“Done having babies” and “Sad about the end of the little years” are two completely different mom-emotions, as Meagan and Sarah get into today, with the help of a thoughtful listener question. We look at how it’s possible to be at peace with your family size and still experience grief at the identity shift that happens as your last babe gets big (and your bigs get huge). We reflect on what pangs us most about small kids growing bigger, how to accept the unfamiliar role of being (slightly) less needed, and what it means to embrace the season you find yourself in – whatever it is. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Relevant Episodes From The Archives:Are You “Done” Having Babies?: Episode 07Should I Get Pregnant Again? Episode 187What’s One More? The Practical Realities of 3+ Kid Families: Episode 230Growing Families, Grown Kids, And The “Someday Family Dinner Table”: Episode 372The Muscle Memory Of Motherhood: Episode 363MORE Listener Question EpisodesIn case you missed it–Meagan’s Getting Married!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.

The Mom Hour

Mourning The End Of The Baby-Having Years: Episode 418

A parent of three is exhausted by dinnertime sillies and wants help steering conversation at the family table. A stay-at-home mom asks what to do when her child says, “don’t tell dad I got in trouble at school!”. And a parent of a tween who wants acrylic nails asks a bigger question about letting kids alter their appearance in general. Meagan and Sarah tackle tricky parenting challenges with our best attempts at nuance, compassion, and humor in today’s episode. Join us!LINKS WE MENTIONED:Listener Question Episodes From The ArchivesPretty please take our listener survey!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.

Listener Questions & Our Advice: Episode 417

Happy Mother’s Day! Meagan thought it would be fun to surprise Sarah with an episode full of lightning-round-style “this or that” questions and “would you rather” head-scratchers. Join us for lots of laughs, silly questions and tons of fun! If you’ve been listening for a while you know that we’re chronically lightning-round-challenged. Find out if we answer all the questions before the buzzer goes off!Links Mentioned:Our list of This or That and Would You RathersPretty please take our survey! We almost have 1,000 responses and REALLY hoping for 1,500!Mother’s Day Episodes From The Archives:Why Mother’s Day Is Hard (And How To Make It What You Want This Year): Episode 311In Your Own Words (Our Mother’s Day Challenge Special): Episode 101More Than Mom: Marketing To Moms (We Have Thoughts)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.

More Than Mom: This Or That?

Meagan spent a soggy day helping eighth grade science students release salmon into a creek, and it inspired this conversation all about kids and field trips. From tiny toddlers at the fire station to teens on a red-eye flight to Washington, D.C., time outside the classroom requires a ton of flexibility from everyone; we're here to discuss the both/and nature of field trips bringing added hassle AND growth opportunities. We also hear from two teachers and a special needs parent about their thoughts on field trips and swap stories about California vs. Michigan excursions for school-aged kids. Enjoy!LINKS MENTIONED:Our thoughts on field trips from the archives:School Volunteering That Fits Your Personality: Episode 245How To Be The Parent That Teachers (And Schools) Love: Episode 174Debunking The Myth Of The “Good School Mom”: Episode 21New On The Blog! Exploring Nature Through Books: 7 Beautiful Nonfiction Nature Book Series For KidsLearn more about Mom Hour Contributor Ashley SchafluetzelTake Our 2023 Listener Survey!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.

Field Trips, Little To Teen: Episode 416

SURPRISE! Popping in with a bonus episode we recorded together in real life (and, in the same bed!) on a recent trip to Dallas. Get a feel for what Meagan and Sarah are like on the road together, how we feel about various airport-adjacent accommodations in the DFW area, and what we watched on TV that made us both so happy. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Here’s more on the Carol Burnett 90th Birthday Special!We weren’t kidding about the employee name tags at The Westin Hotel.While we had a great experience on this trip, we shared a really bad hospitality experience in More Than Mom: Hospitality & Customer Service.If you enjoyed this episode, check out a few other BONUS episodes from the archives:BONUS: Re-Learning How To Learn (And Teach!) At The College LevelBONUS: Not Aunt Becky!? The College Scam & Parenting CultureBONUS: The Story Behind The “Surfboard Kid” Viral Photo…BONUS: A Conversation About Pregnancy Loss With Leeann DearingBONUS: Teachers Respond To May MadnessMORE 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.

