It’s spring, which means we’re thinking about summer. Cobbling together childcare as a working mom, giving kids a chance to try new activities without over-scheduling them, and making time to enjoy a simpler schedule in your own backyard–we’ve got a lot to talk about. Join us! LINKS MENTIONED: More episodes about SUMMER More episodes about CALENDAR PLANNING MORE HELPFUL LINKS: Visit our website Check out deals from our partners Follow us on Instagram Join our private listener group on Facebook (...
Mar 26, 2019•54 min
From microphones to sponsors, babysitters to sound engineers, the way we make The Mom Hour podcast has changed a ton in the last four years and 200+ episodes. In this fun look-back episode we laugh about what we’ve learned, what has changed, and what has stayed the same. Join us! LINKS MENTIONED: Episode 200: What We’ve Learned From Each Other Curious about what gear and services we use to record the podcast? Check out this page . MORE HELPFUL LINKS: Visit our website Check out deals from our pa...
Mar 24, 2019•52 min
Four years to the day after dropping our very first episode of The Mom Hour, Meagan and Sarah are here with our 200th show. Join us as we reflect on what we’ve learned from each other, our guests, and you: our community. We also play voicemails from listeners, team members, and fellow podcasters from around the world. It’s a four-year-old birthday party and a bicentennial all rolled into one…join us for the celebration! LINKS MENTIONED: Our friends from other podcasts left us such sweet messages...
Mar 19, 2019•1 hr 11 min
Were you shocked – but, you know, not really all that surprised – to learn about this week’s widespread accusations of wealthy parents using cheating, bribing, fraud and other nefarious means to get their kids into elite colleges? In a special “breaking” episode of The Mom Hour, Meagan sits down with Amy Joyce , the On Parenting editor at The Washington Post, to find out more about this case, the high-stress culture many kids are growing up in, and how we parents can resist. LINKS MENTIONED: Con...
Mar 14, 2019•18 min
Helping a little kid deal with big feelings about an out-of-state move, traveling as a nervous flyer, finding your groove as an at-home mom when kids are in school full-time, and getting dad involved when a toddler only wants mama–we’re taking more of your parenting challenges and listener questions in this week’s episode. Join us! LINKS MENTIONED: More on helping kids adjust to a move in Episode 56 (Moving With Kids & Cultivating Community) and also in Episode 153 (Moving, Remodeling, &...
Mar 12, 2019•37 min
Those little squares on our phones are portals to a whole lot of essential–and nonessential–aspects of life. From navigation to shopping, social to fitness, mindless to productive, Meagan and Sarah break down the apps on our phones in today’s More Than Mom edition of The Mom Hour. Join us! LINKS MENTIONED: Sarah uses Pocket Casts to listen to podcasts We mentioned Voxer a few dozen times (and! fun fact! our sound editor helped us fox the unheard messages glitch!) Sarah struggles with Google Keep...
Mar 10, 2019•52 min
Helping school-age kids start to self-regulate around screens and sweets, navigating an awkward situation with a fellow preschool mom, and organizing the “drop zone” in our homes–we answer these great listener questions in Episode 198. PLUS Alison Thompson joins Sarah to answer more questions from listeners about her transition from one baby to two. We talk sleep, schedules, and getting ready to go back to work. LINKS MENTIONED: Other listener questions episodes are listed here Our bonus audio c...
Mar 05, 2019•50 min
As a mom of an only child who came home through adoption to a family already rich with diversity, Karen Walrond has thought a lot about what it means to develop a family culture under your own roof. Combining influences from their countries of origin and cultural backgrounds, she and her husband have intentionally set out to give their daughter an appreciation not only for her own diverse background but also for that of others. In this month’s Voices interview Sarah chats with Karen, a photograp...
Mar 01, 2019•57 min
That “surfboard kid” meme you’ve seen all over the internet? That’s a photo of Meagan and her son Isaac in 2003. We’re popping in with the full backstory on the photo, how the meme took off without our knowledge or Meagan’s permission, and what we’re doing to bring the focus back to the real story. Watch the video backstory here . MORE HELPFUL LINKS: Visit our website Check out deals from our partners Follow us on Instagram Join our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membe...
Feb 27, 2019•12 min
Meagan’s a youngest, Sarah’s a firstborn, and between us we have eight kids (not to mention a bunch of grown siblings ourselves). In Episode 197 we share insights into sibling relationships from little to grown, what it’s like raising a kid whose personality is similar to yours, and how our families of origin continue to influence our parenting styles–PLUS some fun and little-known facts about us and our kids that we haven’t shared before! LINKS MENTIONED: What Fresh Hell podcast’s episodes on s...
