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The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar Coach
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar Coach
The Almost Empty Nest Podcast helps moms of teens and college kids navigate the transition of letting go while staying connected. Hosted by master life coach Jennifer Collins, it offers mindset shifts to overcome mom guilt, anxiety, and the illusion of control. Each episode provides practical advice on building stronger relationships with teens and rediscovering personal purpose beyond parenting.
Episodes
When Your Big Kid's Life Takes a Left Turn—The Kind of Grief Moms Don't Talk About When Parenting Teens and Navigating the Empty Nest | Ep. 281
Have you ever looked at your big kid and thought, “How did we get here?”
Maybe they’re pulling away, making choices you don’t understand, losing motivation, or heading in a direction that scares you. In those moments, parenting teens or young adults can bring up more than anxiety. It can bring real grief... for the relationship you thought you’d have, the future you pictured for them, and
“I Feel Like the Bad Guy When I Say No”—Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 280
What if your teen’s disappointment isn’t proof you’re doing something wrong, but just part of parenting them as they grow?
In this episode, I’m talking about what happens when setting boundaries leaves you feeling like the bad guy. Whether it’s phones, parties, drinking, money, or an adult child living at home, it’s easy to second-guess yourself when your kid is angry or tells you yo
College Drop-Off, the Empty Nest, and Letting Go—How to Stop Worrying about What Comes Next | Ep. 279
Do you ever notice how much we focus on making sure everything is ok with our big kid... and then we feel a moment of relief when that happens... only it never lasts?
College drop-off is where this episode begins, but it’s about something bigger: loving our kids through transitions we can’t control. Whether you’re parenting teens, approaching the empty nest, watching a child transfe
"I Don't Think My Big Kid Is Going to Be OK”—Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 278
What happens when your kid is really struggling and you can’t stop your mind from imagining where it might all lead?
In this episode, I’m talking about the fear behind the thought, “I don’t think my kid is going to be okay,” and why it can leave us feeling anxious, powerless, and desperate to fix what we can’t fully control. I’ll help you separate what is actually yours to do from the pre
My Life Is Better When My Big Kid Is Around—Letting Go as Your Child Builds a Life of their Own | Ep. 277
What if the hardest part of letting go isn’t just that your child is leaving... but that you genuinely love your life more when they’re in it?
As our kids grow up, parenting teens and moving toward the empty nest can bring a strange mix of pride, sadness, connection, and uncertainty. We want them to build lives of their own, but that doesn’t mean we automatically know how to adjust when m
"My Big Kid Told Me to Get a Life”—Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 276
What happens when the child you built so much of your life around suggests you need to go find one of your own?
In this episode, I explore why those words can stir up anger, embarrassment, grief, and even anxiety. I’ll help you understand why letting go can feel so disorienting after years of organizing your life around motherhood. You’ll learn how to get curious about what your big
Be Where Your Feet Are—Parenting Teens, the Empty Nest, and Letting Go | Ep. 275
What if the pressure to make every visit, vacation, or conversation meaningful is the very thing keeping you from enjoying it?
As my boys have grown, I’ve noticed how easily I can spend our time together reading their moods, searching for reassurance, or thinking ahead to what I need to say. But when I’m focused on getting something from the moment, I’m no longer fully in it.
In this epis
"I'm Not OK When My Kid's Not OK”—Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 274
How quickly does your big kid’s hard day become your hard day too?
You want to be the mom who listens calmly. You know you can’t fix every hard thing anymore. But when your big kid is struggling, your mind starts racing, your chest tightens, and suddenly you’re searching for the right words, the right solution, or some sign that everything will be okay.
In this episode, I’m talking about
Parenting Teens When You Lose Leverage—The Boundaries That Actually Work as you Navigate the Empty Nest | Ep. 273
What happens when the parenting tools that once worked no longer give you any leverage... and your teen or adult child still isn’t making the choices you hoped they would?
In this episode, I’m exploring why setting boundaries is not about finding the perfect consequence that will finally make your child change. It’s about deciding how you want to show up when you cannot control what happe
"Maybe I've Done Too Much for My Kid”—Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 272
What happens when helping your big kid starts to feel expected... and not in a good way?
