The Mom Hour

The relationship between kids and technology is often portrayed as something parents are supposed to fear, monitor, and and control as much as possible. But what if we approached it as an opportunity to mentor and connect with our kids instead? In The Mom Hour Voices Episode 13 Sarah interviews author and speaker Dr. Devorah Heitner about her book Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive (and Survive) in Their Digital World. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Screenwise: Helping Kids Survive (and Thrive) in Their Digital WorldRaising Digital Natives (Devorah’s website / blog)The free gift for listeners of The Mom HourGeek Mom BlogMORE 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.

When we invited listeners to send in handwritten cards and letters with encouraging words for fellow moms, we had no idea the response we’d get. Turns out, you have a lot to say–and we were truly blown away by your response. Join Meagan, Sarah, and fifteen very special guest readers for a special presentation of our Mother’s Day Challenge project where we read aloud some of our favorite letters. Happy Mother’s Day!LINKS MENTIONED:BabyRabies.com (Jill Krause)What Fresh Hell: Laughing in the Face of Motherhood (Amy Wilson)Edit Your Life (Asha Dornfest and Christine Koh)Coffee + Crumbs (Lesley Miller)SingleMom Nation (Jessica Ashley)The Girl Next Door (Erica Ladd and Kelsey Wharton)Pantsuit Politics (Sarah Stewart Holland)#AmWriting with Jess and KJ (Jessica Lahey and KJ DellAntonia)Spawned with Kristen and Liz (Kristen Chase and Liz Gumbinner)The Sarah R Bagley Podcast (Sarah Bagley)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.

Sometimes the words we need to hear most are the simplest, the most obvious, and even a little cliché: this too shall pass, all kids are different, there is no one right way. In a very special (at one point even teary!) Episode 100 of The Mom Hour, Meagan and Sarah offer some of their most oft-repeated pieces of advice and encouragement–because no matter where you are in your parenting journey, these are things moms need to hear again and again.LINKS MENTIONED:Our Soma leggings (be sure to visit soma.com/themomhour FIRST to grab your promo code before adding these or anything else to your cart!)Blocked Crop Leggings With Mesh in Prism Blue Sea (Sarah)X by Gottex Capri SPort Leggings in Olive (Meagan’s leggings–sold out as of this posting, but there are similar choices and hopefully they’ll come back!)You Probably Won’t Remember This Later…And That’s OK (Meagan for The Happiest Home)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.

Does the phrase ‘sex ed’ conjure up super awkward memories of the low-production-value videos you had to watch with your 5th grade classmates? If so, we’ve got great news for you. When it comes time to talk about puberty, growing up, and relationships with your kids, there’s a much better way.In this episode of our Mom Hour Voices, Meagan and Sarah talk with Nora Gelperin, Director of Sexuality Education and Training at Advocates for Youth. Nora’s calm, confident, and easy approach to talking about tough subjects with kids of all ages put our minds at ease, and even made us eager to open up dialogue with our kids. Take a listen!About Nora GelperinNora Gelperin is the Director of Sexuality Education and Training at Advocates for Youth. She has more than twenty years of experience providing sexuality education to youth and professional development to school health and education professionals. Prior to joining Advocates she was the Director of Training at Answer where she founded the Training Institute in Sexual Health Education (TISHE) and Answer’s online professional development workshops. Nora holds a Masters in School Health Education from Temple University and has been named a 2014 Fellow of the American School Health Association.LINKS MENTIONED:AMAZE.orgAMAZE Parents Facebook pageAMAZE.org on YouTubeBooks by Robie Harris: It’s Not the Stork, It’s So Amazing, and It’s Perfectly NormalBut How’d I Get in There in the First Place? By Deborah Roffman (recommended for young kids)Todd Parr’s The Family Book (for toddlers)Al Vernacchio’s For Goodness Sex (for parents of teens)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.

