Ever catch yourself jumping straight to the worst-case scenario when it comes to your kids? What if they stop breathing in the middle of the night? Will starting daycare too early ruin them for life? What if that little cough is actually… the bubonic plague?

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. There’s actually a name for this mental spiral: catastrophizing.

In this episode of Bottle Service, Sarah breaks down this common “thought trap” that so many parents (especially postpartum moms) all into. She talks about why our brains are wired to jump to worst-case scenarios, how catastrophizing can show up during postpartum AND throughout parenting, and when those thoughts may cross the line into postpartum anxiety.

Most importantly, Sarah shares ways to interrupt the spiral so you can breathe a little easier and get back to enjoying your kids instead of worrying about every possible disaster. Because more often than not, everything is going to be just fine.

Want more from Sarah?

• Personal Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@SarahMerrill_Hall⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Share some Laughs: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@bigkidproblems⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Check out our new Show IG! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@bottleserviceBKP⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Shop Sarah's Pregnancy/ Postpartum Must Haves on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Shop ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bottle Service MERCH⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! 

Write in YOUR questions, comments, motherhood stories & we'll discuss! [email protected]

Big thank you to our episode sponsors!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quince⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - From quick dinners to slow simmers, Quince has the cookware to make it all better!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RULA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts

Little Spoon - Make mealtime easy with 30% off with code BOTTLESERVICE30

Pique Life - Get 20% off your order at Piquelife.com/bottleservice

Nowadays - Get 20% off this zero-proof THC beverage that delivers a clean, reliable buzz with no hangover

SKIMS - Shop the Fits Everybody collection and let them know "Bottle Service" sent you!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Overstimulated? You're not alone! Parenting is a sensory marathon. The noise, the constant touch, the interruptions, the mental load, the bedtime negotiations that feel like hostage situations. When your nervous system is maxed out, even spilled milk can feel like a five-alarm fire. Thats why regulating our our emotions is SO important!

This week Sarah shares simple tools we can use to help regulate our nervous system and increase our mental fortitude. Because our kids are watching and learning!

Write in YOUR questions, comments, motherhood stories & we'll discuss! [email protected]

Want more from Sarah?

• Personal Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@SarahMerrill_Hall⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Share some Laughs: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@bigkidproblems⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Check out our new Show IG! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@bottleserviceBKP⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Shop Sarah's Pregnancy/ Postpartum Must Haves on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Shop ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bottle Service MERCH⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! 

Big thank you to our episode sponsors!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quince⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - From quick dinners to slow simmers, Quince has the cookware to make it all better!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RULA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts

Little Spoon - Make mealtime easy with 30% off with code BOTTLESERVICE30

Pique Life - Get 20% off your order at Piquelife.com/bottleservice

Nowadays - Get 20% off this zero-proof THC beverage that delivers a clean, reliable buzz with no hangover

SKIMS - Shop the Fits Everybody collection and let them know "Bottle Service" sent you!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Sarah discusses the highs and sometimes LOWS of parenting. She dives into why second-born kids can often be more *challenging* than their older siblings, shares an honest moment of losing her cool, and opens up about the guilt that often follows. Most importantly, Sarah talks about what actually matters: what to do after you make a mistake, how to repair, and how to show your kids (and yourself) a little grace. Because yes! Parents are human too. Then we take our FIRST listener submitted question and discuss some mom group drama!

Write in YOUR questions, comments, motherhood stories & we'll discuss! [email protected]

Want more from Sarah?

• Personal Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@SarahMerrill_Hall⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Share some Laughs: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@bigkidproblems⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Check out our new Show IG! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@bottleserviceBKP⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Shop Sarah's Pregnancy/ Postpartum Must Haves on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Shop ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bottle Service MERCH⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! 

Big thank you to our episode sponsors!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quince⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - From quick dinners to slow simmers, Quince has the cookware to make it all better!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RULA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts

Little Spoon - Make mealtime easy with 30% off with code BOTTLESERVICE30

Pique Life - Get 20% off your order at Piquelife.com/bottleservice

Laundry Sauce - Get 20% off with promo code BOTTLESERVICE

SKIMS - The Valentine Shop is now open! Let them know "Bottle Service" sent you!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As moms, protecting our kids isn’t just important, it’s instinct. And right now, the leading cause of death for children in the United States is gun violence. It’s a heartbreaking reality, and when faced with the scale of the problem, it’s easy to wonder: What can I actually do about it?