In this episode, I’m exploring the resentment that can build when we moms keeps saying yes, rearranging our lives, solving problems, and showing up…while wondering whether our big kid notices or appreciates any of it. If this sounds familiar, the real issue may not be how much you’re do
Mindset Traps of Parenting Teens and the Empty Nest—Trap #11: Resisting Reality. Why Letting Go with Your Big Kid Feels so Hard and What It's Costing You | Ep. 271
What if the thing exhausting you isn’t only what’s happening with your big kid, but the constant fight inside you against the fact that it’s happening at all?
Today, I’m continuing the Mindset Traps of Parenting Teens and the Empty Nest series with a focus on resisting reality... the habit of fighting what is because it isn’t what you hoped, expected, or wanted.
In this episode, I unpack
“I Feel Like I'm Failing as a Mom”—Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 270
Do you ever wonder what the difficult moments with your teen or adult kid says about the kind of mom you are?
When your big kid pulls away, shuts you out, or struggles, it's so easy to believe you're somehow getting motherhood wrong. In this episode, I unpack why these thoughts feel so convincing, and why they aren't the truth. I'll help you understand the difference between feeling helpl
The Life You're Missing While You're Preparing for the Worst When Parenting Teens and Navigating the Empty Nest | Ep. 269
When was the last time you were fully present… without your mind racing ahead to everything that could go wrong?
As moms navigating parenting teens and the empty nest, our minds often convince us that worrying is the best way to protect the people we love. But what if all that anxiety isn't preparing you at all, but instead quietly stealing the moments you'll never get back?
In this episo
“I Don't Feel Like Myself”—Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 268
Have you ever caught yourself thinking, I should be happier than this... and then wondered why you still feel disconnected from your own life?
In this episode, I'm unpacking why so many moms reach a season where they no longer feel like themselves... even when, on paper, life looks just fine. During the parenting teens and empty nest years, it's easy to spend so much energy caring for eve
Parenting Teens in the Age of Find My iPhone—Why More Information Doesn't Bring More Peace | Ep. 267
Have you ever noticed how quickly your mind fills in the blanks when you don't know what your teen or young adult is doing?
In this episode, I share a very personal 3 a.m. story that revealed something surprising about my own parenting... and why having more information doesn't actually create more peace. We'll explore the hidden connection between anxiety, uncertainty, and our urge to ke
“I'll Know I'm a Good Mom When... (fill in the blank)"—Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 266
Have you ever caught yourself waiting for your child's success to finally prove you did motherhood "right"?
In this episode, I'm exploring a belief so many moms carry without even realizing it: I'll know I'm a good mom when... my teen makes better choices, my college student is thriving, or my child finally seems happy. It feels like love...but what if it's actually keeping you
The Anxiety of Raising Teens and Adult Kids—What Happens When You Can't Do Anything But Watch? | Ep. 265
Have you ever caught yourself wondering whether you're worrying because something is truly wrong...or simply because you love your child so much that not knowing feels unbearable?
As our kids grow into teens and young adults, motherhood asks something completely different of us. We can no longer solve every problem or protect them from every hard experience, yet our minds keep searching f
“I Don't Know When To Push and When To Back Off”—Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 264
Have you ever found yourself standing outside your teen’s bedroom door, wondering whether to knock or walk away? Or lying awake at night questioning whether you’re helping too much, not helping enough, or somehow getting it all wrong?
In this episode, I’m exploring the tension so many of us moms face as we parent teens and navigate the empty nest: knowing when to step in and when to let g
Letting Go of Resentment when Parenting Teens Feels Thankless | Ep. 263
Do you ever feel like you're carrying the weight of everyone else's needs while your own go unseen? If you're a mom navigating parenting teens or the empty nest, resentment can become part of daily life...showing up as frustration, exhaustion, disconnection, and the feeling that no matter how much you do, it's never enough.
In this episode, I'm exploring why resentment is so common in mot
“My Kid Doesn't Want Anything To Do with Me”—Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 262
Have you ever looked at your teen or adult child and thought, they don’t want anything to do with me? In this episode, I explore one of the most painful thoughts many moms carry in silence while parenting teens and navigating the empty nest transition.
Join me as I talk about why distance from our kids can feel so personal. We’ll uncover the mindset traps that convince us somet
Mindset Traps of Parenting Teens and the Empty Nest—Trap #10: The Identity Trap—Who Are You When Your Kid Stops Needing You? | Ep. 261
Who are you when your child no longer needs you in the ways they once did?
