The Mom Hour

The relationship between kids and technology is often portrayed as something parents are supposed to fear, monitor, and and control as much as possible. But what if we approached it as an opportunity to mentor and connect with our kids instead? In The Mom Hour Voices Episode 13 Sarah interviews author and speaker Dr. Devorah Heitner about her book Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive (and Survive) in Their Digital World. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Screenwise: Helping Kids Survive (and Thrive) in Their Digital WorldRaising Digital Natives (Devorah’s website / blog)The free gift for listeners of The Mom HourGeek Mom BlogMORE 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.

When we invited listeners to send in handwritten cards and letters with encouraging words for fellow moms, we had no idea the response we’d get. Turns out, you have a lot to say–and we were truly blown away by your response. Join Meagan, Sarah, and fifteen very special guest readers for a special presentation of our Mother’s Day Challenge project where we read aloud some of our favorite letters. Happy Mother’s Day!LINKS MENTIONED:BabyRabies.com (Jill Krause)What Fresh Hell: Laughing in the Face of Motherhood (Amy Wilson)Edit Your Life (Asha Dornfest and Christine Koh)Coffee + Crumbs (Lesley Miller)SingleMom Nation (Jessica Ashley)The Girl Next Door (Erica Ladd and Kelsey Wharton)Pantsuit Politics (Sarah Stewart Holland)#AmWriting with Jess and KJ (Jessica Lahey and KJ DellAntonia)Spawned with Kristen and Liz (Kristen Chase and Liz Gumbinner)The Sarah R Bagley Podcast (Sarah Bagley)MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our part

Sometimes the words we need to hear most are the simplest, the most obvious, and even a little cliché: this too shall pass, all kids are different, there is no one right way. In a very special (at one point even teary!) Episode 100 of The Mom Hour, Meagan and Sarah offer some of their most oft-repeated pieces of advice and encouragement–because no matter where you are in your parenting journey, these are things moms need to hear again and again.LINKS MENTIONED:Our Soma leggings (be sure to visit soma.com/themomhour FIRST to grab your promo code before adding these or anything else to your cart!)Blocked Crop Leggings With Mesh in Prism Blue Sea (Sarah)X by Gottex Capri SPort Leggings in Olive (Meagan’s leggings–sold out as of this posting, but there are similar choices and hopefully they’ll come back!)You Probably Won’t Remember This Later…And That’s OK (Meagan for The Happiest Home)MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our priv

Does the phrase ‘sex ed’ conjure up super awkward memories of the low-production-value videos you had to watch with your 5th grade classmates? If so, we’ve got great news for you. When it comes time to talk about puberty, growing up, and relationships with your kids, there’s a much better way.In this episode of our Mom Hour Voices, Meagan and Sarah talk with Nora Gelperin, Director of Sexuality Education and Training at Advocates for Youth. Nora’s calm, confident, and easy approach to talking about tough subjects with kids of all ages put our minds at ease, and even made us eager to open up dialogue with our kids. Take a listen!About Nora GelperinNora Gelperin is the Director of Sexuality Education and Training at Advocates for Youth. She has more than twenty years of experience providing sexuality education to youth and professional development to school health and education professionals. Prior to joining Advocates she was the Director of Training at Answer where she founded the Training Institute in S

Popular media tells us we’re supposed to love our bodies (and then gives us 19 Ways To Bounce Back After Baby), but coming to terms with the changes that childbirth, breastfeeding, and plain ol’ aging bring to our bodies is complicated and sometimes really hard. Join Meagan and Sarah for a frank discussion about body confidence as a mom (including feeling not-so-confident and being okay with that) in Episode 99 of The Mom HourLINKS MENTIONED:Our tips came from this post Meagan wrote for The Happiest Home: A Mom’s Guide To Getting Naked (And Feeling Good About It)4th Trimester Bodies ProjectMeagan loves the Soma Bralette Lace Plunge (don’t forget to get your 20% off voucher before purchasing!)Sarah loves the Vanishing Back Wireless Bra (don’t forget to get your 20% off voucher before purchasing!)Sarah and Katie discussed the Playtex Diaper Genie and the Ubbi Steel Diaper PailKatie’s recipe for hazelnut milk / chia seed pudding: mix 1/4 cup chia seeds and 2 cups of hazeln

