We’re so excited to bring you our first Bonus Interview of 2017! In this podcast episode, Sarah talks to Doña Bumgarner about what it means to nurture yourself during motherhood, how her health crisis caused her to look at the idea of self-care in a new light, and why creativity and passion are essential during the intense years of early motherhood. Enjoy! LINKS MENTIONED: How To Get Through It: A brief guide for chemo patients Practice Radical Self Care Hello From Outer Space – Keeping A Self C...
Jan 13, 2017•50 min
Are you an aspiring writer? Curious about getting published? Interested in what’s involved in a freelance writing career? In Episode 84 of The Mom Hour, Meagan and Sarah take a question from listener Mairin and share our own experiences on getting published in magazines and online over the last several years. Enjoy! LINKS MENTIONED: Submit a question like Mairin did using Speakpipe at speakpipe.com/themomhour – it’s fun and it makes our day! Online and print publications that accept submissions ...
Jan 08, 2017•37 min
How do YOU calendar? Paper planner, digital calendar, color-coded dry erase board, or all of the above? In Episode 83 Meagan and Sarah share our strategies for keeping appointments, deadlines, and family schedules organized. We talk about the pros and cons of both paper and digital systems, offer suggestions for managing large families’ many commitments, and give you a peek into our own quirky way of thinking about a week at a glance. We also discuss to-do lists and we make them work for us. Joi...
Jan 02, 2017•50 min
Do you have 3,574 photos on your smartphone and not a print or photo book to show for it? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. In Episode 82 of The Mom Hour, Meagan and Sarah share smart tips for getting pictures off your phone and into the cloud, ideas for storing old printed photos, and a few easy ways to create lasting memories with the photos you take. If you missed it, check out last week’s podcast episode, which was all about taking better photos of your kids. Listen to Episode 81 now , and keep...
Dec 21, 2016•33 min
All the holiday cards arriving in the mail this month have us thinking about family portraits, taking photos (or having them taken) of our kids, and documenting life with little ones throughout the year. In Episode 81 we talk about how to take better photos of your kids (with the camera you already own), why school pictures are still a thing, when and how we’ve chosen to spring for professional photos, and how we manage to capture events like school plays and birthday parties without feeling lik...
Dec 20, 2016•39 min
Bath time, pajamas, a story, and a kiss goodnight. That’s how it’s “supposed” to go down, right? In Episode 80 of The Mom Hour, Meagan and Sarah talk about how bedtime routines change through various stages, and offer our tips for making it work – even when you have a new baby, a traveling spouse, or kids with wildly different get-to-sleep styles. We also talk about how often our kids REALLY bathe, why reading aloud doesn’t have to always be at night, and our strategies for dealing with bedtime ...
Dec 12, 2016•43 min
It’s time for another Listener Question & Answer episode, and this time it’s holiday-themed! Join Meagan and Sarah as they tackle three questions from real moms about navigating some of the season’s trickier stuff. First up, Sheri asks how we keep gift spending in check, and whether we have any budgeting tips to avoid going overboard on presents for our kids. (Our answer starts at 01:12) Then Kelsey from The Girl Next Door podcast wondered about simple advent traditions to start with her two...
Dec 06, 2016•34 min
How do we nurture the friendships we have? How to we make time to see our friends in person? How can technology support long-distance (and not-so-long-distance) friendships? These questions get tricky during the busy years of new motherhood, but they’re important no matter what phase of life you’re in. We’ve talked about friendship in other episodes, but it’s been mostly focused on either making new friends or feeling distanced from friends who aren’t in the same stage of life you are. Episode 7...
Nov 28, 2016•51 min
It’s time for another edition of The More-Than-Mom Hour! Every once in a while we set aside parenting and motherhood topics and catch up about what’s making us happy in other areas of life. In Episode 77 we talk about decorating! Meagan has a new nook of her own to make pretty, and we both love changing up home decor for the holidays. We also share our favorite foods, drinks and treats to order when we’re dining out. Enjoy! Meagan’s Office Coming Together! MORE HELPFUL LINKS: Visit our website C...
Nov 22, 2016•50 min
November is National Adoption Awareness month, and for our latest Bonus Interview episode Sarah interviews adoptive mom (and podcaster/writer/teacher) Erica Ladd. Erica shares her family’s foster-to-adoption story, offers encouragement for others going through the process, and has great tips for friends who want to support adoptive families but aren’t sure what to say. Enjoy the See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell...
