COVID changes to our general beauty and personal grooming habits: today’s More Than Mom episode is 9 parts confessional, 1 part helpful…but oh, we think you’ll enjoy it. Join Meagan and Sarah as we share–sometimes sheepishly–the bizarre beauty rituals and personal grooming habits we just can’t quit. Enjoy!LINKS MENTIONED:For more makeup talk, check out our episode Makeup & Mom LifeWe mentioned Sarah James’ Instagram, @whoorl for lip color inspirationMeagan interviewed her sister Kathreen in a voices episode, Surviving A Major Health ScareMeagan uses the Tinkle Razor on her face (affiliate link)Meagan and Sarah both like Essie nail polish, and mentioned the Essie Expressie Quick Dry Polish(affiliate link)We both love Voluminous Mascara, and the Voluminous Primer Mascara (affiliate links)MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us

Routines: everyone has them, whether you’ve created them intentionally or fallen into them by chance. In today’s episode, Meagan talks with Ashley Brown, a full-time working mom of two girls ages 3 and 1, enthusiastic Enneagram 1, and the creator of Routine & Things. After leaving the workforce to be a stay-at-home mom to her oldest daughter, Ashley found herself depressed and struggling to stay afloat; creating intentional routines around everything from self-care to cleaning the kitchen proved to be the secret sauce that helped get her life back in order. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Ashley’s website Routine and Things is a site and shop dedicated to helping moms create effective, and flexible routines so they can manage their homes and lives with more freedom and funFollow Ashley on InstagramAshley mentioned her Enneagram Type. Check out this episode if you’re not familiar with the personality test!MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us o

A preschooler is obsessed with screen-time after some COVID-related relaxation of the rules; how can the family get back on track? Another mom wonders how to meet the very different needs of multiple kids at the same time, and still another wants to know: WHERE DO ALL THE SOCKS GO? Then we tackle indoor physical play for little kids, talking honestly about the death of a grandparent, and the weirdest holiday gifts our kids have ever asked for. It’s a jam-packed Listener Questions episode–join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Check out our other Listener Questions episodesYou can access all of our episodes in our archivesMeagan will be doing a 25 day blogging pep talk on our blog starting today!For more ideas on how to keep kids busy indoors, listen to Stuck At Home? Us Too. Here Are Some Ideas (Episode 252 from March 2020)Sarah mentioned resources for dealing with a death in the family:How to Help a Child Who Is Worrying About DeathBooks To Help You Explain Death To ChildrenTalking with a

When friendships are strained by politics and the pandemic, how can a lonely mom re-envision her social life? What ideas do we have for family bonding as kids get older? Can Meagan distill her best parenting advice into five minutes or less? And finally, the sibling bickering is non-stop–what’s a mom to do? Join us for Episode 288 of The Mom Hour where we take YOUR listener questions and offer our best solicited advice. Enjoy!LINKS MENTIONED:Check out our other Listener Questions episodesIf you want to hear more on the topic of friendships, listen to Female Friendships & Women We Admire(Episode 227 from September 2019),  The Myth of the Mom Tribe (Episode 144 from February 2018), and Keeping Friendships Alive (Episode 78 from November 2016).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 h