The Mom Hour

We’re back with more on the topic of kids’ birthday! Last week’s podcast episode was all about the kids in your house and this week we turn our attention to other people’s parties. Join us as we discuss RSVP etiquette, how and why you might want to opt out of going to EVERY party you’re invited to by a child in your kid’s preschool class, where we shop for affordable birthday gifts, and 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.

Welcome to a two-part episode all about kids’ birthdays! From simple family traditions to parties and classroom celebrations, we’ve got you covered. In Episode 68 we focus on your own kids, and how to make their birthdays special without making yourself crazy. Next week we’ll turn our attention to other people’s kids’ – getting invited to school friends’ parties, shopping for gifts, etc.LINKS MENTIONED:Sarah’s mini muffin/cupcake tin is like this oneStream the Jonny & Meagan Mornings radio show from 6:00-9:00am Eastern Monday through FridaySubmit a question to Ask Meagan (not necessary to be a SW Michigan local)An oldie (2010!) but goodie on The Happiest Home from Meagan: The Good-Enough BirthdayFrom our friend Sarah at Bluegrass Redhead: Why I Throw My Kids Over-the-top Birthday PartiesMORE 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!)Si

Mornings can be a challenge for busy families, and now that school is back in session we thought we’d take a deep dive into those tricky hours between dawn and drop-off. Join Meagan and Sarah for practical tips and “we’ve all been there” confessions on everything from wake-up times to breakfast routines and lunch-packing to getting out the door on time.We are also so thankful to have the input of Kelsey, Elizabeth, and Angie, three full-time outside-the-home working moms you might remember from an episode earlier this summer. They sent in their best working mom tips for making mornings easier and we share them throughout the show.LINKS MENTIONED:Kelsey’s podcast, The Girl Next DoorElizabeth’s blog, Teaching Sam & ScoutInside the lives of 3 working moms (the interview show featuring Kelsey, Elizabeth and Angie)Routines for a happy mom life (a show we did last year that pairs nicely with this one)Kelsey’s freezer breakfast burritosBryan’s smoothies usually include: fr

In this month’s bonus interview Meagan chats with financial writer and mom Kimberly Palmer, whose new book Smart Mom, Rich Mom: How to Build Wealth While Raising a Family speaks to the challenges facing many parents today.LINKS MENTIONED:Smart Mom, Rich Mom: How to Build Wealth While Raising a Family (Kimberly Palmer)Kimberly-Palmer.comPalmersPlanners, Kimberly’s Etsy shop featuring printable financial planners and worksheets for momsMORE 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.

If you’re a longtime listener, you know that Meagan and Sarah like to occasionally set aside issues of parenting and family life and talk about all the other things making them happy: books, movies, podcasts, style, food, and creative pursuits. In this week’s show we kick off a new semi-regular series where we do just that. We’re calling it The More-Than-Mom Hour!LINKS MENTIONED:Thirteen Moons by Charles FrazierThe Nest by Cynthia D’Aprix SweeneyAlexander Hamilton by Ron ChernowThe Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed by Jessica LaheyThe Importance of Being Little: What Preschoolers Really Need from Grownups by Erika ChristakisDopamine by BØRNS (the band Meagan went to see)Spring Awakening (Original Broadway Cast Recording)NPR Politics PodcastThe Girl Next Door Podcast#AmWriting with Jess & KJMagic Lessons podcast and Big Magic by Elizabeth GilbertTarget shorts! We’re pretty sure we both have&nb

It’s time for another episode where Meagan and Sarah take on questions from YOU, our listeners! Big thanks to Becky, Claire and Amanda for allowing us to talk through some really common issues for parents.First we hear from Becky, whose son is going through a tough phase of fears and anxieties that are dominating the household mood and her energy. Then we tackle Claire’s sticky situation involving wild kids, a restaurant, and a big family reunion. Finally, we help new mom Amanda think through her decision to co-sleep.LINKS MENTIONED:Listen to Becky’s question about kids and anxiety at 01:15The Opposite of Worry: The Playful Parenting Approach to Childhood Anxieties and Fears by Lawrence J. CohenListen to Claire’s question about how to handle wild kids that aren’t hers at a family reunion at 16:25Listen to Amanda’s question about co-sleeping at 25:20The No-Cry Sleep Solution: Gentle Ways to Help Your Baby Sleep Through the Nightby Elizabeth PantleyThe No-Cry Sleep Solution for Toddlers and Presc

When tragedy strikes and our news feeds fill with heartbreak and outrage, it’s hard enough to manage our own feelings of sadness and worry, let alone find ways to talk to kids about what’s happening and help them understand what they heard on the playground or saw on the screen.In this special bonus interview Sarah sits down with psychologist and author Dr. Jennifer Freed to understand what’s at stake when our kids encounter scary news, how to talk to older kids about tragic events, how to promote empathy and emotional learning starting with babies and toddlers, and how to get our news without letting it dominate our state of mind.LINKS MENTIONED:JenniferFreed.comAHA! Attitude. Harmony. Achievement.Dr. Freed on Facebook and TwitterThe phrases Dr. Freed recommended searching, along with the name of your area, to find local organizations similar to hers, are “social-emotional learning” and “mindfulness education”CHARACTER: Empowering Yourself with Emotional Intelligence&n