Traveling As Business Besties (Meagan & Sarah From Dallas Together!)

From surfing lessons and sunset cruises, to training dolphins and learning about space…Meagan and her two teens, Clara and Owen, packed in so many unforgettable experiences during their Spring Break trip to Florida! In this episode Meagan shares more about her travels with teens to the Space Coast of Florida and St. Augustine/Florida’s Historic Coast, thanks to our sponsor VISIT FLORIDA. And while the activities may look a little bit different with teens vs. big kids and toddlers, find out why Meagan’s best tips and take-aways for traveling with teens aren’t actually that different from when they were toddlers. Enjoy!About Our SponsorThank you to VISIT FLORIDA for sponsoring this episode and making Meagan’s and Catie’s trips possible.Choosing where to go on a family vacation is easier than you think. Florida is filled with experiences you and your family will never forget. From 825 miles of beaches and 700 freshwater springs to over 1,300 trails with breathing room to run and play, there are so many reasons a Florida vacation is just, the best.Start planning YOUR best-ever vacation at VISIT FLORIDA today!Links We Mentioned (Or Should Have) In This Episode:Meagan and her kids enjoyed a nice stay at The Holiday Inn in Titusville, and visited the Cocoa Beach area to enjoy a kayak tour at sunset.They visited the Kennedy Space Center and had a waterfront dinner at Shiloh’s restaurant.Meagan and her family loved their stay (especially the hot tub!) at The Hampton Inn & Suites St. Augustine/Vilano Beach.The Castillo de San Marcos is a must-visit, along with the Fountain of Youth Park.In St. Augustine, enjoy a trolley ride on Old Town Trolley Tours and be sure to stop into the Lightner MuseumMeehan’s Irish Pub and Seafood House, Aunt Kate’s, and Salt Life Food Shack are three great family-friendly restaurant options in and around St. Augustine.Enjoy the St. Augustine skyline and dolphin sightings on a sunset cruise with Florida Water Tours.Clara and Owen enjoyed surf lessons from Pit Surf Shop on St. Augustine Beach. Then it was off to Marineland for a Dolphin Encounter experience!If you have any alligator lovers in your life don’t miss St. Augustine Alligator Farm & Zoological Park.Looking for more travel tips? In last week’s episode, Catie Parrish shared details about her family of five’s vacation to Florida with ideas for traveling with younger kids.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.

Tips For Traveling With Teens (Meagan’s Florida Family Vacation)

With warming weather, meals, snacks and cravings shift too. Today Meagan and Sarah unpack what it means to us to feed ourselves well as moms, from taking time to assemble a sandwich to paying attention to the way food makes us feel – both physically and emotionally. We share some of our personal favorite feel-good foods, and also acknowledge the often inherent conflict in feeding ourselves well AND keeping our families fed. Join us!LINKS MENTIONED:Target links are affiliate links, which means if you click through and make a purchase, we’ll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks!Take our listener survey!Meagan’s special oatmeal recipeSarah loves Maldon Sea Salt FlakesSarah’s family doesn’t love sourdough but DOES love Trader Joe’s Stone Hearth Baked French Loaf for crispy toastWe both like Dave Killer’s BreadSarah likes the Quinoa Cowboy Veggie Burger patties from Trader Joe’sSarah hydrates with Nuun tablets in her water and likes a Dark Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter flavored Perfect Bar for a snackWe both love this Sparkel carbonator and this Rice CookerMeagan's Mother of Reinvention podcast is back for a new season!We love Didn’t I Just Feed You for thoughtful, nuanced conversations about both feeding yourself as a mom AND feeding a family. Check out these episodes to start:The Lasting Allure of Our favorite Nostalgic Snacks (Just for fun, we’re tasting testing some of our favorite childhood snacks including Wendy’s Frosty, Devil Dogs and Cosmic Brownies. Do these beloved nostalgic treats taste as good as we remember? Listen now to find out!)Empties (In which we share the new pantry products we’ve purchased and completely used up.)Why Are We All Obsessed with Protein (This macronutrient seems to be the obsession of wellness gurus, food media, and your two favorite podcast hosts. Ha! In this exclusive episode we’re talking about why we are currently obsessed with protein and how we’re getting more of it.)If you enjoyed this episode, check out a few from the archives:Snacks Or Ingredients? What’s Inside Our Pantries: Episode 403What’s In Our Fridge & Freezer Right Now: Episode 381Cooking Inspiration: Where We Get Our Best Ideas (And How To Re-Inspire Your Menus!)Envisioning Your Week Of Ideal Meals: Episode 331MORE 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.

