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The Mom Hour

The most fun you've ever had with two moms you've never met.

in Episodes on January 29, 2021

Loss, Hope & Healing: One Family’s Story Of Turning Grief Into Advocacy

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Getting pregnant was relatively easy for Dani Kilgore and her husband William, who looked forward to growing a family after getting married in 2009. But for Dani, a former teacher and soccer coach who now serves as a pastor in a church, staying pregnant proved challenging. Through miscarriage and preterm labor, a premature birth and devastating infant loss, Dani and William leaned on one another, their faith, and their community even as they navigated a healthcare system that didn’t always appear to have their backs.

In today’s special episode, Dani shares candidly with Meagan about the years that have led up to where she is today: the heartbreak and loss, the learning to trust her own voice as a patient, and the healing and hope that shines through her five-year-old daughter Harper.

This episode contains sensitive topics, including miscarriage and infant loss. We believe it’s important to provide a platform for moms to share pregnancy and birth stories that, while difficult to hear, help all of us understand a fuller spectrum of the motherhood experience. We hope you’ll listen today, but if you cannot, we understand and send you our love.

About Our Sponsor

Each year, March of Dimes partners with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention to create awareness about things women can do to help prevent birth defects and increase their chances of having a healthy, full-term pregnancy and a healthy baby. Through research, programs, education, and advocacy March of Dimes is leading the fight to ensure that every baby has the best possible start.

The theme for Birth Defects Prevention Month 2021 is Best for You, Best for Baby. Follow #Best4YouBest4Baby stories on social media, and for more information, visit marchofdimes.org/themomhour.

Links We Mentioned (Or Should Have):

  • March of Dimes
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • In 2020 we interviewed Ashley Schafluetzel about her daughter’s premature birth and cerebral palsy diagnosis, also in partnership with March of Dimes

Photos: Courtesy of Dani Kilgore; used with permission

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Filed Under: Episodes Tagged With: hard stuff, health, pregnancy

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« Advocating For Your Kids During A Crisis: Episode 297
School Decisions Feel Like a LOT (Here’s What To Keep In Mind): Episode 298 »

Comments

  1. Linda says

    January 30, 2021 at 12:31 pm

    This was such an amazing story and I’m blown away at Dani’s grace during such a devastating time. Such an inspiration to all women. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply

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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
It's a More-Than-Mom Sunday, and it's a fun one!⠀
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The real question is: are we still entertained by squirrels as much as we were last spring? You'll have to listen to find out! In today's More Than Mom episode Meagan and Sarah take a deep dive into diversions, 2021-style. We're not as cooped up as last March, but things aren't back to normal yet either. From this in-between place we talk about a little of everything: board games for adults, TV and books, home improvement and gardening, fitness, beauty, and more. (And squirrels, obvs.)⠀
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Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or right in your browser via the link in our bio!⠀
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#themomhour #motherhood #mompodcast #podcastsformoms #parenting #parentingpodcast #podcastlove #trypod #podcastersofinstagram #shepodcasts
Checking in on the responses to our listener surve Checking in on the responses to our listener survey, and this stood out:⠀
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84.6% of moms who responded say they've dealt with overwhelm or burnout in the last six months. Let that sink in. Eighty-four point six percent.⠀
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More than half of respondents said they've struggled with their own mental health. More than half have experienced loneliness. More than half have gone through relationship stress.⠀
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Whatever you're going through, we promise: You. Are. Not. Alone.⠀
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There's a link in our bio that'll take you to the survey, or you can pop http://themomhour.com/suvey into a browser and find it there. The survey is anonymous, the questions are quick and easy (no essay questions!), and your answers help us understand our audience, your listening habits, and what kind of content would help you best in the months ahead. Thanks so much for taking the time to help us help you. 💛
New Voices episode up in time for weekend listenin New Voices episode up in time for weekend listening!⠀
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Kendra Adachi is @thelazygenius. Either you know and love her already, or you're about to. Kendra's principles for finding YOUR best middle ground between perfectionism and giving up are helping moms everywhere decide what matters, ditch what doesn't, and get stuff done. In this month's Voices interview Kendra joins Sarah to talk about how Lazy Genius principles got put to the test during the early months of the pandemic, how moms in the trenches can be gentler on themselves and still feel fulfilled, and why acknowledging the season you're in just might be the key to enjoying it. PLUS, Kendra helps Sarah solve a frustrating home management issue using The Lazy Genius method in real time.⠀
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Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or right in your browser via the link in our bio!⠀
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#themomhour #motherhood #mompodcast #podcastsformoms #parenting #parentingpodcast #podcastlove #trypod #podcastersofinstagram #shepodcasts
#AD The leaves say autumn, the slippers say winter #AD The leaves say autumn, the slippers say winter, but Sarah's new pajama pants from our sponsor @mynestdesigns are HERE. FOR. SPRING. 🌸🍄🍓So soft, such a great weight - and hey, if we’re all working from home in our pjs anyway, why not update the look for spring?

Nest Designs makes sleepwear and apparel for babies, toddlers, kids and women - plus crib sheets, bandana bibs, diaper bags, and more. Their fabrics are incredibly soft and sustainably made, and their new Spring/Summer 2021 collection is so cute.

