• Home
  • About
    • New? Start Here.
    • Meet The Co-Hosts
    • Meet The Contributors
  • Sponsor
  • Contact
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter

The Mom Hour

Happier motherhood starts here.

  • New? Start Here.
  • Podcast
    • Recent Episodes
    • Complete Archives
    • Search By Topic
  • Blog
  • Ages & Stages
    • Babies
    • Toddlers
    • Preschoolers
    • Big Kids
    • Tweens & Teens
  • Family Travel Hub

Whether it’s a long overseas trip or a quick staycation, traveling with kids often means making a plan for multiple ages and stages so that it’s a fun experience for everyone. But knowing what to plan for and how to do it, especially when our kids seem to change every day, can be a challenge. That’s why we worked with our contributors to share their tips, how-to guides, and experiences for all things travel.

Family Travel Gear Guide

For being so little, babies and toddlers sure need a lot of stuff! When writer Sandy Hsu first started traveling with little ones, she felt overwhelmed; over time, she learned that instead of trying to bring All. The. Things., having a few of the right products can really make a big difference. In this product guide, Sandy’s got you covered with family travel gear recommendations for getting there, getting good sleep, and feeding/pottying on the go.

Go To The Gear Guide

What To Bring To The Beach

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 with the products that will make your beach outing fun, safe, and comfortable and every age and stage.

Go-To Beach Products

Whether you’re leaving on a jet plane or on the road with your kids, our contributors share their tips and tricks to help the journey go a little more smoothly. Click through to read now – and check back for more soon!

5 Ways I Stay Sane As A Mom On Family Vacations

When mom is having a good time, the whole family trip feels a bit easier. Check out Emily’s tips for managing her own stress and keeping her cool while traveling with young kids.

5 Tips For Water Safety This Summer

Whether it’s at the local pool, on a beach vacation or at the lake, chances are your kids will encounter a new swimming opportunity this summer. Here’s how to stay safe.

How Prep & Packing Can Help You Survive Road Trips with Littles

Mom of three Joanna does 8-hour road trips to visit family several times per year. She shares how prep and packing keep her sane – and she shares printable packing and prep checklists!

Feeding Your Family On Vacation? 7 Tips To Save Money On Food

Jayme helps us all find the balance between “Let’s splurge!” and “OMG $9 kids’ meals!”. Check out her tips for saving money while feeding a family on vacation.

Disneyland With Littles (And How I Really Feel About Mouse Ears!)

Disneybound? Check out Katherine’s hard-earned wisdom on where to splurge, how to save, and what the heck is up with the new Genie+ and Lightening Lane system.

Hotel Stays With A Baby: What To Pack & How To Get Some Sleep

New mom Sarah learned a few things the first time she stayed in a hotel with an infant. Check out her tips on what to pack and how to make your stay safe and comfortable for everyone.

Tried And True Tips For Flying With Babies & Toddlers

Sandy has survived international flights with babies and toddlers (!!), so we’re here for ALL her airport and plane tips for air travel with littles. Bookmark this post for your next long flight!

How To Keep Kids Entertained On Long Car Rides

From babies to big kids, Ashley has ideas for in-car activities that keep your smallest passengers engaged and entertained on long car rides and family road trips.

New On The Podcast!

This spring we’re tackling family travel from different angles – starting with how to deal when you feel like you’re missing out! Check back often for our latest travel-related episodes.

Family Travel In The Archives

Over the years we’ve covered family travel in a number of ways – from expert interviews to sharing our own hard-earned advice. Click play on these oldies-but-goodies as you think about your next trip with kids:

Our Contributor Team hails from all over the United States – and what better way to get tips for your next family adventure than to learn from the moms who live in the places you want to visit! Check out what the locals know by clicking through to the blog – and check back fore more Hometown Guides as we add to the list!

Glacier National Park

by Stacy Bronec

Nestled on the Montana and Canadian border lies Glacier National Park. We make the trip once or twice a year with our kids, ages 7, 5, and 2. Here are my favorite places to stay, things to do, spots for just-grownups and – most important?! – where to get the best coffee.

Kansas City

by Lisa Payne

Amber waves of grain, golden plains filled with sunflowers, tornado alley and Dorothy—this might be what you think of when you think of Kansas City – but that’s not all we’re made of! As you crisscross state lines, get ready to experience the variety “the metro” offers for families and couples alike. Welcome!

Los Angeles

by Sandy Hsu

I moved to Los Angeles a few days after my eighteenth birthday eager to explore this star-studded city where everything felt new and exciting. More than 15 years later, I’ve settled into L.A. as a local but still feel like a tourist at times (in a good way!)— there’s always something new to discover in the City of Angels!