Feb 26, 2019•48 min
Best purchase we’ve made recently? Product we can’t believe we lived so long without? Splurges that were worth it and cheapos we love? Meagan and Sarah talk STUFF in this fun more than mom — all about the products and purchases that have made our lives better recently. Join us! LINKS MENTIONED: Meagan’s product mentions: Revlon One Step Hair Dryer & Volumizer Bissell Cleanview Upright Bagless Vacuum Cleaner KitchenAid KEK1222PT 1.25-Liter Electric Kettle – Pistachio Safavieh Monaco Vintage B...
Feb 24, 2019•50 min
Meal plans are one thing; real life is another. Join Meagan and Sarah as we look back at a recent week in our lives, detailing the dinners we planned, the ones that came together as expected, and the curve balls that led to pizza ordered in. We also share cooking tips, modifications for picky eaters, recipes, and more. Enjoy! LINKS MENTIONED: The first time we did A Week of Real-Life Dinners (Episode 72, from October 2016) Fellow podcasters at Friendlier and The Girl Next Door were inspired by t...
Feb 19, 2019•55 min
From baby safety to impulsive toddlers, school projects to friendship struggles, as moms we’re given a ton of opportunities to get up in our kids’ business or let them figure it out on their own. This week on the podcast we continue our look at helicopter parenting and the challenge of raising confident, independent kids. Join us! LINKS MENTIONED: How To Raise An Adult , by Julie Lythcott-Haims (affiliate link) The Gift of Failure , by Jessica Lahey (affiliate link) Sarah’s Go-To Resources for P...
Feb 12, 2019•1 hr 4 min
Two things always fun to reminisce about: former jobs (especially the crazy ones) and style evolutions (our own, and fashion in general). Join Meagan and Sarah for a fun More Than Mom episode of The Mom Hour wherein we share weird or embarrassing things we’ve done for money, the fashion decade we’d most like to travel back to, what our prom dresses looked like, and more. LINKS MENTIONED: Sarah’s prom dress, also worn by Elisabeth Shue here The Dream , a podcast about MLMs we’ve both been listeni...
Feb 10, 2019•47 min
It’s not as simple as “helicopter” vs. “free range”. It never is, right? Most of us want to raise resilient, fulfilled, happy future-adults, but the trajectory from high-needs infant to self-assured teen is really murky. What distinguishes over-involved from just, um, involved? What about the cultural pressure to produce kids with impressive, well-rounded résumés? And how can we find that elusive sweet spot where we bear witness to our kids growth and change without trying to control every outco...
Feb 05, 2019•1 hr 4 min
All moms know that parenting is full of hilarious moments…well, hilarious in the “someday you’ll look back and laugh” kind of way. Tracey Tee and Shayna Ferm – friends, moms, comedians and creators of the Pump & Dump show – have turned those funny (and frustrating) moments into a stage show that invites moms to get out of the house, laugh, commiserate and find community. In this interview they talk candidly with Meagan about what it’s really like to leave your kids behind and travel around t...
Feb 01, 2019•44 min
Everybody is getting rid of stuff…and we’re holding on! At least we’d like to. Join Meagan and Sarah as we talk about the stuff of motherhood–the material things that may not spark joy, but do hold meaning and memories. We build imaginary time capsules as we talk through sippy cup lids and old Lansinoh tubes, plastic baby combs and LEGO creations: these are the things we’re holding onto, if only in our minds. LINKS MENTIONED: Tidying Up with Marie Kondo on Netflix The Life-Changing Magic of Tidy...
Jan 29, 2019•50 min
Ever have an inexplicably grumpy day? (Please say yes.) Meagan and Sarah chat all things grumpiness in this More Than Mom episode of The Mom Hour. We laugh about our personal grumpiness triggers, how we survive grumpy days as a mom, and even how our personality types play into grumpiness. Join us! LINKS MENTIONED: The episodes where we talk about the Enneagram are Episodes 57 and 58 These are the personality tests we’ve taken and talked about on the podcast before: MYERS-BRIGGS test from 16perso...
Jan 27, 2019•43 min
Emotionally volatile, intellectually delightful (for the most part), overflowing bundles of growth and change: Toddlers and teens have a lot in common. Join Sarah and Meagan for a healthy debate about the trials and virtues of both stages, and how as moms we can support kids through their big feelings and changing worlds. It’s a fun one–join us! LINKS MENTIONED: Go-To Resources For Parenting Toddlers (Sarah wrote this post for our blog at listeners’ requests) How to Raise an Adult: Break Free of...
Jan 22, 2019•53 min
We know from research that kids who do chores become more successful adults…but we also know from experience that teaching kids to take on household responsibilities is challenging and often frustrating (and rarely results in less work for mom). In Episode 191 Meagan and Sarah share an honest look at where our combined eight kids are with their family contributions these days, what chores we wish we’d started kids on sooner, how to adapt for different kids’ personalities, and more. Join us! LINK...
