In early motherhood the kitchen can be full chaos: sippy cups, art projects, and endless daily responsibilities. But as kids get older, there may be room for moms to reclaim this space for ourselves. Meagan and Sarah explore the physical changes our kitchens have undergone—decluttering countertops, creating inviting cooking spaces, and personalizing our surroundings. We also dive into the mental and emotional aspects of this journey and the small steps you can take to make it happen – even if you’re not quite done with the sippys. Join us!

HELPFUL LINKS:

• Pre-Order Meagan’s book, The Last Parenting Book You’ll Ever Read: How We Let Our Kids Go And Embrace What’s Nest (This is an affiliate link.)
• Sarah loved IKEA’s kids tableware when her kids were little
• Sarah mentioned reading House Love by Patric Richardson, a joyful guide to cleaning, organizing and loving the home you’re in.(This is an affiliate link.)
• Episodes From The Archives You May Enjoy:
• Is Your Family Table Growing Or Shrinking?: Episode 481
• The Muscle Memory Of Motherhood: Episode 363
• “Always In Rotation” Dinners: Episode 453
• Small Home Refreshes To Kick Off Summer: Episode 466
• Kitchen Gadgets & Gear, Part 1: Episode 431 and Kitchen Gadgets & Gear, Part 2: Episode 432

OTHER 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!)
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The world feels pretty heavy right now, and doom-scrolling doesn’t help. Today Meagan and Sarah talk about the tricky balance between staying informed as global citizens and not letting it all overwhelm us. We look at how overwhelm can lead to inaction and, on the flip side, how taking small actions – especially in our local communities – can provide a sense of purpose and even hope. Plus, we’ve got some practical ideas on how you can make a real difference in your community. Join us!

HELPFUL LINKS:

• Interested in donating blood? Start here.
• Episodes From The Archives You May Enjoy:
• Headlines, Heartache & Helping: Episode 124
• More Than Mom: Social Media
• Real Vs. Artificial (And How We Help Our Kids Tell The Difference)
• Rethinking Instagram: Episode 456

OTHER 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.

Ever thought about treating yourself to a completely frivolous outing? What about a great meal in a restaurant – table for one? Meagan and Sarah are here to explore the benefits of solo activities! We chat about the joys and quirks of spending time alone—do we really love it, or is it a little scary? What types of outings feel restorative to do alone, and which ones would we rather buddy up for? Get ready for creative ideas to carve out some me-time in the midst of mom-life. Join us!

This is Part 1 of 3 in our ‘Treat Yo Self’ series this fall. Check back in mid-November for Part 2!

HELPFUL LINKS:

• Sarah is reading The Artist’s Way, at Meagan’s recommendation (affiliate link)
• Meagan and Sarah referenced the Treat Yo Self episode of Parks and Recreation.
• Getting There Is Half The Fun (Especially When You’re Flying Solo) (this More Than Mom episode pairs nicely with this one!)
• Meagan talked about taking a solo trip to her childhood hometown – read more about it here

OTHER 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.

Are you responsible for nurturing close bonds, planning family togetherness, and preserving tradition across generations? You might be a kinkeeper (and you probably have feelings about it!). Today Meagan and Sarah unpack the concept of kinkeeping, share our personal feelings about the work of living in and raising a connected family (our thoughts might surprise you!), and look at patterns from our own families of origin that adhere to – or break from – traditional kinkeeping roles. Join us!

HELPFUL LINKS:

• The New York Times piece The Constant Work to Keep a Family Connected Has a Name by Danielle Friedman got us thinking about this topic (gift link – no need to have a subscription)
• Why Dad’s Side of the Family Tends to Miss Out by Chiara Dello Joio in The Atlantic (gift link – no need to have a subscription)
• The Plight of the Eldest Daughter by Sarah Sloat, also in The Atlantic (also a gift link)
• Meagan referenced the episode Fall Traditions With Tweens & Teens: Episode 487
• Episodes You May Enjoy From The Archives:
• Nurturing Grandparent-Grandkid Relationships: Episode 390
• Seasonally-Inspired Homemaking & Parenting: Voices 79 With Katherine DeVries
• Genealogy & Family History: Episode 441

OTHER 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.

What do happy moms do to keep stress, irritability, and dissatisfaction in check? While no mom feels joyful all the time, this classic episode from 2018 dives into ten habits of mostly-happy moms. Tune in to discover practical tips that can help you maintain perspective in the chaos of motherhood and bring more joy to your daily life. Enjoy!

HELPFUL LINKS:

• Meagan’s 2011 book with Parenting Magazine is The Happiest Mom: 10 Secrets to Enjoying Motherhood.(This is an affiliate link.)
• KJ Dell’Antonia is our friend and parenting writer wrote the book How To Be A Happier Parent. (This is an affiliate link.)
• Episodes You May Enjoy From The Archives:
• What Are Your Mom Superpowers? 
• Routines, Rituals & Traditions 
• More Than Mom: Small Habits That Make A Big Difference
• How To Be A Happier Parent with KJ Dell’Antonia: Voices 28

OTHER HELPFUL LINKS:

• Visit our website
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• 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.

