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in Blog on November 13, 2021 by Jennifer Carroll

Gift Guide For the Outdoor Adventuring Family

By Jennifer Carroll @twinningtheweekend

Looking for the perfect gift for the outdoorsy family in your life? I’ve got you!

My husband and I share a love for all things outdoors. From wakeboarding to biking from snow skiing to pickleball – we like to dabble in a little bit of everything. We especially enjoy hiking and camping. We’ve hiked more than 70 miles in Banff National Park, backpacked in the Rocky Mountains, and trekked in the Great Smokey Mountains with twins in tow. 

On our adventures, we’ve learned that quality gear can make all the difference – particularly when you are camping with kids. Over the years, we’ve built up our stash by shopping secondhand and by adding gear to our Christmas gift lists.

Camping gear is the perfect choice for the family who loves to spend time outside. Big-ticket items make a great family or group gifts. And, hopefully, it’s something the recipient will enjoy for years to come as they make memories with their family. 

Coleman Dark Room Tent

“Darkroom technology” in this tent blocks 90 percent of sunlight – making it ideal for kids who still need a midday nap or early bedtime. The largest versions (eight-person and ten-person) have enough headroom for you to stand up and change clothes, which doesn’t seem like a big deal until you’re trying to wrestle on a damp swimsuit while laying on your sleeping bag. This tent is pretty heavy, but it’s perfect for car camping adventures.

Coleman Camping Stove 

Not much has changed over the years for this camping classic. With sturdy wind-blocking panels and push-button ignition, nothing can get between you and your morning coffee. These portable stoves can be placed up, out of reach of young ones and are typically allowed in camping areas where fires are prohibited. You can even use the burner to toast s’mores in a pinch – say your firewood is soggy. 

Storage Bins

Now, this is super practical, but storage bins are a lifesaver for car camping trips. We have a whole “bin system” that works well for our family. Our largest bin holds our sleeping bags, camping mattresses and pillows. Next, we have a toy bin. This holds toys (mostly old ones) that just come out on camping trips – balls, digging tools, etc.

Then, we have a camp kitchen bin. This holds cooking utensils, our stove, paper towels, trash bags, etc. On top, I’ve taped a plastic sheet protector that holds a list of everything that should be in the bin. As we run out of something, I mark on the list. Finally, we have a food bin. This is where I put any food that doesn’t belong in the ice chest. At the end of the evening, it’s easy to shove this bin back in the car or into a bear box. The bin system simplifies packing. I store the sleeping bin, toy bin and camp kitchen bin in an out of the way spot in our garage. When it’s time to pack, I really just need to focus on packing food and replacing an item or two in the kitchen bin.

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Camping Mattresses

If you are a minimalist, camping mattresses may seem like an unnecessary luxury. But, in reality, a mattress is there for warmth as much as comfort. On cool nights, particularly in the spring, the ground temperature is colder than the outside air. Even with a good sleeping bag, you can lose body heat quickly. This is especially true for our kids who experience more body heat loss than we do. A thin mattress or a yoga mat folded in half will help insulate your body from the ground.  You’ll notice there is a wide range of prices when it comes to air mattresses. Leave the expensive mattresses for thru-hikers and backpackers who are counting every ounce of packed weight. High-end mattresses cost more because they are designed for winter camping and/or they are made with incredibly lightweight materials. An entry-level mattress (I’ve even seen them at COSTCO at the beginning of summer) will do just fine for basic camping trips. 

Deuter Hiking Carrier 

Hiking carriers open up a whole new world of outdoor adventure. I used an Ergo Baby Carrier with my twins around town, but I still think a hiking-specific carrier is worth it. (We bought ours second-hand.)  The Deuter carrier is far more comfortable for you and your kiddo. Hiking carriers transfer the weight of your child for better balance and back support. This is particularly important as your child gets older and for longer treks. You don’t want all of their weight on your shoulders. Back ventilation keeps you and your child cool. Plus, it has space for food and water.  snack, sing and sleep in their carrier along the trail. The Deuter carrier even has a kickstand that allows you to set your pack down without taking them all the way out.  Now that our kids are older and can hike on their own, we carry a hiking carrier as an “insurance policy.” If someone needs a break or has a meltdown, they can hitch a ride and come down when they are ready to walk again. 

