The Mom Hour

Can a wild toddler become mellow teen? A shy preschooler an outgoing tween? Or do our littles’ personalities predict their big kid identities? As usual, we’re saying it’s a little of both, or somewhere in the middle. In this week’s episode Meagan and Sarah break down our combined eight kids and how they were as babies and toddlers vs. what they’re like today. PLUS Alison Thompson joins Sarah to discuss postpartum recovery. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Other episodes where we talk about our eight kids:What’s Great (And Less-Great) About Our Eight (Episode 152)Awesome Things Our Kids Are Doing (Episode 103)Eight Kids, Toddler to Teen (Episode 61)Sarah and Alison discussedEpisode 88, Postpartum Symptoms & Surprises, as well the Voices interview Sarah did with Kate Rope about postpartum mental healthMORE 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 ne

If your kids are little, maybe you’ve wondered what it’s really like to send a child off to college. Or maybe you’ve pondered how your mom-life – and the way you relate to the world – might change as your children grow. In this episode, Meagan and the always warm, wise and wonderful Asha Dornfest discuss parenting older kids, “growing up” as a mom while and looking forward to what’s next, and even have a (totally non-partisan) conversation about politics, the importance of listening to each other, and how YOU can make a difference in your world – even if you’re still in the overwhelming baby and toddler stages. LINKS MENTIONED:Asha’s website, ashadornfest.comAsha’s book, Parent Hacks: 134 Genius Shortcuts for Life with Kids (affiliate link)Asha’s podcast, Edit Your LifeAsha and Christine’s co-authored book, Minimalist Parenting: Enjoy Modern Family Life More by Doing Less (affiliate link)Asha was our very first interview when we started the Voices series on The Mom

Hiding under the exam table, screaming and flailing, flat-out refusing to open up for the dentist: Our kids have done it all in the name of avoiding the needle or the checkup (or even a haircut!).In Episode 180 we cover appointments of all kinds and how to survive them when your kids are fearful. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Pets are fun, but they’re not easy. Meagan and Sarah both love animals, but we also keep it real about the times in our lives when pets have brought more trouble than delight to our busy homes. We also tell hilarious stories about the pets of our childhood and relive a few animal-related traumas. Join See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

First babies get all our attention…but they have to endure our most rookie mistakes and newbie neuroses, too. Join Meagan and Sarah for a fun flashback at how we planned for, fed, celebrated, and parented our firstborn kids in contrast to their younger siblings. Thanks to our Patreon Facebook community for chiming in with great suggestions on this topic, too!LINKS MENTIONED:Meagan mentioned this videoMORE 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.

Co-parenting is tough, and we’re here to talk about it. In Episode 178 of The Mom Hour, Meagan and Sarah talk about getting on the same page as your co-parent, how to handle personality differences and baggage from our backgrounds, and why we think kids benefit from different parenting styles (mostly). Plus, Alison Thompson joins Sarah for a fun chat about choosing baby names. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Our episode about How To Be The Parent Teachers (and Schools) LoveOur episodes about Routines, Rituals, and Traditions (Part 1 and Part 2)Queue It Up! Check out Traveling Spouses, Traveling Selves, Episode 36 and Episode 37 from February of 2016MORE 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.

It’s an all-Broadway edition of More Than Mom! We talk about Meagan’s recent performing stint as Roxie Hart in Chicago!, the stage shows we’ve seen lately or want to see, and respond to listener response to our first installment in this conversation, the More Than Mom episode on Movie Musicals that we did back in June. Enjoy! LINKS MENTIONED:More Than Mom: Movie Musicals (the part one to this episode, from June 2018)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.

Halloween costumes come with parenting questions: Will baby keep the hat on? How scary is too scary? Can you figure out how to master that face painting technique your kid is dying for? When and how to veto a costume choice that isn’t your jam? How to help make costume dreams come true without spending a fortune? Meagan and Sarah chat all things Halloween costumes in Episode 177 of The Mom Hour–plus Katie joins Sarah for a roundup of our favorite Halloween picture books. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Violet wore this leopard costume last yearSarah’s and Katie’s favorite Halloween books are up on the blog!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.

