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in Episodes on August 10, 2015 by The Mom Hour

Chores & Delegation: Episode 15

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Google Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | TuneIn | RSS

Giveaway Update!

Congrats to listener Sara, randomly selected as our WINNER in the giveaway to kristinshop! Thanks to all for listening and entering and a big thanks to Kristin Norton for partnering with us!


 

“Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing is like shoveling the sidewalk before it stops snowing.”

― Phyllis Diller

Or so the saying goes, right? But as much as we’d like to throw our hands in the air sometimes, there are things that have to get done.

In episode 15, Meagan and Sarah get into the details of chores, home management, delegating, and helping kids take on age-appropriate responsibilities.

Links we mentioned in Episode 15:

  • Relevant posts from The Happiest Home:
    • Delegate Like Downton: A Strategy For Managing Home Helpers
    • Confessions of a Chore-Chart Dropout
    • The Honey-Do List & Why It Works For Us
    • How Meagan Learned To Keep A Cleaner House
    • Sometimes It’s OK To Be a Control Freak (or, why Meagan doesn’t delegate certain tasks)
  • Ways to connect with us and get even more from The Mom Hour…
    • Check out the episodes of The Home Hour over there in our sidebar – if you’re all caught up on The Mom Hour and want more of Meagan and Sarah, ta-da!
    • If you’d like to get an email when a new episode is live, fill out the form at the end of this post (note: this is different than subscribing in iTunes or another podcast app)
    • As always, we LOVE (love love) your emails. Hit us up with your questions, ideas, and just to say hi at hello@themomhour.com, or find us on Twitter @themomhour!

GIVEAWAY!

A big thank you to our sponsor for this episode, kristinshop! Founded by a mom of three and self-professed math geek Kristin Norton, kristinshop sells tools to organize, achieve and inspire.

Screen Shot 2015-08-10 at 12.56.38 PM
This week, we’re giving away a $25 credit to kristinshop!

To enter:

  • Check out Kristin’s stock of beautifully designed notebooks, journals, paper products, checklist templates and chore charts at kristinshop.com
  • Leave a comment here on this post, letting us know what you’d love from kristinshop or how chores and delegation work in your house
  • Be sure to include a valid email address in the form when you leave your comment (it will not be published publicly, but we’ll need it to contact you if you win!)

That’s it! Giveaway runs through August 25. We’ll email the winner directly and announce it here as well.

Related

Filed Under: Episodes Tagged With: big kids, home

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« Overcoming Mid-Summer Malaise: Episode 14
Choosing The Right School (Not As Scary As It Seems): Episode 16 »

Comments

  1. Sara Stinger says

    August 12, 2015 at 4:20 pm

    Oh I just LOVE listening to you two. I am the mom of 4 littles ranging from 7 months to 6 years. I would use so many different things from kristinshop. I am a huge meal planner so I would love the what to eat note pad. But just about everything that can help me keep lists and stay organized! With 4 young kids I need all the help I can get!
    I find it hard to delegate to my littles because things usually get done faster and the way I want it if I just do it. BUT I do have my kids do the stairs and floor boards. They also have to help organize their rooms/play room.

  2. Tara C says

    August 12, 2015 at 11:37 pm

    I LOVE the clean room checklist for my kiddos and I love the meal planner for myself!!

  3. Reem says

    August 13, 2015 at 12:39 am

    I loved this podcast! I am in the Sarah stage with a 5 year old and 2 year old so they help slightly! can’t wait to have them help me unload the car, but am enjoying this stage too :)!

    For the Kristin Shop, I would love the Keep Calm and Carry on Journal, as well as the Pack This list as well as the XOXO post it notes as well as the 5 days a week calendar :). Everything on the site looks awesome!

  4. Rachel Holland says

    August 13, 2015 at 12:59 am

    I try to be organized but I am still “in the trenches” as a mommy to a (very high spirited) almost 2 year old. So I could use anything and everything to help with that. I would definitely have to snag that cute little owl journal at kristenshop and I also really like various list charts that would help with making my own honey do lists 😉 Thanks for the opportunity ladies!

