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Happier motherhood starts here.

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New? Welcome! Start Here.

Welcome! We’re so glad you’re listening to The Mom Hour (or are interested in getting started). This page should have everything you need to get to know us, listen to our show, and become a part of our community.

(By the way, we’re Meagan and Sarah, your co-hosts since the show launched in 2015. You can find out more about us on this page.)

HOW TO LISTEN

If you’ve never listened to a podcast before, that’s OK! Here’s a handy guide to get you started.

If you’re podcast-familiar but aren’t sure where to find our show, we’re pretty much everywhere. Here are links to find us on your favorite distribution platforms:

  • Apple Podcasts (formerly iTunes)
  • Spotify
  • Pandora
  • Google Podcasts
  • Android (this link will open up your preferred app on an Android device)
  • Stitcher
  • iHeart Radio
  • TuneIn

POPULAR EPISODES

Here are some of our favorite episodes for new listeners to start with. You can click through to the show notes and press play on the media player at the bottom of each post, or search for the episode by name in your favorite podcast app.

If you don’t see the topics you’re looking for, use the search bar on the right to see if we’ve covered them. If you want to see one big list of all our episodes in chronological order, we have that here.

Episodes To Encourage All Moms

  • The Life-Changing Magic of Opting Out (Episode 161)
  • 10 Habits of Happy Moms (Part 1) (Episode 137)
  • 10 Habits of Happy Moms (Part 2) (Episode 138)
  • The Myth Of The Mom Tribe (Episode 144)
  • Body Confidence As A Mom (Episode 99)
  • When You Feel Criticized, Remember This (Episode 165)
  • Our Worst #MomFail Moments (Episode 157)

Episodes For Pregnant & New Moms

  • How Baby’s Personality May (Or May Not) Predict Big Kid Character Traits (Episode 181)
  • Things We Shouldn’t Have Freaked Out About (As New Moms) (Episode 19)
  • Strong As A Mother with Kate Rope (Voices, Episode 26)
  • Newborn Attachment with Alexandra Spitz (Voices, Episode 20)
  • Things We Shouldn’t Have Freaked Out About (Breastfeeding Edition) (Episode 114)
  • Pregnancy & Birth, In Hindsight (Episode 38)
  • Getting Ready For Baby (Episode 74)
  • Coping With Sleep Deprivation (Episode 87)
  • How To REALLY Help A New Mom (LIVE From Newport Beach)
  • Postpartum Symptoms & Surprises (Episode 88)

Episodes For Moms Of Toddlers & Little Kids

  • Toddlers vs. Teenagers (Episode 192)
  • Helping Kids With Doctor Visits, Shots, and “Appointment Fear” (Episode 180)
  • Potty Training & Other Bathroom Matters (Episode 156)
  • Things We Shouldn’t Have Freaked Out About (Toddler Years) (Episode 24
  • Bedtime Routines at Every Stage (Episode 80)
  • Ignore Bad Behavior & Enjoy Parenting More with Catherine Pearlman (Voices, Episode 16)
  • Kids in the Kitchen (Episode 70)
  • Things We Shouldn’t Have Freaked Out About (Starting School Edition) (Episode 62)
  • 8 Milestones & When Our Kids Met Them (Episode 34)
  • Gift Ideas For Babies, Toddlers & Little Kids

Episodes For Moms Of Older Kids

  • Screen Time Strategies Through The Years (Episode 209)
  • Helping Kids Learn From Mistakes with Jessica Lahey (Voices 35)
  • Helping Or Helicoptering? (Part 1, Part 2) (Episodes 194 & 195)
  • Chores, Life Skills, & Household Contributions (Episode 191)
  • Magical Night Visitors (Elves, Bunnies, Fairies & Jolly Fat Dudes) (Episode 96)
  • Raising Lifelong Learners (Episode 95)
  • Talking Sex Ed, Puberty, & Growing Up with Nora Gelperin & AMAZE.org (Voices, Episode 13)
  • Tweens (Is This A Thing? Yes, It Is): The Mom Hour, Episode 143
  • Choosing The Right School (Not As Scary As It Seems) (Episode 16)
  • How To Be A Happier Sports Parent (Episode 117)
  • Kids & Friendships with Eileen Kennedy-Moore (Voices, Episode 18)
  • Becoming Screenwise with Devorah Heitner (Voices, Episode 13