San Diego

by Sarah Limberg

“America’s Finest City” is known for the scenery and flawless weather, but it has so much more than that to offer visiting families. You can make your trip to San Diego anything you want from a casual, family road trip stop to the blockbuster trip of the summer. I hope some of these tips and places come in handy as you’re planning your trip to San Diego!

Indianapolis

by Emily Roark

Unless you are a huge fan of basketball or the Indianapolis 500, you might not have ever thought of making a trip to Indiana. The Hoosier state has a lot more to offer, though, particularly the capital city of Indianapolis and its surrounding areas. If you are considering heading to Indy with your family, check out these fun excursions the whole family can enjoy!

Dallas-Fort Worth

by Joanna Martin

City lights, cattle drives, craft breweries, and one of the country’s fastest growing areas in the tech industry makes the Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) Metroplex an enticing place to live or visit these days! If you are planning a trip to the Dallas area anytime soon or you are looking for a fun, family trip location – let me tell you all about my hometown of Dallas, Texas!

  • Instagram: A day at Disneyland with Katherine & family
  • Essay: Becoming The Mom Who Does Things
  • Facebook: Our community’s best travel advice
  • Episode: Meagan And Sarah Get Stranded On A Deserted Island
  • Episode: Hospitality & Customer Service

Send us an email

Can’t find what you’re looking for? Email hello@themomhour.com and we’re here to help!

Play Our Latest Episode!

https://media.blubrry.com/themomhour/pdst.fm/e/content.blubrry.com/themomhour/MHVoices78.mp3

looking for something?

Did you know...? We publish fewer More Than Mom ep Did you know...? We publish fewer More Than Mom episodes in the summertime, and then ramp back up in the fall. Do you have a fun, fluffy topic you'd like to hear Meagan and Sarah tackle in a MTM this fall? Drop a comment below! ⬇️ ⬇️
New episode! When to get kids their first cell ph New episode!

When to get kids their first cell phone brings up all kinds of questions: How do you know when your child is ready? How to talk to kids about safety? How to help kids develop a healthy relationship with their phone? Social Media? Phone etiquette? (The list goes on!) In today's episode, Sarah welcomes back her friend Dr. Catherine Pearlman to talk about kids and technology--specifically the learning that happens when kids start to navigate their own personal devices, like phones. Today Catherine (@thefamilycoachsays) helps us navigate the new and murky waters of personal devices for our kids and answers some of your burning questions about first phones. Plus, stick around for a short conversation Sarah had with her own 9- and 12-year-olds about what THEY think about this topic!

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
We're talking college on the podcast this week! No We're talking college on the podcast this week! Not necessarily the brass tacks of sending a kid for college, but more the role the very IDEA of it plays in our family culture.

Dressing tiny humans in university garb is for sure a little parenting joy - I had lots of fun doing it when my kids were small. Looking back at these photos makes me (Sarah) smile - and wonder what team colors are being flown in our listeners' homes!

Do you have little Longhorns or tiny Tigers or wee Wildcats? Do your kids know your college fight song? Are you a house divided by college sports rivalry? Is any of this this even a thing in your house? I'm here for it all. 💜 -S 

PS - Look for this image at the link in our bio to listen to the episode. It's as much for moms of littles as it is for those who have college on the horizon - and we tell some fun stories!
Listener Mail! 📬 Thanks so much for the travel Listener Mail! 📬 Thanks so much for the travel tip, Audrey! (Shared with permission.)

"I enjoyed your travel-related topics this summer and even though we had traveled quite a bit with our kids pre-pandemic, I found a bunch of the tips incredibly helpful as we have restarted our family travels again. One tip I would like to offer, is to put the kids in almost obnoxiously bright clothing on the day of travel. I make my two rambunctious boys wear neon-colored shirts when we are in airports for flight travel or crowded rest areas or restaurants on road trips. This allows my eyes to quickly spot them if ever they should lag behind or get ahead. It makes me feel more relaxed to think they would be a little easier to locate myself or for someone else should something happen, or if I’m overwhelmed trying to navigate new places and my attention is elsewhere." 

Don't forget that ALL our travel-related content is collected at http://themomhour.com/travel22! You'll find podcast episodes, packing lists, blog posts, Disney tips, and more. Click this image at the link in our bio to find the Travel Hub.

#travelwithkids #roadtriptips #familytravelhack #familytravel #familytraveltip #flyingwithkids #roadtripswithkids
New episode! College decision-making is influence New episode!

College decision-making is influenced by so many things--parents, peers, teachers, family members, your larger community and more. And as with everything else: all families approach this differently! While some bleed their alma mater colors, others don't see college as the only option for helping launch kids after graduation. In this episode, Meagan and Sarah have an open-ended conversation about the role college played in our own stories, our family-of-origin culture, and the narrative we're shaping for our kids now. We also give you a peek into our educational paths, how we made those decisions and how our eight kids perceive the idea of college today. This is a topic close to home for Meagan as she prepares to send Will off in the next few weeks to start his own journey.

