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posted on December 25, 2020

Meagan’s Holiday Help, Day 25: Tidings of comfort and joy.

This Christmas, the stakes were both higher (after a year like 2020, we all really needed this holiday to be pleasant and peaceful) but also lower (after a year like 2020, “pleasant and peaceful” were all we really needed.)

I hope tonight, after you’ve picked up the hundredth tiny bit of wrapping paper, or finally got that toy working after wrestling with the battery pack for an hour, or stepped on an errant piece of Lego, that you can look back over your day and identify a few moments of comfort and coziness.
There may have been grumpiness (yours, or your kids’). There may even have been tears (your kids’, or yours.) But likely there were also some brief flashes of comfort and joy. Let’s lean in on that.

Read More

posted on December 24, 2020

Meagan’s Holiday Help, Day 24: Breathe. Your work is done.

I just got done filling stockings. They’re currently slumped against my bedroom wall, as full as they’re going to get. Likewise, the stack of gifts below the tree downstairs isn’t getting any bigger. The breakfast menu I’ve planned isn’t getting any more ambitious, either. The stores are closed, the night is over, my work here is done.

I didn’t hit all the marks, but that’s what next year, or the year after, or…never is for.

For now, all I can do is give myself thanks and gratitude for the effort I put in.

Read More

posted on December 23, 2020

Meagan’s Holiday Help, Day 23: Make a plan for the day(s) after Christmas.

Even in a typical year, there can be a sense of letdown when the guests all leave or the last gift is opened. And in 2020, I worry that the letdown may be much more acute, as many of the traditions that would have given the hours and days after Christmas morning shape and joy and meaning simply aren’t happening this year – to say nothing about all the things that ALSO won’t be happening in January and February.

But here’s the good news: the holiday doesn’t end at midnight on December 25. Many of us have an extended break ahead, whether it’s time off from work or kids home from school. And even if you don’t get the benefits of a longer break, you’ll probably notice that the world around you is still moving in a kind of slow-motion, inviting us all to indulge in some more relaxation and cheer before we get back to our usual routines.

I’d love for you to plan your post-holiday self-care with me, so we don’t find those after-Christmas days slipping away. What would you love most to spend next week doing?

Read More

posted on December 22, 2020

Meagan’s Holiday Help, Day 22: You’ve still got time.

Your holiday to-do list wasn’t a manifest of demands penned by a hostile captor, it was an optimistic catalog of suggestions lovingly created for your present self by your past self.

Literally everything on it is optional.
And best yet, much of it is still doable.

The Elf can show up for 2 days instead of 25.

Your un-mailed Christmas cards can go out on Friday as “holiday cards”.

You can make cookies on Christmas Eve. Or Christmas Day. Or not at all.

You are not behind: not today, not tomorrow, not even 7 PM Thursday evening.

Read More

posted on December 21, 2020

Meagan’s Holiday Help, Day 21: Switch around your “big rocks”.

Holiday preparation is basically a full-time job, but the rest of life doesn’t actually stop while it’s going on. We still have kids and jobs and homes and bodies that need our attention.

It can feel like a personal failure to re-prioritize so that some things get less attention, but it’s really the only way to manage the load.

As we head into the final stretch of the holiday season, be sure to give yourself permission to reverse the order of priorities in your daily life.

You probably can’t fit it all in, so ask yourself: what are the most urgent things to tackle today?

Read More

posted on December 20, 2020

Meagan’s Holiday Help, Day 20: Turn a chore into a nurturing ritual.

I used to hate wrapping presents. Or, at least, I said I did. I think what I meant was, “This doesn’t come naturally to me” and “I don’t like the end result” and also “Gosh, this takes a long time.” But one year, I decided to flip the script on wrapping gifts – I’d turn the whole thing into a fun, festive ritual, just for me.

And as I sang and sipped and mashed the wrinkled ends of wrapper together with eight or nine too-long pieces of tape, I thought about how happy I hoped the gifts would make my little crew of people, how excited I imagined they would be when they spied the brightly-colored pile under the tree and opened the packages one by one.

And yes, I learned to love it.

Read More

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Top 10 parenting podcast hosted by @meaganfrancis (MI) & @powersofmine (SoCal). 8 kids between us, little to grown. Happier motherhood starts here.

It's a bittersweet week for your co-hosts as we bo It's a bittersweet week for your co-hosts as we both recorded our last-ever episode of The Mom Hour (yes, there were tears) AND launched a new project out into the world.

Midlife Lady Leisure Pursuits is not meant to replace, or extend, or even spin off or pivot from The Mom Hour. It's so different in all the ways, from the back-end tech to our intended audience to our goals to our time commitment. That said, it's the same two pals on the mic, and we're having a blast!

MLLP is available wherever you get your podcasts, and we have a Substack for extended show notes. Click this image at the link in our bio.
New episode! What would you like to accomplish be New episode!

