The Mom Hour

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...

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 ph...

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...

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...

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 eithe...

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 wh...

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...

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 t...

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...

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 experie...

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 anon...

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 s...

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 creatu...

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...

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...

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, an...

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 MEN...

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...

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 s...

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...

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 involvin...

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...

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: T...

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...

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 ou...