Episodes About Working Motherhood or Work/Life Balance

  • Productivity & Time Management Tips For Moms (Episode 169)
  • Stretched Too Thin With Jessica Turner (Voices 29)
  • How Do I Make Time For It All? (Episode 60)
  • Calendar Tips & To-Do List Strategies (Episode 83)
  • Meagan & Sarah’s Working-Mom Lives (Episode 140)
  • Listener Questions (Working Mom / SAHM Edition) (Episode 142)
  • Inside the Lives of 3 Working Moms (Voices, Episode 02)
  • Stay At Home, Work Full-Time, Or Something In Between? (Episode 105)

Listener Questions Episodes

The episodes that feature us answering listener questions are a great way to get to know us and hear a lot of parenting topics covered in a short amount of time. Here’s a handy list of all the episodes and the topics covered:

  • Episode 211: Creating family culture around vacations, whether we let our kids skip school for family trips, how to stick to sleep routines on the road, dealing with kid meltdowns while traveling, and budgeting tips for family travel
  • Episode 210: Coping tips for a mom whose husband travels, our thoughts on whether preschool is “necessary”, Sarah’s response to a listener anticipating a planned Caesarian birth, and encouragement for a mom of three who wonders when her family will all be able to enjoy the same activities together
  • Episode 199: Helping a little kid deal with big feelings about an out-of-state move, traveling as a nervous flyer, finding your groove as an at-home mom when kids are in school full-time, and getting dad involved when a toddler only wants mama
  • Episode 198: Helping school-age kids start to self-regulate around screens and sweets, navigating an awkward situation with a fellow preschool mom, and organizing the “drop zone” in our homes
  • Episode 176: Parenting a strong-willed kid, handling criticism about your family size or kids’ spacing, the first signs of kid crushes and puppy love, and gift ideas for your kids’ grandparents
  • Episode 175: Losing your cool and yelling at your kids (how it happens to us ALL, how to prevent it, and how to cope after it happens), dealing with a pinching/biting 19-month-old, and extracting your family from a sticky situation with neighbor friends whose parenting style makes you uncomfortable.
  • Episode 163: Helping a toddler with nighttime fears, taking a baby to the beach, the ideal age-spacing between siblings, and helping a two-year-old feel special when a new baby arrives
  • Episode 162: Helping a shy preschooler, saving money on groceries, and helping kids learn to deal with frustration
  • Episode 149: Setting up toddler playgroups, feeling overwhelmed by housework, and how to handle teachers who don’t see your kid the way you do
  • Episode 135: A toddler who won’t stay in his room at bedtime, a seven-year-old with a fibbing habit, what to do with a busy toddler while you nurse a new baby, and how to help kids who struggle with playing independently
  • Episode 123: When to start giving kids an allowance, whether or not to pay for chores, getting mentally psyched up for baby #2, and dealing with kids’ annoying habits
  • Episode 122: Closely spaced babies, tips on room-sharing, helping siblings get along, and dealing with super-shy toddlers
  • Episode 111: Transitioning a one-year-old to a big-kid bed, frustrating behavior patterns of toddlers and preschoolers, and evenings chaos at home with four kids
  • Episode 110: Requesting teacher changes at school, finding postpartum body acceptance while sticking to a realistic fitness routine, what to do when safety worries interfere with enjoying life as a mom
  • Episode 94: What we wish we’d worried about LESS in hindsight, what we’re doing differently–and the same–than our parents’ generation did, and our thoughts on sending a 7-year-old to sleepaway camp
  • Episode 93: Preschool boys interested in bad-guy play, fighting stereotypes while raising girls, and how to find the balance between self-acceptance and the desire to grow
  • Episode 73: Letting a five-year-old quit an activity she begged to start, helping a trio of cousins get along, and weaning a breastfeeding toddler
  • Episode 65: When a kid’s fears and anxieties dominate the household mood; a sticky situation involving wild kids, a restaurant, and a big family reunion; and a new mom struggles with her decision to co-sleep
  • Episode 52: Asking for help with childcare, what to do when close friends have dramatically different parenting styles, handling kids’ big emotions with elementary school friendship struggles, and how to stop apologizing for yourself and embrace chaos with confidence
  • Episode 41: Room-sharing siblings, planning first birthday parties, feeling left out when you have your kids earlier or later than your friends do, and the evolution of playdates

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY

We’re on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. We also have a Facebook group where fans of the show connect and support each other.

