The Mom Hour

Annalee wants to find a therapist but isn’t sure where to begin. Staci, a busy mom of five, is overwhelmed by the chaos of back-to-school and extracurricular activities and is seeking strategies to stay organized. Brandi wants to make her child’s senior year unforgettable and is looking for tips on navigating the “mom culture” that comes with it. Meanwhile, Lindsay is curious about the small steps we’re taking to ease the back-to-school transition. We’re back this week with MORE listener questions!HELPFUL LINKS:Joanna Martin’s blog post What Does “Going To Therapy” Really Look Like” offers advice on going into therapy, how to tell it is the right fit, and much more.Sarah recommended the book Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori GottliebEpisodes from the archives focused on organizational strategies for busy times:Managing Kids’ Extracurriculars (What We’ve Learned & What’s On Tap This Fall): Episode 330More Than Mom: 8 Calendar Planning Lessons We’ve LearnedHacks For Slaying Busy Seasons: Episode 460Episodes from the archives focused on high school seniors:Supporting Your College-Bound Kid: Episode 455Pomp, Circumstance, And Motherhood: Episode 419College Plans & Family Culture (Hopes, Dreams, Memories & More): Episode 376The Mom Hour Facebook Listening Community’s ideas for easing the transitioning back to schoolOTHER 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.

Brandi asks how we’re accomplishing (and modeling) exercise and healthy eating habits for ourselves and our kids. Lindsay is struggling with toys EVERYWHERE but wants to encourage creative play. Naomi is a podcast host and asks us about our process for brainstorming and creating outlines to become more efficient. Plus, we tackle a common dilemma: how to make sure younger siblings feel included and entertained during big-kid activities. In Episode 479, Meagan and Sarah take these questions from our community and offer tips and validation. Enjoy!HELPFUL LINKS:Listener Question episodes from the archivesSend us your listener questions at any timeEpisodes on working out and exercise:More Than Mom: Fall Fitness Pep TalkMore Than Mom: Fall Fitness UpdateMore Than Mom: Exercise & FitnessStuff, Junk & Things: Episode 35 has lots of ideas for managing all the kid stuff in your homeHere’s more on behind-the-scenes of our podcasting processHacks For Slaying Busy Seasons: Episode 460 is a good one for busy moms on the goOTHER 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.

Helping kids navigate social dynamics is one of the most commonly-requested topics from our listeners – and it’s top of mind for back to school each year. In this classic replay from 2017 Sarah taps into the expertise of Dr. Eileen Kennedy-Moore, an author, psychologist, and expert on children’s friendships. Sarah asks Dr. Eileen about helping kids who feel left out a school, how to handle the emotional ups and downs of elementary school friendships, and why playdates are more important than we might think. Dr. Eileen also answers questions submitted by our listener community. Enjoy!HELPFUL LINKSDr. Eileen’s websiteGrowing Friendships: A Kids’ Guide to Making and Keeping Friends (affiliate link)When Your Child Says, “Nobody Likes Me!” (Growing Friendships blog, Psychology Today)The Growing Friendships blog on Psychology TodayCan You Be Too Supportive of Your Child’s Negative Feelings? (Growing Friendships blog, Psychology Today)Dr. Friendtastic, Dr. Eileen’s site geared toward kidsOTHER 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.

Whether you have a slew of “friendlies,” just one or two besties, or are coming up short in the friendship department right now, this episode is for you. Meagan and Sarah dive deep into the world of friendships, focusing on our specific season of midlife as moms of older kids. We’ll explore the depth and dynamics of our connections and share how we stay in touch, whether through technology or old-fashioned meetups. We’ll also answer the questions posed by Jayme and Katie in Episode 474, which tackled friendship in the earlier years of parenting. Enjoy!HELPFUL LINKS:Listen to The Evolution Of Friendships In Motherhood, Part One: Episode 474Meagan and Sarah both use Voxer to communicate with friendsOTHER 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.

Looking to optimize your lunch packing routine? In this classic replay from 2018, Meagan and Sarah share the gear we love, the stuff we pack and the “when” and the “how” we get it done. Whether you’re gearing up for the upcoming school year or simply looking to streamline your daily lunch prep, this episode is overflowing with practical tips, favorite gear, and real-life stories. Enjoy!HELPFUL LINKS:Some of the products discussed in this episode are no longer available. We’ve done our best to link to the ones that are, and to provide alternatives where we can.Check out what our Mom Hour Facebook Community has recently discussed about school lunches, packing, bentos and more!Episode 151: Feeding A Family (Breakfast & Lunch)Laura Fuentes / Momables.comThe Girl Next Door podcast episode about Home Efficiency, and Erica’s Instagram post about freezing sandwichesSarah uses the Mackenzie Collection Classic Lunch Bags from Pottery Barn Kids and the Classic lunch bags from Pottery Barn Teen (slightly deeper but otherwise similar style)Pottery Barn Kids Spencer Bento BoxEasy Lunch Boxes Bento Lunch Box ContainersCVS Health Peas Hot or Cold Therapy PackFit & Fresh Cool Coolers Slim Reusable Ice PacksSarah has this Thermos brand Funtainer and Meagan’s teens have larger thermoses like this oneSarah sends inexpensive stainless steel demitasse spoons like these to school for yogurtMeagan used the SCOUT Divide & Conquer Open-top Storage Bin on top of her fridge for school snacks for yearsOTHER 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.

