Joy wonders how parenting changes as kids hit new milestones. As Emily’s youngest approaches kindergarten, she wants to find purpose beyond motherhood. Chelsea struggles in a new remote work position and questions whether she made the right career move. And Dana asks when and how to start conversations with her kids about the expectations she has for them after high school. This week we’re back with MORE listener questions – enjoy! HELPFUL LINKS:Listener Question episodes from the archives.Emily and Chelsea mentioned working motherhood and purpose in their listener questions. Click here to find more episodes and blog posts on working motherhood.If you’re looking for more content about parenting teens, check out the playlist 18 podcast episodes from our archives.Meagan and Sarah mention the various jobs they’ve held in Living A Writerly Life: Episode 454OTHER HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin 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.

Summer lets kids expand their experiences, gain new skills, and experience independence – but those opportunities can be scary, too! In this classic replay from 2022, Meagan and Sarah share stories about the times our kids seemed vulnerable when faced with more independence, how those nerves showed up in our children (and ourselves!), how we handled our nervous energy, and planned for major milestones with kids who were nervous to spread their wings. Enjoy! HELPFUL LINKS:This playlist has over 30 episodes of The Mom Hour about planning for summerSarah has found the books The Gift of Failure by Jessica Lahey and How to Raise an Adult by Julie Lythcott-Haims very motivating to encourage kids to get outside their comfort zones. Sarah heard Martha Beck talking about brain science on Glennon Doyle’s podcast We Can Do Hard ThingsRead our Contributor Joanne’s blog post, “This Is Too Hard!”: How I’m Showing My Kids The Importance Of Doing Hard Things OTHER HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin 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.

Rebekah struggles with a culture of “husband bashing” and negativity in her local mom circles. Ainsley wonders how she and her husband will handle being outnumbered once their third child arrives. Candice wants to feel seen in all she does for her family – prompting Meagan and Sarah to explore different kinds of invisible labor and unpack the work we sometimes assign ourselves. And Amanda asks us to give an update on our current food values. In Episode 461, Meagan and Sarah take these questions from our community and offer tips and validation. Enjoy! HELPFUL LINKS:Listener Question episodes from the archivesDo you relate to Rebekah’s mom friend question? Here’s more on friendships in motherhood from the archives: Friendships in Motherhood, Part One (Redefining “Ride Or Die”): Episode 307 and Friendships In Motherhood, Part Two (Deepening & Widening Your Circle): Episode 308.Episodes from the archives on Mental Load and Invisible LaborEmotional Labor, Burnout & Completing The Stress Cycle: Episode 285Letting Go of Perfect-Holiday-Mom Pressure (For Real This Time): Episode 290Episodes from the archives on FoodFamily Food Values & What’s Working For Us: Episode 244 and Defining Your Family’s Food Values: Episode 113 references Meagan and Sarah’s food values from the pastOTHER HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin 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.

Baseball, Scouts, soccer, basketball….you name it, our kids are doing it! In this episode, Catie and Katie are back to discuss all the stuff, processes, and mindsets that help get our families through a busy season. Join us for some of our favorite products, meal strategies, plus where and how we delegate responsibilities out to family members. Plus, it’ll be summer before we know it, and have some thoughts on how to tackle that, too. Enjoy! Meagan and Sarah are off for the first two weeks of April. Enjoy the Katie+Catie takeover, and we’ll be back soon! HELPFUL LINKS:Follow Katie Gouldner and Catie Parrish on Instagram.Katie mentioned the BONUS: Navigating Youth Sports episode with contributors Jayme and Jennifer.Katie loves her lululemon clippable card pouch she can easily throw into whatever bag is needed for extracurriculars and attaches it to a bracelet to wear around her wrist.Catie uses these post-it dry erase whiteboard stickers.Our favorite water bottles include Yeti, Owala, and Gatorade water bottles for sports.Katie keeps her Vera Bradley Large Tote in the trunk to throw all the stuff in when going to sporting events.Catie and Katie both utilize Bentgo boxes and Easy Lunchboxes for dinners-on-the-go. OTHER HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin 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.

With the cost of EVERYTHING at near record highs, many families want to be mindful about where all their hard-earned dollars go. In this episode, Catie Parrish and Katie Gouldner share some of their best tips and tricks for stretching those dollars (and even saving in the process!). While groceries and eating out are easy targets for slashing your monthly spending, you might be surprised at a few other tips for saving big – plus, Katie shares how her recent no-spend month went, and how much her family saved! Meagan and Sarah are off for the first two weeks of April. Enjoy the Katie+Catie takeover, and we’ll be back soon! HELPFUL LINKS:Follow Katie Gouldner and Catie Parrish on InstagramKatie mentioned an episode of The Frugal Friends podcast, No Spend January, that spurred her mindful spending monthEpisodes From The Archives That Pair Well With This One:Saving Money On Food And Groceries: Episode 3517 Ways We’re Saving Money This Fall: Episode 277Saving Money on Groceries & Household Supplies: Episode 55Katie mentioned the family amusement park Hersheypark which is located in Central, PennsylvaniaCatie mentioned this Arboretum outside of ChicagoKatie chatted with Sarah about planning her 2023 Disney World Vacation in Disney Planning / Disney Parenting: Episode 410Catie joined Meagan in the episodes Tips For Traveling With Small Kids (Catie’s Florida Family Vacation) and Tips For Traveling With Teens (Meagan’s Florida Family Vacation)OTHER HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin 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.

