Summer lets kids expand their experiences, gain new skills, and experience independence – but those opportunities can be scary, too! In this classic replay from 2022, Meagan and Sarah share stories about the times our kids seemed vulnerable when faced with more independence, how those nerves showed up in our children (and ourselves!), how we handled our nervous energy, and planned for major milestones with kids who were nervous to spread their wings.
BONUS: Would You Rather? [CLASSIC REPLAY]
We’re revisiting a classic from the archives today: a ridiculous game of Would You Rather…? Meagan and Sarah recorded this one in person together on a hot summer day back in 2018 (almost six years ago!), and in it we challenge each other to pick between wildly impossible scenarios. Which one of us would rather deal with an insane diaper blowout while in public and which would rather have an end-of-the-world public tantrum? You’ll have to listen to find out!
BONUS: Is Your Family Ready For A Dog?
Whether you have puppy fever or are overwhelmed by the idea of getting a dog, this episode will meet you where you are. Join regular contributors Joanna and Joanne as they check in about recent adventures adding furry family members to their homes. They offer advice for things to consider before getting a dog, chat about how a dog can impact your lifestyle, your budget, and your mental load, and offer tips for introducing a dog to a new baby and getting kids involved in pet care.
BONUS: Creating Holiday Memories [Classic Replay]
Feeling overwhelmed, or like the season is passing too quickly? Let today’s episode – a classic from the archives – help you pause, reflect, and reset. Meagan and Sarah offer our thoughts on how memories really “get made,” why simply changing what we notice around us can shift our mood, and what busy moms can do to capture the fleeting season to look back upon later.
BONUS: Musical Kids, Musical Families (Hint: That’s All Of Us!)
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.
BONUS: Navigating Youth Sports
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 Jayme and Jennifer 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.