We're Back! Summer So Far, Grab Bag Chat: Episode 477See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Summertime meals can be complete chaos. Popsicles for lunch? Sure! Charcuterie board of fridge leftovers? Absolutely! But as we near the start of a new school year, we’re ready for just a *bit* more structure. Join Jayme and Joanna as we share our goals for meal planning this fall, some of our favorite products, and more. With a bit of planning and creativity, you can make the transition from summertime chaos to a more structured family mealtime routine smooth and enjoyable. Join us!Meagan and Sarah have passed the mic over to our team this summer. Enjoy the fantastic, all-new podcast episodes they’ve prepared for you, and we’ll talk to you in August!HELPFUL LINKS:Follow Jayme Sherrod and Joanna Martin on InstagramJoanna serves her kids frozen Kodiak Waffles as they’re packed with proteinJoanna enjoys a Daily Harvest Smoothie Cup or Egg Wrap from Target to fuel her body in the morningJoanna referenced this Viral Pandemic Breakfast SandwichBoth Joanna and Jayme follow Yummy Toddler Food Instagram for school lunch inspirationJayme uses PlanetBox Rover, a stainless steel lunchbox for the kidsJayme utilizes Plastic Mason Jar Lids when prepping food for the weekJoanna serves Weeknight meatballs and references Salad Platters for a few of her easy mealsOTHER 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.

Exploring topics of reparenting, therapy journeys, and setting boundaries with extended family. Personal experiences with anxiety and depression in motherhood, identifying childhood patterns, seeking help through therapy. Recommendations for books on boundaries, self-care, and emotional growth. Insightful discussions on personal growth, healthy relationships, and valuable resources for setting boundaries and re-parenting.

A mom needs her squad, right? So we’re told. But what if friendships in motherhood are a little more dynamic, evolving, and complicated than just finding the right group and sliding on in. In this classic replay from 2018, Meagan and Sarah navigate a thoughtful discussion about what it really means to “find your tribe” as a mom, PLUS we offer 10 kinds of friends we think every mom needs. Enjoy!HELPFUL LINKS:Episodes From The Archives On Friendships:Friendships in Motherhood, Part One (Redefining “Ride Or Die”): Episode 307Friendships In Motherhood, Part Two (Deepening & Widening Your Circle): Episode 308Female Friendships & Women We Admire (PLUS Picture Books with Katie): Episode 227Keeping Friendships Alive: Episode 78MORE 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.

Forging, navigating and maintaining friendships in the whirlwind of motherhood isn’t easy. It’s hard work! Today, Jayme Sherrod is on the mic with Katie Gouldner as they candidly discuss how their friendships have evolved since becoming moms, the challenges of making “mom friends,” and the valuable lessons learned along the way. This episode focuses on the early years of friendships in motherhood, and we’ll also tee up Part Two (coming next month!) with questions for Meagan and Sarah to keep the conversation going. Enjoy!Meagan and Sarah have passed the mic over to our team this summer. Enjoy the fantastic, all-new podcast episodes they’ve prepared for you, and we’ll talk to you in August!HELPFUL LINKS:Follow Jayme Sherrod and Katie Gouldner on instagramJayme chatted with Jennifer about kids in kindergarten in BONUS: Our First Year As Kindergarten Moms Is Done & Here’s What We LearnedJayme joined Fit4Moms Stroller Stride program to meet other momsJayme and Katie referenced The Enneagram, which is a personality assessment. Meagan and Sarah talk about this in Personalities, Part 1 (Myers-Briggs, Enneagram & Introversion / Extroversion): Episode 57 and Personalities, Part 2 (Our Myers-Briggs & Enneagram Types & More): Episode 58Episodes from the archives on Friendship:Friendships in Motherhood, Part One (Redefining “Ride Or Die”): Episode 307Friendships In Motherhood, Part Two (Deepening & Widening Your Circle): Episode 308Female Friendships & Women We Admire (PLUS Picture Books with Katie): Episode 227Keeping Friendships Alive: Episode 78OTHER 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.