What would you like to accomplish before your next milestone birthday? Today Meagan and Sarah share our personal “five before fifty” lists, giving ourselves the next few years to check off some aspirations both lofty and silly (think big travel goals, creative dreams, home improvements and outdoor adventures). Whether you're approaching 30, 40, 50, or just love a good life list, this episode will get you thinking—and maybe even writing your own!

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! Time is slippery—especially when y New episode!

Time is slippery—especially when you’re standing in midlife, looking both forward and back. Today Meagan and Sarah continue unpacking one of the most elusive and shape-shifting concepts we wrestle with: time. How do we imagine the future, how do we plan for it (tarot cards, anyone?), and how does our relationship to longterm planning and future-casting change in our forties? We explore the common traps we fall into when envisioning what’s next, the lessons that still haven’t quite landed, and how midlife has reshaped our goals, timelines, and even the way we dream.

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! After a decade of sharing the ups an New episode!

After a decade of sharing the ups and downs of motherhood, we're wrapping up The Mom Hour this month—and taking one final episode to update you on the kids who’ve grown up alongside this show. From 12 to 27, our eight kids have been a background-but-constant presence on the podcast, and today we'll share where they are now and how they're each thriving in their own way.

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! As kids grow up, it’s the littlest New episode!

As kids grow up, it’s the littlest reminders that catch us off guard—like discovering a pair of toddler socks or realizing nobody needs a kid’s menu. Join Meagan and Sarah as we share some of the small-but-significant signs that time is, as ever, marching on. It’s a conversation full of warmth, nostalgia, and gentle reminders to savor the stages as they come…and go.

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
It's the weekend 🎉 and time for our May sponsor It's the weekend 🎉 and time for our May sponsors roundup, where we remind you of our brand partners and special 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.

Thank you for helping support the show by using our links + codes!

Check out our new sponsors . . .
🛏️ @zlumberbedtools (15% off Zlumber Lock!)
👶 @sittercity (find high-quality childcare!)

And welcome back . . .
🎵 @carnegiehall (fun music games & quizzes!)
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🪑 @wayfair (shop outdoor furniture online!)
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☑️ @todoistofficial (2 mo. free of Todoist Pro!)
📅 @theessentialcalendar (10% off calendars!)
New episode! Honi asks how our friends are showin New episode!

Honi asks how our friends are showing up for us these days. Laura wonders if we ever get recognized in public (and if it's our faces or our voices that give us away!). Aspiring writer Samm is looking for advice on getting started with writing, Lisa wants to know what we’ll miss most about The Mom Hour, and Erica prompts some reflection on what we’re most proud of as moms. And Ann? She’s eager for the scoop on what’s next—listen to find out!

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! Jennifer wants to hear all our old p New episode!

Jennifer wants to hear all our old podcast intros one more time (what a fun trip down memory lane!). Contributor Sarah wonders how Meagan and Sarah’s perspectives on parenting have evolved since episode one. Tricia wonders how to get a kindergartener to open up about hard stuff, while listeners Mel and Lisa each ask how to figure out what’s next in motherhood—and life. Kim wants to know how much she really needs to play with her child—and how to balance being present while modeling healthy phone habits. Plus, we share a quick update on what's next for our amazing contributor team members.

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 Friday! Modern society loves the concept of Happy Friday!

Modern society loves the concept of 'saving time' - but at what cost? There's nothing wrong with streamlining and efficiency, but today Meagan and Sarah push back against the notion that time-saving strategies - and products - unilaterally bring more calm to our days. Instead we look at ways to think about shifting time to our advantage, batching tasks and opting out to free up schedule space, simplifying rather than optimizing, and finding our own peace with our relationship to time.

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! Some days we’re the “Sure, why n New episode!

Some days we’re the “Sure, why not?” mom, and other days we’re the “Because I said so” mom - and often we lean more into one side than the other. Meagan and Sarah unpack what the Yes Mom / No Mom binary really means, the why behind our wiring, how it affects our kids, and how it’s not always so black and white. We look at the balance between freedom and structure, and remind you there are many ways to be yourself and be a great mom at the same time.

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
Very special episode in your feed today! Meagan w Very special episode in your feed today!

Meagan wrote a book—and Sarah has lots of questions. In this episode, we dive into Meagan’s journey from concept to publication. From the initial spark of an idea to the challenges of writing, editing, and getting it out into the world, join us for an inside look at the process behind bringing her book to life. Whether you're a writer, a non-writer who likes to learn how the sausage gets made, or simply want to offer Meagan your support during launch week, we hope you'll listen!

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
Last chance to ASK A LISTENER QUESTION! (Please re Last chance to ASK A LISTENER QUESTION! (Please read the whole post before commenting! 🥰)

We're planning two more LQ episodes before we wrap production, and we'd love to take your questions about ANYTHING. The usual parenting challenges are welcome for sure, but we're also open to answering questions about the podcast, the decade we've spent doing this work, our business partnership+friendship, our future plans, our midlife lady joys and challenges, ALL OF IT.

You can EMAIL questions to hello@themomhour.com with Listener Question in the subject line. (Please don't use the comments on this post to ask your question; we might miss it and it adds organizational clutter to our lives.)

