The Mom Hour

Let’s talk travel habits! How do you settle into a rental property? Do you unpack in a hotel room? Are you a fan of rental cars, or do you rely on ride-sharing apps? These are just a few of the things Meagan and Sarah discuss in today’s episode on traveling without kids and the unique habits that come with it. Join us as we share our personal quirks (and strong feelings) on things like rental cars, tech use while on vacation, our use (or non-use) of navigation apps, and how we make accommodations feel more like home. Enjoy!This is Part 3 of a three-part travel series running this winter! You can listen to Part 1 here, and listen to Part 2 here.HELPFUL LINKS:Check out our Family Travel Hub for episodes and blog posts to help with all your traveling-with-kids needs!Traveling As Business Besties (Meagan & Sarah From Dallas Together!)We mentioned this episode, where we deep-dive on our airport personalities: Getting There Is Half The Fun (Especially When You’re Flying Solo)OTHER HELPFUL LINKS:Pre-Order Meagan’s book: The Last Parenting Book You’ll Ever Read: How We Let Our Kids Go and Embrace What’s NextVisit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mornings set the tone for the day, so how are we spending ours lately? Today we define – and debate! – a “successful” start to the day, and dig into some of the mythology surrounding morning routines. From quiet time to busy school morning routines, we’ll share how different environments shape our mornings and talk about the little habits that help us feel grounded and ready to take on the day. Join us!HELPFUL LINKS:Last week’s episode Evening Routines Lately: Episode 507 and Morning Routines & Morning Makeovers: Episode 222 pair nicely with this one.OTHER HELPFUL LINKS:Pre-Order Meagan’s book: The Last Parenting Book You’ll Ever Read: How We Let Our Kids Go and Embrace What’s NextVisit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Does a peaceful evening beget a better morning? Let's find out. Today Meagan and Sarah talk about our evening routines lately, and next week we'll do the same with mornings. Now that our kids are older, we try to make time for the little things that make winding down feel calm and intentional. Plus, we share how we shut down our homes and families for the night, and how our loved ones—both human and animal—fit into the mix. Nighty-night!HELPFUL LINKS:Episodes from the archives on routines:Morning Routines & Morning Makeovers: Episode 222Routines, Rituals, and Traditions (Part 2): Episode 129Routines, Rituals, and Traditions (Part 1): Episode 128Bedtime Routines at Every Stage: Episode 80Realistic Hair & Skincare Routines: Episode 48Routines For A Happy Mom-Life: Episode 20Interested in gua sha (which Meagan talked about having an at-home routine similar to)? We learned a lot from this Good Housekeeping articleSarah uses DRMTLGY retinol and neck creamSarah keeps this cuter version of your grandma's pill box on her bedside table (h/t Erica Ladd for that rec!)Clevr blend sleeptime latte is Sarah's drink of choice in the eveningWe both use weighted blankets in a twin size, like this oneMeagan uses her Hatch Clock (affiliate link) to dim the lights before bed, helping to cue her to get sleepyOTHER HELPFUL LINKS:Pre-Order Meagan’s book: The Last Parenting Book You’ll Ever Read: How We Let Our Kids Go and Embrace What’s NextVisit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Moms often struggle with self-criticism, reflecting on their early parenting years with a mix of regret and pride. The hosts celebrate small victories in motherhood, encouraging listeners to embrace self-compassion amid chaos. They discuss the challenges of postpartum expectations, sustainable choices, and the emotional complexities of parenting older children. Personal anecdotes illustrate the journey of young motherhood, emphasizing growth and the need for understanding. Ultimately, it’s a heartwarming reminder to appreciate the effort and connections that shape our parenting experiences.