Feel-Good Foods & Feeding Ourselves Well: Episode 415

Meagan has big news. Sarah has alllll the questions. Join us for a fun dive into all the plans and details!LINKS MENTIONED:We mentioned other episodes where we share personal news while couching it in a larger context, such as:Self Care As Self-Preservation: Episode 104Talking About Our Own Kids. Or Not.: Episode 364Eric found a vintage wedding ring set from Gesner Estate Jewelry on EtsyFollow @meaganfrancis on Instagram or sign up for email updates at meaganfrancis.com to stay in the loop!Episodes from the archives about Meagan’s journey to finding love after divorce:More Than Mom: Finding Love After DivorceDating & Romance (For Single Moms & Married Ones, Too!): Voices 45More Than Mom: Dating As A Divorced MomMeagan’s Divorce Update (One Year Later): Episode 150Managing Stress and Uncertainty with Divorce Coach Jessica Ashley: Voices 15Meagan’s writings about finding love after divorceWhy I Bought A Camper Last Week (On Moving On After Divorce)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.

More Than Mom: Special Man Friend Gets Promoted!

Deciding where to go on a family vacation with littles can be overwhelming. How will the kids adjust to all the changes? Will the adults enjoy their time, too? In this special episode of The Mom Hour, Meagan chats with team member Catie Parrish about her family’s spring break trip to Florida. Listen to hear all about Catie’s favorite things they did, as well as her top tips for happy travels with young kids. Catie also shares how she preps her house before a big trip, as well as how to make it easier to come home. Enjoy!About Our SponsorThank you to VISIT FLORIDA for sponsoring this episode and making Meagan’s and Catie’s trips possible.Choosing where to go on a family vacation is easier than you think. Florida is filled with experiences you and your family will never forget. From 825 miles of beaches and 700 freshwater springs to over 1,300 trails with breathing room to run and play, there are so many reasons a Florida vacation is just, the best.Start planning YOUR best-ever vacation at Visit Florida today!Links We Mentioned (Or Should Have) In This Episode:Learn more about Catie Parrish a member of The Mom Hour Team.Dezerland Park is Orlando’s largest indoor attraction featuring 800,000 sq. feet of bowling, axe throwing, trampoline park, go karts and much more! Perfect for families of big and small kids!Museum of Illusions in Orlando is a collection of holograms, where you can look closely at each optical illusion, and observe each exhibit.Catie and her family spent time at Disney Springs, an outdoor shopping, dining and entertainment complex at the Walt Disney World Resort.Catie highly recommends dining at The Palm Pavilion Beachside Grill and Bar.Gatorland, located in Orlando, is home to thousands of alligators and crocodiles with a petting zoo, bird sanctuary, mini water park and much more!The Orlando Science Center offers hundreds of exhibits, programs and labs, planetarium shows, cinedome, and 10 interactive halls with remarkable opportunities to explore, experiment and discover.Enjoy a dinner with sand between your toes in St. Pete’s/Clearwater Florida at Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill.Enjoy a dolphin cruise with the family on Captain Memo’s Pirate Cruise!Clearwater Marine Aquarium is where you and your family can see rescued dolphins, sea turtles and more!Catie couldn’t say enough great things about The Avalon Club Hotel, a boutique hotel located along Clearwater Beach Florida, offering guests a luxurious way to enjoy their vacation.Planning a trip to Disney World? Check out our episode on Disney Planning / Disney ParentingMORE 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.

