• Home
  • About
    • New? Start Here.
    • Meet The Co-Hosts
    • Meet The Contributors
  • Sponsor
  • Contact
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter

The Mom Hour

Happier motherhood starts here.

  • New? Start Here.
  • Podcast
    • Recent Episodes
    • Complete Archives
    • Search By Topic
  • Blog
  • Ages & Stages
    • Babies
    • Toddlers
    • Preschoolers
    • Big Kids
    • Tweens & Teens
  • Family Travel Hub

in Episodes on September 1, 2015 by The Mom Hour

Let’s Discuss “Sports Parenting”: Episode 18

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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

Meagan has never identified as a “sports parent,” but this fall she has four kids in four different sports. Sarah is still learning to find the balance between protecting precious time at home and allowing her younger kids to explore different activities.

Listen to Episode 18 as we confess some of our (admittedly curmudgeonly) opinions on sports and activity parenting as well as some of the ways we’ve found to encourage our kids in their activities without letting go of our commitment to family time in the evenings.

Links we discussed in Episode 18:

  • ‘I love to Watch You Play’ but Not Every Game (Sharon Holbrook for The New York Times Motherlode blog)
  • Minimalist Parenting, authored by our friends Asha and Christine

How do sports and activities work in your house? Join the conversation by commenting below, or send us an email to hello@themomhour.com!

Related

Filed Under: Episodes Tagged With: big kids

deals from our partners


Shop Jane

When you click through these links and make a purchase, we earn a small commission at no additional cost to you (and we only partner with brands we’ve used and truly love!).

« Back-to-School, The Easy Way: Episode 17
Things We Shouldn’t Have Freaked Out About (As New Moms): Episode 19 »

Comments

  1. Dayna says

    September 2, 2015 at 1:57 pm

    As always I have comments before I even finish the podcast! Thank you for your encouragement. I had been on the fence about signing my son up for an after school sports class. It isn’t a team, just teaching the basics. The one he wanted (a combo of baseball, soccer, and basketball) is offered at another school in the district and starts 5 mins after school is dismissed (I called, it’s a safety thing..whatever!)

    So I sat him down and talked about our family values (spending time together) and said “flag football and basketball are offered at your school what one? It is also ok to skip it altogether” He picked football. So I don’t have to drive him ANYWHERE! AND it is only 6 weeks. Happy dance! We may experiment with him walking home or meeting half way.

    So thanks for encouraging me/giving me permission/reminding me to prioritize the family’s needs as a whole.

    Reply
    • Sarah Powers says

      September 3, 2015 at 8:12 pm

      Dayna, this comment is so great! I am thankful our conversation had a real impact on your family this week. What an honor!

      Also, as I mentioned in the show, I’m such a huge fan of the after school programs because you don’t have to drive them anywhere (or drag siblings along) AND they tend to be short-term and affordable! My 2nd grader is going to try chess this session. 🙂

      Reply
    • Heather says

      September 7, 2015 at 10:56 pm

      The after school activities are the best! I love them because they take much less family time than other activities.

      Reply
  2. Liz says

    September 3, 2015 at 6:12 pm

    Loved the conversation today! I still only have a little one, so we are far from the age of acitvities. I am a coach though and I have to say I agree that it is so nice when kids start to take responsibility about asking questions. It is also so important that we all follow through on our commitments. It is so frustrating in team sports when parents commit their children and then decide they will not follow through the season. It jeopardizes the whole team when kids drop out and we barely have enough to play. It doesn’t allow kids to miss when they do have important family events and makes things more stressful. So please follow through once you sign up, I think it’s a good skill to teach your kids anyway. But I am going to step down from my soap box now and say I loved the show and just wanted to throw in my two cents.

    Reply
    • Sarah Powers says

      September 3, 2015 at 8:11 pm

      Liz, that’s such a great point from the coach’s perspective. When we sign up for too much, or commit to things that our heart just isn’t in, it’s easy to flake. Especially at the young ages when kids need our help to get there and do all the things they’re supposed to do. Thanks so much for the thoughtful comment!

      (And what do you mean – you don’t have your BABY signed up for competitive baby sports yet? 😉 KIDDING)

      Reply
  3. Julie says

    September 4, 2015 at 12:58 am

    Another coach here, wanting to out in my two cents.
    I agree with Liz – committing and finishing out a season is so important, although of course if there are big events, there is leeway for that.
    Regarding making the kids responsible – I ALWAYS insisted that the athletes communicate with me. They are on the tea, not their parents. Granted I was working with high schoolers, but I would text, email, etc. the players and not the parents. Just good life lessons for them to learn. I did always have a parent meeting at the beginning of the season to let the parents know that they were welcome to contact me, but that I would be mostly interacting with their child directly.
    Lastly, I did not allow parents at practice, so it is crazy to me to think that it would be “a thing” that parents do, and that you would be looked down upon if you don’t go! Unless you are helping out with your kids little league practice, I say stay home and let the child and coach so their thing. I’m with you, Megan!!

    Loved this episode and love the perspective as I now have my own little one to start figuring out how we will approach these things!

    Reply
    • Sarah Powers says

      September 4, 2015 at 3:17 am

      Thanks, Julie! Really helpful to hear this from your perspective!

      Reply
  4. Val says

    September 7, 2015 at 3:46 am

    Best podcast ever! In our town’s culture, we feel like our child will be “left behind” if we don’t put him in a travel sport vs. rec sport by age 9. It was so great to hear your perspectives and voices of reason. It’s hard not to get caught up in the craziness of competitive sports here. Thank you for helping to remind me to do what is best for my child and it will all work out.

    Reply
    • Sarah Powers says

      September 16, 2015 at 7:58 pm

      Thank you, Val! What kind words! So glad you found this one helpful. 🙂

      Reply
  5. Helen Simmons says

    September 10, 2015 at 7:52 am

    Thanks Sarah, love your discussion as always.

    Reply
    • Sarah Powers says

      September 16, 2015 at 7:57 pm

      Thanks, Helen! That means a lot! 🙂

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Meet Meagan + Sarah

Where To Listen

Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsSpotifyAndroidPandoraiHeartRadioStitcherRSS

The “Surfboard Kid”

the story behind the "surfboard kid"

Click photo to read more...

Search

Like Email?

Get episodes delivered to your inbox weekly, PLUS special occasional emails from us that you don’t want to miss.

[mc4wp_form id=”20453″]

Voicemail!

Featured Sponsors

On Facebook

On Facebook

On Instagram

themomhour

Top 10 parenting podcast hosted by @meaganfrancis (MI) & @powersofmine (SoCal). 8 kids between us, little to grown. Happier motherhood starts here.

The Mom Hour
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
Load More... Follow on Instagram

As Seen On

Today Parents
BuzzFeed Parents

Send us an email

Can’t find what you’re looking for? Email hello@themomhour.com and we’re here to help!

Play Our Latest Episode!

https://media.blubrry.com/themomhour/pdst.fm/e/content.blubrry.com/themomhour/MHepisode364.mp3

looking for something?

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

Copyright © 2022 · Life, Listened
Development by Cipher