The Mom Hour

Emotionally volatile, intellectually delightful (for the most part), overflowing bundles of growth and change: Toddlers and teens have a lot in common. Join Sarah and Meagan for a healthy debate about the trials and virtues of both stages, and how as moms we can support kids through their big feelings and changing worlds. It’s a fun one–join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Go-To Resources For Parenting Toddlers (Sarah wrote this post for our blog at listeners’ requests)How to Raise an Adult: Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid for Success, by Julie Lythcott-Haims (affiliate link)Center for Parent and Teen Communication (Meagan recommended this resource)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 know from research that kids who do chores become more successful adults…but we also know from experience that teaching kids to take on household responsibilities is challenging and often frustrating (and rarely results in less work for mom). In Episode 191 Meagan and Sarah share an honest look at where our combined eight kids are with their family contributions these days, what chores we wish we’d started kids on sooner, how to adapt for different kids’ personalities, and more. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Happy Children Do Chores (KJ Dell’Antonia for NYTimes Sunday Review)Kids Who Do Chores Are More Successful Adults (Bill Murphy, Jr. for Inc.com)If you missed them, we did entire episodes on both dishes and laundry, both of which include discussions about how or whether our kids contribute to these choresHow to raise successful kids — without over-parenting (Julie Lythcott-Haims for TED Talks Live)Ask the Doctor: Frustration over getting kids to do chores without reminding a

Pillow quirks, perfect sheets, temperature preferences, and bedside clocks–we have a LOT to say about the role sleep plays in our lives. For this More Than Mom episode we’re not talking about kids’ sleep, we’re talking about our own: how we like it, how to get the best of it, and what happens when we’re short on it. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Meagan’s bedside clock: Philips Wake-Up Light Alarm Clock with Sunrise Simulation, White (affiliate link)Sarah’s bedside clock: Round Time Table Clock Gray – Capello (affiliate link)Our episode about Coping With Sleep Deprivation as a momMORE 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.

With New Year energy buzzing, it’s easy to get excited about overhauling every area of your life from parenting to home to work and play. Continuing the conversation we started last week about choosing a word for the year, Meagan and Sarah tackle practical ways to keep your intentions, goals, and resolutions top of mind when real life resumes. Whether you resist goal-setting or love it, we’re looking at approachable ways to continue that January 1st mojo well into the year. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:We’re Not “Word Of The Year” Types…Or Are We? Episode 189 from last weekAli Edwards’s One Little Word shopMantrabrand and MyIntent sell inspirational braceletsMORE 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 toddler ready to begin potty training? What about a preschooler with frequent accidents or a fear of pooping in the toilet? And how long is it normal for kids to be dry during the day and still struggle with staying dry at night? We get so many questions about potty training that we called in an expert to help sort out these and other typical potty training challenges. Join Meagan and Sarah as they share their own potty training experiences and seek the counsel of psychologist Dr. Heather Wittenberg, who weighs in on questions from our listeners.LINKS MENTIONED:Take the Potty Personality Quiz on Pull-Ups.comCheck out the Pull-Ups and GoodNites Facebook pagesMORE 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-

Seems like everybody chooses a “word of the year” nowadays, and we’re conflicted. Both Meagan and Sarah can be trend-averse and skeptical of fads…but we’re also all-in on self-reflection and anything that gives moms a chance to prioritize their happiness and fulfillment. So in Episode 189, our first of the new year, we discuss the WOTY phenomenon and agree to give it a try in 2019. Listen to find out what words we’re considering and why!LINKS MENTIONED:Ali Edwards’s One Little Word projectComfortable with Uncertainty: 108 Teachings on Cultivating Fearlessness and Compassion by Pema Chödrön (affiliate link)New? Welcome! This page is just for you.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 confessing our #MomFail moments to airing our (literal) dirty laundry, Meagan and Sarah are looking back at the best moments on the podcast from 2018. Join us for a brand new episode and fresh commentary, plus throwback clips from some of our favorite moments. It’s the very last episode of 2018–join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Listen to the full episodes we discussed at these links:The Life-Changing Magic of Opting Out (ep161 / June 19)Strong As A Mother With Kate Rope (Voices 26 / June 8)The Myth Of The Mom Tribe (ep144 / February 20)Kindergarten Readiness With Kelly Hiltz (Voices 23 / March 9)Our Worst #MomFail Moments (ep157 / May 22)The Coffee + Crumbs Podcast did an episode called This Is How We Don’t, partially inspired by our opting out 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://a

