The Mom Hour

There’s plenty to debate about the holidays in 2020 – and it doesn’t ALL have to be gloomy and stressful. We’re kicking off Thanksgiving week with very lively, mostly half-baked debates about holiday controversies that bear little consequence on anything. To find out whether we think eggnog is disgusting or delightful, who among us prefers multicolored exterior illumination, whether Baby, It’s Cold Outside is CANCELLED or actually feminist, and what we actually think of Love, Actually, join us for today’s silly and festive More Than Mom episode. Enjoy!

LINKS MENTIONED:

• Follow us on social! We are on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
• Meagan mentioned this article from Persophone: Listening While Feminist: In Defense of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”
• And there’s also this one: from Variety: End the War on ‘Baby, It’s Cold Outside’! It’s Feminist — Really
• About That Maligned Christmas Tree (and That Owl) at Rockefeller Center (Ed Shanahan, NYTimes)
• Meagan talked about the Christmas tree plastic removal bag/skirt thing; Sarah had no idea what this was. Here’s an example!
• Don’t forget to check out our sponsor Annie’s Kit Clubs

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Shopping mindfully or practicing conscious consumerism can be a powerful way to show our support to struggling or underrepresented businesses this holiday season. It can also be, to use a phrase we lean on more and more these days, A LOT. It’s a lot to think about, it can be overwhelming to navigate, and it definitely can put strain on your budget. In today’s episode, Meagan and Sarah discuss where we our in our own shopping priorities, what we’d like to do more of this holiday season, and how we’ve practiced mindful shopping recently. We also talk through some specific purchases we’ve made through small online retailers recently, as a way to get your creative wheels turning. Join us!

LINKS MENTIONED:

• If you want more episodes discussing Enneagram, check out Personalities, Part 1 (Myers-Briggs, Enneagram & Introversion / Extroversion), Personalities, Part 2 (Our Myers-Briggs & Enneagram Types & More), and Knowing Yourself As A Mom
• Sarah mentioned bookshop.org for shopping Indie bookstores online
• Sarah’s recent Etsy purchases include this handcrafted leather valet tray, a hanging planter basket, these fun surprise mugs, and a pom-pom play canopy
• Sarah’s recent Minted purchases include a cute weekender tote, fabric napkin sets, and these beautiful mother/child prints by Kate Ahn

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The animals in our lives have certainly had an interesting year, what with all the working and learning from home. Many families whose work/life situations previously caused them to hold off on pet-ownership took the plunge and got a pandemic puppy. And COVID or no COVID, our kids never stop asking to add to our respective menageries. Join Meagan and Sarah for a fun look at life with family pets, especially through the lens of 2020. We’ll talk about pandemic puppies, the Powers family’s adventure in fostering a litter of kittens, and the merits and drawbacks of various small animal pets. Enjoy!

(Listen all the way through for a very special cameo from the littlest of our combined eight kids, animal lover and guinea pig expert, Violet!)

LINKS MENTIONED:

• Listen to our past episodes about pets from 2016 and 2018
• Want to help us grow the podcast? Leave us a rating and review in Apple Podcasts, or wherever you like to listen!

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We know that winter 2020-2021 will require all the tips and tricks to keep us going–and it’s not even mid-November yet! Today’s More Than Mom episode is all about the concept of COZY, and how Meagan and Sarah like to bring it into our wardrobes, menus, and homes. Join us for a fun chat about cozy clothes we’re eyeing, how we manage the temperature in our homes when it’s cold out, and what food and drinks sound best for a cozy mood. Enjoy!

LINKS MENTIONED:

• Sarah is loving crewneck pullover sweatshirts lately (this one from the Grayson Threads line at Target is similar to a Halloween one she bought and loved) – affiliate link
• These Women’s Long Sleeve Fitted T-Shirts from the A New Day line at Target are a good base layer (but we continue the search for the perfect long-sleeved tee!) – affiliate link
• Is there such thing as a cozy bra? We think so. We’re eyeing this one. – affiliate link
• The famous Ashlee Gadd slippers (AKA J. Crew Factory’s suede faux-shearling moccasin slippers) are currently on sale for $24.50 (but sometimes drop down to $19!)
• We LOVE our Kyrgies from a past sponsor! We both wear the Kyrgies All Natural Molded Sole – Low Back style (sadly, it looks like our promo code is no longer valid)
• Sarah picked up this hooded throw blanket from Zulily – makes a great gift!
• Sarah still loves her Hydroflask 12-oz Coffee Mug for keeping tea warm (even without the lid) – affiliate link
• Sarah’s go-to herbal tea is Trader Joe’s Ginger Turmeric; Meagan likes a Lemon Ginger

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When Whitnee Hawthorne was a new mom working a full-time corporate job she had trouble finding resources for women in her position–so she set out to create them. Now a mom of two and still working full-time for a Fortune 500 company, Whitnee helps other moms find their joy and achieve their goals. In this month’s Voices interview, Sarah chats with Whitnee about the morning and evening routines that set each day up for success, the regular practices that can help busy moms reflect and remember their feeling of purpose, and the time management tips that every mom needs (whether or not she works outside the home). Whitnee is FULL of tips and insight–enjoy!

