Who has time to read these days? Let’s discuss how to keep your love of reading alive, even when it feels like there’s no time to pick up a book. We’ll share a few simple ways to stay connected to our bookish selves (even during the busiest seasons) as well as tips for developing your own sense of self as a reader that doesn’t have to participate in trends and goals that don’t serve you. Grab a cozy drink, settle in, and enjoy!

HELPFUL LINKS:

• Want to support an independent bookshop? Visit Meagan’s family business, Paper Mill Books, via Bookshop.org
• Want to buy our book? Click here.
• Episodes From The Archives About Books:
• Books & Reading Reflections for 2023: Episode 445
• More Than Mom: Books Talk! (What & How We’re Reading Lately)
• Books We’re Loving Lately: Voices 72 With Joanna Martin & Katherine DeVries
• Raising Readers & Our Favorite Holiday Books: Episode 186
• Cultivating A Reading Life: Voices 73 With Amy Clark
• More Than Mom: Podcast Listening & Book Reading Habits (Plus A Few We’re Loving Lately)
• Blog Posts About Reading and Books:
• Spring Into Summer Reading (How I Get Ready To Enjoy Great Books All Summer Long)
• 12 Picture Books About Starting School
• Exploring Nature Through Books: 7 Beautiful Nonfiction Nature Book Series For Kids
• Spring Into Summer Reading (How I Get Ready To Enjoy Great Books All Summer Long)
• 7 Picture Books To Spring Your Family Into Climate Action
• Hispanic Heritage Month Picture Books For Kids
• The Girl Next Door Podcast talks about books often. Check out the latest Fall Reading Roundup episode.
• Substack is a popular platform where writers can publish articles, newsletters and more!
• Laura Tremaine’s 20-minute reading timer trick
• Link up your kindle to your library’s Libby App.
• Neck Reading Lights help with reading at night.

OTHER HELPFUL LINKS:

• Visit our website
• Check out deals from our partners
• Follow us on Instagram
• Join our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)
• Sign up for our newsletter

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Self care sometimes looks a little like tough love – and it’s definitely not always glamorous. Whether it’s appointing that follow-up, making a lifestyle change, or hitting pause for some serious rest, today we’re talking about the ways we’re ‘treating ourselves’ to some actual – if rather boring – midlife lady self care. Join us!

This is Part 2 of 3 in our ‘Treat Yo Self’ series this fall. Check out Part 1 here!

HELPFUL LINKS:

• How To Take Yourself On A Date, And Why It Matters is the first episode in this three-part series.
• Episodes From The Archives Similar To This Episode:
• (Very Specific!) Self-Care Strategies For Stressful Seasons: Episode 253
• Self-Care As Self-Preservation: Episode 104
• Radical Self Care & Cultivating Creativity with Doña Bumgarner: Voices 08
• Rethinking Instagram: Episode 456
• Some of Meagan’s favorite Non-Alcoholic Beer
• HOP WTR
• Partake Brewing
• Athletic Brew
• FUL

OTHER HELPFUL LINKS:

• Visit our website
• Check out deals from our partners
• Follow us on Instagram
• Join our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)
• Sign up for our newsletter

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Turkey, traditions and lightning-round fun! In this festive episode, Meagan and Sarah banter through a series of Thanksgiving-themed questions, from favorite dishes to décor and more. We also reflect on how Thanksgiving has evolved for us over the years—sharing stories from childhood, family traditions, and how we make the holiday work for our families today. Join us for laughs, nostalgia, and all things Thanksgiving!

HELPFUL LINKS

• Episodes From The Archives You May Enjoy:
• Do This Now; Enjoy The Holidays Later: Episode 437
• Tricky Family Dynamics: Episode 438
• Holiday Hills To Die On (And How To Let Go A Little): Episode 388
• Sane & Satisfying Holiday Entertaining: Episode 130
• Is Your Family Table Growing Or Shrinking?: Episode 481
• Family Food Values & What’s Working For Us: Episode 244

OTHER HELPFUL LINKS:

• Sign up for our newsletter
• Visit our website
• Check out deals from our partners
• Follow us on Instagram
• Join our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In early motherhood the kitchen can be full chaos: sippy cups, art projects, and endless daily responsibilities. But as kids get older, there may be room for moms to reclaim this space for ourselves. Meagan and Sarah explore the physical changes our kitchens have undergone—decluttering countertops, creating inviting cooking spaces, and personalizing our surroundings. We also dive into the mental and emotional aspects of this journey and the small steps you can take to make it happen – even if you’re not quite done with the sippys. Join us!