In this episode, I explore the Identity Trap...the mindset pattern that can come up for us as our kids grow up, become more independent, and begin building lives of their own. While these changes are a natural part of parenting, they can leave many moms feeling lost and disconnected from themselves.
I'll share why
“I Feel Like I'm the Only Mom Who Doesn't Have It All Together”—Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 260
Do you ever feel like everyone else has parenting figured out while you're struggling to keep up? In this episode, I explore why this thought comes up so often during the teen and young adult years, and how comparison can turn everyday parenting challenges into evidence that we're somehow failing. I’ll also look at the hidden costs of measuring yourself against impossible standa
How to Get Your Teen to Open Up—A Parenting Teens Mindset Reset | Ep. 259
Have you ever wished your teen would open up to you...but when they finally do, you find yourself giving advice, asking too many questions, or trying to fix the problem?
In this episode, I explore why helping your teen feel safe enough to talk isn't about finding the perfect words. It's about understanding what's happening inside of you in those moments. I'll uncover three common min
“I'm Dreading Having My Big Kid Home This Summer”—Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 258
As much as you love your big kid, do you ever sometimes think, “I’m dreading having them home this summer?”
In this episode, I’m unpacking one of the thoughts moms are often too ashamed to say out loud. As summer approaches, many of us imagine the tension, worry, conflict, or disruption that might come with having an older teen or college-aged child back under our roof. And before s
Parenting Teens and Adult Kids and Why It's So Hard to Stay Present for Their Wins | Ep. 257
Have you ever noticed how quickly you move from celebrating a win for your big kid to worrying about what comes next? In this episode, I explore a hidden challenge many moms face: our tendency to rush past our kids' successes (especially the small ones) instead of fully experiencing it.
After receiving incredible news from my son about a goal he had worked toward for years, I caught mysel
“I Feel So Alone In This Experience of Raising Big Kids”—Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 256
If you're parenting teens or navigating the empty nest, there's a good chance you've felt it... that sense that no one else is carrying what you're carrying. Not because you don't have people around you. You might have a partner, friends, even other moms in your life. But something about this stage feels uniquely isolating. The things that are hard now are harder to say out loud. And when
Graduation Isn't Just About Them—Parenting Teens, Adult Kids, and Letting Go | Ep. 255
If you're a mom of teens or an adult kid approaching graduation, you already know this season brings up way more than pride and excitement. One minute you're soaking it all in... the next, you're spiraling into questions like: Did I do enough? Are they ready? Why is letting go so hard?
In this episode, I talk about the hidden layers underneath graduation season... the grief about tim
“I Can't Stop Worrying About My Big Kid”—Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 254
Do you ever feel like you just can’t stop worrying about your kids? No matter how old they get or how independent they become, your mind keeps replaying conversations, imagining worst-case scenarios, and searching for ways to make sure they’ll be okay. If you’re a mom navigating parenting teens or the empty nest and you find yourself doing this, you are so not alone.
In this episode, I’m
Boundaries You Set With Your Self: The Missing Piece in How You Show Up as a Mom Parenting Teens | Ep. 253
Have you ever promised yourself you’d stay calm, stop overthinking, or finally focus on yourself, only to end the day feeling frustrated that you reacted the same way again? If you’re a mom navigating parenting teens or the empty nest, this episode will help you understand why that happens, and why it’s not a lack of discipline.
In this episode, I’m talking about the boundaries we set wit
“My Big Kid Is Lying”—Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 252
Have you ever caught your big kid in a lie? Well...you're not the only one. In this episode, I'm exploring why this hits us so hard in motherhood... not just because of the behavior itself, but because of what we make it mean about our kids, our relationship, and ourselves. I’ll walk you through the mindset shifts that help you let go of anxiety and respond in a way that actually bui
The Invisible Work of Parenting Teens and Adult Kids—And Why Mother’s Day Feels So Hard | Ep. 251
Mother’s Day used to leave me feeling unexpectedly disappointed...and I know I’m not alone. If you’re a mom navigating parenting teens or stepping into the empty nest, you might find yourself wondering why a day meant to celebrate motherhood can feel so heavy. In this episode, I open up about that disconnect and the invisible emotional weight so many of us carry.
