Sarah has one week left of summer and Meagan has a MONTH. We chat about late-summer malaise, seasonal energy slumps in general, how to (or whether to) get back to healthier habits and routines, and what (if anything) we’re doing to gear up for the impending school year. Join us! LINKS MENTIONED: PickupPlease.org is the donation pickup service that Sarah is really happy with (they even took the car seat, guys!) Sarah’s accordion-style portfolios for kid-art are from Lakeshore Learning Meagan made...
Aug 07, 2018•48 min
Happiness in parenting doesn’t mean mean skipping through fields of daisies with a brood of clean, cheerful, never-whining children who eat their veggies and always put their dirty clothes in the hamper. In reality, it’s a much messier–but totally attainable–thing. In this episode of The Mom Hour Voices, Sarah talks with writer KJ Dell’Antonia about cultivating happiness as a mom in the midst of sibling fighting, grumpy mornings, and endless screen-time negotiations. KJ’s new book, How To Be A H...
Aug 03, 2018•51 min
We’ve yet to meet a mom at any stage of parenthood who didn’t have to deal with laundry–it’s one of the great equalizers of the mothering experience, no? Today on The Mom Hour Meagan and Sarah take you inside their homes and laundry rooms for a look at how we keep up with the piles, what our routines and rituals are, and how the whole clothes cycle works. Join us! LINKS MENTIONED: On love, laundry, and finding satisfaction in the work of nurturing (Meagan for The Happiest Home) MORE HELPFUL LINK...
Jul 31, 2018•50 min
High school bedrooms, college dorm rooms, first apartments, first homes. Meagan and Sarah describe their home décor style through the years in this More Than Mom episode. Join us! 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 membership questions!) Sign up for our newsletter See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not...
Jul 29, 2018•37 min
The last day of preschool is one thing–poignant, and easy to see coming–but what about the last time your toddler uses your favorite adorable mispronunciation? The last time you step on a LEGO? The last time a kid needs your help in the bath, crawls into your bed in the wee hours, or reaches for your hand on the sidewalk? Those lasts happen without our knowing, and motherhood his filled with them. LINKS MENTIONED: Listeners contributed so many great “lasts” that helped us shape this episode! Her...
Jul 24, 2018•50 min
Navigating decisions as a mom is hard enough; feeling judged, criticized, or shamed for those decisions? That feels like garbage. After years of practice, Meagan and Sarah have words of encouragement for dealing with criticism, including six things to keep in mind when you’re feeling judged by others about your parenting. PLUS Katie Addiss joins Sarah for an update on her life as a mom of two littles. Enjoy! LINKS MENTIONED: Dealing With Criticism (The Mom Hour, Episode 26) What’s your parenting...
Jul 17, 2018•57 min
You’re home alone on a rainy Saturday afternoon and that movie comes on that you just HAVE to watch. What is it? In this More Than Mom episode Meagan and Sarah confess the books, movies, songs, and TV that maybe don’t get points for artsy intellectualism, but that we just can’t resist. Much pop culture banter ensues… Join us! 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 membership ques...
Jul 15, 2018•28 min
Bianca Dottin’s second pregnancy was long-awaited and relatively drama-free. But when baby Tristan arrived at 34 weeks and was admitted to the NICU unable to breathe on his own, it was clear that her life was about to change. In this month’s Voices interview episode, Bianca shares her NICU story with Sarah, including how 6 months in the NICU inspired her to start a community and collection of resources to support other moms with babies in the NICU. A note from Sarah: This episode includes a beau...
Jul 13, 2018•44 min
Your kid shows an aptitude for something…now what? Meagan and Sarah discuss the sometimes tricky topic of how to nurture our kids’ natural abilities without pressuring or pushing. We also talk about when to support kids through an activity they may not be particularly talented at, the importance of dabbling, and when it’s OK to let kids quit. Join us! LINKS MENTIONED: Other episodes on kids’ sports and activities, or nurturing kids’ talents: How To Be A Happier Sports Parent (Episode 117) Let’s ...
Jul 10, 2018•56 min
Today is pure fun–a game of Would You Rather…? , in which Meagan and Sarah challenge each other with choices between wildly impossible scenarios. Which one of us would rather have a permanent three-year-old and which would rather have a permanent 18-month old? You’ll have to listen to find out! LINKS MENTIONED: Last summer’s episode where we also played Would You Rather… Follow us on Instagram @TheMomHour and play along! MORE HELPFUL LINKS: Visit our website Check out deals from our partners Fol...
Jul 08, 2018•22 min
Helping a toddler with nighttime fears, the logistics of taking a baby to the beach, the ideal age-spacing between siblings, and helping a two-year-old feel special when a new baby arrives. These are the listener questions we answer in this week’s episode of The Mom Hour. Join us! LINKS MENTIONED: Dr. Laura Markham of Aha! Parenting responds to a similar question to Laura’s about toddler sleep separation anxiety –long but worth the read Meagan’s beautiful essay at HuffPost Parents about older ki...