  5. Dana Thompson says

    August 13, 2015 at 5:25 pm

    I just found your podcast and love it so far! I took a look around Kristin’s shop and I really could use the open sesame password book.I started thinking about it and if anything happened to me my husband would be up a creek. He doesn’t know what to pay or how to log on to pay it. I think I need something to put together a cheat sheet for him. ? I also would love the “things I forget to remember” pad because it is so fitting.

  6. Lydia Miranda says

    August 13, 2015 at 9:38 pm

    Hi ladies! I love your podcast. The two of you make me feel normal! 🙂 With an 8 year old and a 1 year old, I have one foot in the school-age stage and one in the baby stage. Needless to say, life is a bit hectic right now, with one kid teething and the other getting ready for back-to school. Kristinshop has some really cute items. I would totally love to get a chore chart for my 8 year old. He’s a list-maker like his mom :), and I think having something like that would help me keep him on task, especially when I’m dealing with the little one. Thanks for the show!

  7. Beth says

    August 14, 2015 at 2:13 pm

    The “Things I’ll Forget to Remember” and the daily sticky notes pads are calling my name!

    For everyone in the trenches of survival mode hang in there! The turning point for me was when my older son had school for a full day and the younger one started napping consistently. Just having a two hour block of time I could count on helped my sanity, and my household organization, a thousand percent. I got the house in order and experienced a new clarity which allowed me to make some important life decisions. It was incredible.

  8. Beth Grushkin says

    August 14, 2015 at 7:54 pm

    I LOVE the clean room chart!! I am mom to two boys, ages 7 and 9 and we have tried sooo many chore charts. The one I love best is the simplest—I got it from Life as Mom. It’s called “High Five” and its simply five chores in the am and five at night. All I have to say is, “Have you done your high five?” instead off asking about five individual chores.
    I have also helped the situation immensely by getting rid of (in basement storage) about 3/4 of their toys. There is less to pick up, less stress, less mess, less fighting—it’s wonderful!!
    New to your podcast…and enjoying it!!!

  9. Eileen says

    August 18, 2015 at 5:26 pm

    Love your podcast! I love alll the notepad type items. I really like the clean room checklist, I would definitely get that! Thanks!

  10. Candice says

    August 18, 2015 at 7:38 pm

    I love listening to you guys! I’ve made listening to your podcast as part of my wind down routine. 🙂 I’m also so excited about Kristinshop.com! I’m in love with cute paper products and she has such wonderful things! I love the journals and the chore charts and the lists!

  11. Melissa Wenger says

    August 19, 2015 at 2:38 am

    I love the notepads and sticky notes at Kristinshop!

  12. Jenny M says

    August 19, 2015 at 11:08 pm

    I had the “Keep Calm and have a cupcake” notebook a few years ago. Filled that sucker up. Chores and delegation…ongoing…sort of hard…I think I’m just too tired.

  13. Kristen says

    August 20, 2015 at 12:29 am

    Oh man I adore all kristin’s notepads! I’m a list maker and it makes my heart happy to see all the different ones! Love your podcasts!

  14. Kathy L says

    August 20, 2015 at 4:00 pm

    I love the Kristinshop products! I am about to take on a new role as a Girl Scout leader for my younger daughter, and I would love any of these products to keep me organized, but especially the adorable pouches and any of the folders and planning memo pads.

    Thank you Meagan and Sarah for wonderful, informative, and fun shows.

  15. Maryanne W. says

    August 25, 2015 at 4:22 pm

    The clean room checklist looks so useful!!

  16. Janet says

    August 26, 2015 at 1:15 am

    As of now, I am loving the menu planning list. I make my own but not nearly as cute! The grandparent memory book is a great ideas too! Thanks for a chance to win and keep up the good work on the podcast!

  17. Carol says

    August 26, 2015 at 1:31 am

    Loved this podcast, as we are just starting to introduce regular chores with our 7 year old. Kristin’s shop has some really fun stuff and I’d love to have any of the to do lists and stickie notes.

