The Mom Hour

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 Su...

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...

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, th...

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 Sexual...

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)...

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,...

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...

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”...

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’...

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...

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...

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...

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 No...

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 o...

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...

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 stretc...

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! LIN...

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 b...

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 ar...

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 ar...

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.

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-dr...

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...

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&nb...

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...