I take you behind the sce
“I Feel Emotionally Overwhelmed”—Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 250
I know how easy it is to feel emotionally overwhelmed in this stage of motherhood, whether you’re in the thick of parenting teens or stepping into the empty nest. I’ve lived it, and I see it every day in the moms I support. In this episode, I open up about why that constant pressure, worry, and mental load doesn’t actually go away as our kids grow.
If you’ve been trying to “fix” the emoti
Mindset Traps of Parenting Teens and the Empty Nest—Trap #9: Validation Seeking—Letting Go of Needing Your Big Kid to Make You Feel Okay | Ep. 249
Have you ever noticed how much better you feel when your teen or adult child is open, responsive, or appreciative… and how quickly your mood drops when they’re distant or uninterested? Like you’re okay when they’re okay with you, but unsettled when they’re not? Today, I’m continuing the Mindset Traps of Parenting Teens and the Empty Nest series with a focus on validation seeking—the habit
“I Don't Trust Myself To Know What To Do As A Mom”—Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 248
Have you ever caught yourself thinking, I don’t trust myself to know what to do as a mom?.. And then immediately felt a wave of guilt or shame? In this episode, I walk you through why this thought is so common in motherhood, especially as our kids grow more independent and push back in ways that challenge us.
If you’ve been feeling lost, second-guessing your instincts, or wondering what y
The Empty Nest Straddle—3 Truths About Living Between Holding On and Letting Go When Parenting Teens and Adult Kids | Ep. 247
If you’ve ever felt caught between holding on and letting go as your kids grow up, this episode will feel I'm talking directly to you: the mom navigating the messy, emotional middle of the raising and launching big kids. Where you’re still needed… but no longer in control.
I know how confusing this stage of motherhood can feel. One moment you’re deeply involved in parenting teens, and the
“My Big Kid Doesn't Seem To Like Me Anymore”—Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 246
Do you ever experience painful moments with your big kid and think, “I don’t think they like me anymore." The thought brings up so much heartbreak...and even shame. You think, "How did we get here?"
In this episode, I take you inside that exact experience...the overthinking after they don’t text back, the knot in your stomach when they seem fine with everyone else but distant with you, th
The Grief of Letting Go—What No One Tells You about Parenting Teens and Adult Kids | Ep. 245
If you’re parenting teens or standing in the empty nest, you may be feeling a heaviness you can’t quite explain. It might show up as sadness, or frustration. Maybe anxiety, or even disconnection. Whether your relationship with your big kid feels close or strained, this stage of motherhood can bring up emotions that are hard to name.
In this episode, I’m talking about the grief that c
“I Love My Kid...But Sometimes I Don't Like Them Very Much”—Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 244
Have you ever walked away from an interaction with your big kid and thought, “I love them… but I don’t actually like them right now?” And then immediately wondered what that says about you as a mom? If you’re in the thick of parenting teens or navigating the emotions of the empty nest, this episode is going to feel like a deep exhale. Because you’re not alone...and more importantly,
When Parenting Teens Breaks Your Heart—Letting Go when You Can’t Control the Outcome | Ep. 243
Have you ever had that moment where you realize… you can’t protect your child from what they’re going through? That no matter how much you love them, guide them, or worry about them...you don’t actually have control? That realization can hit hard, especially when parenting teens and even well into theempty nest.
If you’ve ever felt that mix of love, fear, frustration, and heartbreak
“It's All On Me”—Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 242
Have you ever had the thought as a mom… it’s all on me?
If you’re parenting teens or navigating the empty nest, you probably know exactly what that feels like. The constant pressure, the mental load, the overthinking… the sense that if you don’t stay on top of everything, something important could slip through the cracks. In this episode, I unpack why this mindset feels so true, and why s
Mindset Traps of Parenting Teens and the Empty Nest—Trap #8: The Should Trap. Why You Never Feel Like You're Doing Enough | Ep. 241
Have you ever felt like no matter what you do as a mom… it’s just not enough? Like you should be more patient… more present… handling everything better, but you’re never quite getting it right? Today, I’m continuing the Mindset Traps of Parenting Teens and the Empty Nest series with a focus on what I call the Should Trap. It's when your mind is constantly telling you what y
“I Wish I Did Things Differently as a Mom”—Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 240
I know what it feels like as a mom of big kids to look back and think, "I wish I had done things differently." Especially when you start seeing who your child is becoming and wondering how your parenting shaped it. In this episode, I walk you through why that thought feels so heavy...and why it’s not actually about the past at all.