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Sarah joined @marnihughestv on @newsnationnow this Sarah joined @marnihughestv on @newsnationnow this weekend to talk about how the formula shortage is affecting moms in our community. You can watch the clip at the link in our bio.
A day at the beach with kids is, um, no day at the A day at the beach with kids is, um, no day at the beach. (Sorry, had to. 😎) There’s gear to pack, sand to remove from unseen regions, and safety and sun protection to be mindful of. Thanks to our team of contributors, we’ve got you covered on the blog this week with the products that will make your beach outing fun, safe, and comfortable at every age and stage.

Click this image at the link in our bio to get beach gear recs for every age and stage from baby through teen! And big thanks to @catieparrish @cafedumartin @stacybronec @kiamhammon @emilyeroark for the great suggestions!

#beachgear #momsatthebeach #beachwithbabies #beachwithtoddlers #beachwithkids #beachvacationgear #bestbeachgear #beachgearguide #beach #momlife #summermomlife #beachmom #beachfamily
We're meeting next week to build out podcast and b We're meeting next week to build out podcast and blog content for the next few months. What topics should be on our list to cover?
New episode! As moms, we are our kids' biggest fa New episode!

As moms, we are our kids' biggest fans. But when it comes to deciding when, how and what to share about them with others, the struggle is real. In today’s episode, Meagan and Sarah discuss how talking about our own kids in a public forum gets tricky as they get older (think bigger kids, bigger problems) - and not just for the reasons you might think. Join us for a real conversation about navigating the ever-changing seasons of motherhood and how we think you can be honest and authentic without sharing *everything* going on inside your four walls. We wrap up with some updates on our specific kids (all eight!).

Find the episode wherever you get your podcasts, or click this image at the link in our bio!

#themomhour #motherhood #mompodcast #podcastsformoms #parenting #parentingpodcast #podcastlove #trypod #podcastersofinstagram #shepodcasts
Over the past few weeks, one of my kids - the one Over the past few weeks, one of my kids - the one who, as a baby and toddler, I would once have titled Most Likely To Wail So Long And Hard In The Gym Child Care That I Will Almost Certainly Have To Skip My Shower - has developed a bit of a fitness obsession. 

We've spent hours discussing his lifting program and gym schedule. And today, I scoured the grocery-store shelves for all the ingredients for a smoothie that will, I believe, help him get "jacked" and perhaps "make gains", then stood by as he prepared said smoothie, in case he needed assistance. (He did.)

The path from mothering toddlers to teens is full of surprises, friends. One day, you're trying to squeeze as much self-care as possible into the two-hour child care limit and wondering if the gym folks would catch you if you slipped out the side door for a solo sprint through the grocery store (never had the guts to try, but the temptation was strong.) 

But before you know it, the gym - and the coffee shop, and the inside of the car, and your favorite social media platforms - are no longer primarily your turf, but a shared domain where you try to find common ground even though you feel increasingly old and potentially cringe-inducing (and anyway, you've been told, clearly all the best reels were TikToks first.)

But you keep showing up. 

Because while it’s occasionally uncomfortable to wonder just how out of touch you’ve become since they were little, you also know there are bits of wisdom they rely on you for…wisdom such as how to secure the lid to the blender so you don’t wind up with protein smoothie on the ceiling.

And while they may never again look at you with with unquestioning adoration of a two-year-old, the respect you receive now, while less effusively expressed, is much harder-earned and well-deserved. 

Parenting teens, it seems, is all about striking the proper balance between humility and authority. I’m not sure I’ve figured it out yet and maybe I never will. But I’m still in here punching the bag, and meting out my mothering efforts…one smoothie at a time. 

-M

#parentingteens #grownandflown #bigkidparenting #teens #motherhood
New episode! Moms are savvy consumers, conscienti New episode!

Moms are savvy consumers, conscientious home managers, and discerning decision-makers. So why are we so often the target of hyper-generalized and cringey marketing efforts? In today’s More Than Mom episode - airing on Mother's Day! - Meagan and Sarah keep it light (and a bit snarky 😉) as we vent about the sloppy intent, terrible puns and ridiculous stereotypes advertisers use to market to us moms.

