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in Episodes on September 29, 2015 by The Mom Hour

Debunking The Myth Of The “Good School Mom”: Episode 21



Showing support for your child’s school and educational experience matters. But does that mean we all have to chaperone field trips and join the PTA? Meagan and Sarah say, rather emphatically, nope. In Episode 21 we tackle eight myths surrounding what it means to be a “good school mom,” and help debunk those myths for those of you new to the school parenting journey. We also talk about the meaningful ways we have found to volunteer or participate at school, and share some advice from teachers that might surprise you.

Before we tackled our topic, we invited you to connect with us on social media! Here are all the handy links, all in one place:

LINKS MENTIONED: 

  • 7 “Good School Mom” Myths, Debunked! (Meagan for The Happiest Home)
  • Hilariously Honest PTA Form Goes Viral (The Huffington Post)
  • Sometimes Good Moms Miss The Class Party (Allison Slater Tate)
  • 6 Themed Dress-Up Days This Mom Can Totally Get Behind (Sarah for Scary Mommy)
  • The Parent-Teacher Relationship (Meagan’s interview with teacher and author Erica Ladd)
  • Laura Fuentes’s lunch-packing resource Momables.com, and Meagan’s interview with Laura on the same topics
  • Edit Your Life Episode 4: School Lunch Solutions (great ideas from our friends Asha and Christine)
  • Meagan’s active wear obsession: Fabletics

MORE 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

     

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Filed Under: Episodes Tagged With: back to school, mom confidence, school

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« Routines For A Happy Mom-Life: Episode 20
Fall Love, Fall Envy, Fall Favorites: Episode 22 »

Comments

  1. anne-marie says

    October 1, 2015 at 12:00 am

    hi, my comment is not related to the episode 21, but i really would like to hear you on another subject. Sibling rivalry! It is a big issue between my two little daugthers, and as an only child, I sometime feel clueless. I also feel that i can’t parent my daughters the same way, and as both of you have more childs than i do, i bet you have some interesting advice
    good day!

    Reply
  2. anne-marie says

    October 1, 2015 at 12:01 am

    sorry for the mistakes that I make….i’m french speaking!

    Reply
    • Sarah Powers says

      October 1, 2015 at 7:32 pm

      Thanks, Anne-Marie! This is a great topic and you’re not the first to suggest it. We will add to our list for sure!

      Reply
  3. Michelle says

    May 29, 2016 at 8:50 pm

    Hi I love this episode especially the part when you mention that you don’t really like looking after other people’s children on class trips etc. I totally get this! I am a stay-at-home and love it, however I am not into other people’s kids. Volunteering for class trips or babysitting other people’s children is something I would prefer not to do. I find that because you are a stay-at-home mum that you area most expected to love doing these things (eg volunteering at kindy), however that is not my bag! I am currently binge-listening to the Mom Hour in New Zealand!

    Reply
  4. tram says

    July 25, 2019 at 1:21 am

    i’m relatively new – i’ve been binge listening for the past 2 weeks. knowing myself to be a critical person, i’m amazed that i’ve loved 99% of everything you two have to say. i want to thank you both for that! EXCEPT – this episode – and i feel moved enough to share – maybe it’s because i’m still caught and fraught in this stage of school mom. about volunteering at school field trips – i believe that IS really important! yes, it’s dreadful. yes, the kids wait 10 minutes to do a 2 minute activity. but, you know what you say about not loving other people’s children? ( i sympathize) well, then, please show up to take care of your own child, so that your own child isn’t rubbing onto some other parent! to be completely honest, i do have resentment towards the stay at home moms or those with more flexible working schedules, who choose not to show up! i don’t like snotty kids (my own or not), i don’t like crowds, lines, or pumpkins for that matter, but i request PTO from my full time job, pay extra to arrange for a sitter for my younger kids, so i can show up – which doesn’t just help my child, it helps the whole classroom! a bit of a social contract deficit here. can you tell i have strong feelings about this? well, even though it’s a point of disagreement, i still appreciate immensely what you two have done here – so, ultimately, thank you!

    Reply
    • Sarah Powers says

      August 18, 2019 at 10:26 am

      Hi Tram! We welcome differences of opinion and totally get where you’re coming from. I still think it’s possible to do all the things you mention (set aside time, give back to the whole classroom, connect with your child and with other people’s children in a positive way, etc.) without going on a field trip. Schools have so many needs and parents have so many ways they can contribute in ways that fit their strengths and their schedules. I also think it’s valuable to admit/examine when we carry resentment (as opposed to denying/burying it), so appreciate you admitting where you are coming from. Thanks for taking the time to write and share your perspective on this, and for being part of our community. We appreciate you!

      Reply

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New episode! As busy moms and business owners we' New episode!

As busy moms and business owners we're often on the go - and, cliché as it is, almost always with a beverage in hand! In part two of our conversation about kitchen gadgets and gear, Meagan and Sarah go deep into all of the beverage products that keep our drinks hot, cold, room-temp, fizzy, cute, and spill-proof. We also get into kitchen-adjacent gear that helps us clean and organize the space where we feed our families. Enjoy!