Tips For Traveling With Small Kids (Catie’s Florida Family Vacation)

Becoming a mom as a teen or young adult years comes with unique challenges (and also some sweet memories!). In today’s episode, Meagan and regular contributor Kia compare our personal experiences as young moms and explore how young motherhood shows up in parenting our own teens and young adults. We also compare notes on fourteen-year-old girls and share our love of big families and grown sibling dynamics. Enjoy!LINKS MENTIONED:Follow Kia on InstagramEpisodes of The Mom Hour featuring Kia:What’s New In Baby Gear & Baby Shower Registries: Voices 77 with Kia Hammond and Katherine DeVriesReal Stories About Postpartum Mental Health: Voices 74 With Emily Roark And Kia HammondPreparing Kids (Of All Ages) For A New Baby: Voices 67 With Kia HammondKia wrote the following blog posts for The Mom Hour Community:How A Postpartum Nurse And 4th-Time Pregnant Mom Packs Her Hospital Bag.Preparing Your Preschooler For Big Kid School ExperiencesHow I’m Navigating This Sports Season With LittlesMORE 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.

Teen Parents, Parenting Teens (Young Motherhood, Raising Teen Girls & More!): Episode 414

From music and timers to one-touch rules and baskets for EVERYTHING, moms are beyond creative when it comes to getting kids to help clean up. In the latest episode in our House Rules series, Meagan and Sarah share dozens of smart ways moms in our community make tidying up with kids a little easier. Join us for this grab bag of tidying up strategies you can try with your family!LINKS MENTIONED:Here’s a link to the Facebook thread where you all provided your House Rules for Tidying Up.More from our House Rules Series:House Rules For Gifting & Giving: Episode 393House Rules For After School: Episode 380House Rules for Playdates: Episode 340House Rules For Halloween: Episode 335House Rules For Kid Hygiene: Episode 332House Rules For Easier Mornings: Episode 328House Rules For Kid Birthdays: Episode 323House Rules For Travel And Vacation: Episode 319House Rules For Sibling Harmony: Episode 314Please take our 2023 Listener Survey!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.

House Rules For Tidying Up: Episode 413

Spring brings with it pretty flowers, warm sunshine and fresh scents…and also bugs, rain and mud. In today’s More Than Mom, Meagan and Sarah get in the mood for spring by comparing how our different climates show up for the season, how we lean into spring in our homes, and what our outdoor spaces have to show off this time of year. We also reflect on how spring is a full sensory experience and chat about bringing the outside IN to spruce up our homes. Enjoy!LINKS MENTIONED:We’d so appreciate it if you’d take our 2023 Listener Survey! And thanks to all who have done so already!Sarah enjoys an Organic India Tulsi Sweet Rose Tea in the springtime.Sarah mentioned the episode Getting Rid of Stuff: Episode 402.Don’t forget to listen to our episodes Do This Now; Enjoy Summer Later (Part One) and Do This Now; Enjoy Summer Later (Part Two).Below is a list of episodes from the archives you might enjoy if you liked this one!More Than Mom: Outdoor Décor & Patio StyleMore Than Mom: Décor NostalgiaHome Décor & Dining Out: Episode 77Seasonally-Inspired Homemaking & Parenting: Voices 79 With Katherine DeVriesMORE 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.