If you’ve been stuck in regret, overthinking
Letting Go of How Your Big Kid Reaches Their Potential—Why the Way You Think About Their Future Might Be Holding Both of You Back | Ep. 239
Have you ever looked at your teen or adult child and wondered, Are they going to be okay? When our kids struggle, it’s easy to believe that their choices today will define their entire future.
In this episode, I’m going to help you understand why that fear shows up, how our expectations about our kids’ potential create stress and tension, and how to support your big kid without feeling li
“What My Big Kid Does Is Hurtful”—Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 238
I know how painful it can feel when your relationship with your big kid changes and you find yourself thinking, “What my kid does is hurtful.” In this episode, I open up about a truth many moms experience but rarely say out loud...the heartbreak that can come up while parenting teens and young adults.
If you’ve ever felt rejected, blamed, or unappreciated by your child, you’re not al
Why It’s So Hard to Stop Putting Yourself Last when Parenting Teens….and Even When You’re In the Empty Nest | Ep. 237
If you’re a mom who has spent years parenting teens and putting everyone else first, you might expect that once your kids grow up and you find yourself in the empty nest, life will finally open up for you. But many moms discover that the habit of putting themselves last doesn’t disappear—it simply follows us into the next stage of motherhood.
In this episode, I share a realization I’ve be
“I Only Have a Few Months Left with My Big Kid at Home”—Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 236
If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking, “I only have a few months left before my kid leaves home,” you’re not alone. I remember thinking this constantly during my boys’ senior years of high school. As moms raising teens and navigating the empty nest transition, it’s easy to feel pressure to fix everything, teach everything, and make every moment count before our kids leave.
In this episo
Mindset Traps of Parenting Teens and the Empty Nest—Trap #7: Catastrophizing. Letting Go of Anxiety and the Worst Case Scenario Spiral | Ep. 235
Have you ever woken up at 2am with your mind racing…convinced that the distance between you and your child means the relationship is slipping away… or that their struggle is going to define their future… or that the tension in your house is never going to get better… or that this heavy, almost empty nest feeling means the best part of your life is behind you?
That spiral where your brain
“Other Moms Are Closer to their Big Kids”—Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 234
Have you ever caught yourself thinking, other moms seem closer to their kids than I am?
As moms, we care deeply about our relationships with our kids. When they pull away, we can feel anxious, rejected, or even convinced we’ve done something wrong. And when they stay close, that can bring its own pressure and responsibility. In this episode, I unpack how both experiences—distance and clos
Parenting Teens and Adult Kids: Why Your Boundaries Aren't Working, and What Actually Does | Ep. 233
Have you ever walked away from a conversation with your teen or adult kid thinking, “I need to set a boundary here.” You’re tired of the disrespect. You’re so done with reminding them. You want to see progress and you don’t want to keep getting into the same power struggles.
Here’s what most moms don’t realize: the problem isn’t that you don’t have strong enough rules. It’s that you’re th
“I Don’t Know Who I Am If I’m Not a Mom”—Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 232
Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “I don’t know who I am if I’m not a mom.”
When your days have revolved around motherhood for decades, letting go can feel disorienting. The quiet house leaves space not just for freedom, but for overthinking, self-doubt, and anxiety. In this episode, I explore how staying stuck in “I don’t know” is actually a form of protection. Together, we un
Parenting Teens Through Mental Health Struggles: Learning to Let Go Without Losing Yourself | Ep. 231
Do you have a big kid who’s struggling with their mental health… and find yourself lying awake at night wondering if you’re doing enough?
When your child isn’t okay, it doesn’t just worry you, it can take over. Your thoughts. Your energy. Your sense of peace. You’re researching, supporting, advocating… and still questioning yourself.
In this episode, I explore how to parent a teen or adul
“I Feel Like I’m Walking on Eggshells with my Big Kid”—Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 230
Have you ever felt tense in your own home… bracing for the sound of your teen’s footsteps or the tone of their voice? As moms parenting teens, this is one of the thoughts we’re often ashamed to admit: I feel like I’m walking on eggshells with my big kid. If you’re parenting teens or standing at the edge of the empty nest, you might recognize that constant fear of saying the wrong thing an
Who Is Your Mom 2.0? Being the Mom You Want to Be as you Parent Teens and Navigate the Empty Nest | Ep. 229
Do you ever feel like you know how you want to show up as a mom, and even as a woman in your own life, and still find yourself wondering why it feels so hard to actually show up that way? You know you want to be calmer and less reactive … and yet when your big kid pulls away, struggles, or no longer needs you the same way, you find yourself falling into patterns of control, self-doubt, or
“My Kid Was Struggling and I Missed It”—Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 228
My kid was struggling... and I didn’t even know it.