Find the episode wherever you get your podcasts, or click this image at the link in our bio!

#themomhour #motherhood #mompodcast #podcastsformoms #parenting #parentingpodcast #podcastlove #trypod #podcastersofinstagram #shepodcasts
Words by @sarahelimberg, contributor to The Mom Ho Words by @sarahelimberg, contributor to The Mom Hour and new mom of a toddler from San Diego:

--

#MyMomHour usually looks like this. Mid-day Saturday, exhausted from the work week, run down from the morning, heart full because I finally made it to a day with my little girl.

This window of free time is usually during nap with a quick lunch and an episode from the DVR archives that is no doubt a few weeks old. It’s probably the most relaxed and at peace I am all week.

What isn’t pictured is all the work it took to get to this point. All the effort it took to create this time for myself. It took meal planning and dishes after bedtime and house cleaning before breakfast and grocery orders and late night laundry and lunchtime emails and a coordinated vacuum run during our park trip.

I don’t think enough people acknowledge the work it takes for parents and caregivers to take time for themselves. There are endless people and Instagram posts telling you that you need time for yourself. Time to relax. Time to decompress. But I’m not seeing those same people recognize that it isn’t always that simple. I have yet to figure out how to say to my 15 month old, “Mommy needs some time, you good?”

So if you’re reading this during your mom hour, cheers.

If you’re taking two minutes to scroll on your phone in the bathroom, cheers.

Whether you’ve figured out your mom hour or not, I hope your mug is full. 

--

Want a mug like Sarah's? Click this image at the link in our bio.

Want to share what an hour for yourself looks like to you? Tag your post #MyMomHour so we can see it and share!
It's been so fun seeing our mugs out in the world, It's been so fun seeing our mugs out in the world, filled with your coffee and tea, sitting on your kitchen counters or porch steps. Get yours by clicking this image at the link in our bio, and follow the #MyMomHour hashtag to see how moms in our community are taking (or hoping for) an hour to themselves.

💛 ☕️ 💛
Words by @lisapayne4, contributor to The Mom Hour Words by @lisapayne4, contributor to The Mom Hour and mom of four from Kansas:

--

As a single mom of 4 who works full time out of the home, free time hasn’t always been plentiful. But new arrangements have found me with more free time than I’ve had for about 15 years.

Those first hours of free time included trying to figure out what I *do* with free time. Sitting paralyzed, figuring out which of the hundreds of things should occur in this unfamiliar and uncomfortable space of alone.

As the normalcy of the new schedule begins seeping in, indecisiveness trickles away like granules of sand dissipating in an hourglass. Both indicating the countdown to the old normalcy and the gentle flow of time.

Since I work well with organization, I make a mental list, prioritizing 1-2 items begging to be accomplished in #MyMomHour. Sometimes it’s a date with myself at the gym, or a tv show that my kids don’t need to (or want to) watch with me. Often, I’ll pop in an air pod and it’s a podcast, audiobook, music, or phone call while I take care of putting things back in order around the house. Sometimes I doodle on the writings I’ve started, seeing if any inspiration percolates.

I walk away feeling accomplished, refueled and more relaxed without so much clutter, one less pile on the counter or thing on the stairs. It rejuvenates a spirit in me to get back into something I’ve left behind, a friendship, an old project or hobby, self-care…even if it’s binge-watching a new (to me) series. And it always helps me be more present when the old normalcy returns.

--

Want a mug like Lisa's? Click this image at the link in our bio.

Want to share what an hour for yourself looks like to you? Tag your post #MyMomHour so we can see it and share!
New episode! Has your reading life come to a scre New episode!

Has your reading life come to a screeching halt due to the responsibilities of motherhood? In this month’s Voices interview, Meagan welcomes back blogger, podcaster, and book club leader Amy Clark of @MomAdvice, to discuss how a busy mom can take small steps to create a readerly life. We discuss all the hacks for finding the time to dive back in (think TikTok’s #sundayreset for inspiration!) and a neat tool for finding the perfect book to match your mood. Amy also shares how reading can help you "find your people" during your current season of life. This episode is for anyone looking to fit more reading into their lives (in little and big ways).