Jul 03, 2018•43 min
Teaching social graces to a shy preschooler, saving money on groceries and household supplies, and helping school-aged kids learn to deal with feelings of frustration. These are three topics brought to us by listeners that Meagan and Sarah tackle on this week’s episode of The Mom Hour. Join us! LINKS MENTIONED: Teaching Manners To Kids (Episode 5) Saving Money on Groceries & Household Supplies (Episode) MORE HELPFUL LINKS: Visit our website Check out deals from our partners Follow us on Inst...
Jun 26, 2018•39 min
You can learn a lot about a person by taking a peek inside their purse. (Also: it’s time we cleaned out our purses!) In this episode of More Than Mom from The Mom Hour, Meagan and Sarah do a deep dive into their bags, laughing as they go. We also challenge listeners to share the contents of their bags with US–leave us a comment or send us an email if you unearthed something more random than the top two finds from this episode (you have to listen to find out what they are!). LINKS MENTIONED: The ...
Jun 24, 2018•32 min
No one mom “does it all”–or so we’re told. But what exactly DON’T we do? In Episode 161 Meagan and Sarah share our experience finding ways to opt out of the little (and sometimes not-so-little) tasks and obligations that aren’t meaningful to us as moms, making room for more of what is. PLUS resident new mom Katie Addiss joins Sarah at the end of the show to talk about a great swimsuit-saving strategy and other tales from the trenches. Join us! LINKS MENTIONED: Katie’s blog post about making rash...
Jun 19, 2018•54 min
Summer fun isn’t just for kids! Meagan and Sarah chat about their hopes, dreams, and plans for this summer–everything from their favorite indulgent magazines to read to what kind of outdoor adventures their families are ready for. It’s a More Than Mom episode all about SUMMER. Join us! LINKS MENTIONED: Other summertime episodes you might enjoy: Getting Organized for Summer Summer Shortcuts: (Yes, We’re THAT Lazy ) Travel With Kids (Or, How To Enjoy Your Own Vacation) Smart Tech & Family Trav...
Jun 17, 2018•32 min
If you struggle with meal planning or dread the grocery store, you’re not alone. Today we tackle three more challenges to dinner-making success and offer our tips and solutions for overcoming them. This is a follow-up to last week’s episode, so be sure to catch that one as well (though you can listen in any order)! LINKS MENTIONED: Meagan’s interview with Melissa D’Arabian on a really old podcast episode Listener Erin swears by this recipe for Easy Grilled Chicken on Damned Delicious MORE HELPFU...
Jun 12, 2018•46 min
“Having help and support is the way nature intended for us to make human beings” . So says journalist and author Kate Rope in her new book all about how moms can take better care of their mental, emotional, and physical selves from pregnancy through parenthood. Kate joins Sarah in Episode 26 in our Voices interview series to talk about her own journey through postpartum anxiety, and how moms can support each other during new motherhood. Join us! LINKS MENTIONED: Strong as a Mother: How to Be Hap...
Jun 08, 2018•57 min
No time to cook? Got picky eaters? Hate the “witching hour”? We’re with you. In this episode Meagan and Sarah tackle three common dinner-making obstacles and offer solutions and tips that help us in our own lives and kitchens. We’re not experts; we’re parents who’ve been there, remember? LINKS MENTIONED: We have a blog! Other podcast episodes you might enjoy The Picky Eater Problem , Episode 39 Wait, They Want To Eat Every DAY? (Meal Planning & Grocery Shopping) , Episode 23 MORE HELPFUL LIN...
Jun 05, 2018•43 min
Warning: this episode may make you want to ignore all responsibilities for an untold number of hours so that you can hole up and watch a movie musical marathon. Don’t say we didn’t warn you! Join Meagan and Sarah for a More Than Mom minisode about our favorite movie musicals (and stay tuned for a part two, because this is a topic we could talk about for a WHILE). Enjoy! LINKS MENTIONED: Schedule of Upcoming Movie Musical Adaptations (Playbill) Where To Watch Broadway Online: The Theater Lover’s ...
Jun 03, 2018•34 min
The weather is warming up and everybody’s clothes are too small–time to talk summertime clothes, shoes, and gear for kids! Meagan and Sarah share our go-to tips and favorite brands for keeping kids comfy, cool, and affordably dressed during the summer. Join us! LINKS MENTIONED: Meagan’s seasonal clothing and handmedown storage system is outlined in this blog post Target products we’re loving Sarah’s daughter loves how soft the entire Grayson Social line is Cat & Jack playtime basics are kill...