Jan 15, 2019•55 min
Pillow quirks, perfect sheets, temperature preferences, and bedside clocks–we have a LOT to say about the role sleep plays in our lives. For this More Than Mom episode we’re not talking about kids’ sleep, we’re talking about our own: how we like it, how to get the best of it, and what happens when we’re short on it. Join us! LINKS MENTIONED: Meagan’s bedside clock: Philips Wake-Up Light Alarm Clock with Sunrise Simulation, White (affiliate link) Sarah’s bedside clock: Round Time Table Clock Gray...
Jan 13, 2019•46 min
With New Year energy buzzing, it’s easy to get excited about overhauling every area of your life from parenting to home to work and play. Continuing the conversation we started last week about choosing a word for the year , Meagan and Sarah tackle practical ways to keep your intentions, goals, and resolutions top of mind when real life resumes. Whether you resist goal-setting or love it, we’re looking at approachable ways to continue that January 1st mojo well into the year. Join us! LINKS MENTI...
Jan 08, 2019•55 min
Is your toddler ready to begin potty training? What about a preschooler with frequent accidents or a fear of pooping in the toilet? And how long is it normal for kids to be dry during the day and still struggle with staying dry at night? We get so many questions about potty training that we called in an expert to help sort out these and other typical potty training challenges. Join Meagan and Sarah as they share their own potty training experiences and seek the counsel of psychologist Dr. Heathe...
Jan 04, 2019•51 min
Seems like everybody chooses a “word of the year” nowadays, and we’re conflicted. Both Meagan and Sarah can be trend-averse and skeptical of fads…but we’re also all-in on self-reflection and anything that gives moms a chance to prioritize their happiness and fulfillment. So in Episode 189, our first of the new year, we discuss the WOTY phenomenon and agree to give it a try in 2019. Listen to find out what words we’re considering and why! LINKS MENTIONED: Ali Edwards’s One Little Word project Com...
Jan 01, 2019•35 min
From confessing our #MomFail moments to airing our (literal) dirty laundry, Meagan and Sarah are looking back at the best moments on the podcast from 2018. Join us for a brand new episode and fresh commentary, plus throwback clips from some of our favorite moments. It’s the very last episode of 2018–join us! LINKS MENTIONED: Listen to the full episodes we discussed at these links: The Life-Changing Magic of Opting Out (ep161 / June 19) Strong As A Mother With Kate Rope (Voices 26 / June 8) The M...
Dec 26, 2018•50 min
From most embarrassing moments to favorite TV shows to what we learned about ourselves, Meagan and Sarah are taking a (mostly) fun and fluffy look back at 2018 for this More Than Mom episode of The Mom Hour. Join us! LINKS MENTIONED: Spanx leggings (affiliate link) Meagan’s trash can (affiliate link) Sarah mentioned the following TV shows (listed by network or service): HBO: Godless, Silicon Valley, Last Week Tonight Netflix: Love, Peaky Blinders, Mindhunter, Ozark, The Crown Amazon: The Marvelo...
Dec 21, 2018•42 min
On the fence about adding another baby to the family? You are not alone. We hear this a TON from listeners, and it’s a favorite topic among mom friends in the family-growing years. In Episode 187 Meagan and Sarah share our own experiences growing our families (with a special focus on the transition from two to three), as well as some of our favorite and least favorite parts of pregnancy. We also share a special pregnancy-related announcement (no, it’s not what you think) that you won’t want to m...
Dec 18, 2018•46 min
Gift ideas for a second baby who wants for nothing, managing holiday hosting stress as a mom with a clingy toddler, tips for staying organized during the holidays, and standing your ground when extended family lays on the guilt. We answer these listener questions in this week's holiday bonus episode. Join us! LINKS MENTIONED: All our holiday-related podcast episodes are here Sarah and Katie did a baby, toddler, and little kid gift guide last year, and all the links have been updated! Sarah loved...
Dec 14, 2018•34 min
We love books, and we hope our kids grow up to love them too…but how do we get there? Meagan and Sarah break down the ways we encourage literacy and a love of reading in our homes–without piling on the pressure. We talk about reading aloud, reading for homework, encouraging reluctant readers, and modeling a book-loving life as adults. PLUS Katie Addiss joins Sarah for a fun segment all about holiday picture books! We share some favorites for babies through big kids–just in time for the coziest r...
Dec 11, 2018•57 min
Most families are touched by divorce in some way, and the holidays can bring up all kinds of questions and challenges for single or re-coupled parents, children of divorced parents (including adult children), and blended families. As Meagan enters her third holiday season post-separation, Sarah picks her brain about everything from the practical logistics of sharing the holidays with an ex, to the emotional landscape of the holidays as a divorced mom. PLUS we welcome the wise and witty voices of...
Dec 07, 2018•46 min