Find the episode wherever you get your podcasts, or click this image at the link in our bio! 

#themomhour #motherhood #mompodcast #podcastsformoms #parenting #parentingpodcast #podcastlove #trypod #podcastersofinstagram #shepodcasts @momadvice
Words by @thepaperdart, contributor to The Mom Hou Words by @thepaperdart, contributor to The Mom Hour and mom of three from Southern California:

--

This past November, when my third child was about six months old, I decided to write a novel. It sounds insane, and like it was the absolute last thing I needed to take on, but it ended up being one of the best decisions I made that year. 

While being a mom has transformed me for the better in so many ways, it’s also made it difficult for me to connect with, and nurture, the person I was before. The person who had dreams, goals, and interests that had nothing to do with making lunches or patching boo boos. 

And while, when I initially started down this path, the idea of finding an hour a day to write seemed impossible, I’ve since learned that it’s not. And, instead, is actually kind of essential. 

Because when I find the time to write—to get lost in the imaginary world that is no one’s but my own—I reclaim a little piece of myself in the process. And even though the time I spend at this desk every day may be short, the impact—particularly on my mental health—is far-reaching. 

So when I find that hour of alone time—which usually happens late at night after everyone is in bed—I try to use it to invest in myself, and the thing that brings me joy, satisfaction, and a sense of reclaiming the parts of ME that can so easily get lost in the equally fulfilling and exhausting day-to-day work of caring for the little people I love. 

--

Want a mug like Katherine's? Click this image at the link in our bio.

Want to share what an hour for yourself looks like to you? Tag your post #MyMomHour so we can see it and share!
For the last few years, Mother's Day has felt "off For the last few years, Mother's Day has felt "off" to me (Sarah). I've outgrown the years where I desperately needed a nap and a lighter load of kid-duties and housework, where it felt indulgent and special and truly celebratory to be honored and even spoiled a little. These days, with bigger kids in school, I get enough time to myself on a regular basis. And caring for my home is actually something I enjoy - most of the time - so taking an arbitrary day off of dishes and laundry didn't sync with my actual needs.

(Pausing here to reinforce the fact that I'm talking about what felt right - or not right -  for ME, personally, one mom in a specific set of circumstances. In case it isn't abundantly clear, the TL;DR of this post is: YOU DO YOU, MAMA.)

The part that felt the most "off" was how my partner and I each felt obligated to give each other this "day off" during what is, for our family, one of the busiest seasons of the year. First for Mother's Day, during what we all know is a truly bonkers stretch of end-of-school madness, and then for Father's Day, when we're all just *barely* catching our breath and transitioning from spring to summer. It felt obligatory, transactional, and to be totally honest, the special person didn't particularly want the day off and the bestower felt kinda grumpy about providing it.

So last Father's Day Bryan and I declared that we're done trying to deliver each other a responsibility-free day for Mother's and Father's days. We're also done buying MD and FD gifts for each other, or taking the kids to Target at the eleventh hour to scrounge up a funny mug and some chocolate. We're not NOT celebrating or, like, taking some big stance against the holiday, we're just dialing it wayyyyy back. 

What makes me so happy about this is not only the *removing* of something that wasn't feeling meaningful, but the realization that we've arrived at this place because we both *genuinely* enjoy a Regular Ol' Family Sunday. We don't need breaks from family life right now; we can celebrate just by living it.

I hope your Mother's Day is shaping up in a way that feels right to you, right now. And if it isn't, there's always next year. -S
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Sarah joined @marnihughestv on @newsnationnow this Sarah joined @marnihughestv on @newsnationnow this weekend to talk about how the formula shortage is affecting moms in our community. You can watch the clip at the link in our bio.
A day at the beach with kids is, um, no day at the A day at the beach with kids is, um, no day at the beach. (Sorry, had to. 😎) There’s gear to pack, sand to remove from unseen regions, and safety and sun protection to be mindful of. Thanks to our team of contributors, we’ve got you covered on the blog this week with the products that will make your beach outing fun, safe, and comfortable at every age and stage.

