The Mom Hour

From wool underwear to fussy ice cubes, make-up fails to planners that don’t stick: we’ve been #Influenced and we’re hear to talk about it. (Technically, we’re talking about it again – we chatted on this topic in 2021 but these are all-new revelations!) Join Meagan and Sarah to hear what we’ve been #influenced to buy, to do, to make, and to consume recently. Plus, we touch upon what the algorithm gets right about us, AND what it gets wrong (Instagram thinks Meagan is a witch and Sarah is 70+ years old!). Enjoy!LINKS MENTIONED:More Than Mom: #Influenced is an episode from the archives (2021)Sarah was influenced early on by bloggers who are still creating content like Kristen Howerton, Rebecca Woolf, and The Mom Edit.Meagan was influenced early on by bloggers who partnered with the socially-concious fashion brand ABLESarah’s loving Me Undies, thanks to podcast advertisingWe both love Olive & June (a sponsor!), and seeing everyone’s manis on Instagram influen

October is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. Today Emily, Joanne and Lisa come together in conversation about their personal experiences with miscarriage in an effort to help moms in our community feel less alone. If this topic is heavy for you, our hearts are with you. Thank you to our team members for sharing their stories, and to each of your for listening.HELPFUL LINKS:Get to know Lisa, Joanne and Emily from our contributor team.Follow Lisa Payne on InstagramFollow Joanne Ruelos Diaz on InstagramFollow Emily Roark on InstagramClick Here to find a therapist in your area. There’s a search bar that makes it really easy to search by issue and location. Resources on Loss & Grief In Pregnancy and Postpartum by Postpartum Support International.Additional resources:Share Pregnancy And Infant Loss SupportSisters In LossReturn To ZeroEpisodes from the archives featuring more on this topic include:Loss, Hope & Healing: One Family’s Stor

People tell me ‘oh, you’re in it’ or ‘don’t worry, it gets better,’ but as a mom of a two-year-old and a six-month-old, I’m like: ‘Okay, but…WHEN? When does that actually happen?”Good question. When DOES parenting start to get a little easier? Today Meagan and Sarah try our best to get specific with the above question, posed by Sarah Limberg from our contributor team. We chat about specific parenting milestones that felt like leveling-up when we were in the trenches, and offer hope and realism in equal measure to those of you in this season. Join us!HELPFUL LINKS:The Mom Hour was featured in Real Simple‘s subscriber magazine Celebrate. If you subscribe to Real Simple, look for us, and check out the online version here (last page!).The Last Parenting Book You’ll Ever Read is coming in 2025! Congratulations, Meagan!Meagan’s article about parenting teenagers was featured in The Washington Post.Sarah recommended following The Washington Post’s parenting section. Here’s

Getting kids to do chores, pick up after themselves, and help around the house is not for the faint of heart. Meagan and Sarah are decades into parenting and can still settle in for a vent-session about dirty socks left on the floor. But we’ve acquired a little bit of wisdom along the way too, and today we’re here to smooth the path for moms who want to feel less frustrated when it comes to kids and chores. Join us!HELPFUL LINKS:Sarah mentioned hearing Wendy Mogel talk about high-achieving kids and chores in this episode of Armchair ExpertSarah also mentioned learning an approach mentioned in the chores chapter KJ Dell’Antonia’s book, How to Be a Happier Parent (affiliate link)Episodes From The Archives That Pair Well With This One:A Summertime Chores, Life Skills & Freedoms Reset: Episode 315Chores, Life Skills, & Household Contributions: Episode 191Chores & Delegation: Episode 15OTHER HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJ

Candy. Late bedtimes. Costumes. Halloween is a holiday that can easily throw kids’ schedules and moms’ sanity way off. Today’s episode is full of practical halloween parenting tips, including house rules for costume buying, trick-or-treating, candy consuming, and much more. Plus, Meagan and Sarah reminisce about 2021 Halloween v. today. Enjoy!HELPFUL LINKS:Check out all our episodes and blog posts about HalloweenMeagan’s essay “Yes, That Might Be My Teen At Your Door on Halloween”Most of the House Rules we collected for this episode were comments from 2021 on this post in our Facebook groupSarah’s family had fun in 2022 marbling pumpkins with nail polish.Did you enjoy this House Rules episode? Here are a few more from the archives:House Rules For Summer: Episode 422House Rules For Tidying Up: Episode 413House Rules For Gifting & Giving: Episode 393House Rules For After School: Episode 380House Rules for Playdates: Episode 340House Rules For Kid Hygiene: Episode 332House Rules For Easie