You can email us at hello@themomhour.com.

If you want to leave us a voicemail with a comment or listener question, we’re on Speakpipe, or you can simply record yourself using your phone’s voice memo recorder, and email the audio file to hello@themomhour.com.

We send a newsletter once a month with an essay about motherhood, life tips and hacks you didn’t hear on the podcast, and (wait for it) ALL OUR SPONSOR PROMO CODES all in one handy list. You can sign up for that list here.

SUPPORT THE SHOW

Podcasts come to you for free (isn’t that amazing?). Our show is made possible in a few different ways, and you can show your support and help us continue to bring you encouraging comment by doing these little things:

  • Rate and review the show wherever you listen. The more reviews we have, the more other listeners can easily discover the podcast. It’s one of those algorithm things. 🙂
  • Support our sponsors! We work our tails off to bring you messages from brands we think you’ll like, and we only partner with brands we can get behind. When you use one of our promo codes or special links, you’re showing sponsors that our messages are resonating, and that helps the show. (FYI: Newsletter subscribers get a handy list of promo codes sent out each month.)
  • Tell a friend about The Mom Hour. Honestly? This is one of the biggest ways you can help. Thank you.

SPONSOR OUR SHOW

Interested in reaching thousands of engaged moms through authentic, personalized, host-read podcast advertising? Let’s talk. Send an email to sponsor@themomhour.com to request a media kit and discuss rates and availability.

Meet Meagan + Sarah

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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
Head's up! @joannerevising from The Mom Hour team Head's up! @joannerevising from The Mom Hour team has a book out that makes a GREAT holiday gift - and right now it's 50% off through the publisher, @magiccatpublishing! Click this image at the link in our bio to grab it while the sale is on! (It's also available wherever books are sold.)

Each page offers a word and age-appropriate definition, along with a related activity, resource, or mindful prompt, all beautifully illustrated by @anneliesdraws. The book is split into four chapters that each includes relevant words: Feelings Matter (Afraid, Frustrated, Proud); You Matter (Authentic, Consent, Resilience); Differences Matter (Disability, Equity, Race); and Changemakers Matter (Conservation, Feminism, Teamwork). Check it out!

#thelittlebookofwordsthatmatter #wordsthatmatter #100wordsthatmatter
Has your family gotten a chance to play around on Has your family gotten a chance to play around on our partner @carnegiehall Kids website yet? 🎹 🎵 🎻 

It’s totally free and has some super fun resources for music education, like their Animal or Instrument? quiz and interactive Musical Explorers Around The World Map. (Swipe through for a peek!) Such a great option for kids who are ready to dive deeper into music . . . without requiring Mom's help or committing to lessons. 🙌 

Click on this image at the link in our bio to check out all @carnegiehall Kids fun, child-friendly games and quizzes! #ad #musicalkids #carnegiehall
New episode! Who came before us, and what can we New episode!

Who came before us, and what can we learn from them? We think there's a reason that ancestry research, genealogy, and discovering family stories holds a special interest for midlife women, and we're here to talk about it. Meagan shares her journey back through time (and up to the UP!) to better understand her family's roots. She shares what resources she used, her process for uncovering the unknowns, and what she's discovered so far. Sarah has less direct experience but lots of curiosity.

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 holidays! 🎄 It's time for our sponsor rou Happy holidays! 🎄 It's time for our sponsor roundup for November, where we thank our partners and remind you of their awesome deals. ALL of our special promo codes and links can be found on the Deals & Offers page on our website. Tap on this image at the link in our bio to check it out.

We appreciate when you support the show by using our links + codes!

Check out our new partners . . . 
🌱 @giveaswegrow (FREE service-focused app for kids!)
🎅 @officialsantadotcom (magical, one-stop holiday hub!) 
🪥 @betterbiom (15% off Nobs Jr. kids toothpaste!)
👶 @cadenlane (20% off the cutest kids clothes!)

