The Mom Hour

With most of us staying at home for an unforeseen amount of time, managing our households to run efficiently and calmly is crucial to keeping the family machine plugging along and helping us create a positive mental space. From meal planning to cleaning schedules to keeping things organized, Meagan and Sarah will share 10 small habits that have the power to transform at-home life from frazzled, chaotic and marred by unmet expectations, to calm, reasonably-organized, and just-productive-enough.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.

Naming a new human is a big task–and a fun one, we think! Looking back over our combined eight experiences naming babies, Meagan and Sarah talk about how we decided on names (and whether our partners agreed on our favorites!), what went into middle name decisions, and which names we left on the table. We also explore how our kids have grown into their names, including unexpected nicknames, trends we didn’t see coming, and more. Join us!This episode was recorded on May 22, 2020.A NOTE ON EPISODES RELEASED DURING COVID-19: Things change so quickly these days–including recommendations for health and safety, as well as our own thoughts and feelings–so you may hear things that feel a bit dated if you’re catching up on older episodes. Just know that we’re experiencing this in real time just like you, and that we’re working hard to follow the latest recommendations for the safety of our families and our communities. We’re also working hard to bring you timely, relevant podcast episodes in a world that’s changin

Janice’s husband works in China and hasn’t been able to travel home to Australia since January; Kassidy and her partner have merged their combined five kids under the age of seven and are learning to live together while figuring out new ways to do their jobs; Stephanie returned from maternity leave just before the pandemic, resuming work as an ICU nurse in one of the country’s early hot spots. All three are also moms juggling the demands of caring for their families as the pandemic wears on. Hear what’s hard, what’s hopeful, and what life is like for Janice, Kassidy, and and Stephanie in Episode 07 of Pandemic Perspectives.This episode was recorded on April 30, 2020.A NOTE ON EPISODES RELEASED DURING COVID-19: Things change so quickly these days–including recommendations for health and safety, as well as our own thoughts and feelings–so you may hear things that feel a bit dated if you’re catching up on older episodes. Just know that we’re experiencing this in real time just like you, and that we’re worki

As the country begins to open up–slowly, differently, uncertainly–one family’s decisions about how to re-enter the world will look different from the next. Can we have confidence in our own decisions while holding space for others to interpret guidelines differently? Are criticism and judgment online a symptom of quarantine fatigue, or the beginning of a toxic new norm? And can the experience of new motherhood provide lessons about empathy that apply in these unprecedented times? Meagan and Sarah dive deep into big questions about shame, guilt, criticism, and judgment in Episode 261 of The Mom Hour. Join us!This episode was recorded on May 21, 2020.A NOTE ON EPISODES RELEASED DURING COVID-19: Things change so quickly these days–including recommendations for health and safety, as well as our own thoughts and feelings–so you may hear things that feel a bit dated if you’re catching up on older episodes. Just know that we’re experiencing this in real time just like you, and that we’re working hard to follow

Maddi works full-time in a warehouse picking product to be shipped for GAP while her three little boys try to make sense of the changes in their lives; Sarah is pregnant with her second child and working to meet the needs of vulnerable children in her community; Robyn is a 20-year elementary school teaching veteran learning the new ways of distance learning with her fourth grade class. All three are also moms whose home lives, work lives, and futures have been upended by COVID-19. Find out what’s hard, what’s hopeful, and what life is like for Maddi, Sarah, and Robyn in Episode 06 of Pandemic Perspectives.This episode was recorded on April 30, 2020.A NOTE ON EPISODES RELEASED DURING COVID-19: Things change so quickly these days–including recommendations for health and safety, as well as our own thoughts and feelings–so you may hear things that feel a bit dated if you’re catching up on older episodes. Just know that we’re experiencing this in real time just like you, and that we’re working hard to follow

We have MORE little pleasures to share this week! Continuing last week’s discussion, Meagan and Sarah offer ten more small things that are bringing us comfort these days. From minor tweaks to the morning routine to the comfiest pants we’ve found, these are a combination of comforts you can add to your online shopping cart and simple pleasures that don’t cost a thing. Join us!This episode was recorded on May 21, 2020.A NOTE ON EPISODES RELEASED DURING COVID-19: Things change so quickly these days–including recommendations for health and safety, as well as our own thoughts and feelings–so you may hear things that feel a bit dated if you’re catching up on older episodes. Just know that we’re experiencing this in real time just like you, and that we’re working hard to follow the latest recommendations for the safety of our families and our communities. We’re also working hard to bring you timely, relevant podcast episodes in a world that’s changing very quickly.LINKS MENTIONED:Last week’s Episode 259&nb