May 29, 2018•49 min
We’ve hit a mid-year slump in our fitness mojo, friends. Have you? Meagan and Sarah address where we are with working out, what has worked for us in the past, and discuss strategies for getting back on the wagon this summer. We also talk frankly about WHY working out matters to us (and it may not be for the reasons you think). Join us for another More Than Mom episode of The Mom Hour! LINKS MENTIONED: You might also like this episode: (Totally Not Overwhelming) Health & Wellness Advice (Epis...
May 27, 2018•25 min
We aren’t perfect, we’re real. It’s the last line of our show intro and it’s the guiding principle of this episode. Buckle up, guys, as Meagan and Sarah confess some really cringe-worthy mom fails that keep us humble to this day. From a major faux pas at the school Thanksgiving feast to some near-death (or at least near-injury) experiences that still make us shudder, we’re serving up a whole lot of vulnerability in Episode 157 of The Mom Hour. Plus Katie Addiss joins Sarah at the end of the podc...
May 22, 2018•56 min
By popular request we’re tackling potty training in Episode 156! But if your kids are well beyond diapers by now, stick around. We extend the conversation to include other bathroom messes and realities that come with raising kids. From privacy to hygiene to showering solo to (gasp!) man-boys who shave, this entire podcast episode takes place in the bathroom. Wash your hands! LINKS MENTIONED: Other episodes that tackle potty training Things We Shouldn’t Have Freaked Out About (Toddler Years) , Ep...
May 15, 2018•49 min
Between Meagan and Sarah we’ve celebrated our kids’ birthdays 95 times. NINETY-FIVE birthdays, guys. We share the lessons we’ve learned in scaling back while still keeping up some special traditions, make a case for opting out of birthday madness when it isn’t your jam, and confess some of our birthday party fails from over the years. Join us! LINKS MENTIONED: Earlier shows on birthday parties, episodes 68 and 69: Kid Birthdays, Part 1 (The Kids In Your Family) and Kid Birthdays, Part 2 (Other P...
May 08, 2018•39 min
Meagan and Sarah recap their week at the Mom 2.0 conference in Pasadena, including that one time they lovingly accosted a breastfeeding mom in an evening gown, that other time Meagan had to be forcibly removed from a Rent The Runway dress, a sweet listener encounter, and more hijinks. LINKS MENTIONED: Mom 2.0 Listener Jessica’s blog Little Joys of Mine The mystery breastfeeding mama turns out to be Pickett from Seasonal Memories . Check the post she shared on Instagram using the photo Meagan too...
May 06, 2018•27 min
Meagan sits down with her sister Kathreen to talk openly for the very first time about the major health crisis that rocked their family last December. This special episode in our Voices interview series is full of really practical ways to support families going through a health scare, plus a vulnerable inside look at a family coming together during a trying time. HELPFUL LINKS: Visit our website Check out deals from our partners Follow us on Instagram Join our private listener group on Facebook ...
May 04, 2018•47 min
No one tells you when you become a parent that you’ll spend a significant portion of the rest of your life in conversations about snacks and sweets–but it’s true! Most kids would snack and indulge their sweet-tooths all day long we if we let them, and in this episode of The Mom Hour Meagan and Sarah share our tips for keeping snacking and desserts in check without totally losing your mind. PLUS Sarah’s 10-year-old joins her at the end of the show for a reality check about how strict the Powers f...
May 01, 2018•46 min
Moving, remodeling, and home renovations are never easy, but with kids in the mix the difficulty level goes up a notch…or twelve. Meagan is fresh off a cross-town move and Sarah has had several home improvement challenges in the last year. Join us for tips and tactics to minimize stress when your home in transition. Enjoy! LINKS MENTIONED: Moving With Kids & Cultivating Community (Episode 56) MORE HELPFUL LINKS: Visit our website Check out deals from our partners Follow us on Instagram Join ...
Apr 24, 2018•48 min
You can learn a lot about a person by taking a peek inside their purse. (Also: it’s time we cleaned out our purses!) In this episode of More Than Mom from The Mom Hour, Meagan and Sarah do a deep dive into their bags, laughing as they go. We also challenge listeners to share the contents of their bags with US–leave us a comment or send us an email if you unearthed something more random than the top two finds from this episode (you have to listen to find out what they are!). LINKS MENTIONED: The ...
Apr 22, 2018•27 min
Part of the fun of having so many kids between us is that we never run out of things to talk about! Join Meagan and Sarah for a quick look at what each of our eight kids is going through these days–this lets cover the phases from preschool through teen in a way that’s personal, funny, and encouraging. LINKS MENTIONED: Sarah mentioned the Calm app and its meditations for kids specifically The Opposite of Worry: The Playful Parenting Approach to Childhood Anxieties and Fears (affiliate link) by La...
Apr 17, 2018•43 min