From crafting the perfect window display to chatting with customers and hand-picking the best products, Meagan shares the fun (and not-so-glamorous) side of running a business. Whether it’s her specialty tea shop or her family’s bookstore, Meagan has plenty of insights on what it takes to bring a dream to life. Sarah is here to ask all the questions, so tune in for an inspiring and candid conversation about entrepreneurship, retail, and everything in between!HELPFUL LINKS:Meagan’s a partner of a public market, The Mill ManistiqueMeagan opened a tea shop!Follow @papermillbooks or @themillmanistique or @bevytea on instagramEpisodes from the archives you may enjoy:How Do You Know What’s Next?: Episode 503More Than Mom: Dream BusinessesHaving Kids Young & Building A Creative Business With Camp Climb Founder Emma Hicks: Voices 37OTHER HELPFUL LINKS:Pre-Order Meagan’s book: The Last Parenting Book You’ll Ever Read: How We Let Our Kids Go and Embrace What’s NextVisit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From tracking flight prices to snagging a hotel deal, packing your bags to prepping the home front, there’s a ton to talk about when it comes to travel planning. Join Meagan and Sarah as we discuss what works for us, how we feel about reviews on vacation rental sites, and where are strengths and weaknesses lie when it comes to packing a suitcase and preparing to leave home. Let’s get ready to travel!This is Part 2 of a three-part travel series running this winter! You can listen to Part 1 here, and check back in March for Part 3.HELPFUL LINKS:Check out our Family Travel Hub for episodes and blog posts to help with all your traveling-with-kids needs!Sarah’s packing cubes are similar to these, from show sponsor Quince (visit quince.com/themomhour for free shipping at 365-day returns)Sarah loves her Luka Duffel from Calpak TravelSarah uses Google Flights for tracking flight pricesOTHER HELPFUL LINKS:Pre-Order Meagan’s book: The Last Parenting Book You’ll Ever Read: How We Let Our Kids Go and Embrace What’s NextVisit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Perfectly crisped bacon with zero grease splatter, an onion diced evenly and confidently, and a sparkling clean kitchen sink. These are just a few of the kitchen confidence-boosters Meagan and Sarah have worked on over the years. Today’s episode is all about the skills we’ve developed – and even mastered – that help us enjoy home cooking more. Join us!HELPFUL LINKS:Episodes From The Archives You May Enjoy:Reclaiming Our Kitchens: Episode 490Sipping, Steeping, Hydrating & Celebrating: Let’s Talk About Beverages!: Episode 467Kitchen Gadgets & Gear, Part 2: Episode 432Kitchen Gadgets & Gear, Part 1: Episode 431MORE about Loving Beans from MeaganMeagan shares more about Making Sourdough in this substack articleOTHER HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From big career pivots to giant life decisions, how do we know when it’s time to take a leap? How much dreaming and scheming comes before the moment of action? And how do you know what’s on the other side of a bend in the road? (Spoiler: you don’t.) Meagan and Sarah share a podcast-related update and explore these questions together. Join us!HELPFUL LINKS:Sarah recommends this episode of The Culture Study Podcast: Is The Golden Age Of Podcasts Over? and these episodes of 10 Things To Tell You: 10 Things All Podcast Fans Should Know and If I Were Starting A Podcast Today…Episodes From The Archives:BONUS: What’s Ahead This Summer (Personally And On The Podcast)Meet Meagan & Sarah: Episode 458Business Behind-The-Scenes & State Of The Podcast Chat: Episode 396Email usOTHER HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dive into the rollercoaster of motherhood as the hosts tackle listener questions about parenting challenges. They explore effective communication with schools about children's behavior and the nuances of managing strong-willed kids in extracurriculars. With practical tips, they discuss how to nurture a love for reading in teens despite digital distractions. Plus, discover how the concept of fun evolves as kids grow up, turning parenting into a creative partnership that adapts to new stages.

A preschooler with a bit of a hoarding tendency, mom-guilt related to not providing the same school experience to all three of her kids, and sadness about a firstborn child heading off to college. Meagan and Sarah offer our advice to moms with these parenting questions, PLUS we unpack the “glad I did / wish I’d done” conceit, offering our thoughts to a mom who wants to know what we’d do differently if we knew then what we know now. Join us for Listener Questions in Episode 501!Pre-Order Meagan’s Book: The Last Parenting Book You’ll Ever Read: How We Let Our Kids Go and Embrace What’s NextHELPFUL LINKS:Glad I Did / Wish I’d Done: Back To SchoolGlad I Did / Wish I’d Done: Tech & DevicesGlad I Did / Wish I’d Done: Summer PlanningRegrets, We’ve Had A FewOTHER HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.