Christina's brick and mortar fabric shop pivoted to mobilize mask-making for healthcare workers; Sarah facilitates distance learning for five kids while adjusting expectations for her own wedding celebration and plans to grow their blended family; Kati and her husband alternate day and night shifts at a steel mill and haven't experienced "staying at home" at all. All three are also moms dealing with the everyday challenges of busy toddlers, kids missing sports, and what to make for dinner. Hear what’s hard, what’s hopeful, and what life is like for Christina, Sarah, and Kati in Episode 05 of Pandemic Perspectives. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Stressors right now loom large; but sometimes solace comes in the form of lots of little bright spots. Today Meagan and Sarah compare notes on the little things that bring comfort, humor, and moments of happiness when things are intense in the world. From the silly to the slightly-less-silly, Episode 259 is full of ideas for how to notice--or, let's be honest: purchase--small comforts in a chaotic time. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Laura treats COVID-19 patients as a respiratory therapist during incredibly unstable times; Hilary supports the mental health of young adults and is adjusting to delivering services via telehealth; Carla is a social worker serving foster youth in Canada and bears the weight of her caseload while mothering three very young girls. Hear what’s hard, what’s hopeful, and what life is like for Laura, Hilary, and Carla in Episode 04 of Pandemic Perspectives.This episode was recorded on April 6-7, 2020.A NOTE ON EPISODES RELEASED DURING COVID-19: Things change so quickly these days–including recommendations for health and safety, as well as our own thoughts and feelings–so you may hear things that feel a bit dated if you’re catching up on older episodes. Just know that we’re experiencing this in real time just like you, and that we’re working hard to follow the latest recommendations for the safety of our families and our communities.AND ALSO: Our Pandemic Perspective guests are moms just like you, doing th

Living a creative life with small children underfoot is a challenge in any circumstances; doing it while running a business during a global pandemic is another thing altogether. For this month’s Voices interview Sarah chats with her good friend, fellow podcaster, and all-around good human Ashlee Gadd, founder of the wildly popular Coffee + Crumbs community. Ashlee shares thoughts on quarantine parenting, social media connection AND social media breaks, adjusting expectations when you’re an Enneagram 3, and how her writing and photography practices change during different seasons of motherhood. We also chat about home decor, home-wrecking toddlers, and more. Join us!This episode was recorded on May 21, 2020.A NOTE ON EPISODES RELEASED DURING COVID-19: Things change so quickly these days–including recommendations for health and safety, as well as our own thoughts and feelings–so you may hear things that feel a bit dated if you’re catching up on older episodes. Just know that we’re experiencing this in real

We’ve had lots of time to observe our kids in their natural habitats the last couple months…wherein their “natural habitat” is also OUR HOUSE. Turns out, we’re really glad we’ve passed on some basic life skills to these growing humans, because they’re doing pretty well in a lot of areas. It’s clear, however, that other life skills are still works-in-progress. In Episode 258 Meagan and Sarah take a lighter look at life skills–both the ones our kids have mastered as well as the ones that need improvement. Join us!This episode was recorded on May 21, 2020.A NOTE ON EPISODES RELEASED DURING COVID-19: Things change so quickly these days–including recommendations for health and safety, as well as our own thoughts and feelings–so you may hear things that feel a bit dated if you’re catching up on older episodes. Just know that we’re experiencing this in real time just like you, and that we’re working hard to follow the latest recommendations for the safety of our families and our communities. We’re also working

Kathryn is mom to four small girls and an attorney representing the most vulnerable kids in her state; Robyn and her husband are both on the front lines as an Emergency Room RN and a firefighter/paramedic; Kyria teaches social studies at a Bay Area high school and now instructs students from home while the baby (hopefully!) naps. All three are also moms dealing with the everyday challenges of clingy toddlers, remote-learning kids, and work-from-home demands. Hear what’s hard, what’s hopeful, and what life is like for Kathryn, Robyn, and Kyria in Episode 03 of Pandemic Perspectives.This episode was recorded on April 6-7, 2020.A NOTE ON EPISODES RELEASED DURING COVID-19: Things change so quickly these days–including recommendations for health and safety, as well as our own thoughts and feelings–so you may hear things that feel a bit dated if you’re catching up on older episodes. Just know that we’re experiencing this in real time just like you, and that we’re working hard to follow the latest recommendatio

More than a month into safer at home, a day in the life of most moms looks nothing like it did before COVID-19. We’re living in close quarters with small humans (and big humans!) whom we love but may be used to getting an occasional break from. We’re parenting through a time of unprecedented stress. And we’re doing it all against a backdrop of Instagram-era expectations that can make us feel like we’re not measuring up.In this special episode of The Mom Hour, Meagan and Sarah take an honest look at the toll that nonstop-parenting in the time of COVID-19 takes on moms of young kids. We get real about the struggle, and then we dig into specific tips and strategies moms can employ in the name of building small breaks into long days. We offer tips for encouraging independent play, facilitating mixed-age sibling activities, and how we handle screen-time in our homes–all while helping moms lose the guilt and find small moments of joy during a stressful time. Join us!This episode was recorded on April 21, 2020.

From making our first “mom friend” to the first time all of our children could stay home alone, today’s episodes celebrates the milestones that mark new phases of motherhood. Inspired by a listener question and the enthusiastic response we received for a whole episode on this topic, in Episode 257 Sarah and Meagan share twelve mom milestones, moments where we felt like we’d unlocked next-level parenting skills or shifted our identity as moms in a small-but-significant way. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:This episode was inspired by Geralis’ question, which we initially answered last week in Episode 256(our answer starts at 51:17)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.