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
On the podcast this week (and next!) Meagan and Sa On the podcast this week (and next!) Meagan and Sarah share some of our favorite kitchen gadgets, cooking tools, food prep solutions, cleaning solutions, and countertop appliances. Because every home cook has a different set of needs and priorities, we opened up the question to our contributor team to find out what gear makes their lives easier in the kitchen. Tap the link in our bio to get gear tips from @stacybronec @jaymesherrod @emilyeroark @sarahelimberg and @joannerevising!

(Looking for Meagan’s and Sarah’s kitchen favorites, as mentioned on the podcast? Head to the show notes for Episode 431, which you can find in your podcast player or by tapping through Tuesday's Insta post.)
Kids are back in school and we're back in our kitc Kids are back in school and we're back in our kitchens with a bit more pep in our steps - so let's chat about gadets and gear! Join Meagan and Sarah today to hear about the Porch Microwave, the Mercedes-Benz of Coffee Grinders, how our partners' personalities lead us to unwanted kitchen appliances, and more. We share our current favorite kitchen tools for food prep and cooking - with more to come next week, too.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts (we had a delay but all is well now!) or tap this image at the link in our bio!

#themomhour #motherhood #mompodcast #podcastsformoms #parenting #parentingpodcast #podcastlove #trypod #podcastersofinstagram #shepodcasts
Big transitions in family structure are never easy Big transitions in family structure are never easy. When it comes to blending families, introducing a new romantic partner as a single parent, or stepping into step-parenting, there's so much to think about. Today Meagan gets candid about her current blended family situation, following her wedding this summer and the integration of their families into a shared home. Sarah has lots of questions as Meagan shares what's going well, a few tension points, what she would do differently, and how it's going overall.

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
Use code THEMOMHOUR to save 10% on @theessentialca Use code THEMOMHOUR to save 10% on @theessentialcalendar this fall!

I (Sarah) had the coziest evening with my Monday-start “Busiest Time Ever” calendar last night. If the next few months already feel like they’re filling up and you can’t quite picture it all, this is a great solution!

Tap the link in our bio to shop, or head to theessentialcalendar.com/themomhour. Happy planning!
New episode! Are you a "Today's The Day!" type, o New episode!

Are you a "Today's The Day!" type, or do you prefer to ease gently into a new adventure, challenge, or season? Whether you get excited to dive into a slew of new initiatives with the turning over of that shiny, crisp edge of a calendar page (like Sarah!), or really prefer to transition on your own internal timeline (like Meagan!), this episode is for you. Join us as we explore the many upsides to a soft start (in motherhood, business, health, and more) in an effort to take the pressure off moms this fall.

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
Happy September! What are you looking forward to t Happy September! What are you looking forward to this month? Drop a comment and let us know! 👇
Raise your hand if you practiced some sight words Raise your hand if you practiced some sight words this week - or proctored a spelling pre-test - or ran through some multiplication tables? Sometimes supporting your kids' classroom learning at home looks like facts and flash cards, but we're here to remind you that there are LOTS of ways to nurture curiosity and promote learning, and many of them can fit seamlessly into family life.

This week on the blog we're revisiting a post Meagan and Sarah co-authored back in 2018 - when our kids spanned preschool to high schoool! - with six ideas for supporting school learning at home. Tap the link in our bio to read the post!
New episode! Meagan and Sarah had fun-filled trav New episode!

Meagan and Sarah had fun-filled travel in August before saying goodbye to summer. The Powers family traveled to the East Coast for a week of multigenerational state-hopping served with a side of bug bites and butt bruises! And Meagan officially opened a bookstore in Manistique, MI, right after surviving a 20-mile hike with her siblings and their spouses. Now we're back, shifting from summer-mom to school-year-mom, and sharing our "laundry basket of hopes and aspirations for Fall 2023" with all of you.

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
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We appreciate when you check out our partners who support our show and use our links + codes!

The Mom Hour is sponsored by . . . 

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📚 @chatbooks (the easiest photo books ever!)
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🗓️ @theessentialcalendar (10% off calendars!)
🍃 @drinkag1 (1yr of Vit.D + 5 travel packs!)
👡 @vionicshoes (15% off your order!)
💊 @ritual (30% off your 1st month!)
This week on the blog we're revisiting @lisaapayne This week on the blog we're revisiting @lisaapayne4's tips for supporting your child's teacher and classroom this school year. Lisa is a career educator whose work takes her into multiple schools and classrooms, so she sees a lot! She's also a single mom to four kids who span elementary, middle, and high school this year.

Read the post at the link in our bio - and feel free to add more suggestions in the comments below!

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Happy fall, friends! 🍂 Check out our sponsor ro Happy fall, friends! 🍂 Check out our sponsor roundup for September, where we thank our partners and remind you of their great discounts. For our special promo codes and links, just tap our saved "Sponsors" highlight OR tap on this image at the link in our bio to check out the Deals & Offers page on our website.

Checking out our partners and using our links + codes is an easy way to support the show. Thank you!