Click this image at the link in our bio to get beach gear recs for every age and stage from baby through teen! And big thanks to @catieparrish @cafedumartin @stacybronec @kiamhammon @emilyeroark for the great suggestions!

#beachgear #momsatthebeach #beachwithbabies #beachwithtoddlers #beachwithkids #beachvacationgear #bestbeachgear #beachgearguide #beach #momlife #summermomlife #beachmom #beachfamily
We're meeting next week to build out podcast and b We're meeting next week to build out podcast and blog content for the next few months. What topics should be on our list to cover?
New episode! As moms, we are our kids' biggest fa New episode!

As moms, we are our kids' biggest fans. But when it comes to deciding when, how and what to share about them with others, the struggle is real. In today’s episode, Meagan and Sarah discuss how talking about our own kids in a public forum gets tricky as they get older (think bigger kids, bigger problems) - and not just for the reasons you might think. Join us for a real conversation about navigating the ever-changing seasons of motherhood and how we think you can be honest and authentic without sharing *everything* going on inside your four walls. We wrap up with some updates on our specific kids (all eight!).

Find the episode wherever you get your podcasts, or click this image at the link in our bio!

#themomhour #motherhood #mompodcast #podcastsformoms #parenting #parentingpodcast #podcastlove #trypod #podcastersofinstagram #shepodcasts
Over the past few weeks, one of my kids - the one Over the past few weeks, one of my kids - the one who, as a baby and toddler, I would once have titled Most Likely To Wail So Long And Hard In The Gym Child Care That I Will Almost Certainly Have To Skip My Shower - has developed a bit of a fitness obsession. 

We've spent hours discussing his lifting program and gym schedule. And today, I scoured the grocery-store shelves for all the ingredients for a smoothie that will, I believe, help him get "jacked" and perhaps "make gains", then stood by as he prepared said smoothie, in case he needed assistance. (He did.)

The path from mothering toddlers to teens is full of surprises, friends. One day, you're trying to squeeze as much self-care as possible into the two-hour child care limit and wondering if the gym folks would catch you if you slipped out the side door for a solo sprint through the grocery store (never had the guts to try, but the temptation was strong.) 

But before you know it, the gym - and the coffee shop, and the inside of the car, and your favorite social media platforms - are no longer primarily your turf, but a shared domain where you try to find common ground even though you feel increasingly old and potentially cringe-inducing (and anyway, you've been told, clearly all the best reels were TikToks first.)

But you keep showing up. 

Because while it’s occasionally uncomfortable to wonder just how out of touch you’ve become since they were little, you also know there are bits of wisdom they rely on you for…wisdom such as how to secure the lid to the blender so you don’t wind up with protein smoothie on the ceiling.

And while they may never again look at you with with unquestioning adoration of a two-year-old, the respect you receive now, while less effusively expressed, is much harder-earned and well-deserved. 

Parenting teens, it seems, is all about striking the proper balance between humility and authority. I’m not sure I’ve figured it out yet and maybe I never will. But I’m still in here punching the bag, and meting out my mothering efforts…one smoothie at a time. 

-M

#parentingteens #grownandflown #bigkidparenting #teens #motherhood
New episode! Moms are savvy consumers, conscienti New episode!

Moms are savvy consumers, conscientious home managers, and discerning decision-makers. So why are we so often the target of hyper-generalized and cringey marketing efforts? In today’s More Than Mom episode - airing on Mother's Day! - Meagan and Sarah keep it light (and a bit snarky 😉) as we vent about the sloppy intent, terrible puns and ridiculous stereotypes advertisers use to market to us moms.

Find the episode wherever you get your podcasts, or click this image at the link in our bio!

