The Mom Hour

If you’ve ever fantasized about a week on a tropical island, a whole day in the spa, a winning lottery ticket, or – let’s be honest – even just a hot cup of coffee you get to finish in one sitting, you’re not alone. As busy, tired mamas it’s natural to dream about a life different from the one we’re living. But it’s also helpful, we think, to point those daydreams in a slightly more achieve-able direction, and that’s what Meagan and Sarah are doing in today’s episode. Join us as we each envision our version of a perfect, ordinary day: a day that exists within the actual framework of our current homes, jobs, cars, kids, and schedule, but where the stars align to leave us feeling especially happy and fulfilled. Play along at home and think about what key elements go into your own ideal ordinary day – it’s part fun fantasy and part food for thought. Join us!

LINKS MENTIONED:

• Want to make notes or journal about your own perfect ordinary day? Use this free printable!
• Join our special Facebook Group for The Mom Hour Listeners (make sure to answer the questions to be approved!)
• We like to fantasize on this show sometimes…check out our other fantasy themed episodes More Than Mom: Our Fantasy Kitchens and More Than Mom: Meagan And Sarah Get Stranded On A Deserted Island

MORE 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-sell-my-info.

From goody bags to party guest lists, opening gifts and blowing out candles, kid birthdays go deep into your personal family culture and traditions. We firmly believe that there’s no One Right Way to celebrate, but we do know that without some parameters those celebrations can get to be … a lot. In our latest House Rules For…episode, we’re highlighting our listeners’ smart tips and hacks for keeping birthdays manageable and meaningful. Take the ones that work for you and leave the rest – this is mom-crowdsourcing at its finest!

LINKS MENTIONED:

• We received input for this episode from our Facebook Group for The Mom Hour Listeners (make sure to answer the questions to be approved!)
• Listen to our previous episodes in the house rules series: House Rules For Sibling Harmony: Episode 314 and House Rules For Travel & Vacation: Episode 319

MORE 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-sell-my-info.

Annoyed. Irritated. Short-fused. Anyone else feeling low-level grumpy lately? When it’s not an actual crisis, deep exhaustion, crippling overwhelm, or another significantly hard season of motherhood, it can be tricky to identify the reasons behind–and the strategies to help with–a bad mood. But we know one thing for sure: sometimes it helps to vent a bit. In Episode 322 of The Mom Hour, Meagan and Sarah air some very petty gripes about what’s driving us bonkers lately, and then do a little self-reflection about what triggers our annoyance, how our personalities manifest it, and how to reframe it and reset our moods. Join us! 

LINKS MENTIONED:

• New to Enneagram? We always recommend this free online test, and the type descriptions found here. 
• Love the Enneagram and haven’t heard us talk about it? Try this episode, and this one, and this one.
• We mentioned the article Here’s What Makes You Angry, Based On Your Enneagram Type (Susan Storm, Psychology Junkie)
• Want to leave us a voicemail and vent about your own petty annoyances? Use Speakpipe!

MORE 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-sell-my-info.

From breakfast to snacks, lunch to dinner to even dessert, each day holds plenty of opportunity to introduce new flavors and textures, teach table skills, and introduce micro-doses of nutrition into your toddler’s tummy. Meagan and Sarah cover each meal and the specific strategies they used to keep them interesting, low-stress, and as nutritious as possible, even when a toddler has the attention span of a fruit fly. Join us!

This episode is part of our 3-part series Your Toddler Feeding Challenges, Solved! Listen to Part 1 hereand Part 2 here.

LINKS MENTIONED:

• Learn more about our sponsor, Horizon Organic, and the Growing Years line of products for kids ages 1 to 5
• BabyCenter poll: On what sort of schedule does your toddler eat?
• BabyCenter community thread: How do you sneak nutrition into your toddler’s diet?

MORE 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-sell-my-info.

“Picky” and “toddler” – the two words go hand-in-hand, right? In this episode Meagan and Sarah tackle one of their listeners’ biggest mom-obstacles, sharing tips and tricks to help get those opinionated toddlers to eat more adventurously and healthfully while also offering reassurance that this stage won’t last forever and that there are things you can do to help even the choosiest toddler (occasionally) try new things while getting the nutrition they need. Join us!

This episode is part of our 3-part series Your Toddler Feeding Challenges, Solved! Listen to yesterday’s Part 1 here, and check back for Part 3 tomorrow.