Does anybody really do a deep spring clean anymore? And what is it about the warmer weather that makes us want to open our doors–literally!–and have a few people over? In the latest in our More-Than-Mom Hour series we talk all about spring cleaning, spring home updates, and tips for casual entertaining. Join uLINKS MENTIONED:Mother’s Day Challenge! Send your letters to: 26895 Aliso Creek Road, Suite B-174 / Aliso Viejo, CA 92656The zone-by-zone deep cleaning challenge Meagan wrote up on The Happiest HomeCalifornia’s wildflower ‘super bloom’ is so massive you can see it from space (The Washington Post)Sarah’s favorite wine writer pens: Wine Glass Writer Metallic Color 3-Pack (Amazon)Meagan’s favorite traffic sign: Step2 Kid Alert Visual Warning Signal – 32-Inch Caution Go Slow Children At Play Signage (Amazon)Hosting A Gathering? How To Help Young Children Feel Included (Sarah’s post for The Happiest Home)MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partn

Longterm financial planning can seem like a lofty goal when you’re faced with the immediate needs of a growing family: paying for childcare, putting food on the table, and maybe even springing for a date night once in a while. Thinking about retirement and college tuition is something grownups do, right? Not overwhelmed new parents?Not so, says Jason Silverberg, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, Vice President of Financial Planning for Financial Advantage Associates and our guest in this month’s special bonus interview episode. Jason is a father of two and author of several books who specializes in young families, new parents, and single moms. Join Jason and Sarah for a conversation about spending, saving, and thinking long-term, even when you’re in the early years of family life.LINKS MENTIONED:Picking Up The Pieces: A Divorcee’s Guide to Financial Freedom (free download!)…And Baby Makes Three: A New Parent’s Guide to Financial Planning (free download!)The Financial Planning Puzzle: Fitting Your Pieces

Meagan’s kids are getting older and car seats and boosters are a thing of the past. Sarah is still the thick of it with three young kids and lots of driving around town. Can you guess which of us a drives a brand new, “murdered out” crossover SUV and which of us is rocking a filthy, cluttered minivan? We had fun in Episode 97 talking all about our cars — what we drive, how clean is “clean enough” for us, and what we’ve learned over the years about keeping the car relatively organized and functional as it relates to family life. Join us!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.

To Elf or not to Elf? What’s the going rate for a tooth these days? And when did a St. Patrick’s Day visit from the leprechaun become a THING? In Episode 96 of The Mom Hour Meagan and Sarah talk about how these magical night visitors–from St. Nick and the Easter Bunny to lesser-known myths like the pacifier fairy–work in our families. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Our St. Patrick’s Day meme about leprechaun fun being optional–not required–for momsSarah’s favorite Easter book: The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes, by Dubose HeywardKeeping Santa Magic Alive (Without Lying) (Sarah read this essay aloud on the podcast in December 2015)When The Littlest Still Believes (For Now) (Meagan reading this essay aloud on the podcast)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://ar

How do we raise curious kids who love to learn, and who discover and follow their own interests? How do we cultivate a home environment that supports kids’ intellectual development without going overboard and zapping the joy right out of learning? These are questions that Meagan and Sarah tackle in Episode 95. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Painless Learning Placemats – like these map versions from Amazon.comGoogle Home – what Meagan’s family uses for entertainment/learning5,000 Awesome Facts (About Everything!) – Sarah’s kids love this series from National GeographicTeach Your Child to Love Learning: Keys to Kids’ Motivation (PBS Parents)How to Raise a Creative Child. Step One: Back Off (Adam Grant, NYTimes SundayReview)What the modern world has forgotten about children and learning (Carol Black, The Washington Post)The Importance of Being Little: What Young Children Really Need from Grownups (Erika Christakis)The public school parent’s guide to learning at hom