HELPFUL LINKS:

• Pre-Order Meagan’s book, The Last Parenting Book You’ll Ever Read: How We Let Our Kids Go And Embrace What’s Nest (This is an affiliate link.)
• Sarah loved IKEA’s kids tableware when her kids were little
• Sarah mentioned reading House Love by Patric Richardson, a joyful guide to cleaning, organizing and loving the home you’re in.(This is an affiliate link.)
• Episodes From The Archives You May Enjoy:
• Is Your Family Table Growing Or Shrinking?: Episode 481
• The Muscle Memory Of Motherhood: Episode 363
• “Always In Rotation” Dinners: Episode 453
• Small Home Refreshes To Kick Off Summer: Episode 466
• Kitchen Gadgets & Gear, Part 1: Episode 431 and Kitchen Gadgets & Gear, Part 2: Episode 432

OTHER HELPFUL LINKS:

• Visit our website
• Check out deals from our partners
• Follow us on Instagram
• Join our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)
• Sign up for our newsletter

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The world feels pretty heavy right now, and doom-scrolling doesn’t help. Today Meagan and Sarah talk about the tricky balance between staying informed as global citizens and not letting it all overwhelm us. We look at how overwhelm can lead to inaction and, on the flip side, how taking small actions – especially in our local communities – can provide a sense of purpose and even hope. Plus, we’ve got some practical ideas on how you can make a real difference in your community. Join us!

HELPFUL LINKS:

• Interested in donating blood? Start here.
• Episodes From The Archives You May Enjoy:
• Headlines, Heartache & Helping: Episode 124
• More Than Mom: Social Media
• Real Vs. Artificial (And How We Help Our Kids Tell The Difference)
• Rethinking Instagram: Episode 456

OTHER HELPFUL LINKS:

• Visit our website
• Check out deals from our partners
• Follow us on Instagram
• Join our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)
• Sign up for our newsletter

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ever thought about treating yourself to a completely frivolous outing? What about a great meal in a restaurant – table for one? Meagan and Sarah are here to explore the benefits of solo activities! We chat about the joys and quirks of spending time alone—do we really love it, or is it a little scary? What types of outings feel restorative to do alone, and which ones would we rather buddy up for? Get ready for creative ideas to carve out some me-time in the midst of mom-life. Join us!

This is Part 1 of 3 in our ‘Treat Yo Self’ series this fall. Check back in mid-November for Part 2!

HELPFUL LINKS:

• Sarah is reading The Artist’s Way, at Meagan’s recommendation (affiliate link)
• Meagan and Sarah referenced the Treat Yo Self episode of Parks and Recreation.
• Getting There Is Half The Fun (Especially When You’re Flying Solo) (this More Than Mom episode pairs nicely with this one!)
• Meagan talked about taking a solo trip to her childhood hometown – read more about it here

OTHER HELPFUL LINKS:

• Visit our website
• Check out deals from our partners
• Follow us on Instagram
• Join our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)
• Sign up for our newsletter

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Are you responsible for nurturing close bonds, planning family togetherness, and preserving tradition across generations? You might be a kinkeeper (and you probably have feelings about it!). Today Meagan and Sarah unpack the concept of kinkeeping, share our personal feelings about the work of living in and raising a connected family (our thoughts might surprise you!), and look at patterns from our own families of origin that adhere to – or break from – traditional kinkeeping roles. Join us!