Say Hi to our new sponsors . . . 
🎹 @maestromusiclessonsonline (1 FREE lesson + 20% off your 1st month!)
💰 @fearlessfinance (50% off your 1st financial planning meeting!)

And welcome back . . . 
💚 @betterhelp (10% off your 1st month!)
💧 @liquidiv (20% off sugar-free hydration amplifier!)
🎨 @minted (art, cards, decor & more!)
📚 @chatbooks (the easiest photo books ever!)
🧘‍♀️ @fabletics (2 workout bottoms for $24!)
☑️ @todoistofficial (2 mo. free of Todoist Pro!)
🗓️ @theessentialcalendar (10% off calendars!)
🍃 @drinkag1 (1yr of Vit.D + 5 travel packs!)
👡 @vionicshoes (15% off your order!)
💊 @ritual (30% off your 1st month!)
New episode! As busy moms and business owners we' New episode!

As busy moms and business owners we're often on the go - and, cliché as it is, almost always with a beverage in hand! In part two of our conversation about kitchen gadgets and gear, Meagan and Sarah go deep into all of the beverage products that keep our drinks hot, cold, room-temp, fizzy, cute, and spill-proof. We also get into kitchen-adjacent gear that helps us clean and organize the space where we feed our families. Enjoy!

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
On the podcast this week (and next!) Meagan and Sa On the podcast this week (and next!) Meagan and Sarah share some of our favorite kitchen gadgets, cooking tools, food prep solutions, cleaning solutions, and countertop appliances. Because every home cook has a different set of needs and priorities, we opened up the question to our contributor team to find out what gear makes their lives easier in the kitchen. Tap the link in our bio to get gear tips from @stacybronec @jaymesherrod @emilyeroark @sarahelimberg and @joannerevising!

(Looking for Meagan’s and Sarah’s kitchen favorites, as mentioned on the podcast? Head to the show notes for Episode 431, which you can find in your podcast player or by tapping through Tuesday's Insta post.)
Kids are back in school and we're back in our kitc Kids are back in school and we're back in our kitchens with a bit more pep in our steps - so let's chat about gadets and gear! Join Meagan and Sarah today to hear about the Porch Microwave, the Mercedes-Benz of Coffee Grinders, how our partners' personalities lead us to unwanted kitchen appliances, and more. We share our current favorite kitchen tools for food prep and cooking - with more to come next week, too.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts (we had a delay but all is well now!) or tap this image at the link in our bio!

#themomhour #motherhood #mompodcast #podcastsformoms #parenting #parentingpodcast #podcastlove #trypod #podcastersofinstagram #shepodcasts
Big transitions in family structure are never easy Big transitions in family structure are never easy. When it comes to blending families, introducing a new romantic partner as a single parent, or stepping into step-parenting, there's so much to think about. Today Meagan gets candid about her current blended family situation, following her wedding this summer and the integration of their families into a shared home. Sarah has lots of questions as Meagan shares what's going well, a few tension points, what she would do differently, and how it's going overall.

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
Use code THEMOMHOUR to save 10% on @theessentialca Use code THEMOMHOUR to save 10% on @theessentialcalendar this fall!

I (Sarah) had the coziest evening with my Monday-start “Busiest Time Ever” calendar last night. If the next few months already feel like they’re filling up and you can’t quite picture it all, this is a great solution!

Tap the link in our bio to shop, or head to theessentialcalendar.com/themomhour. Happy planning!
New episode! Are you a "Today's The Day!" type, o New episode!

Are you a "Today's The Day!" type, or do you prefer to ease gently into a new adventure, challenge, or season? Whether you get excited to dive into a slew of new initiatives with the turning over of that shiny, crisp edge of a calendar page (like Sarah!), or really prefer to transition on your own internal timeline (like Meagan!), this episode is for you. Join us as we explore the many upsides to a soft start (in motherhood, business, health, and more) in an effort to take the pressure off moms this fall.

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
Happy September! What are you looking forward to t Happy September! What are you looking forward to this month? Drop a comment and let us know! 👇
Raise your hand if you practiced some sight words Raise your hand if you practiced some sight words this week - or proctored a spelling pre-test - or ran through some multiplication tables? Sometimes supporting your kids' classroom learning at home looks like facts and flash cards, but we're here to remind you that there are LOTS of ways to nurture curiosity and promote learning, and many of them can fit seamlessly into family life.

This week on the blog we're revisiting a post Meagan and Sarah co-authored back in 2018 - when our kids spanned preschool to high schoool! - with six ideas for supporting school learning at home. Tap the link in our bio to read the post!
New episode! Meagan and Sarah had fun-filled trav New episode!

Meagan and Sarah had fun-filled travel in August before saying goodbye to summer. The Powers family traveled to the East Coast for a week of multigenerational state-hopping served with a side of bug bites and butt bruises! And Meagan officially opened a bookstore in Manistique, MI, right after surviving a 20-mile hike with her siblings and their spouses. Now we're back, shifting from summer-mom to school-year-mom, and sharing our "laundry basket of hopes and aspirations for Fall 2023" with all of you.

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

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