As busy moms and business owners we’re often on the go – and, cliché as it is, almost always with a beverage in hand! In part two of our conversation about kitchen gadgets and gear, Meagan and Sarah go deep into all of the beverage products that keep our drinks hot, cold, room-temp, fizzy, cute, and spill-proof. We also get into kitchen-adjacent gear that helps us clean and organize the space where we feed our families. Enjoy!HELPFUL LINKS:Kitchen Gadgets & Gear Part 1: Episode 431Episodes that pair well with this one:Kitchen Storage & Organization: Episode 312More Than Mom: Our Fantasy KitchensSmall Steps Toward Sustainability In The KitchenCheck out more kitchen gadgets loved by our contributors in this blog post.Beverage products we mentionedBurr Coffee Grinder from KitchenAidThe Ember Mug (affiliate link)SparkelWe both love Hydro Flask; Sarah recently upgraded to the 32-oz All Around Travel Tumbler for water drinking, and we both love their coffee tumblers for traveling wi

Kids are back in school and we’re back in our kitchens with a bit more pep in our steps – so let’s chat about gadets and gear! Join Meagan and Sarah today to hear about the Porch Microwave, the Mercedes-Benz of Coffee Grinders, how our partners’ personalities lead us to unwanted kitchen appliances, and more. We share our current favorite kitchen tools for food prep and cooking – with more to come next week, too. Join us!HELPFUL LINKS:Episodes that pair well with this one:Kitchen Storage & Organization: Episode 312More Than Mom: Our Fantasy KitchensSmall Steps Toward Sustainability In The KitchenCheck out more kitchen gadgets loved by our contributors in this blog postSarah reluctantly now loves her Burr Coffee Grinder from KitchenAidProducts we mentionedMixing Bowls with Airtight LidsGood Grips 5 LB. Food ScaleKitchenAid Pasta RollerMeater Digital ThermometerRice CookerCaraway Saute PanCaraway Baking SheetCuisinart Immersion BlenderSmall Silicone SpatulasOTHER HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websit

Big transitions in family structure are never easy. When it comes to blending families, introducing a new romantic partner as a single parent, or stepping into step-parenting, there’s so much to think about. Today Meagan gets candid about her current blended family situation, following her wedding this summer and the integration of their families into a shared home. Sarah has lots of questions as Meagan shares what’s going well, a few tension points, what she would do differently, and how it’s going overall. Enjoy!HELPFUL LINKS:Meagan’s hosting a retreat this October. It is the LAST CALL to use the code MOMHOUR and get 15% off your registration (through September 15).Meagan would love to hear your thoughts on blending your family.More Episodes On Meagan’s Blended Family Journey:More Than Mom: Finding Love After DivorceLoving The Holidays As A Divorced Mom, Single Mom, Or Blended Family: 2018 Holiday Special #3More Than Mom: WeddingsOTHER HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from

Are you a “Today’s The Day!” type, or do you prefer to ease gently into a new adventure, challenge, or season? Whether you get excited to dive into a slew of new initiatives with the turning over of that shiny, crisp edge of a calendar page (like Sarah!), or really prefer to transition on your own internal timeline (like Meagan!), this episode is for you. Join us as we explore the many upsides to a soft start (in motherhood, business, health, and more) in an effort to take the pressure off moms this fall. Enjoy!HELPFUL LINKS:Sarah mentioned being an under-buyer usually, with a tendency to buy stuff as a new unknown approaches – here’s Gretchen Rubin’s explanation of under- vs over-buying.Meagan & Sarah spoke of soft starts around chores. Here are a few episodes featuring chores, delegation and home management you may like:Chores & Delegation: Episode 15Chores, Life Skills, & Household Contributions: Episode 191Our Favorite Resources For An Inspired January: Episode 399Meagan’s 

