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The Mom Hour

Happier motherhood starts here.

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Sponsored by VISIT FLORIDA

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.

About Our Sponsor

Choosing where to go on a family vacation is easier than you think. Florida is filled with experiences you and your family will never forget. From 825 miles of beaches and 700 freshwater springs to over 1,300 trails with breathing room to run and play, there are so many reasons a Florida vacation is just, the best.

Start planning YOUR best-ever vacation at Visit Florida today!

Tips For Traveling With Small Kids

In this special episode, Meagan chats with team member Catie Parrish about her family’s spring break trip to Florida. Listen to hear all about Catie’s favorite things they did, as well as her top tips for happy travels with young kids.

Check it out!

Tips For Traveling With Teens

In this episode, Meagan shares about her travels with teens to the Space Coast of Florida and St. Augustine. While the activities may look a little bit different with teens, find out why Meagan’s best tips aren’t actually that different from when they were toddlers.

Check it out!

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 travel-related episodes 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!

Outer Banks

by Katie Gouldner

From wild horses to incredible sunsets, the Outer Banks of North Carolina (OBX) is a 100-mile stretch of barrier islands lined with beaches, quaint towns, incredible food, local shopping and plenty of historic sites for your family’s next adventure. Here are my recommendations for how to enjoy OBX with kids!

Santa Barbara

by Sarah Powers

Since moving back to my hometown in 2020, I’ve gained an even greater appreciation for the place that raised me. Santa Barbara is a great place for families, but it’s also a really popular getaway for couples and girls weekends, so here are my recommendations that work for whatever brings you to town.

Chicago

by Katherine Devries

While I can’t imagine returning to a life of icy windshields, fourteen types of coats, or surprise snowstorms on my MAY birthday, I do love getting to be a tourist in the city I once called home. Here are the activities my kids and I have enjoyed during our twice-yearly visits to Chicagoland.

St. Louis

by Ashley Schafluetzel

Welcome to the Gateway to the Midwest and my hometown – St. Louis! I absolutely love all that St. Louis has to offer for families. Here are my best tips for visiting St. Louis with kids and checking out our most popular tourist attractions, including some fun things to do (or eat!) as a family near each attraction.

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
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New episode! Come run errands with Meagan and Sar New episode!

Come run errands with Meagan and Sarah! Errands are an essential part of mom-life--but the running of them looks very different depending on where you live and your season of life. Today we chat about our preferences and personality quirks when it comes to errands, which ones we like and which ones we avoid, and how we make running around town more enjoyable. Join us as we romanticize (mostly) and vent (a little) about errands!

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
Meagan is married! (And has been for a week!) If y Meagan is married! (And has been for a week!) If you haven’t been following along over on her personal Insta (@meaganfrancis), these may be the first photos you’ve seen. Aren’t they just incredible?

I (Sarah) wasn’t there in person, but you’d better believe I made a Google doc about how to assemble a DIY bridal bouquet from Trader Joe’s, because that’s what friends are for. And you’d also better believe I beamed into my phone as the pictures started to come in - first some iPhone selfies, and later these gorgeous professional shots. I cannot wait to celebrate these two in person in the fall when they gather for a bigger party. 

Will you join me in showering Meagan with oohs, ahhs, love, and well-wishes as she returns from her honeymoon this week? Leave a comment and be sure to mention where you live - let’s love-bomb the happy couple from all over the WORLD!

And if you’d like to listen to me - and some other friends of the bride - offer marriage reflections and advice to Meagan and Eric, check out the May 25 episode of the Mother of Reinvention podcast. I had some CHOICE WORDS for Eric (😛).

Photographer: @brandi.lynns.photo
Dress: @davidsbridal
Shoes: @vionicshoes
Flowers: @traderjoes
New episode! Being a mom in 2023 means having a d New episode!

Being a mom in 2023 means having a device connecting you to the world, wherever you go. It isn't all bad or all good - but it does impact our parenting lives at every turn. Join  @kiamhammond and @jaymesherrod moms of kids ages toddler to teen, as they chat about the good, the bad, and the ugly of being constantly connected - plus offer some tech-positive suggestions for managing smartphone use when things start to feel out of balance.