Are your floors dirty? So are ours, most likely. While you sweep, vacuum or mop, why not pop your earbuds in and listen to Meagan and Sarah talk about keeping a clean-enough house in Episode 64 of The Mom Hour!We offer practical tips and advice room-by-room, talk about some of our favorite cleaning products, and discuss the sometimes-sticky topic of hiring cleaning help. Enjoy!LINKS MENTIONED:The Happiest Home’s Deep-Cleaning Challenge from 2014 (a zone-by-zone approach you can do in 30 minutes a day)FlyLady.net (the cleaning schedule Meagan subscribed to as a new mom)Edit Your Life Episode 46: Should We Force Our Kids To Be Tidy?10 Upgrades That Make Cleaning Less of a Chore (Meagan for The Happiest Home)The Help: The Truth About Hiring A Cleaning Service (Meagan for The Happiest Home)Sarah likes Home Ec 101 for how-to cleaning advice, and loves this list of articles by topic on their siteMORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on

After last week’s episode all about starting school we heard from listeners who wanted some insight into the middle school years. Since Sarah’s kids aren’t quite there yet, she puts Meagan in the spotlight in this week’s show, asking about everything from academic expectations to awkward physical changes. As always, we’re judgement-free and totally honest. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Episode 62: Things We Shouldn’t Have Freaked Out About (Starting School Edition) The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed (Jessica Lahey)Our recent discussion about tweens and social media can be found in Episode 61 (skip to 32:50 to hear us talk about 12-year-olds)As promised, middle school photos of Sarah (pictured in 6th and 7th grades, side-by-side) and Meagan. Be sure to listen to the episode for the behind-the-scenes hair stories.MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group o

When it’s your kid starting preschool or kindergarten for the first time, every detail seems mission-critical. But having sent our kids off to new classrooms year after year for quite a while now, we’re here to tell you: It’ll all be OK.In this fun addition to our “Things We Shouldn’t Have Freaked Out About” series, Meagan and Sarah look back at the things we fretted over when our kids went off to school for the first time. With the benefit of hindsight we’ll help ease your mind about everything from potty training your preschooler to finding all the school supplies on that crazy list.LINKS MENTIONED:Things We Shouldn’t Have Freaked Out About: New Mom and Toddler EditionsThe episode we did last year about Choosing The Right School For Your KidsDebunking The Myth of the “Good School Mom” (Episode 21)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 quest

How do you make your town feel more like a home?That’s the question journalist and mom Melody Warnick set out to answer after moving her family to a new town for the sixth time. In this month’s BONUS interview episode Meagan interviews Melody about her book, This Is Where You Belong: The Art and Science of Loving the Place You Live, and the ideas in it.LINKS MENTIONED:Melody’s book, This Is Where You Belong: The Art and Science of Loving the Place You LiveEpisode 56 of The Mom Hour: Moving with Kids & Cultivating CommunityMelodyWarnick.comMORE 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.

Isn’t it amazing how quickly we forget the details about each age and stage as soon as they’re behind us? In this week’s episode, Sarah draws numbers from a hat – literally – to prompt a little reflection on the ages our collective kids are right now.If you’ve got little kids have ever wondered what age 12 is like, or if your kids are older and you want to look back on the lispy sweetness of three, we hope you’ll join us for Episode 61!LINKS MENTIONED:Our bonus interview series! Bonus 01 with Asha Dornfest, Bonus 02 with 3 Working Moms, and the upcoming Bonus 03 with Melody WarnickThis is Childhood is a collection of essays put together by Brain, Child magazine in 2014. With one essay for each year of childhood from ages one to ten plus pages to write your own notes about your own kid, the book does a beautiful job of helping capture the essence of each age.Kindness Wins by Galit Breen (mentioned in our discussion about middle schoolers and social media)MORE HELPFUL LIN

“Hi Sarah and Meagan, this is Sheena from Oregon, and I have two questions that both relate to time management. I have a 4-year-old, a 2-year-old and a 3-month-old and I’m finding that I’m always behind, and I’m wondering if you have any tips for how to get ahead? Also, how do you find time in the day to play? I find that I’m always just trying to get the kids busy so I can get on to my next task, and I never have time to just sit down and play. Thanks for your advice!”This is the question we got in our Speakpipe mailbox a couple weeks ago, and in Episode 60 we sat down to answer Sheena’s questions. Want to hear our responses? Listen now in the player below, or keep reading for more!LINKS. MENTIONED:Leave us a question via SpeakPipe like Sheena did!Episode 10: We Hate Fun!The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed (Jessica Lahey)MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our pri