And welcome back . . . 
🧪 @kiwico_inc (50% off your 1st month!)
🎨 @minted (art, cards, decor & more!)
📚 @chatbooks (the easiest photo books ever!)
☑️ @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!)
💜 @zulily (10% off our fave picks!)
Today we're thankful YOU. Thank you for listening Today we're thankful YOU. Thank you for listening to the podcast, sharing your wisdom with us and with each other, and showing up for your families, your communities, and your fellow moms. We're honored to share this space with you. - Meagan & Sarah
New episode! While we try not to kick ourselves w New episode!

While we try not to kick ourselves when we're down and generally avoid second-guessing our parenting choices, we *are* human. And sometimes that means we experience regret. Today Meagan and Sarah reflect on some big and small choices we've made (or not made) throughout our parenting journeys, and why we'd do things differently if given the chance. We also reflect on regret as an emotion, and why sharing regrets can bring about connection with others.

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
Bonus episode! Do you have to identify as a music Bonus episode!

Do you have to identify as a musical person to nurture a love of music in your family? We think not. Meagan and Sarah look back at parenting babies, small kids, big kids and teens, reflecting on the role music has played in everything from bedtime to playtime, nurturing kids' passions and finding shared interests as a family. We talk about what it means to "be musical," how we thought our kids' music learning would happen vs. how it actually played out, and what we've learned from our kids as their tastes and appreciation develop.

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
New Episode! Kassidi wants to become a more confi New Episode!

Kassidi wants to become a more confident home cook and asks us where to begin. Natalie needs strategies for easing the long wind-down at bedtime for her co-sleeping toddler. Joy is considering traveling with young kids on her own but wonders what age is best to go for it, what activities to partake in and what to avoid when you’re on a mom-only trip with kids. In Episode 439, Meagan and Sarah take these questions from our community and offer tips and validation. 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
Hosting Thanksgiving this year? @CafeDuMartin put Hosting Thanksgiving this year? @CafeDuMartin put together a planning guide that helps hosts work backward from turkey day and break down the challenge into manageable parts. We're revisiting this *gem* of a blog post this week and re-sharing her tips and printable download - check it out at the link in our bio!
New episode! Spending time with extended family c New episode!

Spending time with extended family can bring on parenting challenges that don't come up as often in our day-to-day routines. If you're anticipating some uncomfortable situations this holiday season, don't fret! Meagan and Sarah have your back with this episode's round-up of some of the archive's best listener questions and our advice, focused on traveling for the holidays (or not), surviving group events with different parenting styles, handling criticism (and unwanted advice) and much more.

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
Bonus episode out now - happy Friday! At what age Bonus episode out now - happy Friday!

At what age are kids ready for team sports? How do kids respond when parents volunteer to coach? (And what about the *other parents* 😳?) How much is too much and what's the deal with travel teams? The Mom Hour contributors @jaymesherrod and @twinningtheweekend share their experience as one-time competitive athletes who now have sporty kids. Listen to find out what they love, what gives them pause, and what they look forward to in the realm of youth sports.

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
New episode! It's that time--the run-up to winter New episode!

It's that time--the run-up to winter holidays is officially HERE! While we're still early in the season, Meagan and Sarah offer practical, do-able ideas for taking action now to relieve stress and pressure later in the year. We also share tips from The Mom Hour listener community on everything from making holiday meals easier to getting ahead on gift ideas for kids.

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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looking for something?

Head's up! @joannerevising from The Mom Hour team Head's up! @joannerevising from The Mom Hour team has a book out that makes a GREAT holiday gift - and right now it's 50% off through the publisher, @magiccatpublishing! Click this image at the link in our bio to grab it while the sale is on! (It's also available wherever books are sold.)

Each page offers a word and age-appropriate definition, along with a related activity, resource, or mindful prompt, all beautifully illustrated by @anneliesdraws. The book is split into four chapters that each includes relevant words: Feelings Matter (Afraid, Frustrated, Proud); You Matter (Authentic, Consent, Resilience); Differences Matter (Disability, Equity, Race); and Changemakers Matter (Conservation, Feminism, Teamwork). Check it out!

