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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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
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• 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.

Looking for Meagan and Sarah's new podcast, Midlife Lady Leisure Pursuits? Subscribe now on Spotify, Apple, Amazon Music, or follow us on Substack!

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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.

Getting things done in a way that fits your stage of life is a moving target – and rarely have we found ourselves with a Goldilocks ‘just right’ approach to productivity. Join Meagan and Sarah as we look back at six different time management approaches we’ve taken over our many years of motherhood, from time blocking and digital calendar mastery to the simplest pen-and-paper priorities list, and reflect on how they served us in the season we were in. Enjoy!

HELPFUL LINKS:

• Episodes From The Archives You May Enjoy:
• Hacks For Slaying Busy Seasons: Episode 460
• Getting Things Done When Life Is…A Lot: Episode 452
• More Than Mom: 8 Calendar Planning Lessons We’ve Learned
• Time Management & Productivity Tips For Savvy Working Moms: Voices 54 With Whitnee Hawthorne
• Kendra Adachi, The Lazy Genius, will be on the podcast in two weeks talking about her new book The PLAN, a book on time management. (affiliate link)
• Technology we mention in this episode:
• Todoist
• Google Calendar
• Meagan recommended that Sarah read The Artist Way (affiliate link)

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.

Ready to fall head-over-heels for your wardrobe? Today Meagan and Sarah share our top strategies for a purposeful fall wardrobe reboot. We discuss how to tackle common wardrobe dilemmas, such as organizing your closet to really see what’s in it, and investing in versatile statement pieces. We also touch on the impact of fast fashion and how thoughtful purchases can make your fall style feel more cohesive and intentional. Join us!

HELPFUL LINKS:

• Sarah loves her jumpsuit from MeUndies
• Meagan enjoyed the book Laundry Love by Patric Richardson to learn how to care for her clothing (this is an affiliate link)
• Meagan loves this wrap sweater from WoolX, crew neck sweater from Paca, a sweater coat and a cotton cropped cardigan from Quince.
• Sarah’s standout cropped cardigan sweater is from Quince.
• Meagan and Sarah are both using ThredUp a second-hand clothing online store
• Episodes From The Archives On Wardrobe/Style/Fashion:
• What We’re Wearing Lately: Episode 450
• Cozy Winter Style Inspiration: Episode 397
• More Than Mom: Fall Style Update
• More Than Mom: The State Of Our Style, One Year Into COVID
• How To Create A Mindful Closet (And Discover Clothes You Truly Love): Voices 53

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.

As kids get older, what it looks like to stay connected to them changes. They may be less likely to share their innermost thoughts or snuggle up next to us on the couch; and by design, they're much more interested in friends, hobbies, and activities happening outside our direct sphere of influence. In today's episode, Meagan and Sarah share how we stay connected to our preteen, teen, and young adult children. From car ride convos and binge-watching shows to family group texts, we’re sharing tips and stories on staying connected. Join us!

HELPFUL LINKS:

• Episodes From The Archives Like This One:
• 10 Things We Love About Teenagers: Episode 449
• “Typical” Teen Milestones: They’re Not What You Think! Episode 464
• Motherly Love In Theory & Practice: Episode 451
• BONUS: Dr. Ken Ginsburg On Why Teens Need Their Parents More Than Ever
• Meagan Schools Sarah on Parenting Teens: Episode 310

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.

From the first solid foods we stock for an infant to the shock of discovering that a half-loaf of bread will do for the week because another college-bound teen has flown the nest, there’s a poignant bell curve to feeding a family. Meal planning, shopping, and cooking ebb and flow depending on the stage of parenting we find ourselves in, and today, Meagan and Sarah reflect on the strategies that have served us in different stages, how we remember the years of the expanding family table, and what it’s like being on the downslope of that curve these days. Join us!

HELPFUL LINKS:

• Episodes from the archives on Meals and Family:
• Envisioning Your Week Of Ideal Meals: Episode 331
• Reclaiming Feeding Your Family For Fall: Episode 476
• “Always In Rotation” Dinners: Episode 453
• Feel-Good Foods & Feeding Ourselves Well: Episode 415

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.