Meagan and Sarah had fun-filled travel in August before saying goodbye to summer. The Powers family traveled to the East Coast for a week of multigenerational state-hopping served with a side of bug bites and butt bruises! And Meagan officially opened a bookstore in Manistique, MI, right after surviving a 20-mile hike with her siblings and their spouses. Now we’re back, shifting from summer-mom to school-year-mom, and sharing our “laundry basket of hopes and aspirations for Fall 2023” with all of you. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Summer So Far (& More To Come!): Episode 424 is a companion episode to this one.Meagan officially opened a bookstore!Sarah visited a Zero Waste Store in Santa Barbara that’s inspiring her use of old jars for candles.Meagan’s hosting a retreat this October. If you use the code MOMHOUR you can get 15% off now through August 30. Registrations for in-person close Sept 10, 2023.MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on I

Sarah stopped dyeing her hair and growing out her natural grays last fall – almost a year ago – and Meagan is contemplating a new style! Today Meagan asks Sarah ALL the gray grow-out questions to catch up on the progress, and talks about why she might be ready for a new look herself. We also share some hair wins and hair woes from this season of life, and how it’s different from early motherhood. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Sarah has been enjoying Prose for her shampoo and conditioner.Meagan bought a Tyme curling iron and left it at her sister-in-law’s but she’s determined to try it again!Sarah bought this Hot Tools Pro Artist Nano Ceramic Tapered Curling Wand after her most recent haircutYou may like these episodes from the archives:More Than Mom: Hair Styling & Hair MaintenanceMore Than Mom: Jewelry!Cozy Winter Style Inspiration: Episode 397More Than Mom: Empties! (Products We Love So Much We Want More…)More Than Mom: Fall Style UpdateMeagan’s hosting a retreat this O

Lizzie will have all three kids in full-time school for the first time and wonders how her identity as a stay-at-home mom will shift. Shelby, mom of three, is sending her oldest to kindergarten and struggles with the idea that the bell schedule and school calendar may dominate her family’s life. Helena’s 8-year-old has sensory issues and they battle over brushing hair and getting dressed; with the school year approaching, Helena looks for a happy medium between allowing her kid autonomy over how she looks and requiring a baseline of “clean and groomed.” Finally, Hannah asks Meagan and Sarah how to motivate kids to get out the door on time each day. Join us for more back-to-school listener questions!LINKS MENTIONED:Last week’s Back-To-School Listener Questions & Our Advice episodeMORE listener questions from the archivesGlad I Did / Wish I’d Done: Back To School: Episode 377Here are a few episodes/blogs on Morning Routines:Inside The Morning Hustle: Voices 64 With Lisa Payne & Ashley Schaflue

Stephanie worries she didn’t “do enough” for her children this summer by way of plans, vacations, and educational activities. Sara asks if we have rituals for ourSELVES to mark the back-to-school season, and Caitlyn needs tips for encouraging a painfully shy kid to walk in the preschool door. Kaylee wonders how to transition from opting out of homework in the younger grades to helping an older elementary student learn to prioritize it. Finally, Melanie asks how to politely decline an invite to a party your child doesn’t want to attend (without lying). Join Meagan and Sarah as we provide reassurance and advice for this back to school season!HELPFUL LINKS:Separation Without (Quite So Much) Anxiety: Episode 382Our team member Chaunie wrote 10 Things I’m Looking Forward To Doing The Day My Kids Go Back To School.For more on Sarah’s homework mentality, check out Homework: At What Cost? Episode 45.MORE listener questions from the archivesGlad I Did / Wish I’d Done: Back To School: Episode 377Meagan’s host

We’re Baaaack! It’s been about a month since you’ve heard from present-day Meagan and Sarah and we have lots to share. Find out where we’ve traveled this summer (so far), how Sarah has done some outdoor adventuring in spite of herself, what the status of Meagan’s small town bookstore venture is, and what else we have planned before the new school year begins. Join us for a friendly catch-up episode!LINKS MENTIONED:Meagan started off the summer getting hitched! If you missed it, we discuss it in More Than Mom: Weddings.Meagan visited Oswald’s Bear Ranch in the Upper Peninsula with Clara.Sarah and her family enjoyed visiting the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland Oregon this summer.Meagan is utilizing 23andme and Ancestry for filling in some unknowns about her family.Meagan’s book store is opening in Upper Michigan late summer/early fall! Have a listen to learn more about it.MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partners