Nov 18, 2016•49 min
How do we handle the holiday “gimmies,” when kids claim to NEED everything on their gift list? What’s the best way to cultivate a practice of gratitude (and does it have to involve a craft?)? How can we include kids in meaningful giving during the holidays – and all year round? These are big questions and we’re taking them on in Episode 76 of The Mom Hour. Join Meagan and Sarah for a thoughtful, no-judgment conversation on raising kids to be thankful (even when they still REALLY want that toy…)....
Nov 15, 2016•46 min
It’s officially cold and flu season and we’re devoting Episode 75 to coping when kids get sick. Join Meagan and Sarah for our tips on knowing when it’s time to get in to the pediatrician, dealing with ER and Urgent Care visits, and making the best of those times when a virus seems to take down the whole house. Disclaimer. We’re not doctors, we’re moms. This episode isn’t medical advice, it’s story-sharing. The end. LINKS MENTIONED: Nose Frieda Nasal Aspirator (Amazon) MORE HELPFUL LINKS: Visit o...
Nov 09, 2016•49 min
Nesting. Naming. Decorating. Gender revealing. There are so many fun ways to anticipate the arrival of a new baby, and we’re talking about all of them in this week’s podcast! Whether you’re expecting (congrats!) or just really love talking about baby names (Sarah raises hand), we think you’ll love Episode 74. Join us! LINKS MENTIONED: Episode 38, all about our pregnancy and childbirth experiences , more from a healthcare/symptoms/physical perspective The Baby Name Wizard, Revised 3rd Edition: A ...
Nov 01, 2016•45 min
Rosalynn let her five-year-old quit an activity she had begged to start and wonders how to handle the same situation as kids get older and the commitment-stakes get higher for sports and activities. Tessa asks about helping a trio of girl cousins get along without forcing inclusiveness or letting hurt feelings dominate. Finally, we talk about weaning a breastfeeding toddler as suggested by an anonymous participant in our listener survey. Join us for another round of Listener Questions! LINKS MEN...
Oct 24, 2016•38 min
Meal plans are great, but how often do we get to the end of a well-intentioned week and realize that things didn’t go exactly (or at ALL) as planned? Pretty often. So this week we’re giving you a look at a week of totally honest, no-filter dinners in our homes. We each kept track for a week of what we fed our families for dinner, and in Episode 72 we share it with you – from the slow-cooked pork shoulder and roasted vegetables (nailed it!) to the everyone-ate-standing-up-and-mom-had-cereal-for-d...
Oct 17, 2016•46 min
If you’re a regular listener, you know all about the kids in Meagan’s and Sarah’s houses. But we haven’t shared much about our furry, feathered and scaly friends on the podcast. In this week’s show we talk about family pets – including the ones we own and have owned – and how they impact our lives as we raise our families. For tips on adding a new pet to the family, what kinds of caged creatures tend to work better than others, finding pet care while you’re traveling, dealing with the loss of a ...
Oct 11, 2016•49 min
If you shy away from political discussions to avoid ruffling feathers, you’re not alone. But after listening to Sarah’s interview with writer, podcaster, and mom of three Sarah Stewart Holland, you might have a different perspective on those heated political Facebook comment threads. Join Sarah and Sarah in this special bonus episode for a thoughtful See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Oct 07, 2016•47 min
When they’re tiny, having kids with you in the kitchen can be challenging (to put it mildly); during these little years it’s all about keeping them occupied while you put together a meal or put away the groceries as fast as humanly possible. As they get older, though, including kids in cooking and meal prep can be a great way to bond while teaching them important kitchen skills – all at a much more leisurely pace. LINKS MENTIONED: Wait, they want to eat every DAY? (Meal Planning & Grocery Sh...
Oct 04, 2016•45 min
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 website Check out deals from our partners Follow us on Instagram Join our priva...
Sep 26, 2016•48 min
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 one Stream the Jonny & Meagan Mornings radi...
Sep 19, 2016•50 min
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 fr...
Sep 12, 2016•59 min
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.com PalmersPlanners , Kimberly’s Etsy shop featuring printable financial planners and worksheets for moms MORE HELPFUL LINKS: Visit our website Check out deals fr...
Sep 07, 2016•37 min
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 Frazier The Nest by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow The Gift of...
Aug 30, 2016•38 min
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 h...
Aug 23, 2016•38 min
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 prom...
Aug 17, 2016•34 min
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 minut...
Aug 16, 2016•1 hr 3 min
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 ...
Aug 09, 2016•54 min
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 everythi...
Aug 01, 2016•56 min
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 Live Episode 56 of The Mom Hour: Moving ...
Jul 29, 2016•54 min
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...
Jul 22, 2016•53 min