That question led Sarah to this week’s guest, Kitty Brandtner — Founder and Co-President of March Fourth which is a nonpartisan organization working to end the mass shooting epidemic. Kitty isn’t a politician or a lifelong activist, she’s a mom, just like us! And she’s helping everyday people step off the sidelines and into meaningful action.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, helpless, or unsure where to start - this conversation is for you. Take a listen and learn how you (yes, even you in the spit-up-stained sweatpants!) can make a difference.

Want more from March Fourth?

• Follow them on Instagram! @march_fourth_
• Check out the website HERE
• Contact your representatives HERE
• Join us in Nashville! Tickets are HERE

Want more from Sarah?

• Personal Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@SarahMerrill_Hall⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Share some Laughs: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@bigkidproblems⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Check out our new Show IG! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@bottleserviceBKP⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Shop Sarah's Pregnancy/ Postpartum Must Haves on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Shop ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bottle Service MERCH⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! 

Big thank you to our episode sponsors!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quince⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - From quick dinners to slow simmers, Quince has the cookware to make it all better!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RULA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts

Little Spoon - Make mealtime easy with 30% off with code BOTTLESERVICE30

Pique Life - Get 20% off your order at Piquelife.com/bottleservice

Laundry Sauce - Get 20% off with promo code BOTTLESERVICE

SKIMS - The Valentine Shop is now open! Let them know "Bottle Service" sent you!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s LOVE WEEK! What once meant sexy lingerie and a big night out now looks a lot more like crafting in sweatpants and falling asleep in front of Netflix (again). Sarah shares how to make Valentine’s Day feel fun and meaningful for your kids, your family, your relationship—and yourself. She dives into the power of Galentine’s, makes a strong case for upgrading your intimates, and so much more! 💘

Want more from Sarah?

• Personal Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@SarahMerrill_Hall⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Share some Laughs: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@bigkidproblems⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Check out our new Show IG! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@bottleserviceBKP⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Shop Sarah's Pregnancy/ Postpartum Must Haves on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Shop ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bottle Service MERCH⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! 

Big thank you to our episode sponsors!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quince⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - From quick dinners to slow simmers, Quince has the cookware to make it all better!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RULA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts

Little Spoon - Make mealtime easy with 30% off with code BOTTLESERVICE30

Pique Life - Get 20% off your order at Piquelife.com/bottleservice

Laundry Sauce - Get 20% off with promo code BOTTLESERVICE

SKIMS - The Valentine Shop is now open! Let them know "Bottle Service" sent you!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After a week of doomscrolling, our eyes are TIRED! If you're a parent in the digital age, chances are your eyes are hurting. This week, we’re joined by Dr. Pam Theriot - Optometrist, TEDx speaker, and nationally recognized expert in eye health! We discuss why so many of us are at risk for eye strain, the bad habits many of us (myself included) are definitely guilty of, and the screen time rules we (and our kids!) should live by. Dr. Pam also dives into the role hormones play in eye health, talk about a pregnancy and postpartum symptom no one ever warns you about!

Want more from our guest this week:

Website: www.pamtheriot.com

Instragram: @pamtheriot

Get the Guide to Relieve Digital Eye Strain HERE

Want more from Sarah?

• Personal Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@SarahMerrill_Hall⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Share some Laughs: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@bigkidproblems⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Check out our new Show IG! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@bottleserviceBKP⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Shop Sarah's Pregnancy/ Postpartum Must Haves on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Shop ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bottle Service MERCH⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! 

Big thank you to our episode sponsors!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quince⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - From quick dinners to slow simmers, Quince has the cookware to make it all better!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RULA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts

Little Spoon - Make mealtime easy with 30% off with code BOTTLESERVICE30

Pique Life - Get 20% off your order at Piquelife.com/bottleservice

Laundry Sauce - Get 20% off with promo code BOTTLESERVICE

SKIMS - The Valentine Shop is now open! Let them know "Bottle Service" sent you!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Bottle Service, Sarah braces for a major winter storm and discusses survival techniques for the winter months inside with rambunctuous little ones. She also discusses the "mother son" wedding dance heard round the world & the clothing selections at Costco before diving into a very REAL parenting issue no one warns you about: parental preference. Does your baby only want Mommy… or Daddy? And why does it somehow feel like the most personal rejection of your life? Let’s talk about it.

Got a situation you need an unbiased (but honest) opinion on? Email [email protected] and we’ll discuss it on the pod.