We spend so much of motherhood trying to keep our kids safe, happy, and successful. We set boundaries. We try to stay one step ahead. And yet… sometimes we still miss something.
In this episode, I share a personal story about discovering that my son had struggled years ago, and I had no idea at the time . I unpack the shame of “I sh
Mindset Traps of Parenting Teens and the Empty Nest—Trap #6: Personalization—How To Stop Making Your Big Kid’s Experience About You | Ep. 227
Have you ever felt that knot in your stomach when your big kid seems off—and you immediately start wondering what you did wrong? This reaction doesn’t come from insecurity—it comes from love. Especially in this stage of motherhood, when your role feels less clear and so much feels uncertain, it’s easy to make your child’s experience mean something about you.
Today, I’m continuing the Mind
"I'm Relieved When My Big Kid Isn't Home" —Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 226
Have you ever felt a sense of relief when your big kid leaves the house, and then felt terrible for feeling that way? In this episode, I explore the thought, “I'm relieved when my kid isn’t home.” If you’ve ever wondered what that thought says about you as a mom, you’re not alone. And you're not a bad mom.
Whether you feel like you’re walking on eggshells, struggling with anxiet
How to Let Go of Control When Parenting Teens without Feeling Like You're Giving Up | Ep. 225
What if the anxiety and exhaustion you feel as a mom right now isn’t a sign that you’re failing—but a sign that you’re carrying more than you were ever meant to? If you’re parenting teens or young adults and stuck in that constant mental loop of when to step in, when to back off, and whether you’re somehow getting this stage wrong, this episode is for you.
In this conversation, I unpack w
"My Kid Doesn't Care How I Feel" —Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 224
Have you ever wondered if your teen or adult kid even cares how you feel?
In this episode, I’m sharing a deeply personal story from my own journey of parenting teens. I take you with me on a long, lonely overnight drive home from Chicago with my teenage son. At the time, it looked exactly like what so many moms fear: that all the love, effort, and sacrifice didn't matter. But years later,
Advice or Boundaries: What to Do When Your Teen Stops Listening | Ep. 223
If you’ve ever found yourself holding back advice with your teen or big kid—wondering whether to say something or let it go—this episode is for you. Because parenting teens and young adults puts us in a really uncomfortable place. We still have wisdom to share… but far less influence over their choices. And suddenly, advice that used to land now feels like it creates distance and power st
"I Don't Feel Close to My Big Kid Anymore" —Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 222
I don’t feel close to my kid anymore.
If you’ve ever had that thought while parenting teens or navigating the empty nest, this episode is for you. I’m talking honestly about what it feels like when the relationship with your big kid changes—when they share less, pull away, or seem like they don’t need you in the same way they used to. This isn’t a sign you’re failing. It’s a painful and v
Mindset Traps of Parenting Teens and the Empty Nest—Trap #5: Perfectionism—Letting Go of the Need to Get It Right | Ep. 221
Have you ever noticed how much mental energy you spend wondering if you’re doing this parenting thing "right"? Maybe you replay conversations in your head, second-guess a boundary you set, or feel that pressure to do just a little more…just in case. That pressure doesn’t come from being overly critical or demanding — it comes from caring deeply. And from the belief that if you can ju
"I'm the Only One Who Cares" —Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 220
Have you ever caught yourself thinking, I’m the only one who cares — and felt both justified and completely exhausted by it? I hear this from so many moms who are parenting teens or navigating the early empty nest years. You care so much about your kids’ safety, happiness, and future, yet it often feels like you’re the only one paying attention, thinking ahead, or worrying about
Letting Go as Your Kids Grow Up—Sitting with the Discomfort of Change | Ep. 219
Change is uncomfortable. And if you’re parenting a teen or standing on the edge of the empty nest, you may be feeling that discomfort more than ever.
In this episode, I’m talking about why change feels so hard—even when it’s the change we want—why so many of us try to avoid that discomfort by staying busy, fixing, or just avoiding our pain, and what it actually looks like to sit with that
"I Don't Know What I Want Anymore" —Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 218
“I don’t know what I want anymore.”