Popular media tells us we’re supposed to love our bodies (and then gives us 19 Ways To Bounce Back After Baby), but coming to terms with the changes that childbirth, breastfeeding, and plain ol’ aging bring to our bodies is complicated and sometimes really hard. Join Meagan and Sarah for a frank discussion about body confidence as a mom (including feeling not-so-confident and being okay with that) in Episode 99 of The Mom HourLINKS MENTIONED:Our tips came from this post Meagan wrote for The Happiest Home: A Mom’s Guide To Getting Naked (And Feeling Good About It)4th Trimester Bodies ProjectMeagan loves the Soma Bralette Lace Plunge (don’t forget to get your 20% off voucher before purchasing!)Sarah loves the Vanishing Back Wireless Bra (don’t forget to get your 20% off voucher before purchasing!)Sarah and Katie discussed the Playtex Diaper Genie and the Ubbi Steel Diaper PailKatie’s recipe for hazelnut milk / chia seed pudding: mix 1/4 cup chia seeds and 2 cups of hazelnut milk; whisk together well; let chill for at least 8 hoursMORE 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 anybody really do a deep spring clean anymore? And what is it about the warmer weather that makes us want to open our doors–literally!–and have a few people over? In the latest in our More-Than-Mom Hour series we talk all about spring cleaning, spring home updates, and tips for casual entertaining. Join uLINKS MENTIONED:Mother’s Day Challenge! Send your letters to: 26895 Aliso Creek Road, Suite B-174 / Aliso Viejo, CA 92656The zone-by-zone deep cleaning challenge Meagan wrote up on The Happiest HomeCalifornia’s wildflower ‘super bloom’ is so massive you can see it from space (The Washington Post)Sarah’s favorite wine writer pens: Wine Glass Writer Metallic Color 3-Pack (Amazon)Meagan’s favorite traffic sign: Step2 Kid Alert Visual Warning Signal – 32-Inch Caution Go Slow Children At Play Signage (Amazon)Hosting A Gathering? How To Help Young Children Feel Included (Sarah’s post for The Happiest Home)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.

Longterm financial planning can seem like a lofty goal when you’re faced with the immediate needs of a growing family: paying for childcare, putting food on the table, and maybe even springing for a date night once in a while. Thinking about retirement and college tuition is something grownups do, right? Not overwhelmed new parents?Not so, says Jason Silverberg, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, Vice President of Financial Planning for Financial Advantage Associates and our guest in this month’s special bonus interview episode. Jason is a father of two and author of several books who specializes in young families, new parents, and single moms. Join Jason and Sarah for a conversation about spending, saving, and thinking long-term, even when you’re in the early years of family life.LINKS MENTIONED:Picking Up The Pieces: A Divorcee’s Guide to Financial Freedom (free download!)…And Baby Makes Three: A New Parent’s Guide to Financial Planning (free download!)The Financial Planning Puzzle: Fitting Your Pieces Together to Create Financial Freedom (Jason’s new book, via Amazon)Mint.com and eMoney AdvisorMORE 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.

Meagan’s kids are getting older and car seats and boosters are a thing of the past. Sarah is still the thick of it with three young kids and lots of driving around town. Can you guess which of us a drives a brand new, “murdered out” crossover SUV and which of us is rocking a filthy, cluttered minivan? We had fun in Episode 97 talking all about our cars — what we drive, how clean is “clean enough” for us, and what we’ve learned over the years about keeping the car relatively organized and functional as it relates to family life. Join us!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.

To Elf or not to Elf? What’s the going rate for a tooth these days? And when did a St. Patrick’s Day visit from the leprechaun become a THING? In Episode 96 of The Mom Hour Meagan and Sarah talk about how these magical night visitors–from St. Nick and the Easter Bunny to lesser-known myths like the pacifier fairy–work in our families. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Our St. Patrick’s Day meme about leprechaun fun being optional–not required–for momsSarah’s favorite Easter book: The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes, by Dubose HeywardKeeping Santa Magic Alive (Without Lying) (Sarah read this essay aloud on the podcast in December 2015)When The Littlest Still Believes (For Now) (Meagan reading this essay aloud on the podcast)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.

How do we raise curious kids who love to learn, and who discover and follow their own interests? How do we cultivate a home environment that supports kids’ intellectual development without going overboard and zapping the joy right out of learning? These are questions that Meagan and Sarah tackle in Episode 95. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Painless Learning Placemats – like these map versions from Amazon.comGoogle Home – what Meagan’s family uses for entertainment/learning5,000 Awesome Facts (About Everything!) – Sarah’s kids love this series from National GeographicTeach Your Child to Love Learning: Keys to Kids’ Motivation (PBS Parents)How to Raise a Creative Child. Step One: Back Off (Adam Grant, NYTimes SundayReview)What the modern world has forgotten about children and learning (Carol Black, The Washington Post)The Importance of Being Little: What Young Children Really Need from Grownups (Erika Christakis)The public school parent’s guide to learning at home (Megan Tietz for The Art of Simple)Other podcast episodes where we discuss kids and learning:Choosing The Right School (Not As Scary As It Seems) – Episode 18Finding Kids Media That Isn’t Terrible – Episode 46Sarah and Katie discussed @PlayingWithChanel on InstagramMORE 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.