From most embarrassing moments to favorite TV shows to what we learned about ourselves, Meagan and Sarah are taking a (mostly) fun and fluffy look back at 2018 for this More Than Mom episode of The Mom Hour. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Spanx leggings (affiliate link)Meagan’s trash can (affiliate link)Sarah mentioned the following TV shows (listed by network or service):HBO: Godless, Silicon Valley, Last Week TonightNetflix: Love, Peaky Blinders, Mindhunter, Ozark, The CrownAmazon: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, HomecomingHulu: 30 Rock, Saturday Night Live, Killing EveOther: The Daily Show (Comedy Central), Survivor (CBS), Top Chef (Bravo), Billions (Showtime)VoxerISH lip palette (affiliate link)Yokai Audio (our sound engineer)Sarah’s smoothies usually include: banana, kale OR spinach, assorted leftover fresh fruits/veggies that the kids won’t eat, Trader Joe’s Unsweetened Organic Açaí Purée Pack, assorted frozen fruit (berries, mango), flax seed OR hemp seed OR chia seeds, a scoop of alm

On the fence about adding another baby to the family? You are not alone. We hear this a TON from listeners, and it’s a favorite topic among mom friends in the family-growing years. In Episode 187 Meagan and Sarah share our own experiences growing our families (with a special focus on the transition from two to three), as well as some of our favorite and least favorite parts of pregnancy. We also share a special pregnancy-related announcement (no, it’s not what you think) that you won’t want to miss. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Are You “Done” Having Babies? (Episode 7)Pregnancy & Birth, In Hindsight (Episode 38)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.

Gift ideas for a second baby who wants for nothing, managing holiday hosting stress as a mom with a clingy toddler, tips for staying organized during the holidays, and standing your ground when extended family lays on the guilt. We answer these listener questions in this week's holiday bonus episode. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:All our holiday-related podcast episodes are hereSarah and Katie did a baby, toddler, and little kid gift guide last year, and all the links have been updated!Sarah loved Erica's self-care tips in The Girl Next Door podcast's Holiday Self-Care & Vegas Christmas LightsepisodeIn answering Eshana's question about holiday organization, we mentioned our episodes about to-do lists and calendar management and productivity and time management, and we also have an episode about getting organized before the holiday craziness hits (maybe too late for this year, but still some great tips!)Sarah talked about the internet memes around "Don't say 'sorry' when y

We love books, and we hope our kids grow up to love them too…but how do we get there? Meagan and Sarah break down the ways we encourage literacy and a love of reading in our homes–without piling on the pressure. We talk about reading aloud, reading for homework, encouraging reluctant readers, and modeling a book-loving life as adults. PLUS Katie Addiss joins Sarah for a fun segment all about holiday picture books! We share some favorites for babies through big kids–just in time for the coziest reading season!LINKS MENTIONED:Sarah and Katie’s full list of holiday books is hereMeagan’s appearance on the Read-Aloud Revival podcast: RAR #34: Reading Aloud around a Traditional School Schedule, and RAR host Sarah Mackenzie’s appearance on Meagan’s podcast The Home Hour in 2014Magazines Sarah loves include ASK and Muse from Cricket Media, Highlights High Five, and National Geographic KidsSarah loves the book lists at What Do We Do All Day?, and specifically mentioned these three in her segment wi

Most families are touched by divorce in some way, and the holidays can bring up all kinds of questions and challenges for single or re-coupled parents, children of divorced parents (including adult children), and blended families. As Meagan enters her third holiday season post-separation, Sarah picks her brain about everything from the practical logistics of sharing the holidays with an ex, to the emotional landscape of the holidays as a divorced mom. PLUS we welcome the wise and witty voices of Kristen Chase and Liz Gumbinner of Cool Mom Picks and Spawned with Kristen and Liz. Listen for their advice, as well as a couple of listener questions, during the episode.LINKS MENTIONED:Last year Meagan talked about changing traditions mid-divorce (Episode 128)Don’t forget to check out Cool Mom Picks and the Spawned podcast, and thanks to Kristen and Liz for contributing to today’s show!MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJ

Buckle up, mamas. We’re getting into the details of air travel AND car trips with babies, toddlers, and little kids. Meagan’s the expert on road trips, and Sarah has flown a ton with tiny kids. If you’ve ever wondered whether to buy an airplane seat for a one-year-old, how to plan stops on an 8-hour car ride, or what to pack in your carry-on, this episode is for you. Join us!PLUS Alison Thompson joins Sarah to share her baby #2 birth story and an update on the first two months of adjusting to life as a family of four. They reveal the baby’s name, discuss how big sister Claire is adjusting, and talk about a scary hospitalization that all turned out okay.LINKS MENTIONED:Other episodes on kids and travel that you might have missed:Travel With Kids (Or, How To Enjoy Your Own Vacation)Smart Tech & Family TravelOver The River & Through The Woods (Holiday Travel & Visiting Family)Send in your holiday-themed listener questions! Email an audio file to hello@themomhour.com, or head to speakpipe.com/the

This year’s December doesn’t have to be like last year. Join Meagan and Sarah as we set intentions for the busy holiday month ahead, everything from little ways to find joy in the messes to bigger stuff about changing traditions. It’s another Holiday Bonus episode of The Mom Hour!LINKS MENTIONED:All our holiday episodes of The Mom Hour are on this pageMORE 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.

