The Mom Hour

Asking for help with childcare, close friends with dramatically different parenting styles, handling kids’ big emotions with elementary school friendship struggles, and how to stop apologizing for where you are in life/motherhood and embrace the chaos with confidence. It’s another Listener Q & A show!LINKS MENTIONED:How to get our Summer Shortcuts eBook for free (hint: listen to Episode 51)The most stressful 8 minutes of my week (and why I changed my mind about them) – Sarah for The Happiest HomeEpisode 44 – What Are Your “Mom Superpowers”?Episode 42 – Parenting Through the Hard TimesEpisode 41 – the first time we did a “Listener Q & A” show like this oneEpisode 26 – Dealing with CriticismMORE 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 Priv

We’re all about laid-back, low-key summer fun – but sometimes it takes a little planning ahead to make room for all that lazing around. In Episode 51 Meagan and Sarah talk about getting organized for summer – from what to do with the avalanche of school papers that come home this time of year, to looking at the calendar and making room for the stuff (literal and figurative) that matters.Whether you’re days (yay!) or weeks (hang in there, mama) away from summer’s official start, we hope you’ll join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Last year’s end-of-school podcast where we laughed – and griped – about this time of yearOn dealing with the paper onslaught…3 Tips for Tackling End-of-School Year Clutter (Meagan for The Happiest Home)The Lakeshore Learning keepsake portfolio that Sarah usesOn purging clothes and toys…Meagan’s super simple strategy for organizing seasonal clothes and hand-me-downsEpisode 35: Stuff, Junk & ThingsOn planning the calendar and bucket listsSarah’s Summer Mom Manifesto

Parenting is hard enough - even when you've studied up on expert tips and have your diaper bag stocked and organized. But sometimes our most genius moments as moms and dads happen when we're caught off guard - when we don't have a clear-cut answer and have to rely on in-the-moment instinct and commonsense intuition.That's what Sarah discusses with author Asha Dornfest the first-ever BONUS interview episode of The Mom Hour! Join Sarah and Asha for a great discussion about learning to trust your instincts as parents, what it's like to curate a community of differing opinions, and how Asha has made the transition from blogging to book writing to podcasting. Enjoy!LINKS MENTIONED:ParentHacks.comPurchase Parent Hacks: 134 Genius Shortcuts for Life with Kids on AmazonWhy Asha thinks kids should do chores that aren't 100% safe (ParentHacks.com), plus the Instagram photo that inspired the postThe Edit Your Life show with Asha and Christine KohThe Art Of MacGyvering For Sleep-Deprive

50 episodes into The Mom Hour (!!) and some things never change. We laugh. We ramble a bit. We gush about how great you guys – our listeners – are.As we gear up for a summer full of some great shows, and some new ideas and improvements we’re making to the podcast, join us for a look back at our favorite moments and most popular episodes, and a look at what’s ahead for The Mom Hour.LINKS MENTIONED:Leave us a voicemail in Speakpipe (a great way to ask a question or suggest a topic!)How to leave a rating or review in iTunesLike us on Facebook!Follow us on Twitter!Follow us on Instagram!Browse all episodes of The Mom HourMORE 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 follow us on social media, you probably saw that Meagan and Sarah got to hang out – and record this very podcast episode – in person over the weekend at the Mom 2.0 Summit in Laguna Niguel, CA.Not only did we get to hang out with one another, we shared a makeshift recording studio (translation: one king-sized hotel bed) with some of our favorite fellow podcasters: Jessica Ashley of Single Mom Nation Radio, Kristen Chase and Liz Gumbinner of Spawned, and Asha Dornfest and Christine Koh of Edit Your Life.Episode 49 is all about friendships with other moms. You’ll hear each pair of longtime friends – Meagan/Jessica, Kristen/Liz, Asha/Christine, and Meagan/Sarah – talk about how they met online, when their internet-buddy status morphed into real-life friendship, and what kind of creative opportunities and joint ventures developed as a result.LINKS MENTIONED:Jessica Ashley is the creator of Single Mom Nation and the Single Mom Nation Radio podcast. She

Last week we talked about our ever-evolving “mom style” and what looks we’re loving at this stage of life. This week we’re moving on to hairstyles, skincare, make-up and beauty routines.Join Meagan and Sarah for much confusion and hilarity – and hopefully a little insight – on growing out short hair, going gray in our 30’s, being completely overwhelmed by skincare products, and making time in the daily routine for basic beauty and skincare.LINKS MENTIONED:Episode 47: Our Ever-Evolving “Mom Style”Neutrogena Visibly Even BB Cream (Sarah wears “Light to Medium” color)If you want more on the foundation / face make-up conversation, check out the second half of Episode 7 of The Style HourSome of our favorite drug-store lip glosses:L’Oreal Paris Colour Riche Extraordinaire Lip ColorBurt’s Bees Lip ShineRevlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss (this is the one Meagan once stole from Sarah) in Kiss Me CoralBrush On Block Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Mineral Powder Sunscreen (goes on AFTER makeup, and Sar

