Can your preschooler unload the dishwasher? Can your 3rd grader walk the dog on her own? Can your middle schooler remember his sports gear before every practice? Or, maybe a better question: Can ours? Join Meagan and Sarah in Episode 108 of The Mom Hour for an honest look at how competent our kids are at completing household tasks and being independent out in the world. We confess that it’s so often easier for mom to do everything herself, and offer ideas for increasing your kids’ competence and...
Jun 28, 2017•1 hr 3 min
Where have all the shoulders gone? Meagan needs to know. Sarah can’t figure out intentionally saggy boobs and is apologetically kind of over slogan tanks that reference coffee, wine, yoga, Jesus, or mascara. Join us for a fun discussion of fashion trends we just can’t get behind–plus a few we’re loving this summer. LINKS MENTIONED: A decision tree for wearing your butt-cheek-showing shorts this summer (Kristen Howerton / Rage Against the Minivan) “I Hate These G#@d!&m Tops” – Kara Brown for ...
Jun 19, 2017•43 min
Going off the grid for vacation sounds great in theory, but most of us rely on technology to make family travel possible. From iPad-enabled airplane rides to road trip playlists for the whole family, both Sarah and Meagan see tech as a great enhancement to vacation parenting in the digital age. In Episode 106 we talk all things tech and travel, from how we keep devices charged and organized to how we manage screen time while on vacation. We’ve got tons of product recommendations and little hacks...
Jun 12, 2017•56 min
Jill Krause is a blogger, photographer, and digital storyteller whose busy life as a mom of four plays out in her honest writing, videos, and pictures of deliciously squishy babies every day. Until recently, the Krauses’ beautiful Texas home–and the projects and renovations they completed in it–provided the setting for these stories. In this latest episode of The Mom Hour Voices, listen to Meagan and Jill talk about the Krause family’s decision to sell their home, buy an RV, and embark on a fami...
Jun 08, 2017•35 min
Are you totally satisfied with your work/mom balance? Turns out, a lot of you are. But when we asked listeners to weigh in on this question, two-thirds said they either wished they could be home more (or work in a more flexible way) OR that they were home but wished they could find some fulfillment or income outside the home. Episode 105 is about finding satisfaction in your situation, whatever it is, and also how to take baby steps toward a different one if it feels like it’s time. We cover sta...
Jun 07, 2017•48 min
There’s everyday self-care, and then there’s survival mode: when taking care of yourself isn’t just a smart thing to do but also your only means of making it through the day. We’re talking about the kind of physical, mental, and emotional self-care that becomes especially crucial in a crisis, and we’re addressing it head-on in Episode 104. Join us. LINKS MENTIONED: Sarah’s interview with Doña Bumgarner of Nurtured Mama (Voices Episode 8) Parenting Through Hard Times (Episode 42) MORE HELPFUL LIN...
May 30, 2017•44 min
We talk about raising kids on this show all the time, but we don’t always spend time talking about OUR kids specifically. In Episode 103 Meagan and Sarah discuss why it’s sometimes hard to talk about your kids without sounding like you’re bragging, especially as they get older. We then take turns sharing a few awesome things all of our (eight!) kids are up to lately. Join us! LINKS MENTIONED: Make sure you’re following us on Instagram @TheMomHour for some fun photos and videos of our kids’ aweso...
May 23, 2017•1 hr 3 min
If you’re looking for tips and tricks for nailing the end-of-school-year parenting thing, this might not be the podcast for you. If, however, you’re looking for shared misery in that long, slow crawl to the finish that is late May, WELCOME. Let’s commiserate. In Episode 102 Meagan and Sarah share what’s worst about their end-of-school lives and calendars, plus wander down a few bonus rabbit holes just for fun. Join us! LINKS MENTIONED: End of School Year Fun (and a few gripes) – Episode 4 Parent...
May 16, 2017•30 min
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 Thei...
May 12, 2017•51 min
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 Fa...
May 08, 2017•28 min
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 vis...
May 02, 2017•44 min
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 a...
Apr 28, 2017•38 min
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 Hour LINKS MENTIONED: Our tips came from this post Meagan wrote for The Ha...
Apr 25, 2017•48 min
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 u LINKS MENTIONED: Mother’s Day Challenge ! Send your letters to: 26895 Aliso Creek Road, Suite B-174 / Aliso Viejo, CA 92656 The zone-by-zone deep cleaning challenge Meagan wrote up on The ...
Apr 17, 2017•50 min
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...
Apr 14, 2017•41 min
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 functio...
Apr 10, 2017•46 min
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 moms Sarah’s favorite Easter book: The Country Bunny and...
Apr 05, 2017•50 min
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.com Google Home – what Meagan’s family uses for entertainment/learning 5,000 Awesome Facts (Abou...
Mar 28, 2017•42 min
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) ...
Mar 21, 2017•30 min
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 Play Common Sense Media The very FIRST blog post Sarah ever wrote for Meagan’s blog in 2012: On Star Wars, and not having all the answers Melissa Atkins Wardy’s Face...
Mar 13, 2017•48 min
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.
Mar 08, 2017•34 min
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 sw...
Mar 07, 2017•45 min
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 n...
Feb 28, 2017•51 min
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! Andre...
Feb 19, 2017•43 min
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 Mama Meagan’s interview with Erin Loechne...
Feb 14, 2017•41 min
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 attenti...
Feb 08, 2017•40 min
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 & We...
Feb 07, 2017•43 min
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 & We...
Jan 30, 2017•50 min
We're moms. We already spend a lot (in some cases A LOT) of time with our kids. So why add the sometimes-complicated task of setting aside one-on-one time for each child on a regular basis? Is it really THAT important? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Jan 24, 2017•47 min
Whether you’ve listened to every podcast we’ve ever made or are a brand-new listener, we guarantee you’ll find out something you didn’t know about Meagan and Sarah after listening to Episode 85… the one where we interview each other. Want to know Meagan’s first real job? (It involved tassels…but not that kind.) Can you guess what Sarah was most likely to get in trouble for as a kid? Or what bad-driving trait we both share? Join us, and share your thoughts in the comments! HELPFUL LINKS: Visit ou...
Jan 17, 2017•43 min