HELPFUL LINKS:

• The New York Times piece The Constant Work to Keep a Family Connected Has a Name by Danielle Friedman got us thinking about this topic (gift link – no need to have a subscription)
• Why Dad’s Side of the Family Tends to Miss Out by Chiara Dello Joio in The Atlantic (gift link – no need to have a subscription)
• The Plight of the Eldest Daughter by Sarah Sloat, also in The Atlantic (also a gift link)
• Meagan referenced the episode Fall Traditions With Tweens & Teens: Episode 487
• Episodes You May Enjoy From The Archives:
• Nurturing Grandparent-Grandkid Relationships: Episode 390
• Seasonally-Inspired Homemaking & Parenting: Voices 79 With Katherine DeVries
• Genealogy & Family History: Episode 441

OTHER HELPFUL LINKS:

• Visit our website
• Check out deals from our partners
• Follow us on Instagram
• Join our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)
• Sign up for our newsletter

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What do happy moms do to keep stress, irritability, and dissatisfaction in check? While no mom feels joyful all the time, this classic episode from 2018 dives into ten habits of mostly-happy moms. Tune in to discover practical tips that can help you maintain perspective in the chaos of motherhood and bring more joy to your daily life. Enjoy!

HELPFUL LINKS:

• Meagan’s 2011 book with Parenting Magazine is The Happiest Mom: 10 Secrets to Enjoying Motherhood.(This is an affiliate link.)
• KJ Dell’Antonia is our friend and parenting writer wrote the book How To Be A Happier Parent. (This is an affiliate link.)
• Episodes You May Enjoy From The Archives:
• What Are Your Mom Superpowers? 
• Routines, Rituals & Traditions 
• More Than Mom: Small Habits That Make A Big Difference
• How To Be A Happier Parent with KJ Dell’Antonia: Voices 28

OTHER HELPFUL LINKS:

• Visit our website
• Check out deals from our partners
• Follow us on Instagram
• Join our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)
• Sign up for our newsletter

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If your kids are outgrowing handprint turkeys and pumpkin patch bouncy castles – or if you’re curious about life beyond trunk-or-treat – this episode is for you! Today Sarah shares with Meagan what fall fun looks like in her house of teens and a preteen. From fantasy football to ugly pumpkin pranks, bake-offs and taste-tests and more, we’re finding new ways to enjoy the season together as our kids get older. Join us!

HELPFUL LINKS:

• Learn more about Fantasy Football
• Samantha shared her countdown to halloween with our Facebook Community
• Listen to The Girl Next Door podcast’s Fall Extravaganza episode
• Episodes From The Archives You May Enjoy:
• BONUS: Six Strategies For A Fall Wardrobe Reboot
• More Than Mom: Tiny Habits For Making The Most Of Your Fall Mom Mojo
• More Than Mom: Fall Style Update
• On Our Tables This Fall: Episode 231
• Cozy Audiobooks For Fall
• More Than Mom: Fall!

OTHER HELPFUL LINKS:

• Visit our website
• Check out deals from our partners
• Follow us on Instagram
• Join our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)
• Sign up for our newsletter

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“This too shall pass,” we’re told. But will it? More importantly, DID IT? Today Meagan and Sarah reflect on parenting challenges that once felt monumental, taking time to unpack whether those hard seasons did, in fact, pass, or whether they lingered and shape-shifted into something else. We also look at some (though not all!) bygone struggles through the lens of nostalgia, offering perspective to newer moms in the form of a 2000’s country song. Join us!

HELPFUL LINKS:

• Episodes From The Archives You May Enjoy:
• More Than Mom: Romanticizing The Hard Stuff
• On “Taking A Break” As A Mom (And Human!): Episode 423
• On Reparenting Ourselves: Episode 475
• Regrets, We’ve Had A Few: Episode 440

OTHER HELPFUL LINKS:

• Visit our website
• Check out deals from our partners
• Follow us on Instagram
• Join our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)
• Sign up for our newsletter

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today, we’re sharing an episode from another podcast we know you all are going to love. It’s called StrollerCoaster, and it was created by Munchkin, the most loved baby lifestyle brand in the world. 

StrollerCoaster is hosted by Lynn Smith – a mom and former news anchor for NBC – and co-hosted by an improv comedian. StrollerCoaster is a place to laugh over those crazy moments of parenting and learn something new. Together, Lynn and Justin talk about everything from practicing patience to kids snacks to making parent friends.

Follow StrollerCoaster on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.