When you spend years cycling through maternity, post-partum, nursing and “oh gee I’m pregnant again!”wardrobe pieces, thinking about your personal style can take a back seat. Now that Meagan and Sarah are squarely on the other side of those years, we’re talking about clothes, shopping and style in Episode 47.Join us for a fun conversation about where we love to shop, when to buy cheap and when it makes sense to spend a little more, how our own personal styles have evolved over the years, and what looks we wish we could pull off but just can’t seem to.LINKS MENTIONED:Fabletics, Meagan’s go-to for workout wear and everyday activewearThe Style Hour podcast (currently on hiatus) and Shana Draugelis’s website The Mom EditLucky Brand graphic tees and tanks (Sarah’s favorites)Urban Outfitters one-piece swimsuits (Meagan has had luck with these)MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to ans

There’s no shortage of movies, television, books and music geared toward kids. The tough part is, some of it is pretty terrible, some is just okay, and some is truly fantastic (making us want to be a kid again, quite frankly).In Episode 46 Meagan and Sarah discuss helping our kids follow their interests into the realms of literature, music, and screen media. We marvel over some of the differences between what’s available today and what we watched as kids, and we share some of our favorite resources for navigating the ever-changing landscape of kids’ media.TLINKS MENTIONED:Commonsense MediaOverdrive (mobile app for digital audio and ebook loans from your local library)Cool Mom Tech (great reviews of tablet apps and games for kids)Some of Sarah’s kids favorite chapter book series (good for read-aloud with a parent or grades 1-3 independent reading)Magic Tree HouseThe Magic School Bus chapter books (different from the picture books)The Secrets of DroonNancy Clancy chapter books (same aut

There’s no question that the academic demands on kids – at school and at home – have increased since we were students. Join Meagan and Sarah for an honest, thoughtful conversation about elementary school homework and the continued pressure on our kids into their middle and high school years.As usual, we embrace the fact that we don’t have all the answers, and we do our best to stay positive and non-judgmental. We love our schools and our kids’ teachers and we’re honest about our own insecurities as we navigate through the school years. This is such an important conversation and we can’t wait to hear your feedback!LINKS MENTIONED:The Homework I Wish My Child Brough Home From School (Sarah’s piece on Scary Mommy)Books & articles by Heather ShumakerHeather’s books It’s OK Not to Share and her latest It’s OK to Go Up the Slide, which includes more thoughts on homeworkThe article we discussed in detail in the show: Homework is wrecking our kids: The research is clear, let’s ban el

Let’s face it: most of us have certain areas of motherhood that feel easy-breezy and others where we tend to struggle. And while it’s always possible to improve your parenting game, we think it’s also helpful to acknowledge that one mom’s superpower might be another’s kryptonite…and that’s okay.Join Meagan and Sarah for a frank and fun conversation about their own superpowers and kryptonite. Enjoy Episode 44 of The Mom Hour!LINKS MENTIONED:“Mom. Mum. Mommy” (Family Guy clip via YouTube)Untangling the chain: why both strategy and intuition matter (Meagan on MeaganFrancis.com)How to get out the door on time, (almost) every time (Sarah for The Happiest Home)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.

It's easy to let creative pursuits and hobbies fade into the background during the hectic years of early parenting. And when the time comes to make room for them again, we're sometimes left with questions: Am I too old? Is this still something I love to do? Maybe I should pick up something new? And how do I fit it all in? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rough patches in (and out!) of parenthood: whether it’s a temporary crisis, a general mom funk, or full-blown depression, we’ve all been there. In this episode, Sarah and Meagan have a frank conversation about some hard times we’ve been through as moms, give advice for taking care of yourself when things aren’t going well, and offer encouragement to help you see the light at the end of the tunnel.LINKS MENTIONED:Posts from The Happiest HomeWhy is it so hard to say ‘This is hard’? (Sarah)You can design a life you love (Meagan’s ‘rock bottom’ story)3 ways to get past a mom funk and Getting past a mom funk and Think better, not perfect: take baby steps to get out of a mom funk (Meagan)Parenting when life isn’t so happy (Meagan)Postpartum ProgressDr. Jessica MichaelsonBrené BrownNYT Article Meagan mentioned about women’s feelingsMORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private list

We get so many great questions from listeners, and sometimes it doesn't work to devote a whole episode to them. So we decided to take on four questions submitted by listeners: listen as we chat about room-sharing siblings, planning first birthday parties, feeling left out when you have your kids earlier or later than your friends do, and the evolution of playdates.LINKS MENTIONED:Sarah’s essay in On Parenting from The Washington Post: My advice for today’s politicians is the same as my advice for my bickering childrenIkea JANSJÖ wall/clamp spotlight that Sarah’s room-sharing kids used for individual reading lightsMORE 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.