More Than Mom: Spring Decor & Home Pick-Me-Ups

Want to get ahead before the May madness sets in? Do these things now and set yourself up for a less stressful summer! In Episode 412 Meagan and Sarah return for the second in a two-part series with tips from our own lives and from The Mom Hour community, including identifying micro-seasons within your longer summer plans, anticipating shifts in kids’ sleep patterns, and saving money this summer by recognizing what you probably WON’T do this summer. Enjoy!LINKS MENTIONED:Do This Now; Enjoy Summer Later (Part One): Episode 411Please take our Listener Survey! It’s really helpful for us to get a more holistic idea of what’s top of mind for all of you in parenting.Check out Kelly Hampton’s summer bucket lists!Episodes from the archives focused on summer:Simple Summer Rituals & Traditions: Episode 367Glad I Did / Wish I’d Done: Summer Planning: Episode 359Preparing Kids (And Ourselves!) For Summer IndependenceA Summertime Chores, Life Skills & Freedoms Reset: Episode 315(Realistic) Summer Schedule Intentions: Episode 263It’s Time To Plan For Summer: Episode 201Here’s a link to the Facebook and Instagram threads where you all provided your “do this now; enjoy summer later” suggestionsMORE 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 This Now; Enjoy Summer Later (Part Two): Episode 412

Summer has a funny way of sneaking up on us. Whether you’re a plan-it-all-out mom or a go-with-the-flow mama, there are things you can do now to set your summer up for more joy and less stress. Join us for the first episode in a two-part series as Meagan and Sarah share some of our well-earned experience and practical tips (plus some from The Mom Hour community!) for prepping for the upcoming summer season. Enjoy!LINKS MENTIONED:Please take our Listener Survey which we use to plan content, find brand partnerships that match up with your lifestyle, and continue to evolve our brand Thank you in advance for your support!Here’s a link to the Facebook and Instagram threads where you all provided your “do this now; enjoy summer later” suggestionsDon’t miss what’s new on the blog: 7 Picture Books To Spring Your Family Into Climate ActionA few episodes from the archives are great companions to today’s episode:Glad I Did / Wish I’d Done: Summer Planning: Episode 359More Than Mom: 8 Calendar Planning Lessons We’ve LearnedA Just-Structured-Enough Summer Schedule For KidsSimple Summer Rituals & Traditions: Episode 367MORE 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 This Now; Enjoy Summer Later (Part One): Episode 411

Taking kids to Disney should be a magical experience, right? From meeting Mickey to flying on Dumbo, memory-making abounds. But LOTS of planning and strategizing goes into all that magic, and LOTS of parenting challenges present themselves inside the park gates. Today Sarah chats with Katie Gouldner from The Mom Hour team about the weeklong Disney trip she’s planning for later this spring. From rope-drop strategies to how to land the best dining reservations–it’s a lot! Katie then looks to Sarah for her best Disney parenting tips and advice for navigating long days at the parks with littles. Enjoy!LINKS MENTIONED:You can get to know more about Katie Gouldner on instagram at @katiegouldner.We talked about how to use Genie+ for navigating long lines at various attractions at Disney. Learn more about this service in this article.Katie mentioned a few Disney-focused podcasts that’s helped her plan her family’s first trip.Rope Drop Radio (advice for which rides to use Genie+ for and what to rope drop in the parks)Addicted To The Mouse (great dining reviews)Here’s a link to all Dining at Disney World.Learn more about the four Disney World Parks and the two Disneyland Parks if you are on the fence about planning a trip to one or the other!Katie mentioned Hersheypark in this episode, which is a great amusement park for families.Disneyland With Littles: Where To Splurge, How To Save & How I Really Feel About Mouse Ears a blog post written by Katherine Devries has great info if you’re planning a trip to Disneyland.Meagan wrote About “Those Parents” At Disney in 2019. Check it out.Sarah recommends downloading the My Disney Experience App prior to your trip to get familiar with how to place food orders, average wait times, and more.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.

Disney Planning / Disney Parenting: Episode 410

Co-hosts Meagan Francis and Sarah Powers have eight kids between them, little to grown. Weekly conversations offer practical tips and real-life encouragement for moms who want to enjoy motherhood more, and cut back on comparison, worry, and stress. We’re not experts, we’re moms who’ve been there. We’re not perfect, we’re real. Welcome to The Mom Hour.

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The Mom Hour

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