What do we wish we’d worried about LESS in hindsight? What are we doing differently–and the same–than our parents’ generation did? And just what do we think about sending a seven-year-old to sleepaway camp? We’re taking on three more great listener questions in Episode 94, and offering our advice to moms Avery, Mandee, and Alicia. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Episode 93 (last week!)Our “Things We Shouldn’t Have Freaked Out About” series: New Mom Edition (Episode 19), Toddler Edition (Episode 24), Starting School Edition (Episode 62)How Does Birth Order Impact How We Parent? (Episode 40)Lisa & Lottie, by Erich Kastner (the book that inspired The Parent Trap movie)Our two-part series on free-range parenting: What Does ‘Free-Range Parenting’ Really Look Like? (Episode 12) and Raising Confident, Independent Kids–Safely (Episode 13)MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (

Preschool boys interested in bad-guy play, fighting stereotypes while raising girls, and how to find the balance between self-acceptance and the desire to grow. These are BIG topics and we’ve got things to say in response to three fantastic listener questions in Episode 93. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Teacher Tom’s blog post about Gun PlayCommon Sense MediaThe very FIRST blog post Sarah ever wrote for Meagan’s blog in 2012: On Star Wars, and not having all the answersMelissa Atkins Wardy’s Facebook page Pigtail Pals, plus her book Redefining Girly: How Parents Can Fight the Stereotyping and Sexualizing of Girlhood, from Birth to Tween, and her blog Pigtail Pals & Ballcap BuddiesOne of Sarah’s all-time favorite books The Case for Make-Believe: Saving Play in a Commercialized World by Susan LinnThe best way to compliment little girls (Sarah’s article for On Parenting at The Washington Post)Podcasts on personal growth/happiness for women like Elizabeth Gilbert’s Magic

Rachel Macy Stafford is the New York Times bestselling author of Hands Free Mama, Hands Free Life, and Only Love Today, and this week she joins Meagan in a special bonus interview episode of The Mom Hour. In this episode, Rachel and Meagan discuss Rachel’s journey from being a stressed-out, over-scheduled mom to scaling back See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is there anything sweeter than baby’s first social smile (you know, the one that definitely ISN’T gas) or a two-year-old’s adorable mispronunciations? In Episode 92 Meagan and Sarah revisit some of their favorite milestones from baby’s first three years – including a few that don’t get discussed very often. We also talk about keeping track of milestones and memories using everything from an old-fashioned baby book to the latest technology, and offer tips for recording those little moments you swear you’ll remember forever. (Spoiler alert: you won’t. Trust us.)LINKS MENTIONED:The WeeSchool App Life Among The Savages, by Shirley Jackson8 Milestones & When Our Kids Met Them – Episode 34, where we talk more about some more bigger-kid milestonesMORE 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

Ever wondered what it takes to produce the show you listen to every week? In Episode 91 Meagan and Sarah take listeners behind the scenes on The Mom Hour, sharing everything from how we come up with show ideas, what goes on in each of our locations while we record, and what’s involved on the technical side in taking a podcast episode from concept to completion. Join us! Plus, listen to the end of the show for a special segment featuring Katie Addiss, our Content Strategy Assistant and resident new mom. Welcome to the show, Katie!LINKS MENTIONED:Sarah loved the behind the scenes episode of The Girl Next Door podcast – thanks for the great idea, ladies!Speakpipe! (Our FAVORITE way to receive topic suggestions from listeners.)Sarah’s handheld vacuum: Dyson V6 Trigger Cordless Handheld Vacuum CleanerKatie’s handheld vacuum: BLACK + DECKER CHV1410L 16V Cordless Lithium Hand VacMORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listen