All movement is good movement, according to mom of twins and fitness/motivation powerhouse Jenny Schatzle. It’s not about getting our bodies back after baby (wait until you hear Jenny’s response to that one!); it’s about choosing to live life in alignment with who we want to be. Jenny gets vulnerable about her transition to motherhood, her role as a leader and entrepreneur, and the tricky business of staying authentic AND positive online when you’re a public persona. Join Sarah and guest Jenny Schatzle for this month’s Voices interview–it’s a must-listen conversation. Enjoy!LINKS MENTIONED:Jenny on InstagramJenny’s Tedx Talk: Rewiring How You Look At YourselfJenny’s new online 14-day courseJenny’s blogSarah talked about the Instagram video where Jenny works out with two crawling babies–see below, or check it out here if you can’t see the embedded video MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be

Parenting a strong-willed kid, handling criticism about your family size or kids’ spacing, the first signs of kid crushes and puppy love, and gift ideas for your kids’ grandparents. Meagan and Sarah take on these questions and offer our advice in Episode 176. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Last week’s Episode 175 was also a Listener Questions showAll our Listener Questions episodes are available on this pageParenting A Strong-Willed Child (Aha! Parenting from Dr. Laura Markham)Why it’s good to have a strong-willed child, and why you should let up on them (On Parenting from The Washington Post)In our discussion of grandparent gifts we talked about Canvas People canvases (text MOMHOUR to 484848 to get a free one), Chatbooks photo books and Storyworth (sponsor link!), the service that prompts your loved ones to write down family stories and memoriesOur 2017 Holiday Gift GuideMORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our privat

Losing your cool and yelling at your kids (how it happens to us ALL, how to prevent it, and how to cope after it happens), dealing with a pinching/biting 19-month-old, and extracting your family from a sticky situation with neighbor friends whose parenting style makes you uncomfortable. These listener questions PLUS a chat with newly-minted mom of two Alison–join us for Episode 175 of The Mom Hour!LINKS MENTIONED:Shout-out to the Hill Country Casitas and Prep Dish for hosting us at the Prep Dish Podcaster Retreat this week!Mom Meltdowns, Oh No! (the VERY FIRST episode of The Mom Hour)All our listener questions are collected hereOur Worst #MomFail Moments (episode 157)Ignore It!: How Selectively Looking the Other Way Can Decrease Behavioral Problems and Increase Parenting Satisfaction, (affiliate link) by Catherine Pearlman (listen to the Voices interview Sarah did with Catherine Pearlman here)Aha! Parenting from Dr. Laura Markham, Sarah’s favorite site about behavior and discipli

It’s officially fall, no matter what kind of whether you’re enjoying. Meagan and Sarah chat fall décor, fall wardrobes, experiencing fall in different parts of the country, and more in this More Than Mom episode of The Mom Hour. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Fall Love, Fall Envy, Fall Favorites (an older episode on the same topic)An Open Letter To People Who Can’t Stop Talking About Pumpkin Spice Lattes (Sarah’s blog post gone viral from 2013)Butternut Squash Soup with Apple & Bacon (Sarah’s family makes this every year…eventually)Meagan’s beef stew is loosely based on Paula Deen’s Old-Time Beef StewMORE 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.

Supporting your child’s school experience doesn’t have to look like tons of volunteer hours, chaperoning field trips, or organizing classroom parties. It CAN (and we salute those who do it!), but it doesn’t have to. In Episode 174 Meagan and Sarah offer simple ways to start the school year off right when it comes to helping teachers and supporting our schools. Plus, Katie Addiss joins Sarah to discuss life lately as a mom of two littles. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Other podcast episodes about starting school, and school-mom-life are collected hereKatie mentioned the magic of the Daiso store–find out if you have one in your area 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 newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why? Because I said so. Has a nice ring to it, right? Even better, though (and more specific): because it’s a rule in our house. In Episode 173 Meagan and Sarah are talking about the beauty and hilarity of arbitrary rules, drawing from our own experience and some genius listener suggestions. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Our podcast episodes on Routines, Rituals, & Traditions pair nicely with this one. Here’s Part 1 (episode 128, more about traditions) and Part 2 (episode 129, more about routines and rituals)Our episode on How To Survive (And Even Enjoy) Playing Board Games (Episode 112)Meagan’s blog post For The Mom Who Hates The Swings, which inspired our fan-favorite episode, We Hate FunMORE 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

