In today's episode, Laura and Sarah chat about all things meal planning! They open with takes on recent food trends (protein + fiber, anyone?) and then move to a detailed discussion of their current meal planning practices, struggles, and victories. They cover shopping, non-dinner meals, school lunches and more.

In the Q&A, a listener asks for tips getting tiny humans (think toddlers and below!) out the door.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's episode, Sarah and Laura share their thoughts on whether they'd ever be up for long-haul travel with kids, and share memories of longer trips in the past.

Then, Elisabeth Frost joins Sarah to provide her fascinating perspective on a months-long European adventure she recently completed with her 2 school-aged children, including an entire semester out of 'regular' school and visiting over 10 countries!

Find more from Elisabeth at optimisticmusings.com!

Additional resources from Elisabeth:
Her website/blog: optimisticmusings.com
Patreon Community: patreon.com/LighthouseKeeper
Planning summary post we chatted about during the podcast episode: https://optimisticmusings.com/how-to-plan-a-europe-trip/
And this category link contains all the travel posts from the full 110 days in Europe (87 and counting)! https://optimisticmusings.com/category/travel/euro-adventure/

In the Q&A, a listener wonders about how to set household policies on swearing. What do Laura and Sarah do?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is it possible that there have been NINE previous back to school episodes? 2017's version may have featured preschoolers (and multiple children not yet born!) -- back to school has definitely been a journey, and the adventure looks different every time!

This year, Laura and Sarah have kids ranging from 1st grade to college sophomore. They share notes on re-entry, from anticipated morning schedules to trepidations about new levels.

In the Q&A, a listener asks for tips on NOT forgetting about things you'd like to think about in the future.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the intro, Laura and Sarah open with a discussion of resilience. Then, psychotherapist and resilience expert Amy Morin joins Laura to share all about the top things (13 in her book!) that mentally strong people DON'T do.

In the Q&A, a listener asks for ideas to support a friend going through an especially tough time.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's episode, Laura and Sarah chat about their own feelings around Mom Guilt (should it even . . . BE a thing?) and then Sarah interviews psychologist Dr. Jennifer Reid on the topic.

Dr. Reid is a clinical psychologist with expertise in the areas of guilt and shame, and her book, Guilt Free: Reclaiming Your Life from Unreasonable Expectations, is out now.

In the Q&A, a listener wonders exactly WHEN the moment in parenting occurs when you can sleep until you feel like waking up?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's episode, Sarah and Laura chat all things decluttering! Sarah has made home decluttering a goal for many years running, and has learned a lot from a slew of different methods but has struggled to implement these techniques in her home. This year, though, she added some support. She shares her progress and Laura discusses her own prior adventures in organization.

They also discuss the merits of various techniques, from Kon-Mari to extreme minimalism and more!

In the Q&A, a listener wonders: what's in their everyday bags?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's episode, Laura and Sarah open with a discussion of 15 minute meals, and then Laura interviews Jordyn Koveleski Gorman, a speech language pathologist and founder of Eat Play Say, a resource for parents of babies and toddlers and a treasure trove of practical advice for working mothers.

In the Q&A, a listener asks for details on Laura and Sarah's skincare routines.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kelly Nolan is a time management expert known for her Bright Method of calendar and life management. Sarah and Laura talk about their own current tactics, and then Kelly joins Sarah to chat all about her methods.

Find out more from Kelly at kellynolan.com or @_kellynolan_ on IG

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's episode is a two topic combo!

First up is a discussion of getting out the door, followed by the host's thoughts on getting the most out of time in the car (both spend plenty of time driving!).

Then, they discuss hosting, and hope to empower listeners to just Host the Thing, from a causal book club hang to a big dinner fete.

In the Q&A, a listener asks thoughts on rewarding kids for good behavior - is it a bribe?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's the traditional mid-year review! Sarah and Laura revisit their 2026 goals, and share progress as well as any revisions, since both believe it's certainly okay to leave a goal behind if it's a purposeful choice!

Categories included personal (hobbies + beyond), relationships, work, family/home, and fun.

In the Q&A a listener wonders whether Laura and Sarah listen to their own episodes!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.