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 week, on our annual extended-family up-north Last week, on our annual extended-family up-north trip, a few things struck me. 

One: this pack of boy cousins - now a mixed bag of older teens and young adults - has been goofing off for the camera pretty much just like this since they were toddlers and preschoolers. 

Two: things are changing almost unbelievably quickly. This year Will brought his car and drove several of his cousins to the meeting spot, a campground with spotty wifi in the middle of a data desert. With their own transportation and unreliable communication, that meant the boys were truly on their own for a good part of the trip.

There was a busy four-year-old boy with us on the trip, the son of my nephew's girlfriend. As the little guy leapt over roots and sprung from rock formations on one of our hikes, his (likely exhausted) mom keeping a wary and watchful eye, I was fielding texts from Will announcing that he and his cousins had decided to go shopping instead and would meet up with us later. I nearly protested, but stifled it with a sigh. 

When I was that wary, watchful mom with my own passel of busy boys, I would have given a lot for an hour's hike, unencumbered. But now that mine are rapidly growing and flying, I find myself wishing sometimes that the who's-in-charge and who-needs-whom dynamics were more cut-and-dried. 

Parenting young adults is a delicate balance between holding them accountable to everything - social expectations, their own commitments, basic politeness - and giving them the autonomy to decide for themselves when to strike out on their own and even what counts as quality family time. It's a tightrope walk between helping them make good decisions about bedtimes and dietary choices and letting them figure out for themselves the consequences of a 3 AM bedtime after a bag of chips and a two-liter of soda. 

It's a constant push-pull, albeit a lot more subtle than gripping a sturdy small hand for a stair-jumping assist, and full of deep breaths of suppressed frustration and small chuckles of appreciation when the moments come - and they do still come - when they momentarily shed those tough, adult exteriors, and ham it up like little kids again. -M
Getting ready for kindergarten? We’ve got you co Getting ready for kindergarten? We’ve got you covered!

We’ve talked about kindergarten over the years. A LOT. With the start of a new school year right around the corner, we've gathered all our kindergarten and kinder-adjacent podcast episodes and blog posts in one handy place to help you prepare for this milestone. 

Click this image at the link in our bio to access our kindergarten roundup of resources.

#kindergarten #firstdayofschool #motherhood #parenting #school #kindergartenreadiness #lunchpacking #choosingtherightschool #schoolvolunteering #tipsforstartingschool
We’ve had some big discussions on the show the l We’ve had some big discussions on the show the last two weeks about moms taking on extra emotional work: to keep morale up, to show up for a struggling kid, to shape our kids’ future identities within a sibling group. Even when we think we’re aware of these dynamics, it’s easy to assign ourselves extra work without even realize we’re doing it. (And often in areas where we really have very little control!)

Where can you give yourself a gentle free pass right now? Finish the sentence “It’s not my job to…” in whatever way rings true for you - and drop a comment if you want to share!

Here are just a few ideas, but please add your own! 🥰

It’s not my job to…
…prove that I’m a good mom
…keep my children constantly entertained
…prevent every disappointment 
…intervene in sibling dynamics
…be the sole keeper of the family schedule
…join my tween in her mood
Happy Birthday, @meaganfrancis! If you listened t Happy Birthday, @meaganfrancis!

If you listened to yesterday's podcast episode, we chatted about how Meagan is celebrating 45 in the UP with her extended family... possibly with a karaoke takeover of the campground bar and grill.

Meagan, this podcast wouldn't exist without you, full stop. It's no exaggeration to say that you've helped bring calmness and common sense to hundreds of thousands of families in your two decades of creating content about motherhood. (And, less notably but thank goodness nonetheless, to ME.)

That's worth raising a glass to, no?

Listeners, if you want some extra Meagan in your ears this week, head over to @motherofreinventionshow and subscribe to the podcast. I (Sarah) will be on with Meagan in her Season 3 finale tomorrow (7/28) talking about kids getting older, midlife, career pivots, and more. 

☀️ Sarah
New episode! What are Meagan and Sarah’s best t New episode!

What are Meagan and Sarah’s best tips for getting kids started with their first phone? And with a new school year right around the corner, a mom asks how to prepare her child for the first day of kindergarten and looks for some fun traditions to help celebrate back to school. The “bigger kids, bigger problems” stage arrives early for one listener’s family, and she looks for strategies for maintaining her mental health and other relationships while they navigate tough times. Lastly, a mom of bickering siblings sets us up for a lively discussion about whether it’s mom’s job to prevent kids developing a complex or identity stemming from their birth order and sibling roles. In addition to our own thoughts, we tap the wisdom of our contributors as we tackle your listener questions in Episode 375.

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

Copyright © 2022 · Life, Listened
Development by Cipher