At twenty-one and ten years into motherhood respectively, Meagan and Sarah have the benefit of hindsight when it comes to parenting trends. In Episode 184 we talk about the things that have changed since we became moms–from the superficial stuff like trends in baby gear to the more significant ways that the digital age has shaped parenting culture over the years. PLUS, Sarah’s mom offers insight from the perspective of someone who has been a parent for nearly (but not yet) forty years. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:“Mommy Needs Wine” and Other Problematic Mom-Tropes (Episode 183)Meagan talked about Aidan Donnelly Rowley’s blog posts on the dry life, which we discussed in more detail last weekmore in this cute videoCheck out SpanglerScienceClub.com and use promo code MOMHOUR to save $10 on a 3-month subscription (more in this cute video)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 que

Our kids have made their holiday wish lists, and we’re popping into your podcast feed on Black Friday to chat about them! Join Meagan and Sarah as we review our own kids’ Christmas lists, what we have our eyes on as we kick off holiday shopping season, plus the ways we get around those “ain’t never gonna happen” wishes that kids love to put on their lists. Enjoy! LINKS MENTIONED:Sarah’s 10-year-old is interested in this 3D pen from Mindware.comMeagan’s 9-year-old has asked for a subscription to ScrawlrBoxOur 2017 Holiday Gift Guide includes 3 bonus podcast episodes and a whole bunch of great links–it’s all organized for you on this pageAll of our holiday-related podcast content is on this pageMORE 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://ar

Meagan and Sarah both enjoy wine and cocktails, but coincidentally we both scaled back our drinking recently and have observations to share. We’re also wary of the pervasive “mommy needs a drink” trope and the way meme culture in general aims for cheap laughs with potentially harmful side-effects. Today’s episode gets into the gray area between carefree happy hour and full-blown addiction, and we talk honestly about the places alcohol and motherhood overlap. LINKS MENTIONED:Sunday’s More Than Mom epsiodeAidan Donnelly Rowley and her blog posts on the dry life, her regular Instagram feed (which Sarah loves), her @drybeclub community, and her podcast EDITParenting With a Buzz: When Does Alcohol as Self-Care Become a Problem? (Kristen Mascia for Parents)How Mommy Drinking Culture Has Normalized Alcoholism For Women In America (Sarah Cottrell for Babble)#Winemom culture is about SO much more than wine—and we need to talk about it (Emily Glover for Mother.ly)MORE H

Heading into a holiday week, Meagan and Sarah are feeling festive and talking about our favorite adult beverages. We also talk about rituals and routines involving our favorite drinks, hangover cures, holiday drinking and more. Join us!Note: We know that alcohol is a tricky topic for a lot of people, and in this episode you’ll hear some honest thoughts about responsible–and irresponsible–consumption. This episode, intended to be light and fluffy, will be followed by a discussion on Tuesday’s show about the darker side of “Mommy Wine Culture” and other complicated pieces of this puzzle. LINKS MENTIONED:More Than Mom: Beverages!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 it’s across town for dinner or cross-country for a week, visiting family comes with challenges–especially at the holidays. There are relationship dynamics to consider, plus germs, traditions, sleep schedules, and a lot of public parenting. In Episode 182, Meagan and Sarah sit down for a thoughtful discussion on how to make family visits and holiday travel less stressful for you and your family. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:All our holiday-related podcast episodes are on this pageYou might also like the episodes we’ve done on dealing with criticism and things to remember when you feel criticizedWe’ve also done episodes on traveling with kids and smart tech and family travelMeagan mentioned our episode on greed and gratitudeWant to send in a question for our holiday-themed listener questions episode? Email us at hello@themomhour.com!MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be

Cupboards, cabinets, closets, and drawers: Meagan and Sarah are opening up and confessing what’s working and what isn’t when it comes to clutter and our homes. Join us for another fun More Than Mom episode of The Mom Hour!LINKS MENTIONED:The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, by Marie CondoDecluttering at the Speed of Life: Winning Your Never-Ending Battle with Stuff, by Dana K. White of A Slob Comes CleanStuff, Junk and Things, Episode 35, in which we discuss kid-related clutterOur laundry episode, and our dishes 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.