It’s mid-July and time for an update on our summer travels! Join Meagan and Sarah for a fun conversation about cross-country road trips, flying solo with three kids, and what our families watched, listened to, read and played while on vacation. We also talk about what’s coming up for us, and for The Mom Hour, in the second half of the summer. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Big Quiet Camping (where Meagan and family stayed in the teepee)The Martian by Andy Weir (audio book via Audible.com)Star Wars (the original story dramatized for radio in 1981, via Audible.com)Gem Mountain Montana (where Meagan’s family got their sapphire mining kit)Michael Pollan’s Netflix Documentary Series, CookedWalt Disney Animation Studios Short Film Collection (streaming on Netflix or purchase on Amazon here)Phrase Party app ($1.99 on iTunes)Meagan is a guest co-host on a local morning radio show July 11-15 – listen here!!Summer Shortcuts (Yes, We’re THAT Lazy)Getting Organized for SummerTravel W

Welcome to part two in our series on personality types! Last week we discussed the general appeal of personality tests and delved into the concepts of introversion and extroversion (we recommend listening to that episode first if you haven’t already. This week we reveal our Myers-Briggs and Enneagram types (drumroll….) and continue the conversation as it relates to parenting, partner relationships and more.Myers-Briggs & Enneagram Personality TestsThese are the tests we took, and we’d love you to take them too if you haven’t already! These are the tests and results we discuss in this week’s episode.MYERS-BRIGGS test from 16personalities.comENNEAGRAM test from ecclecticenergies.comAfter you take the tests, we recommend the full Myers-Briggs type descriptions found here, a more in-depth explanation of the Myers-Briggs letters found here, and the descriptions of the nine Enneagram types found here (scroll to bottom of the page).LINKS MENTIONED:The ENFP’s Guid

Welcome to our two-part show all about personality types! In Episode 57 we discuss the general appeal of self-discovery and the lure (or, for some, skepticism) of personality tests and quizzes. We also discuss the concepts of introversion and extroversion, how neither of us fit a classic mold, and how our needs change over the course of motherhood.Online Personality Tests (Take yours – it’s fun!)These are the tests we took, and we’d love you to take them too! Next week in Episode 58 we’ll reveal our results…MYERS-BRIGGS test from 16personalities.comENNEAGRAM test from ecclecticenergies.comAfter you take the tests, we recommend the full Myers-Briggs type descriptions found here, a more in-depth explanation of the Myers-Briggs letters found here, and the descriptions of the nine Enneagram types found here (scroll to bottom of the page)LINKS MENTIONED:Knowing myself, knowing others: my uncomfortable – but revealing – afternoon with the Enneagram(MeaganFrancis.com)Megan Tie

Working outside the home brings its own set of challenges and opportunities that Meagan and Sarah don't get to speak to personally as freelancers who work from home, and we get requests from listeners all the time to address working mom life on the podcast. So we are thrilled that for our second Bonus Interview episode Sarah interviewed three moms who work full-time outside the home.Meet Elizabeth, Kelsey, and Angela. Three working moms who live in vastly different areas of the country, have different professions and kids of different ages. And while we know, of course, that no one mom's experience is representative of others', we did love hearing about their daily routines, tips and tricks, and what they love about working mom life.Meet Elizabeth (interview starts at 02:10)Elizabeth Chapman is a full-time high school English teacher from Virginia who is also the mom of a one-year-old and a five-year-old. Elizabeth also blogs about her passion for working motherhood and teaching on her blog,&nb

Moving with kids – whether it’s across town or out of state – is no easy task. Meagan and Sarah have each done it several times and share their tips and experiences in Episode 56. We also expand the conversation to the broader topic of cultivating community where you live, regardless of how long you’ve been there. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Speakpipe – Leave us an audio message and your question might make it onto the show like Amy’s did!This Is Where You Belong: The Art and Science of Loving the Place You Live (Melody Warnick)Prince Lionhart Stove Guard and Safety 1st Clear View Stove Knob CoversPodcasts Sarah is loving latelyCoffee + Crumbs#AmWriting with Jess & KJ (Jessica Lahey and KJ Dell’Antonia)NPR Politics PodcastGame of Thrones Podcast from baldmove.com (Bryan’s recommendation)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 P

We aren’t extreme couponers (or couponers at all, really), but as moms of many kids and growing families, we definitely have our eyes on the grocery budget. Join Meagan and Sarah for an inside look at our shopping habits when it comes to groceries and household supplies in Episode 55. We talk about where we shop, how we keep costs down, and what we think of warehouse retailers and big box stores when it comes to saving money.LINKS MENTIONED:Episode 23 of The Mom Hour where we talk about meal planning and grocery shoppingCVS ExtraCare Rewards ProgramGrocery delivery companies like Instacart (the one Sarah’s sister uses) and Amazon FreshMORE 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.

If you’ve traveled with small children, you know that “enjoy” and “vacation” don’t always belong in the same sentence. In Episode 53 Meagan and Sarah share tips for reclaiming a little bit of R & R in your family travels, even during the little years.We talk about how to making packing and getting out the door less hectic, ways to get aligned with your co-parent and make use of each other’s travel strengths, and how to structure your time away from home so that kids have fun and parents get a little bit of a break, too.LINKS MENTIONED:How Meagan packs her family of seven into two suitcases (The Happiest Home)Our very first Bonus Interview Episode, with Asha Dornfest, in case you missed itMom Spends Beach Vacation Assuming All Household Duties In Closer Proximity To Ocean (The Onion)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 newsletterS