Meagan and Sarah talk about what podcasts WE listen to in this week’s More Than Mom episode! After a dry spell of discovering new audio shows, we each have a few new favorites–and they’re outside of the motherhood/parenting sphere. We’ll tell you what podcasts they are, who we’d recommend listen to them, and where to start for maximum enjoyment. Join us!Meagan’s Podcast Picks:ZigZag, from Stable Genius Productions (recommended: start at the beginning)Masters of Scale with Reid Hoffman (recommended: pick a company/interview guest that interests you and start there)Mother Like A Boss with Kendra Hennessey (recommended: we love Kendra’s solo episodes, and the back to school organization one, but watch for an interview with Meagan coming soon, and Kendra was also a guest on The Home Hour last month!)Sarah’s Podcast Picks:Dirty John, from Wondery and the LA Times (recommend: you MUST start at the beginning and listen in sequence from the oldest episode to the newest!)Pop Culture Happy Hour

Working moms: are you stressed, anxious, and tired of hearing about this mythical thing called “balance?” You aren’t alone, and you’ve come to the right place. In Episode 29 of The Mom Hour Voices, Meagan talks to Jessica Turner, full-time working mom and author of the new book Stretched Too Thin: How Working Moms Can Lose The Guilt, Work Smarter, and Thrive. This encouraging interview will help you move past the unreasonable idea of “work-life balance” and make choices that help you set priorities while still attending to the things in your life that matter.LINKS MENTIONED:Get pre-order bonuses before September 18, 2018–details at stretchedtoothinbook.comJessica’s first book, The Fringe HoursJessica and Meagan’s conversation on The Home Hour in 2015MORE 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

Do you have dirty dishes in your sink right now? So do we, but instead of washing them we decided to podcast about it! Join Meagan and Sarah for a look at the products and practices that keep things moving in our kitchens, plus stories of faulty dishwashers, dishes pet peeves, what keeps us company while we do the dishes and more. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:The episode we did about laundry: Loads & Loads (& Loads) Of Laundry (Episode 167)Sarah’s current dishwasher is this one: KitchenAid Top Control Dishwasher in Stainless Steel with Stainless Steel TubSome of our favorite dish soaps and detergents, available at Target (affiliate link)Sarah has this bamboo dish rack from Target and loves it (affiliate link)Sarah also uses these Scotch-Brite Stainless Steel Scrubbing Pads (affiliate link)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!)S

You're standing in the checkout line doing that familiar bounce-bounce-sway motion to soothe a fussy baby when suddenly you realize: you don't HAVE a baby. Ever been there? We're willing to be you have, and we're discussing a bunch more mom-habits that are hard to shake in Episode 171 of The Mom Hour.PLUS pregnant mama Alison Thompson joins Sarah to discuss first versus second pregnancies, staying comfortable in the third trimester, maternity clothes that fit and flatter, and more. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Our episode about Mom Fails which, as Sarah mentions in the beginning of this show, includes a story about a stroller in the middle of a busy streetCheck us out on Spotify!Pregnant mama contributor Alison Thompson co-hosts the Crunchy Cocktail Hour podcastAlison's pregnancy must-haves includeSnoogle Pregnancy PillowAZMED Maternity BeltLeTote (Alison's referral link)MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Face

We all make choices about where and how we spend our money–so what areas of home, life, and style to Meagan and Sarah choose to save on, and which ones are our splurges? We discuss in this More Than Mom episode of The Mom Hour (suggested by listener Rachel!). Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Listener Rachel Holland has a sweet Etsy shop called Faded WildflowerThe Mom Hour on SpotifySarah’s vacuum splurges include (these are Amazon Affiliate links): Dyson V7 handheld trigger vacuum, Neato Botvac, and Dyson Animal upright vacuumOur recent episodes on Lunch Packing and on Productivity and Time Management are good ones if you’re feeling motivated for the new school yearMORE 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

Boxes, bags, and bentos–here we go, friends. We’re talking lunch-packing on this week’s episode of The Mom Hour. From the gear we love (or like well-enough), to the stuff we pack (no, it’s not pretty or perfect), to when and how we get lunches packed (and unpacked…ew), today’s episode is FULL of tips and stories to encourage you this school year. PLUS Sarah is joined by our newest new-mom contributor Alison Thompson at the end of the show. Check it out!LINKS MENTIONED:Episode 151: Feeding A Family (Breakfast & Lunch)Laura Fuentes / Momables.comThe Girl Next Door podcast episode about Home Efficiency, and Erica’s Instagram post about freezing sandwichesMeagan’s Lunch Box Challenge series on The Happiest Home (from 2011): Intro, Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4Alison Thompson co-hosts the Crunchy Cocktail Hour podcast in our Life, Listened networkMeagan got the Classmate Printed Soft Sided Lunch Box from Lands’ EndSarah uses the Mackenzie Collection