The Mom Hour

Kathryn Whitaker is a mother of six and an advocate for NICU families, and today she joins contributor Joanna Martin to share her family’s story. Joanna and Kathryn discuss what to expect from a NICU stay, the impact of NICU experiences on a marriage and on older siblings, and how Kathryn’s family continues to navigate her son Luke’s medical needs and their own mental health. Kathryn also shares how she got involved with Hand To Hold, a national nonprofit offering personalized support, resources and community to NICU families. This episode is a must-listen for anyone experiencing a NICU stay, and for those who want to support them.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 Joanna Martin on InstagramLearn more about Kathryn Whitaker on her Website, Facebook or InstagramHand To Hold podcast is a great resource for those experiencing, or have experienced, NICU staysHand To Hold episodes you may be interested in:Episode 85: Just Landed in the NICU? Start Here!Episode 97: What You Need to Know About NICU Medical Billing & InsuranceEpisode 98: Should I Pay that Medical Bill?Episode 90: Chaplaincy and the NICUEpisode 86: Did I Leave the NICU with PTSD?Episode 72: Mental Health: Why We Said Yes to Marriage Counseling (Part 3 of 4)Joanna recommended the book What Happened To You (affiliate link) for those who experienced childhood trauma.OTHER 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.

Kia Hammond, a working mom of four who returned to work after staying home during the pandemic, shares insights on reentering the workforce. Topics include logistical challenges, emotions of transitioning back to work, balancing parenting and work responsibilities, and the importance of communication and flexibility in shared parenting duties.

From e-readers to audiobooks, graphic novels to good ol' paperbacks, the methods may have changed, but the essence of reading remains timeless. Today Jayme and Joanna dive into the wonderful world of raising readers in 2024. We share personal anecdotes and insights into our own reading habits, those of our children, and offer valuable perspectives and actionable tips for raising readers. 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 LINKSFollow Jayme Sherrod on InstagramFollow Joanna Martin on InstagramThe National Assessment of Educational Progress Survey that was referenced in the episodeJoanna shared the phrase DEAR Time (Drop Everything And Read Time)Read Aloud Revival blog with booklists for kids of all ages@EverydayReading on instagram is a great resource for book recommedations for you and your childrenSimliar Episodes from the archives:Cultivating A Reading Life: Voices 73 With Amy ClarkReading & Literacy Tips by Age & StageOTHER 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.

With eight kids between us and so much to discuss on the podcast, we can go for long stretches without catching up about our own families. Join Meagan and Sarah in our last episode before our summer hiatus as we swap stories about our own kids and share what’s coming up for them this summer. Spanning tween through young adult, we think ‘our eight’ are pretty great, and we’re excited to share them with you today!Curious about The Mom Hour’s summer podcast schedule? Listen to us chat about what’s ahead for the podcast here.HELPFUL LINKS:This pairs well with last week’s episode On Motherly Pride: Episode 469Sarah mentioned the podcast episode Julia Gets Wise With Anne LamottEpisodes From The Archives Related To This One:Talking About Our Own Kids. Or Not.: Episode 364On This Day In (Our Motherhood) History: Episode 366Baby Names & How We Chose Them: Episode 262Our Kids & Their Friendships: Episode 207What’s Great (And Less-Great) About Our Eight: Episode 152Real Talk About High School (With A Real Teen!): Voices 71 With Meagan’s Son WillOTHER 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.

Come behind the scenes and let’s chat about Summer 2024! Meagan and Sarah each share what’s on deck for their families this summer – from new business ventures to international travel, camps for kids and creative breaks for us. We also map out what you can expect from the podcast for the next several weeks, including some exciting new content and much-requested topics. Join us!HELPFUL LINKS:Sarah mentioned the podcasts Holidays To Switzerland and Untold ItalyYou may enjoy Parenting Lessons From Travel Abroad: Episode 448 about Sarah traveling out of the country with the familyMeagan opened a bookstore in July 2023 and talked about it in Books & Reading Reflections for 2023: Episode 445Meagan’s family bookstore (Paper Mill Books in Manistique, MI) can be found on Instagram @papermillbooksOTHER 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.