Nine years on the mic together and almost thirteen collaborating in some capacity: today we’re reflecting and celebrating! Whether you’re a longtime listener who feels like a friend (we see you!) or a newer community member still learning which one of us is blonde (it’s Meagan), this episode will bring fresh stories and familiar reminders of who we are and why we’re here. We hope you’ll join us! HELPFUL LINKSEpisodes from the archives that pair well with this one:How We’re The Same (And Also Different)Meagan & Sarah Interview Each OtherWhat We’ve Learned From Each OtherTraveling As Business BestiesOur Childhood CrushesAsk Us Anything!Sarah mentioned this episode: Talking About Our Own Kids. Or Not: Episode 364The Behind The Scenes of the Podcast Episodes:Business Behind-The-Scenes & State Of The Podcast Chat: Episode 396More Than Mom: Behind The Scenes Of Our PartnershipMore Than Mom: Making The Podcast (Then vs. Now)More Than Mom: Behind The Scenes & Business UpdatesBehind The Scenes (How We Make The Podcast): Episode 91Other Helpful Links:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin 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.

We’re revisiting a classic from the archives today: a ridiculous game of Would You Rather…? Meagan and Sarah recorded this one in person together on a hot summer day back in 2018 (almost six years ago!), and in it we challenge each other to pick between wildly impossible scenarios. Which one of us would rather deal with an insane diaper blowout while in public and which would rather have an end-of-the-world public tantrum? You’ll have to listen to find out! HELPFUL LINKSA follow-up episode where we played even more Would You Rather…Meagan references acting in a local theater. Here’s more episodes from the archives on hobbies! OTHER HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin 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.

Whether it’s a sick day, a snow day, or something else entirely, being stuck at home with kids is a natural opportunity to bend or flex your house rules to keep the kids entertained (and retain your sanity). In today’s episode, Meagan and Sarah share our community’s genius ideas for getting through long days spent at home. Join us for smart hacks for sick kids (and moms!), easy activities that help full long hours, and ways to make being stuck inside a little less awful. Enjoy! HELPFUL LINKS:Our Mother’s Gratitude Journal is out! (affiliate link)Meagan and Sarah mentioned longtime show sponsor Kiwi Crate as a great option for packaged crafts and experiments for various ages. Get 50% off your first month plus FREE shipping on ANY crate line with code THEMOMHOUR.These ideas came from our Facebook Community – answer the membership questions and request to join for more practical tips for making stuck-at-home days with kids less stressful and more fun!Episodes from the archives that pair nicely with this one:House Rules For Sibling Harmony: Episode 314OMG We’re Sick AGAIN?!: Episode 389Uggghhh…Sick Days: Episode 75Stuck At Home? Us Too. Here Are Some Ideas: Episode 252Check out the blog post, 8 Activities To Make Spring Break At Home With Little Kids Bearable (And Fun!)OTHER HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin 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.

Today we’re sharing an episode of another podcast we think you might love: Pop Culture Moms. Hosts Andie and Sabrina are toddler moms and best friends of 20 years. In this new podcast they’re taking their obsession with TV and movies to the next level by talking to celebrities, writers and fellow “scholars” of pop culture about what they can learn from the fictional moms they love most. In the excerpt you’ll hear today, former MTV News correspondent SuChin Pak talks about reparenting ourselves when we become parents. Listen to Pop Culture Moms here! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is it time to break up with Instagram? Or just hit pause on the relationship? Today Meagan and Sarah dive in to some of the reasons behind our personal absences from the social platform lately. Without judgment about anybody else’s online behavior, we reflect on what’s working and not working about our own. We own up to some icky-feeling habits, share observations about what it takes to change said habits, and how we envision our futures on the platform. Join us! HELPFUL LINKS:We started to explore this topic recently in Episode 444: Do Today’s New Moms Have It Easier? Or Harder?Episodes from the archives related to this topic:#Influenced: Episode 436More Than Mom: #InfluencedMore Than Mom: Social MediaYour Media Diet: Is It Healthy? Episode 03Meagan’s family bookstore (Paper Mill Books in Manistique, MI) can be found on Instagram @papermillbooksOTHER HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin 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.