Deadline is Sunday 5/11 at 11:59pm. It's a true 'last call', folks! Can't wait to read your questions! -Meagan & Sarah
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It's a bittersweet week for your co-hosts as we bo It's a bittersweet week for your co-hosts as we both recorded our last-ever episode of The Mom Hour (yes, there were tears) AND launched a new project out into the world.

Midlife Lady Leisure Pursuits is not meant to replace, or extend, or even spin off or pivot from The Mom Hour. It's so different in all the ways, from the back-end tech to our intended audience to our goals to our time commitment. That said, it's the same two pals on the mic, and we're having a blast!

MLLP is available wherever you get your podcasts, and we have a Substack for extended show notes. Click this image at the link in our bio.
New episode! What would you like to accomplish be New episode!

What would you like to accomplish before your next milestone birthday? Today Meagan and Sarah share our personal “five before fifty” lists, giving ourselves the next few years to check off some aspirations both lofty and silly (think big travel goals, creative dreams, home improvements and outdoor adventures). Whether you're approaching 30, 40, 50, or just love a good life list, this episode will get you thinking—and maybe even writing your own!

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! Time is slippery—especially when y New episode!

Time is slippery—especially when you’re standing in midlife, looking both forward and back. Today Meagan and Sarah continue unpacking one of the most elusive and shape-shifting concepts we wrestle with: time. How do we imagine the future, how do we plan for it (tarot cards, anyone?), and how does our relationship to longterm planning and future-casting change in our forties? We explore the common traps we fall into when envisioning what’s next, the lessons that still haven’t quite landed, and how midlife has reshaped our goals, timelines, and even the way we dream.

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! After a decade of sharing the ups an New episode!

After a decade of sharing the ups and downs of motherhood, we're wrapping up The Mom Hour this month—and taking one final episode to update you on the kids who’ve grown up alongside this show. From 12 to 27, our eight kids have been a background-but-constant presence on the podcast, and today we'll share where they are now and how they're each thriving in their own way.

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! As kids grow up, it’s the littlest New episode!

As kids grow up, it’s the littlest reminders that catch us off guard—like discovering a pair of toddler socks or realizing nobody needs a kid’s menu. Join Meagan and Sarah as we share some of the small-but-significant signs that time is, as ever, marching on. It’s a conversation full of warmth, nostalgia, and gentle reminders to savor the stages as they come…and go.

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
It's the weekend 🎉 and time for our May sponsor It's the weekend 🎉 and time for our May sponsors roundup, where we remind you of our brand partners and special 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.

Thank you for helping support the show by using our links + codes!

Check out our new sponsors . . .
🛏️ @zlumberbedtools (15% off Zlumber Lock!)
👶 @sittercity (find high-quality childcare!)

And welcome back . . .
🎵 @carnegiehall (fun music games & quizzes!)
🍋 @hiyahealth (50% off your 1st order!)
🪑 @wayfair (shop outdoor furniture online!)
👡  @vionicshoes (15% off your entire order!)
🎨 @minted (art, cards, decor & more!)
📚 @chatbooks (the easiest photo books ever!)
☑️ @todoistofficial (2 mo. free of Todoist Pro!)
📅 @theessentialcalendar (10% off calendars!)
New episode! Honi asks how our friends are showin New episode!

Honi asks how our friends are showing up for us these days. Laura wonders if we ever get recognized in public (and if it's our faces or our voices that give us away!). Aspiring writer Samm is looking for advice on getting started with writing, Lisa wants to know what we’ll miss most about The Mom Hour, and Erica prompts some reflection on what we’re most proud of as moms. And Ann? She’s eager for the scoop on what’s next—listen to find out!

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! Jennifer wants to hear all our old p New episode!

Jennifer wants to hear all our old podcast intros one more time (what a fun trip down memory lane!). Contributor Sarah wonders how Meagan and Sarah’s perspectives on parenting have evolved since episode one. Tricia wonders how to get a kindergartener to open up about hard stuff, while listeners Mel and Lisa each ask how to figure out what’s next in motherhood—and life. Kim wants to know how much she really needs to play with her child—and how to balance being present while modeling healthy phone habits. Plus, we share a quick update on what's next for our amazing contributor team members.

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 Friday! Modern society loves the concept of Happy Friday!

Modern society loves the concept of 'saving time' - but at what cost? There's nothing wrong with streamlining and efficiency, but today Meagan and Sarah push back against the notion that time-saving strategies - and products - unilaterally bring more calm to our days. Instead we look at ways to think about shifting time to our advantage, batching tasks and opting out to free up schedule space, simplifying rather than optimizing, and finding our own peace with our relationship to time.

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! Some days we’re the “Sure, why n New episode!

Some days we’re the “Sure, why not?” mom, and other days we’re the “Because I said so” mom - and often we lean more into one side than the other. Meagan and Sarah unpack what the Yes Mom / No Mom binary really means, the why behind our wiring, how it affects our kids, and how it’s not always so black and white. We look at the balance between freedom and structure, and remind you there are many ways to be yourself and be a great mom at the same time.

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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