LINKS MENTIONED:

• Learn more about our sponsor, Horizon Organic, and the Growing Years line of products for kids ages 1 to 5
• BabyCenter community thread: My toddler won’t eat ___________ but will eat ___________.

MORE 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-sell-my-info.

When it comes to toddlers, one thing is certain: just when you get used to a new stage or phase, it changes. And nowhere is this more true than when it comes to how a toddler eats: from introducing new textures and foods, to weaning, to attempting self-feeding and even learning how to use cups and utensils, toddlers are in a constant state of transition – and so is the way they eat. In this first episode in our three-part series on feeding toddlers, Meagan and Sarah offer solutions to the most common struggles moms face during those transitions, as well as a healthy dose of “it’s all gonna be okay” mom-confidence. Join us!

This episode is part of our 3-part series Your Toddler Feeding Challenges, Solved! Check back for Part 1 tomorrow, and Part 2 on Friday.

LINKS MENTIONED:

• Learn more about our sponsor, Horizon Organic, and the Growing Years line of products for kids ages 1 to 5
• BabyCenter poll: How often does your toddler change when, where, what, or how much they eat?
• BabyCenter community thread: How do you sneak nutrition into your toddler’s diet?

MORE 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-sell-my-info.

Itty bitty overalls and doll-sized dresses make for adorable first outfits, but dressing babies (and toddlers, and kids) comfortably and stylishly throughout the ages and stages is no easy task. In Episode 321 Meagan and Sarah remember the joys and challenges of dressing our littles while they still let us (most of the time, anyway). Then we move into the realities of clothing our big kids, tweens and teens. From keeping up with sizes to choosing our battles over teen fashion that baffles our mom-brains, the refrain is familiar: it doesn’t get easier, it just gets…different. Join us for a fun conversation about kids and fashion!

LINKS MENTIONED:

• Sarah talked about loving this style of romper for babies
• Sarah likes these 4 pack athletic tees (affiliate link)

MORE 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-sell-my-info.

Wildfires, hurricanes, floods and tornadoes; home emergencies, local disasters and national crises. These aren’t things we love to think about, but they do have one thing in common: having a plan and talking about it as a family can bring peace of mind and even save lives. In this month’s Voice interview Sarah chats with Jennifer Pipa, Vice President of Disaster Programs for the Red Cross. With an emphasis on making disaster preparedness practical for busy families, applicable no matter where in the world you live or what risks your natural climate brings, and as un-scary as possible for little kids, Jennifer is full of tips and information to help you up your preparedness this summer. It’s an important conversation, and one we’ve had many requests for over the years; enjoy, friends!

LINKS MENTIONED:

• Check out this link for more information on how to prepare for emergencies
• Head to this page to see many resources on preparing from The Red Cross 

MORE 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-sell-my-info.

It feels like it’ll be like this forever, but we’re here to tell you: it won’t. In today’s episode Meagan and Sarah take turns sharing big and small transformations our kids have undergone that leave us shaking our heads in total amazement because, at one point in time, we never thought we’d ever see this day. From an ultra-fearful preschooler who turned out to be a super confident kid, to the wild-toddler-turned-chill-teen, to the sibling pairs who fought like crazy and now are best friends, we’re talking about all the times we’ve been proven wrong by our own assumptions over the years. Join us!

LINKS MENTIONED:

• We talked about the viral “surfboard kid” photo of Meagan, and this is the story behind it

MORE 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-sell-my-info.

Who needs RULES on vacation? Turns out, we do. And we’re not alone. The latest episode in our House Rules For… series is all about the rules that keep our families sane when we’re not at home. From road trip snack management to beach house screen time, treats on the airplane to getting out of the gift shop without a meltdown, listen to Episode 319 for hard-earned experience from parents in our community. As always, take what works for you and leave the rest – there’s something here for nearly every family. Enjoy, friends!

LINKS MENTIONED:

• Check out more of our travel related episodes
• Listen to our first episode in the house rules series, House Rules For Sibling Harmony: Episode 314
• Join our special Facebook Group for The Mom Hour Listeners (make sure to answer the questions to be approved!)
• For more House Rules for Travel & Vacation ideas from our listeners, check out this thread on Instagram, and this thread in our Facebook group

MORE 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-sell-my-info.