Which kids’ clothing brands look great, don’t cost a fortune, and wear well through the active years of childhood? That’s what listener Andrea wanted to know when she sent us this question via Facebook:Do you guys have any tips or go-to brands for quality children’s clothing (but affordable)? In six years, I’ve learned that GAP clothing sometimes shrinks, movie character shirts from Target stretch out easily, and I’m still looking for coat zippers that don’t break! Thanks! Love your show!Andrea’s question inspired Episode 90, where Meagan and Sarah talk all about kids’ clothes – where we shop, how we style our kids, and tips for storing and organizing all those clothes. It’s a fun conversation with a ton of tips – enjoy!LINKS MENTIONED:Brands Sarah likes: Hanna Andersson, Tea Collection, Mini Boden, Stride Rite, Carter’s, Native ShoesBrands Meagan likes: Lands’ End, Crazy8, Gymboree, Children’s PlaceZulily (Sarah shops their curated sales and has good luc

Routines are crucial to a happy mom life, but what happens when the same-old-same-old needs some shaking up? In this episode, the latest in our “More Than Mom” Hour series, Meagan and Sarah talk about the importance of trying new things as a mom – whether it’s a new hairstyle, new recipes, or a new workout routine – and what to do if you have a hard time breaking out of old habits. Enjoy!LINKS MENTIONED:Sarah’s interview with Doña Bumgarner of Nurtured MamaMeagan’s interview with Erin Loechner of Chasing SlowHobbies & Passions Outside Motherhood (Episode 43)More about PechaKuchaOther More-Than-Mom Hour episodesThe one where we talk about home decorating and dining outThe one where we talk about books, podcasts, music, and summer styleSarah’s hot pink lip lacquer (Revlon Ultra HD Lip Lacquer in Pink Amethyst, via Amazon)MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook

By 2012, blogger and author Erin Loechner could boast a massively successful blog, an HGTV special, a beautiful home, and even a beautiful new baby. But amid all that success, Erin found herself feeling lost and unfulfilled. In this week’s bonus interview podcast episode, Erin describes her journey toward a slower way of life (and explains how even “slow” living can become competitive and frenzied). Listen to Meagan and Erin have a frank and honest conversation about slowing down, paying attention, and choosing what matters. Enjoy!LINKS MENTIONED:Chasing Slow: Courage to Journey Off the Beaten Path (Erin’s book)Design for Mankind (Erin’s blog)The Rebirth Of Slow Blogging (from Erin’s blog)@ErinLoechner on InstagramDesign for Mankind on FacebookMORE 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

Not sleeping? You’re not alone. In today’s podcast Meagan and Sarah offer helpful tips for making it through the day when your nights are long and, uh, eventful. Whether you have a new baby, a kid with bad dreams, or a struggle with insomnia yourself, we’re here to help. (If we could bring coffee, we’d do that too.)LINKS MENTIONED:Coping Tips for Sleep-Deprived Moms (Sarah’s article for The Happiest Home that contains the tips we discuss)Episode 33: (Totally Not Overwhelming) Health & Wellness AdviceEpisode 20: Routines For A Happy Mom LifeWhat our friend Kelsey from The Girl Next Door podcast learned from her sleep coach (rising*shining)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.

Not sleeping? You’re not alone. In today’s podcast Meagan and Sarah offer helpful tips for making it through the day when your nights are long and, uh, eventful. Whether you have a new baby, a kid with bad dreams, or a struggle with insomnia yourself, we’re here to help. (If we could bring coffee, we’d do that too.)LINKS MENTIONED:Coping Tips for Sleep-Deprived Moms (Sarah’s article for The Happiest Home that contains the tips we discuss)Episode 33: (Totally Not Overwhelming) Health & Wellness AdviceEpisode 20: Routines For A Happy Mom LifeWhat our friend Kelsey from The Girl Next Door podcast learned from her sleep coach (rising*shining)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.