The Mom Hour

From picky eaters to snacking tweens, independent lunch-packers to dinner woes, this month’s Voices interview episode is packed with tips for feeding your family nutritious meals without the guilt. Hosts of the popular podcast Didn’t I Just Feed You? Stacie Billis and Meghan Splawn join Sarah to talk about their measured, nonjudgmental, and totally do-able approaches to family meals. This is a can’t-miss episode–join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Didn’tIJustFeedYou.com@DidntIJustFeedYou on InstagramStacieBillis.comStacie’s book: Make It Easy: 120 Mix-and-Match Recipes to Cook from Scratch–with Smart Store-Bought Shortcuts When You Need ThemMeghan Splawn’s articles and recipes for TheKitchn.com@meagan_splawn and @staciebillis on InstagramEpisodes of Didn’t I Just Feed You mentioned in our conversation:3-part series on Picky Eaters (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3)Episode 36: The Invisible Work of Feeding a FamilyEpisode 7: Chop, Chop, Om — Real Life Meal Prep Tips as Self CareEpisode 13: Who’s Messing With Our Kids More: Sugar? Or Parents? (Interview with Jill Castle)Episode 44: It’s Okay If You Want to Lose Weight. And If You Don’t Too.Episode 27: Reclaiming Chicken Nuggets from the Kids’ MenuEpisode 39: How to Turn Hummus Into Legit Family DinnersEpisode 25: How to make nachos a legit family dinnerMORE 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.

A listener wonders if she’s raising a mini-hoarder and we talk about kids who have a hard time parting with their stuff; a mom of elementary-aged kids asks us to talk about after-school grumpiness; a new mom of twins helps us reminisce about infant nap schedules; and a longtime listener asks about mass violence in the media and how we talk to our kids about it. It’s another episode inspired by your parenting challenges, and we’ve got stuff to say–join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Amber’s question was in response to a discussion about donating used items that happened in Episode 220Got advice for new twin mom Victoria? Email us at hello@themomhour.com and we’ll pass it along!You can find all of our listener questions episodes hereWe love when you record your questions using Speakpipe!MORE 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.

Preschoolers and violent pretend play, navigating changing relationships with grown children, advice for a mom whose 15-month-old is starting a preschool program, and thoughts on talking to our kids about inclusiveness and representation: We’re taking your questions and offering our advice in this week’s episode. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:You can find all of our listener questions episodes hereWe love when you record your questions using Speakpipe!Episode 62: Things We Shouldn’t Have Freaked Out About (Starting School Edition)Jayme referenced Episode 09: Two White Moms Talk Awkwardly About RaceMORE 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.

It happens every year: Meagan and Sarah get to the end of summer and just feel the need to take a pause and check in. Today’s More Than Mom episode gives us that space to catch up about our summer travels, share some highlights (and also commiserate about end-of-summer woes), and reflect on the last couple months. We also respond to a listener suggestion to discuss procrastination and how it affects our work lives, personal lives, and kids’ lives. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Kaylee and Jayme both made their episode suggestions via Instagram. If you’re not following us there, what are you waiting for?MORE 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.

That feeling when summer has all but killed your morning mojo and you’re BEGGING for a fresh start? Yep, we’re there. Sarah’s kids are newly back in school and Meagan’s are gearing up, so this episode is all about resetting our mornings. We talk about what has worked in the past, what needs a reset this year or will be changing completely, and offer our best tips for getting out the door on time, feeding yourself and your kids, and how to fit exercise in with it all. (Kidding. We haven’t figured that part out yet, but we have much to say about the challenge!) Join us for Episode 222!LINKS MENTIONED:Sarah’s smoothies usually include: banana, kale OR spinach, assorted leftover fresh fruits/veggies that the kids won’t eat, Trader Joe’s Unsweetened Organic Açaí Purée Pack, assorted frozen fruit (berries, mango), flax seed OR hemp seed OR chia seeds, a scoop of almond butter OR half an avocado (for protein and smoothness), and as much almond milk as necessary to liquify it allWe also talk about morning routines in Making Mornings Easier (Episode 67)Meagan is reading Better Than Before by Gretchen Rubin (affiliate link)Sarah is reading Educated by Tara WestoverMeagan also mentioned The Freedom Journal (affiliate link)MORE 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.