If your kids are outgrowing handprint turkeys and pumpkin patch bouncy castles – or if you’re curious about life beyond trunk-or-treat – this episode is for you! Today Sarah shares with Meagan what fall fun looks like in her house of teens and a preteen. From fantasy football to ugly pumpkin pranks, bake-offs and taste-tests and more, we’re finding new ways to enjoy the season together as our kids get older. Join us!

HELPFUL LINKS:

• Learn more about Fantasy Football
• Samantha shared her countdown to halloween with our Facebook Community
• Listen to The Girl Next Door podcast’s Fall Extravaganza episode
• Episodes From The Archives You May Enjoy:
• BONUS: Six Strategies For A Fall Wardrobe Reboot
• More Than Mom: Tiny Habits For Making The Most Of Your Fall Mom Mojo
• More Than Mom: Fall Style Update
• On Our Tables This Fall: Episode 231
• Cozy Audiobooks For Fall
• More Than Mom: Fall!

OTHER 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.

“This too shall pass,” we’re told. But will it? More importantly, DID IT? Today Meagan and Sarah reflect on parenting challenges that once felt monumental, taking time to unpack whether those hard seasons did, in fact, pass, or whether they lingered and shape-shifted into something else. We also look at some (though not all!) bygone struggles through the lens of nostalgia, offering perspective to newer moms in the form of a 2000’s country song. Join us!

HELPFUL LINKS:

• Episodes From The Archives You May Enjoy:
• More Than Mom: Romanticizing The Hard Stuff
• On “Taking A Break” As A Mom (And Human!): Episode 423
• On Reparenting Ourselves: Episode 475
• Regrets, We’ve Had A Few: Episode 440

OTHER HELPFUL LINKS:

• Visit our website
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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.

Today, we’re sharing an episode from another podcast we know you all are going to love. It’s called StrollerCoaster, and it was created by Munchkin, the most loved baby lifestyle brand in the world. 

StrollerCoaster is hosted by Lynn Smith – a mom and former news anchor for NBC – and co-hosted by an improv comedian. StrollerCoaster is a place to laugh over those crazy moments of parenting and learn something new. Together, Lynn and Justin talk about everything from practicing patience to kids snacks to making parent friends.

Follow StrollerCoaster on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

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

“How am I supposed to get it all done?” Fear not: The Lazy Genius, Kendra Adachi, is here to help. Join Catie Parish as she chats with Kendra about time management, knowing yourself, and her new book, The Plan: Manage Your Time Like A Lazy Genius. Kendra shares practical strategies for prioritizing tasks, setting boundaries, and embracing flexibility in our routines. She also takes questions from The Mom Hour listener community. Join us!

HELPFUL LINKS:

• Kendra recommends Sam Kelly, a parenting expert who helps families teach their children how to “notice”
• Manage your time like the Lazy Genius and Preorder The Plan
• Everything Lazy Genius 
• Catie mentioned The Enneagram Test. Not sure what you are? Take the free assessment.
• Similar Episodes From The Archives:
• Time Management For The Season You’re In: Episode 483
• Time Management & Productivity Tips For Savvy Working Moms: Voices 54 With Whitnee Hawthorne
• Productivity & Time Management Tips For Moms: Episode 169
• Kendra first appeared on The Mom Hour in Finding & Embracing What Matters To YOU: Voices 58 With The Lazy Genius Kendra Adachi

OTHER 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.

Knitting, sourdough starters, book clubs and more! As Meagan’s and Sarah’s lives continue to evolve with older kids and launched adults, we’re finding space for hobbies and interests that may sound surprisingly … cliché? Today we’re leaning all the way into our status as midlife ladies, and chat about the leisure activities we’re currently dabbling in, what we’re ready to elevate to the next level, and a few dreams we hope to incorporate into our lives. Enjoy!

HELPFUL LINKS:

• The Mom Hour contributor Jayme sent Sarah this beginner’s washcloth knitting pattern
• Both Meagan and Sarah love Karen Walrond, who shares ideas for art journaling on her Insta
• Meagan shares more about her sourdough bread-making journey in The Sunday Steep #6: The magic of developing a relationship with your kitchen
• Sarah purchased this candle-making starter kit from EarthTonix on Etsy (inspired by a purchase at Sunkissed Pantry!)
• Meagan enjoys watching A Farm Through Time show on the BBC about farming through 3 different periods of time.
• Episodes From The Archives You May Enjoy:
• More Than Mom: Creative Hobbies (Now … Soonish … Maybe Someday)
• More Than Mom: Hobbies
• Hobbies & Passions Outside Motherhood: Episode 43

OTHER 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.