#thelittlebookofwordsthatmatter #wordsthatmatter #100wordsthatmatter
Has your family gotten a chance to play around on Has your family gotten a chance to play around on our partner @carnegiehall Kids website yet? 🎹 🎵 🎻 

It’s totally free and has some super fun resources for music education, like their Animal or Instrument? quiz and interactive Musical Explorers Around The World Map. (Swipe through for a peek!) Such a great option for kids who are ready to dive deeper into music . . . without requiring Mom's help or committing to lessons. 🙌 

Click on this image at the link in our bio to check out all @carnegiehall Kids fun, child-friendly games and quizzes! #ad #musicalkids #carnegiehall
New episode! Who came before us, and what can we New episode!

Who came before us, and what can we learn from them? We think there's a reason that ancestry research, genealogy, and discovering family stories holds a special interest for midlife women, and we're here to talk about it. Meagan shares her journey back through time (and up to the UP!) to better understand her family's roots. She shares what resources she used, her process for uncovering the unknowns, and what she's discovered so far. Sarah has less direct experience but lots of curiosity.

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 holidays! 🎄 It's time for our sponsor rou Happy holidays! 🎄 It's time for our sponsor roundup for November, where we thank our partners and remind you of their awesome deals. ALL of our special promo codes and links can be found on the Deals & Offers page on our website. Tap on this image at the link in our bio to check it out.

We appreciate when you support the show by using our links + codes!

Check out our new partners . . . 
🌱 @giveaswegrow (FREE service-focused app for kids!)
🎅 @officialsantadotcom (magical, one-stop holiday hub!) 
🪥 @betterbiom (15% off Nobs Jr. kids toothpaste!)
👶 @cadenlane (20% off the cutest kids clothes!)

And welcome back . . . 
🧪 @kiwico_inc (50% off your 1st month!)
🎨 @minted (art, cards, decor & more!)
📚 @chatbooks (the easiest photo books ever!)
☑️ @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!)
💜 @zulily (10% off our fave picks!)
Today we're thankful YOU. Thank you for listening Today we're thankful YOU. Thank you for listening to the podcast, sharing your wisdom with us and with each other, and showing up for your families, your communities, and your fellow moms. We're honored to share this space with you. - Meagan & Sarah
New episode! While we try not to kick ourselves w New episode!

While we try not to kick ourselves when we're down and generally avoid second-guessing our parenting choices, we *are* human. And sometimes that means we experience regret. Today Meagan and Sarah reflect on some big and small choices we've made (or not made) throughout our parenting journeys, and why we'd do things differently if given the chance. We also reflect on regret as an emotion, and why sharing regrets can bring about connection with others.

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
Bonus episode! Do you have to identify as a music Bonus episode!

Do you have to identify as a musical person to nurture a love of music in your family? We think not. Meagan and Sarah look back at parenting babies, small kids, big kids and teens, reflecting on the role music has played in everything from bedtime to playtime, nurturing kids' passions and finding shared interests as a family. We talk about what it means to "be musical," how we thought our kids' music learning would happen vs. how it actually played out, and what we've learned from our kids as their tastes and appreciation develop.

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
New Episode! Kassidi wants to become a more confi New Episode!

Kassidi wants to become a more confident home cook and asks us where to begin. Natalie needs strategies for easing the long wind-down at bedtime for her co-sleeping toddler. Joy is considering traveling with young kids on her own but wonders what age is best to go for it, what activities to partake in and what to avoid when you’re on a mom-only trip with kids. In Episode 439, Meagan and Sarah take these questions from our community and offer tips and validation. 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
Hosting Thanksgiving this year? @CafeDuMartin put Hosting Thanksgiving this year? @CafeDuMartin put together a planning guide that helps hosts work backward from turkey day and break down the challenge into manageable parts. We're revisiting this *gem* of a blog post this week and re-sharing her tips and printable download - check it out at the link in our bio!
New episode! Spending time with extended family c New episode!

Spending time with extended family can bring on parenting challenges that don't come up as often in our day-to-day routines. If you're anticipating some uncomfortable situations this holiday season, don't fret! Meagan and Sarah have your back with this episode's round-up of some of the archive's best listener questions and our advice, focused on traveling for the holidays (or not), surviving group events with different parenting styles, handling criticism (and unwanted advice) and much more.

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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