Encouraging literacy and reading aloud to kids is something we all know we “should” do, and most of us do our best. But depending on your stage of motherhood and the age of your kids, this is easier said than done. In this special episode of The Mom Hour, Meagan and Sarah offer specific been-there-done-that tips for incorporating reading and literacy into home life for moms of kids at specific ages, including addressing specific challenges that come up during motherhood’s many seasons.We talk about making time for reading when you have a new baby and a toddler, dealing with little kids who don’t like to sit still for a story, tips for the managing bedtime reading with kids of different ages, encouraging reluctant readers, keeping up with voracious readers’ book consumption, and how family culture around literacy changes as kids grow up. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Save The Children’s #ChangeTheirStory campaignThe Enchanted Hour by Meghan Cox GourdonSarah’s babies loved this particular board book: My First Words: Let’s Get Talking! (My First Tabbed Board BookHow To Raise A Reader, the online guide and book list from the New York TimesThe Complete Calvin & Hobbes and The Complete Far SideWhatDoWeDoAllDay.com is Sarah’s go-to resource for getting new book ideasWe both love Common Sense Media for checking the appropriateness (and getting specific information for parents) about certain titlesMORE 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.

Sarah has a new middle schooler and needs all the tips, which Meagan is happy to share. And many of you are launching new kinders or early elementary kids this year, something the two of us have done a combined eight times (!!). In Episode 221 Sarah leads a pep talk with tips for parents with kids starting elementary school and Meagan takes a turn with advice about middle and high school. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:All our back to school related episodes can be found hereSpecifically we talked about last year’s Episode 174, How To Be The Parent That Schools (& Teachers) Love MORE 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.

Do you remember the libraries of your past? We do. In fact, we have enough to say about the transformative power of libraries to fill an entire More Than Mom episode! From our earliest library memories (grouchy Mrs. Young!), to junior high school library adventures (that book was NOT appropriate for 11-year-old Meagan), to an accidental nap in dreary old England, we look back at our lives through the stacks. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Sarah read–and LOVED–The Library Book by Susan OrleanOther episodes of The Mom Hour that are reading-related:Katie Addiss joins Sarah for a Books Talk every few monthsAll our episodes and blog posts about books!Sarah’s childhood library photos below–enjoy!MORE 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.

Donating used items, keeping track of library books, getting kids to put their own clean clothes away, and staying on top of the monthly budget: These are a few of the home management / life / adulting systems that are working well in our homes right now. In this episode we talk about what’s working and why, how these systems necessarily change (and how nothing works well forever), and which areas of our home lives are due for a system overhaul. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Sarah uses pickupplease.org for donationsMeagan mentioned our recent episodes on family finance: Family Finance & Personal Budgets: Episode 205 and Spending, Saving, and Living Your Values with Natalie Taylor: Voices 36Meagan talked about You Need A Budget (YNAB), a popular option but not ultimately the one that worked for her; she’s currently using EveryDollarIn the laundry discussion we mentioned this episode: Loads & Loads (& Loads) Of Laundry: Episode 167Meagan still uses Shipt for grocery delivery and loves itSarah’s whiteboard command central is made up of the following Ubrand products from Target (affiliate links):Ubrands Black Wood Frame Dry Erase Board with Marker – 23″ x 35″Ubrands Magnetic Dry Erase Markers with Eraser Cap – 6 colorsMagnetic Locker Accessory Starter Kit Gold – Locker Style by UBrandsMORE 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.

Imagine you’re a mom of two, successful entrepreneur, and self-confessed Type A personality…and then you find out that you have a chronic condition that will cause you to be in pain and sap your energy–daily–possibly for the rest of your life. How would you react? What would you let go of? And how would you re-adjust expectations of yourself and the world around you in order to continue to thrive in your new reality?That’s the journey that today’s guest, Amy Clark, faced. The founder of MomAdvice.com, Amy is a 16-year veteran of digital publishing, and for years really seemed to Do All The Things. Two and a half years ago, she was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a chronic condition that affects the connective tissue in her body, and everything changed. In this inspiring episode Amy shares how she’s dealt with her diagnosis and her “new normal” and how her condition has forced her to let go of things that don’t really matter and instead focus on her priorities – which include being a “good mom” in a totally different way than she might have once thought.LINKS MENTIONED:Amy’s website momadvice.comAmy’s book The Good Life for Less: Giving Your Family Great Meals, Good Times, and a Happy Home on a BudgetRead about Amy’s diagnosis storyInformation about the pain relieving medical device Amy referencedHow to host or join a reading retreatMORE 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.