We love spreading the word about a small company doing big things - Nest is based in Vancouver BC and supports a different charity with each new collection. Check out ALL their great stuff at nestdesigns.com and use code MOMHOUR for 10% off your purchase!
I (Sarah) shut the computer and drew with my daugh I (Sarah) shut the computer and drew with my daughters tonight while we listened to the exciting conclusion of “From The Mixed Up Files Of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler” on audiobook. It felt good. ✏️ 📖 🔊
New podcast episode!⠀ .⠀ Whether schools in yo New podcast episode!⠀
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Whether schools in your area are open in-person, on a hybrid model, or fully remote, chances are that March is looking different than September did. And believe it or not, we're already looking toward the end of the year. In Episode 302 Meagan and Sarah share how our own kids are doing at this point in the year, what's changed and how school has evolved in our respective communities. We also offer validation for those who worry about kids' academic progress this year, and our hopes for finishing out the year on a positive trajectory.⠀
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Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or right in your browser via the link in our bio!⠀⠀
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#themomhour #motherhood #mompodcast #podcastsformoms #parenting #parentingpodcast #podcastlove #trypod #podcastersofinstagram #shepodcasts
Friends, meet Renly. Renly was 5 or 6 months old Friends, meet Renly.

Renly was 5 or 6 months old when our family got him back in 2013. He was adorable - and high-strung, jealous, and skittish around boys and men (a real problem in a house full of boys-becoming-men.)

I made an offhand joke on a recent episode - something about "getting rid of" a dog because he wouldn't stop sleeping in our bed.  That wasn't the real reason, but the episode wasn't about animals, so I decided not to elaborate further.

But after getting a really angry review (pictured) I figured I'd set the record straight here.

As I mentioned, Renly was high-strung and jealous. If I didn't pay enough attention to him, he'd "punish" me. One notable time, he jumped up on my dining-room table, looked me straight in the eye and pooped.

That was bad, but the deal-breaker was that Renly kept biting little boys and men - specifically, on their butts and privates. 

After doing a LOT of searching, I connected with a young couple who had just gotten the OK to get their first pet. They fell in love and had the time to give Renly what he needed. Everyone was very happy, perhaps Renly most of all. 

As much as Sarah and I joke about our "dog ambivalence", we are both responsible and caring dog owners. I won't personally say "dog mom" as that is not how I relate to my pets.  My older dog Moxie isn't my child, but she IS treated like a well-liked roommate. And I think that's OK.

It is fashionable these days to go from zero to outraged in seconds, based on very limited information. But there are two rules I'm making an effort to adhere to in my life: "assume positive intent" and "don't jump to conclusions." Usually, it's the big picture that tells you what you need to know about someone, and a small, offhand moment doesn't (or shouldn't, anyway) override the broader view.

Just remember, every joke someone tells about their bad experience with a dog may have come at the expense of the gnawed butts and testicles of several little boys, a pooped-on tablecloth, and a busy mom at her very wits' end.

Adorable, abominable Renly...who knew I'd still be talking about you all these years later? -Meagan
Our monthly newsletter is going out TODAY (3/1) - Our monthly newsletter is going out TODAY (3/1) - with a special message from Sarah, plus all our sponsor promo codes in one handy list. Are you on our email list?⠀
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Sign up at the link in our bio so you don't miss March's letter!
Sarah: I’m not going to buy desserts for a while Sarah: I’m not going to buy desserts for a while. If you guys want something you can bake it.

12yo: 🧁

(Bakes mini chocolate chip cupcakes with buttercream frosting from scratch.)
Raise your hand if the forecast impacts how you fe Raise your hand if the forecast impacts how you feel about the week ahead! 🙋🏼‍♀️🙋🏻‍♀️

What’s the first week of March looking like where you are? And how’s your mood as a result?

(Yes this is an entire post about the weather. Come for the mom tips, stay for the exciting conversation. 😂)
In partnership with @waterwipesusa, we’re contin In partnership with @waterwipesusa, we’re continuing our special series on solo parenting today with a conversation that picks up where left off last Friday. Take a listen at the link in our bio, or wherever you get your podcasts, and thank you to our sponsor WaterWipes for helping make this project possible.⠀
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Whether it’s for a weekend, a season, or a decade, parenting on your own introduces challenges and complications at every turn. Expanding on the conversation we began last week, today’s episode–part two in our This Is Solo Parenthood series–dives into practical tips from seasoned moms on how to survive solo parenting’s tougher moments. From bedtimes to me-time, routine changes to feelings of loneliness, Meagan and Sarah share some been-there-done-that tips from our own seasons of parenting solo, as well as tap into the wisdom of The Mom Hour community. #ThisisParenthood
#AD | Okay, so who hasn’t experienced a moment l #AD | Okay, so who hasn’t experienced a moment like this? Bodily fluids of every variety represented, not a free hand to speak of, and...toddler needs you too. Moms know the only thing to do is roll with it and trust that this season won't last forever. ⠀
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Moments like these are what @WaterWipesUSA #ThisIsParenthood is all about: real, raw, sometimes inconvenient...but joyful, too. Parents can trust WaterWipes for everyday use and gentleness on their baby’s delicate skin, and they can also trust WaterWipes to tell the truth about parenting. The #ThisIsParenthood platform is WaterWipes’ way of shining a light on the true realities of parenthood, with the hope that we can normalize a more open, honest conversation around the ups and downs of being a parent. Follow along or share your own messy, real, and beautiful parenthood story using the #ThisIsParenthood hashtag.⠀
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#waterwipes #soloparenting #soloparenthood #singlemom #singleparent  #singleparenting
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