LINKS MENTIONED:

• Emotional Labor, Burnout & Completing The Stress Cycle (Episode 285)
• thesavvyworkingmom.com
• @thesavvyworkingmom on Instagram
• The 10-Minute Reboot, Whitnee’s $7 self-care workbook

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We’ve all heard the terms ‘mental load’ and ’emotional labor,’ but it’s easy to toss them around without pausing to really understand what’s happening in our minds and bodies when we carry prolonged stress with us in our roles as mothers and household managers. Today Meagan and Sarah look at the different ways stress manifests in our own bodies (and psyches), and offer concrete tips for managing feelings of burnout in a particularly challenging season.

This episode was inspired in part by a recent episode of Brene Brown’s Unlocking Us podcast and an interview with authors Amelia and Emily Nagoski about their new book Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle.

LINKS MENTIONED:

• How to Get Your Partner to Take on More Emotional Labor (Britni de la Cretaz, New York Times)
• Moms Do More Invisible Labor, But It’s Possible to Lighten the Load (Marisa Lascala, Good Housekeeping)
• This episode is inspired by an episode from Brene Brown’s Unlocking Us Podcast, Brené with Emily and Amelia Nagoski on Burnout and How to Complete the Stress Cycle

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Listener Alana wrote to us recently to ask if we have a handy list of medicine cabinet must-haves for cold and flu season. We do not have such a list, but we have much to say! In Episode 284 Meagan and Sarah talk through various ages, stages, and accompanying ailments we’ve been able to treat at home–we are VERY clear that we’re not doctors, but we are moms who have seen a lot, from owies to skin troubles, fevers to congestion. And if there’s ever a year to make sure your family’s medicine cabinet is stocked with the supplies that best support your home healthcare philosophy, 2020 is IT. Join us!

As mentioned in the episode, we’re not providing any medical advice in this conversation. We both consult professionals before beginning any new home remedy approach for ourselves or our kids, and we hope you will, too!

LINKS MENTIONED:

• Sign up for our monthly newsletter here!
• Boudreaux’s Butt Paste and Badger Balm diaper creams (affiliate links)
• Check out TruColor skin tone bandages (made by a local friend of Meagan’s)
• Meagan likes the book Smart Medicine for a Healthier Child by Janet Zand (affiliate link)
• Dr. Jack Newman’s All-Purpose Nipple Ointment
• Peas brand ice packs
• The More Than Mom episode we did about our Palm Springs hospitality disaster

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Meagan and Sarah have both experienced parenting in three different decades now, and it reminded us of those old magazine spreads that talked about fashion or makeup (or fill-in-the-blank) in your 20’s, 30’s, and 40’s. Join us for a fun More Than Mom episode where we look at both the benefits and challenges to having had kids when we did–with full recognition that there are upsides and downsides to any decade and any motherhood timeline. Enjoy!

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This episode contains a story of pregnancy loss.

October is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, and recently we’ve seen online and in celebrity culture a few examples of women talking must more openly about their loss experiences, even sharing very vulnerable photos with the world like Chrissy Teigan did earlier this month. Here at The Mom Hour, we are 100% on board with movements that make moms feel less alone in their experience, so we think it’s really important to continue sharing these stories.

In today’s special bonus episode, Sarah talks with Leeann Dearing about her personal experience with pregnancy loss. Leeann is an actress, entrepreneur and proud homeschool mom, and she’s also co-founder of the funny mom duo and viral video company Leeann & Michelle, whose videos you have probably seen taking over the internet. We’re so grateful to Leeann for her time with us today. 

LINKS MENTIONED:

• Leeann’s story about losing baby Marian at 18 weeks, as shared on @leeannandmichelle’s Instagram page
• Chrissy Tiegan’s loss story, also shared on Instagram
• Jaclyn Elizabeth Photography (the photographer friend of Leeann’s who took their hospital photos)
• Dearing Acting Studio
• Leeann & Michelle’s viral videos
• You can see the letter from Joanna Gaines on this page
• Cold Coffee Comedy Crew
• Leeann & Michelle Think They’re Funny (brand new podcast, out NOW!)

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

Older kids and teenagers are experiencing a once-in-a-lifetime event–and they’re old enough to have thoughts about it. As moms, watching our kids miss out on social interactions and developmental rites of passage is tough, as is finding new ways to support their independence and hold boundaries when they push back. In Episode 283 Meagan and Sarah continue last week’s discussion about the very specific parenting challenges brought about by COVID-19, this time with a focus on big kids, tweens, and teens. Join us!

Note: Last week we started this series talking about infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Listen to Episode 282 here.

LINKS MENTIONED:

• Part 1 in this series (Episode 282) aired last week and focused on infants, toddlers and preschoolers
• Sarah mentioned our two episodes featuring psychologist Dr. Erin Lanphier: Removing The Stigma Of Kids In Therapy (Voices 42), and Supporting Kids’ Behavioral Health As The Pandemic Stretches On(Voices 50)
• We loved this interview with Jessica Lahey on What Fresh Hell: Laughing in the Face of Motherhood, all about fostering independence in older kids during the pandemic

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