How does birth order - both our own and our children's - affect how we relate to our kids? Do stereotypes like the bossy oldest, peacemaking middle and freewheeling youngest hold up, in our experience? What do we remember about our role as oldest (Sarah) and youngest (Meagan) and how does that influence our mothering? We tackle these questions and more in Episode 40 - all about birth order. If you're fascinated by family dynamics, pop psychology, and the human experience, we think you'll love this show!LINKS MENTIONED:These playing card holders that help little gamers hide their hand (Amazon)Meagan's sister Kathreen's appearances on The Home Hour - Fabulous Food From Children's Literature and Growing Up TheatricalRaising Siblings Who Like Each Other (Episode 29 of The Mom Hour)Our listeners' feedback on growing up as a middle child from The Mom Hour Facebook pageIs Birth Order Destiny? (Psychology Today)This series on supporting oldest

Do you parent a picky eater? Then Episode 39 is for you. In this episode, Meagan and Sarah admit we don’t have the answers when it comes to this tricky (and oh-so-common) parenting challenge. But in lieu of solving all your problems, we share our own and talk through some of the complicated pieces of the puzzle.LINKS MENTIONED:LINKS MENTIONED:The Picky Eater (Ellyn Satter Institute)Picky Eater recipes on MOMables.comDeceptively Delicious (Jessica Seinfeld) and The Sneaky Chef (Missy Chase Lapine)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.

One hospital birth. Two home births. Two birthing center deliveries. Three scheduled cesarean sections. Meagan and Sarah have had eight pregnancies between them (now eight kids ages 3-18!) and about as wide a cross-section of birth experiences as you can get. In Episode 38, at the request of several pregnant listeners, we travel back in time and share our pregnancy and birth stories with the benefit of hindsight. Join us as we talk about medical decision-making, finding your trusted pregnancy and birth cheerleaders, and what we might have done differently.LINKS MENTIONED:Are you "done" having babies? (The Mom Hour, Episode 7)Call the Midwife (BBC series we both adore)PregTASTIC Online Radio (fantastic pregnancy podcast that has not published new episodes since 2012 but is still an incredible resource)The Birth Hour and Postpartum Podcast (two more pregnancy- and childbirth-themed podcasts) MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on

Last we talked about traveling spouses; this week's episode is all about what happens when MOM is the one taking off for a trip. Whether you travel rarely or regularly, we hope you'll join us for a great discussion on the prep, the guilt (or lack therof!), and the logistics of leaving your kids.LINKS MENTIONED:Going away–without the kids? Feeling guilty or worried? Read this.Guilt? Worry? Fear? Which is it, and how to deal.On the other hand…NOT leaving your kids is not weird.5 reasons why Mom going away can be GOOD for kids.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.

If your co-parent travels - occasionally 0r all the time - you know that holding down the home front is hard work. In Episode 36 we talk about what we've learned from years of experience about how to survive - and even thrive! - when your partner is away.LINKS MENTIONED:Your advice and tips about traveling spouses on our Facebook page and Instagram post (thank you so much!)Call the Midwife – Sarah’s go-to show when she watches TV alone in bed with her glass of wine What I Make for Dinner When I Don’t Feel Like Cooking (Sarah for The Happiest Home)How I Beat the Fast-Food Habit (Meagan for The Happiest Home)ORE 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.

While we didn't set out to talk about The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up in this episode, it turns out Meagan got into a bit of a Facebook debate about the so-called magic of Marie Kondo's method. We had a bit of fun with this (and we're not altogether negative about the book - in fact, Sarah shares her take-aways in this episode) before moving on to the meat of Kate's question.LINKS MENTIONED:Great minds think alike! Our friends Kristen and Liz of Cool Mom Picks and the #SpawnedShow talked about this in their latest podcast: Decluttering tips from 5 top organization experts: Which is best for you?......AND Asha and Christine of the Edit Your Life show also tackled this topic their latest episode: Questioning the KonMari Decluttering MethodThe real reasons Marie Kondo’s life-changing magic doesn’t work for parents (Tanya C. Snyder for On Parenting at The Washington Post)MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFoll

Milestones tend to be something moms think a lot about in the first year or two of motherhood. But kids keep developing (at their own pace, as we all know) and moms keep celebrating, wondering, and sometimes worrying about them long after the baby years are behind us. In Episode 34 we tackle eight milestones from the preschool through teen years and share when and how our kids met them. We also talk about the importance of keeping conversations about milestones supportive, and how quickly they can slip into competitive or anxiety-inducing territory.LINKS MENTIONED:Past episodes about babies and toddlers: Episode 19 and Episode 24Past episodes about ‘free range’ parenting and kids’ increasing independence: Episode 12 and Episode 13MORE 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