Want more from Sarah?

• Personal Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@SarahMerrill_Hall⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Share some Laughs: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@bigkidproblems⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Check out our new Show IG! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@bottleserviceBKP⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Shop Sarah's Pregnancy/ Postpartum Must Haves on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Shop ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bottle Service MERCH⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! 

Big thank you to our episode sponsors!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quince⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - From quick dinners to slow simmers, Quince has the cookware to make it all better!

Ritual - Get 40% off your first month at ritual.com/bottleservice.

Little Spoon - Make mealtime easy with 30% off with code BOTTLESERVICE30

Pique Life - Get 20% off your order at Piquelife.com/bottleservice

Laundry Sauce - Get 20% off with promo code BOTTLESERVICE

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today we're diving into the wild, wonderful (and sometimes stressful) world of Baby Naming! Sophie Kihm, the Editor-in-Chief of Nameberry is joining us today to help us out. Nameberry is a go-to resource for parents trying to find the perfect name for their little one (which, let’s be honest, is way harder than it sounds).

In this episode, Sophie joins us to break down the biggest baby name trends for 2026, the do’s and don’ts of choosing a name, what to do if you’re dealing with name regret, and her best advice for parents who are struggling to land on the one

Want more from our guest this week?

• Sophie Kihm's Website
• Nameberry Instagram
• Nameberry Website

Want more from Sarah?

• Personal Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@SarahMerrill_Hall⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Share some Laughs: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@bigkidproblems⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Check out our new Show IG! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@bottleserviceBKP⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Shop Sarah's Pregnancy/ Postpartum Must Haves on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Shop ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bottle Service MERCH⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! 

Big thank you to our episode sponsors!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quince⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - From quick dinners to slow simmers, Quince has the cookware to make it all better!

Ritual - Get 40% off your first month at ritual.com/bottleservice.

Little Spoon - Make mealtime easy with 30% off with code BOTTLESERVICE30

Pique Life - Get 20% off your order at Piquelife.com/bottleservice

Laundry Sauce - Get 20% off with promo code BOTTLESERVICE

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s a new year, baby! We’re welcoming 2026 with an episode designed to help us get organized, gain clarity around what we truly want, and feel ready to manifest what’s next. As moms, it’s easy to feel a little lost when it comes to setting New Year intentions. We pour so much of our time and energy into our kids that future planning often takes a backseat while we’re simply trying to survive. Whether you’re entering a “maintenance year,” feeling the pull to reignite your career, or just ready to reconnect with what you want, this episode is here to help you reset, refocus, and move forward with intention.

Want more from Sarah?

• Personal Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@SarahMerrill_Hall⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Share some Laughs: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@bigkidproblems⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Check out our new Show IG! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@bottleserviceBKP⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Shop Sarah's Pregnancy/ Postpartum Must Haves on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Shop ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bottle Service MERCH⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! 

Big thank you to our episode sponsors!

More Labs - Try Morning Recovery, the drink for when you drink, for 25% off with code THEBIGKID!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quince⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - From quick dinners to slow simmers, Quince has the cookware to make it all better!

Ritual - Get 40% off your first month at ritual.com/bottleservice.

Little Spoon - Make mealtime easy with 30% off with code BOTTLESERVICE30

Pique Life - Get 20% off your order at Piquelife.com/bottleservice

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We did it team! The holiday season is officially in the books—sanity mostly intact and vibration plates somehow acquired (seriously… how did we all end up with one?). Sarah recaps Christmas, gives moms their well-deserved flowers for making the magic happen, and invites all moms to go absolutely feral between now and New Years

Want more from Sarah?

• Personal Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@SarahMerrill_Hall⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Share some Laughs: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@bigkidproblems⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Check out our new Show IG! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@bottleserviceBKP⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Shop Sarah's Pregnancy/ Postpartum Must Haves on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Shop ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bottle Service MERCH⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! 

Big thank you to our episode sponsors!

More Labs - Try Morning Recovery, the drink for when you drink, for 25% off with code THEBIGKID!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quince⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - From quick dinners to slow simmers, Quince has the cookware to make it all better!

Greenlight - Don’t wait to teach your kids real-world money skills. Free trial at greenlight.com/bottleservice

Uncommon Goods - Find the right gift for everyone on your list! Get 15% off at UNCOMMONGOODS.com/bottleservice

Ritual - Get 40% off your first month at ritual.com/bottleservice.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.