Primary Kids Lightweight Puffer

Whether you’re headed for a hike or headed out for recess these lightweight puffer jackets from Primary are hard to beat. They’re warm, windproof, and packable. Plus, they come in a wide range of bright colors. You’ll need a fully waterproof outer layer if a lot of rain or snow is in the forecast. However, these jackets are perfect for a fall campout with cool mornings and evenings. All of the clothes we’ve purchased from Primary have held up incredibly well. These jackets definitely have what it takes to be handed down to siblings or cousins. 

National Park Map 

This map of the U.S. National Parks from Etsy is a unique way to track your travels. The foamboard option comes with pins that you can place on each of the 63 parks after you visit. You can also customize your map by choosing your size, color or by adding your family’s name. It’s a fun gift that allows you to document your adventures and plan for the next one.

Waterproof Sleeping Bags

These waterproof sleeping bags come in all kinds of colors and a variety of lengths. At just $25, they don’t break the bank even if you have multiple kids. These won’t be warm enough for winter camping, but they are perfect for fall, spring and summer. 

An adjustable drawstring at the top keeps your pillow in place and a separated zipper allows you to poke your feet out of the bottom if you get too warm. Best of all – there is no rolling required. When it’s time to pack up camp, simply stuff the sleeping bag back into the stuff sack provided. (My 4-year-olds can do it!)

Smartwool Socks 

Socks get a bad rap as a lame Christmas gift, but I’m here to tell you, no one will complain about these merino wool socks from Smartwool. Wool socks are ideal for hiking, skiing and even running. That’s because they help regulate the temperature in your feet by wicking away sweat and moisture – keeping your feet comfortable and blister-free. If they do get wet, wool socks dry much more quickly than cotton. Best of all, wool socks don’t stink. Avoid complaints from your tent mates and wear wool socks! 

Trekking Poles

Trekking poles are a game-changer. I can confidently say poles are my favorite piece of equipment. Instead of solely relying on your legs and feet to do the walking, trekking poles allow you to incorporate your arms and shoulders as you hoof it uphill or make your way back down.  For me, trekking poles have really helped with my knees. Poles reduce the impact on your knees and give you extra support on slippery terrain. If you are carrying a pack (especially one that wiggles – i.e. a toddler) poles give you extra balance.  Since they are adjustable, family members can share. We let the twins use a single pole when they need a little extra pep in their step. 

Check Out More Holiday Gift Guides

  • Gift Guide For Babies
  • Gift Guide For Toddlers (Ages 1-3)
  • Gift Guide For Little Kids (Ages 4-6)
  • Gift Guide For Big Kids (Ages 7+)
  • Mom’s 2021 Holiday Wish List

Visit our our Holiday Headquarters page to see all of our holiday content!

Jennifer Carroll @twinningtheweekend

Jennifer is a mom to four-year-old twins and a very large Weimaraner. Before kids, she worked in television and advertising. She paused her career to be a stay-at-home mom only to discover she loved freelance writing. You’ll find her family camping, chasing cows or at the lake on weekends. Follow their adventures at @twinningtheweekend.

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Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: big kids, toddlers

About Jennifer Carroll

Jennifer is a mom to four-year-old twins and a very large Weimaraner. Before kids, she worked in television and advertising. She paused her career to be a stay-at-home mom only to discover she loved freelance writing. You’ll find her family camping, chasing cows or at the lake on weekends. Follow their adventures at @twinningtheweekend.

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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!

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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! 

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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:

--

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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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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