Sure, we’re PROUD of our kids. Isn’t every mom? When kids overcome an obstacle, crush a school project, score the winning goal, or graduate with honors, we feel that familiar swell. But feeling motherly pride is just the beginning, it seems. Expressing it to our kids and sharing it with others brings up a whole suite of other ‘stuff’, from bragging and comparison to ego and more. Join Meagan and Sarah as we navigate this emotional landscape together, in real time. It’s a fun one!HELPFUL LINKS:Sarah referenced the episode from the archives Pomp, Circumstance, And Motherhood: Episode 419Read Meagan’s recent blog post The Complicated Reality of Parental PrideSend us your #proudmomma moments– we’d love to hear them!OTHER 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 glitter explosions to squishy Play-Doh creations, epic blanket forts and paint-covered masterpieces, today we explore the joys and challenges of messy play with little ones. In this latest House Rules episode, Meagan and Sarah share tips from The Mom Hour community on how to set boundaries for messy fun, contain the chaos, and handle the inevitable cleanup. Join us!HELPFUL LINKS:House Rules For Messy Fun ideas from our Facebook Community.Did you enjoy this House Rules episode? Here are a few more from the archives:House Rules For Easier Bedtimes: Episode 443House Rules For Tidying Up: Episode 413House Rules For Gifting & Giving: Episode 393House Rules For After School: Episode 380House Rules for Playdates: Episode 340You may enjoy the blog post On Messes And Motherhood written by Stacy Bronec, a Mom Hour Contributor.Sarah referenced this kid-friendly, handheld dustpan and broom.OTHER 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.

Are you happy with your work-mom balance? This classic replay from 2017 is about finding satisfaction in your current situation and how to take small steps toward a different one (if that’s what you’re seeking). Whether you’re a stay-at-home mom, working outside the home, freelancing or something in between, we’ve got you covered. Just know that no matter what your choice and how you feel about it, you’re definitely not alone. Enjoy!HELPFUL LINKS:10 Signs You Might Be a Work-Anywhere-Possible-Mom (WAPM) (Sarah’s tongue-in-cheek post for City Mom Collective)Click to see the Facebook conversation and Instagram conversation we reference in this episode.Similar Episodes From The Archives:Time Management & Productivity Tips For Savvy Working Moms: Voices 54 With Whitnee HawthorneInside the Lives of 3 Working Moms: Voices 02Career Challenges & Working Mom Strategies: Voices 41Listener Questions (Working Mom / SAHM Edition): Episode 142Meagan & Sarah’s Working-Mom Lives: Episode 140Check out the blog post “How To Start A Freelance Career Without Spending Money” by Jennifer Carroll.OTHER 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.

Hot, cold, non-alcoholic, spirits: If we drink it, we’re chatting about it today. Join Meagan and Sarah as we discuss our go-to beverages, sipping vessels and drinking habits with a few product recommendations sprinkled throughout. We hope you’ll either be inspired to hydrate or mix up a yummy cocktail by the end of this episode (or, hey! maybe both!) Cheers!HELPFUL LINKS:Meagan’s Favs:Sparkling Waters– Liquid Death and Bubly Sparkling WaterNon-Alcoholic BeerHOP WTRPartake BrewingAthletic BrewFULSparkel Beverage System for making sparkling waterEnglish Breakfast Tea to start the dayAllulose Sweetener to sweeten drinksRambler Yeti Water bottleSarah’s Favs:Sparkling Waters: Spindrift Lime and Mint and LaCroix Sparkling WaterStarts the day with Trader Joe’s Fairtrade Organic Five Country Blend14 Oz. Ember Mug is the mug of choice for hot beveragesOXO Cold Brew Coffee MakerLMNT electrolyte drink mix (a current podcast sponsor!) and Nuun electrolyte mixHydro Flask water bottleFever Tree mixersEpisodes that pair well with this one:More Than Mom: BeveragesMore Than Mom: Cheers!OTHER 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.

Does your space need a refresh? We’re here for the smallest investments that yield big satisfaction, from sprucing up your potted plants to adding a thrifted table lamp or swapping out the color of your napkins. Join Meagan and Sarah as we offer ideas for how to use your existing space in a new way, and share the tiny refreshes we’re doing this spring to get ready for summer. Enjoy!HELPFUL LINKS:If you’re looking for more plant talk, check out The Girl Next Door Podcast episode Plant Lady TalkSarah uses this Beeswax Base to treat wooden surfacesCreate a Gallery Wall with MixtilesEpisodes from the archives on home decor:Home Décor & Dining Out: Episode 77More Than Mom: Spring Décor & Home Pick-Me-UpsSeasonally-Inspired Homemaking & Parenting: Voices 79 With Katherine DeVriesMore Than Mom: Outdoor Décor & Patio StyleMore Than Mom: Décor NostalgiaOTHER 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.