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! Processionals, promotions, caps, gow New episode!

Processionals, promotions, caps, gowns, and more! Today Meagan and Sarah dig into graduations of all kinds from our perspective as moms in the audience experiencing all the feels. We have some strong opinions about how promotion ceremonies can be incorporated thoughtfully (or not) into kids' younger years, and very different experiences when it comes to high school graduations. Find out what brings tears to our eyes almost instantly, what makes us roll our eyes, and how our own kids are "leveling up" as this school year comes to a close.

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 kickoff to a long holiday weekend for many! Happy kickoff to a long holiday weekend for many! It's time for our monthly roundup of sponsors and affiliate partners, where we thank the brands who help support our show and remind YOU of their great deals. For our unique promo codes and links, just tap our saved "Sponsors" highlight. We also collect ALL our active promo codes on our Deals & Offers page on our website. Just tap on this image at the link in our bio to check it out!

Thank you for checking out our partners and using our links + codes!

Shoutout to our new & featured partners:
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This week's episode has elicited more comments and This week's episode has elicited more comments and emails than we've gotten in a LONG TIME. We're so glad the topic touched a nerve and appreciate every one of the notes we've received.

Speaking of "doneness" and all the feels about moving out of the baby-having years, this result from our listener survey surprised us. 72% of listeners who responded to the question about plans to grow their families said they are totally done. This is a big jump from previous surveys where we asked the same question (in 2021 59% said they were done; in 2019 47%).

If you haven't taken our survey yet, please do! Click this image at the link in our bio, or type themomhour.com/survey into any browser. Thanks, friends!
Did you know we have travel guides on our website Did you know we have travel guides on our website for NINE different U.S. cities (and counting!)? Our contributors hail from all over the country and know the best playgrounds, coffee shops, and family-friendly activities to make your summer travels more joyful and less stressful.

Our Chicagoland guide comes from @thepaperdart, who lives in SoCal now but hails from the Windy City originally. She has a guide FULL of mom-tested ideas for bringing kids to Chicago and surrounding areas. Click this image at the link in our bio to read Katherine's post, and get all the guides at themomhour.com/travel!

#chicagowithkids #travelwithkids #summer2023 #summertravel #windycitykids #windycitymoms #chicagolandwithkids #chicagomoms #chicago
New episode, based on this letter we received from New episode, based on this letter we received from listener Sarah (swipe to read). We're guessing more than a few of you can relate...

"Done having babies" and "Sad about the end of the little years" are two completely different mom-emotions, as Meagan and Sarah get into today, with the help of a thoughtful listener question. We look at how it's possible to be at peace with your family size and still experience grief at the identity shift that happens as your last babe gets big (and your bigs get huge). We reflect on what pangs us most about small kids growing bigger, how to accept the unfamiliar role of being (slightly) less needed, and what it means to embrace the season you find yourself in - whatever it is.

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
Summer’s almost here, but Florida’s a place wh Summer’s almost here, but Florida’s a place where you can enjoy the season’s fun and relaxation year-round.  #ad

Escape your busy routine and spread out along 825 miles of beaches, 700 freshwater springs and over 1300 trails with breathing room to run and play. Discover new experiences in the most comfortable place to get out of your comfort zone, only on a family vacation in Florida. (It’s just the best.)

Start planning your Florida vacation and learn more about all the places to go by clicking on this image at the link in our bio. 🏝️ And thanks for supporting the brands that support our show! @visitflorida #VisitFlorida #LoveFL
New episode! A parent of three is exhausted by di New episode!

A parent of three is exhausted by dinnertime sillies and wants help steering conversation at the family table. A stay-at-home mom asks what to do when her child says, "don't tell dad I got in trouble at school!". And a parent of a tween who wants acrylic nails asks a bigger question about letting kids alter their appearance in general. Meagan and Sarah tackle tricky parenting challenges with our best attempts at nuance, compassion, and humor in today's episode.

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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