Jessi watched the national shutdown play out from inside the PICU, where she and her husband were quarantined with their newborn twins (who are now home and doing great!); Gillian’s NYC-based medical practice undergoes huge changes while her family grieves a personal loss; Heather’s husband is on the front lines at the grocery store while she juggles working from home while parenting. Hear what’s hard, what’s hopeful, and what life is like for Jessi, Gillian, and Heather in Episode 02 of Pandemic Perspectives.This episode was recorded on April 6-7, 2020.A NOTE ON EPISODES RELEASED DURING COVID-19: Things change so quickly these days–including recommendations for health and safety, as well as our own thoughts and feelings–so you may hear things that feel a bit dated if you’re catching up on older episodes. Just know that we’re experiencing this in real time just like you, and that we’re working hard to follow the latest recommendations for the safety of our families and our communities.AND ALSO: Our

Does a toddler “need” a formal preschool program if it isn’t necessary for childcare purposes? Did we think about kids’ birthday timing when we were planning (or not planning) our pregnancies? How can a physically active toddler channel his energy for good during stuck-inside days? And what are Meagan and Sarah’s most memorable “mom milestones”? In this week’s episode we answer these questions with our personal stories and (solicited!) advice. It’s a fun one–join us!This episode was recorded on May 21, 2020.A NOTE ON EPISODES RELEASED DURING COVID-19: Things change so quickly these days–including recommendations for health and safety, as well as our own thoughts and feelings–so you may hear things that feel a bit dated if you’re catching up on older episodes. Just know that we’re experiencing this in real time just like you, and that we’re working hard to follow the latest recommendations for the safety of our families and our communities. We’re also working hard to bring you timely, relevant podcast epi

Casey is the director of an after-school program serving vulnerable communities; Megan teaches English online to students in China and watched their families experience COVID-19 before things got serious in the US; Jayme is weeks away from having her second baby and worries that being married to a hospital physician might separate their family. All three are also moms dealing with the everyday challenges of clingy toddlers, remote-learning kids, and work-from-home demands. Hear what’s hard, what’s hopeful, and what life is like for Casey, Megan, and Jayme in Episode 01 of Pandemic Perspectives.This episode was recorded on April 6-7, 2020.A NOTE ON EPISODES RELEASED DURING COVID-19: Things change so quickly these days–including recommendations for health and safety, as well as our own thoughts and feelings–so you may hear things that feel a bit dated if you’re catching up on older episodes. Just know that we’re experiencing this in real time just like you, and that we’re working hard to follow the latest

Join us for conversations with teachers, business owners, healthcare professionals, social workers, partners of first responders, and others who are living, working, and parenting their kids through the COVID-19 global pandemic in a unique or particularly challenging way.The goal of this series is to better understand what people’s lives are like in different industries, careers, and situations during the COVID-19 global pandemic. In each episode you’ll hear three short interviews with someone for whom this experience has a very specific and challenging impact on the way they live, work, and parent their kids.We hope these stories will offer a different view of this experience than the one you’re experiencing right now at home; or maybe you’ll see your own family’s situation reflected in these conversations in a way that doesn’t get talked about as much. We know that when we have a better understanding of what other people are going through, it makes us better and more compassionate parents. Look for the

Working from home with little kids during COVID-19, moving a baby into a shared sibling bedroom, dealing with cancellation disappointment for both mom and kids, and finding small breaks in the long days of stay-at-home parenting: This week’s podcast episode is dedicated to your listener questions and our advice. Join us!This episode was recorded on April 5, 2020.A NOTE ON EPISODES RELEASED DURING COVID-19: Things change so quickly these days–including recommendations for health and safety, as well as our own thoughts and feelings–so you may hear things that feel a bit dated if you’re catching up on older episodes. Just know that we’re experiencing this in real time just like you, and that we’re working hard to follow the latest recommendations for the safety of our families and our communities. We’re also working hard to bring you timely, relevant podcast episodes in a world that’s changing very quickly.LINKS MENTIONED:You can find all of our listener questions episodes hereHave a question for Meaga

Meal planning is hard enough for busy families; now families are eating nearly all their meals at home, it’s a next-level challenge. So for this month’s Voices interview we’re bringing back cookbook author and Didn’t I Just Feed You? co-host Stacie Billis to talk about grocery shopping, what freezes well and when to freeze it, how to minimize food waste while adjusting to a new normal, the best pantry staples, and more. It’s a helpful, upbeat, and encouraging episode–we hope you’ll join us!This episode was recorded on March 29, 2020.A NOTE ON EPISODES RELEASED DURING COVID-19: Things change so quickly these days–including recommendations for health and safety, as well as our own thoughts and feelings–so you may hear things that feel a bit dated if you’re catching up on older episodes. Just know that we’re experiencing this in real time just like you, and that we’re working hard to follow the latest recommendations for the safety of our families and our communities. We’re also working hard to br