News flash: even if it looks like other parents have all their you-know-what together when you feel like you don’t, that’s almost never the case. We’re all flying blind most of the time – and better off when we acknowledge it! In today’s episode, a response to Tuesday’s classic replay, regular contributors Katherine and Lisa discuss how no two children are the same and how they’ve accepting that it’s OKAY to parent each child differently has made life easier. Enjoy!If you haven’t already listened to Tuesday’s episode, we recommend starting there before hitting play on this one!All month long we’re bringing back some beloved episodes from the early years of The Mom Hour – with fresh bonus conversations dropping every Friday on the same topic! Here’s a playlist of some of our very favorite classic oldies – and here’s a full list of every episode in chronological order.LINKS MENTIONED:Follow Katherine DeVries on InstagramFollow Lisa Payne on InstagramEnjoyed listening

Sometimes, you just need to hear that it’s all going to be OK. That you’re not alone. That what you’re doing matters. In this classic replay of Episode 100 from 2017, Meagan and Sarah offer some of our most oft-repeated pieces of advice and encouragement – because no matter where you are in your parenting journey, it never hurts to be reminded that you’re doing a good job. Join us!All month long we’re bringing back some beloved episodes from the early years of The Mom Hour – with fresh bonus conversations dropping every Friday on the same topic! Here’s a playlist of some of our very favorite classic oldies – and here’s a full list of every episode in chronological order.LINKS MENTIONED:Meagan wrote the blog post: You Probably Won’t Remember This Later…And That’s OK.Meagan and Sarah reintroduced these “mom truths” in episode 369.MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to an

Taking walks, eating healthy and staying hydrated are just a few small things that can help save your sanity while coping with sleep deprivation. And while it sounds simple, it’s easier said than done. In today’s episode, regular contributors Kia and Emily discuss how they survive the long nights, early mornings and short stretches of sleep that are so common during the early stages of motherhood. Enjoy!If you haven’t already listened to Tuesday’s episode, we recommend starting there before hitting play on this one!All month long we’re bringing back some beloved episodes from the early years of The Mom Hour – with fresh bonus conversations dropping every Friday on the same topic! Here’s a playlist of some of our very favorite classic oldies – and here’s a full list of every episode in chronological order.LINKS MENTIONED:Follow Kia Hammond on InstagramFollow Emily Roark on InstagramA few episodes from the archives featuring Kia and/or Emily:What’s New In B

Not sleeping? You’re not alone. In today’s replay of 2017’s classic episode on sleep deprivation, 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.) Enjoy!All month long we’re bringing back some beloved episodes from the early years of The Mom Hour – with fresh bonus conversations dropping every Friday on the same topic! Here’s a playlist of some of our very favorite classic oldies – and here’s a full list of every episode in chronological order.LINKS MENTIONED:Coping Tips for Sleep-Deprived Moms (Sarah wrote this article that we follow along with in this episode.)If you enjoyed this episode, and on the struggle bus about sleep, you might like:More Than Mom: Sleep!Will I Ever Sleep Again?: Episode 301What our friend Kelsey from The Girl Next Door podcas

When they’re tiny, babies and toddlers need us so much that “spending time” together is mostly about fulfilling their needs. But as kids get older and more independent, how do we prioritize time together in a way that naturally suits each kid’s (and each mom’s) personality and needs? In today’s episode, regular contributors Joanna and Joanne discuss how they approach one-on-one time with their kids (spoiler alert–it can be super simple) and how sometimes, WE can be our biggest road blocks to making it happen. Enjoy!If you haven’t already listened to Tuesday’s episode, we recommend starting there before hitting play on this one!All month long we’re bringing back some beloved episodes from the early years of The Mom Hour – with fresh bonus conversations dropping every Friday on the same topic! Here’s a playlist of some of our very favorite classic oldies – and here’s a full list of every episode in chronological order.LINKS MENTIONED:Follow Joanna Martin on InstagramFollow&nbs

If the idea of “special time” feels impossible, impractical, and a little bit guilt-laden, you’re not alone. Spending one-on-one time with your kids is both valuable AND wildly difficult, and as moms of many kids, Meagan and Sarah are here to unpack why. In this classic replay of Episode 86 from 2017, we share why a good-enough approach to quality one-on-one time has helped our own relationships with our kids, and how (like, literally, HOW) we manage to make it work. Join us!All month long we’re bringing back some beloved episodes from the early years of The Mom Hour – with fresh bonus conversations dropping every Friday on the same topic! Here’s a playlist of some of our very favorite classic oldies – and here’s a full list of every episode in chronological order.LINKS MENTIONED:Access show notes from the original episode (includes links we mentioned!)MORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Fac