#themomhour #motherhood #mompodcast #podcastsformoms #parenting #parentingpodcast #podcastlove #trypod #podcastersofinstagram #shepodcasts
Words by @sarahelimberg, contributor to The Mom Ho Words by @sarahelimberg, contributor to The Mom Hour and new mom of a toddler from San Diego:

--

#MyMomHour usually looks like this. Mid-day Saturday, exhausted from the work week, run down from the morning, heart full because I finally made it to a day with my little girl.

This window of free time is usually during nap with a quick lunch and an episode from the DVR archives that is no doubt a few weeks old. It’s probably the most relaxed and at peace I am all week.

What isn’t pictured is all the work it took to get to this point. All the effort it took to create this time for myself. It took meal planning and dishes after bedtime and house cleaning before breakfast and grocery orders and late night laundry and lunchtime emails and a coordinated vacuum run during our park trip.

I don’t think enough people acknowledge the work it takes for parents and caregivers to take time for themselves. There are endless people and Instagram posts telling you that you need time for yourself. Time to relax. Time to decompress. But I’m not seeing those same people recognize that it isn’t always that simple. I have yet to figure out how to say to my 15 month old, “Mommy needs some time, you good?”

So if you’re reading this during your mom hour, cheers.

If you’re taking two minutes to scroll on your phone in the bathroom, cheers.

Whether you’ve figured out your mom hour or not, I hope your mug is full. 

--

Want a mug like Sarah's? Click this image at the link in our bio.

Want to share what an hour for yourself looks like to you? Tag your post #MyMomHour so we can see it and share!
It's been so fun seeing our mugs out in the world, It's been so fun seeing our mugs out in the world, filled with your coffee and tea, sitting on your kitchen counters or porch steps. Get yours by clicking this image at the link in our bio, and follow the #MyMomHour hashtag to see how moms in our community are taking (or hoping for) an hour to themselves.

💛 ☕️ 💛
Words by @lisapayne4, contributor to The Mom Hour Words by @lisapayne4, contributor to The Mom Hour and mom of four from Kansas:

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As a single mom of 4 who works full time out of the home, free time hasn’t always been plentiful. But new arrangements have found me with more free time than I’ve had for about 15 years.

Those first hours of free time included trying to figure out what I *do* with free time. Sitting paralyzed, figuring out which of the hundreds of things should occur in this unfamiliar and uncomfortable space of alone.

As the normalcy of the new schedule begins seeping in, indecisiveness trickles away like granules of sand dissipating in an hourglass. Both indicating the countdown to the old normalcy and the gentle flow of time.

Since I work well with organization, I make a mental list, prioritizing 1-2 items begging to be accomplished in #MyMomHour. Sometimes it’s a date with myself at the gym, or a tv show that my kids don’t need to (or want to) watch with me. Often, I’ll pop in an air pod and it’s a podcast, audiobook, music, or phone call while I take care of putting things back in order around the house. Sometimes I doodle on the writings I’ve started, seeing if any inspiration percolates.

I walk away feeling accomplished, refueled and more relaxed without so much clutter, one less pile on the counter or thing on the stairs. It rejuvenates a spirit in me to get back into something I’ve left behind, a friendship, an old project or hobby, self-care…even if it’s binge-watching a new (to me) series. And it always helps me be more present when the old normalcy returns.

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Want a mug like Lisa's? Click this image at the link in our bio.

Want to share what an hour for yourself looks like to you? Tag your post #MyMomHour so we can see it and share!
New episode! Has your reading life come to a scre New episode!

Has your reading life come to a screeching halt due to the responsibilities of motherhood? In this month’s Voices interview, Meagan welcomes back blogger, podcaster, and book club leader Amy Clark of @MomAdvice, to discuss how a busy mom can take small steps to create a readerly life. We discuss all the hacks for finding the time to dive back in (think TikTok’s #sundayreset for inspiration!) and a neat tool for finding the perfect book to match your mood. Amy also shares how reading can help you "find your people" during your current season of life. This episode is for anyone looking to fit more reading into their lives (in little and big ways).

Find the episode wherever you get your podcasts, or click this image at the link in our bio! 

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