If you’re parenting teens, launching a child into adulthood, or standing on the edge of the empty nest, this thought might feel painfully familiar. It begins to show up in the space that opens as your kids need you less—and event more when the structure of motherhood shifts and you’re left wondering what’s next for you.
In this episode, I’m talking abou
When Your Big Kid is Failing to Launch—Why Boundaries Aren't the Real Problem | Ep. 217
Have you ever looked at your child’s life and wondered, what if they never figure it out?
I hear moms use the phrase “my kid is failing to launch” all the time, and I know how much fear is in those words. Because this isn’t really about timelines or independence—it’s about the anxiety that creeps in when your kid seems stuck, and how quickly that fear starts to feel personal. And even if
"My Kid's Leaving and I Thought I'd Be Used To This By Now" —Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 216
I used to think this feeling would go away with time. That eventually I’d be used to the goodbyes, the quiet, the shifting rhythm of motherhood. But whether your child is heading off to college, spending more time behind a closed bedroom door, or simply growing into their own independence, you can feel the ache that comes with realizing something is changing.
In this episode, I talk
Mindset Traps of Parenting Teens and the Empty Nest—Trap #4: Illusion of Control — Letting Go of Anxiety, Not Your Kid | Ep. 215
Have you ever felt that panic that if you don't stay on top of things with your big kid, that something might go terribly wrong? You feel that urge to say the right thing, to remind them one more time, or to give them advice they didn't ask for. This urge doesn't come from wanting to control your kid. It comes from love, especially when life becomes so uncertain as your kids grow up.
Toda
"Nothing Changed This Year" —Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 214
If you find yourself thinking, “Nothing changed this year,” I hear you. And I've been there.
So many of us moms reach the end of the year still feeling anxious, triggered, or unsure, and assume that means we haven’t grown.
In this episode, I talk about why that thought feels so true—and why it often misses what really matters. As our kids grow, the challenges don’t go away; they
Who Do You Want To Be in 2026?—Parenting Teens, Letting Go, and Learning to Trust Yourself in the Empty Nest | Ep. 213
Have you ever stopped to recognize how much strength it’s taken to be the mom you are today?
If you’re parenting teens or standing on the edge of the empty nest, this season of motherhood can feel like a constant balancing act between holding on and letting go—of your kids, your role, and the version of yourself you used to be.
In this episode, I’m not talking about resolutions or fixing
"I'm Already Disappointed by the Holidays" —Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 212
I’m already disappointed by the holidays.If you’ve ever had that thought—even before the holiday is over—this episode is for you.
The holidays are supposed to feel joyful and connected, and yet, for so many moms of teens and adult kids, this season brings a quiet mix of love, overwhelm, frustration, and disappointment that no one really talks about. You can adore your family and still fee
Three Gifts for Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids—How Letting Go, Connection, and Compassion Transform this Stage of Motherhood | Ep. 211
As the holidays approach, parenting teens and adult kids can bring up for us a wish for more ease, more connection, and a way to let go without feeling like you’re losing yourself or your relationship with your kids. In this episode, I share three powerful gifts you can give yourself that will change how you experience this stage of motherhood. We’ll explore what it means to stop taking r
"I'm Worried My Teen Will Ruin My Holiday" —Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 210
I’m worried my teen will ruin the holiday for me. Even saying that out loud feels uncomfortable. But if you’re parenting teens or adult kids, you’ve probably had some version of this thought at one point or another. The holidays can magnify distance, tension, and unmet expectations, leaving us bracing for moods instead of enjoying the moments we hoped would feel meaningful.
In this episod
Radical Acceptance Part II—Four Steps to Reclaim Your Power When Parenting Teens or in the Empty Nest | Ep. 209
What if the reason you feel so anxious, frustrated, or exhausted isn’t because your teen is struggling—but because you’re fighting reality every single day?
In this episode, I’m breaking down what radical acceptance actually means when you’re parenting teens or moving through the empty nest. Not acceptance as giving up. Not acceptance as lowering your expectations. But acceptance as a ski
"I'm Doing Everything Wrong" —Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 208
💡 Interested in learning more about how to create peace, confidence and connection as you raise and launch your teen? Join me for my next free masterclass: https://www.thesmalljar.com/class
💪 Curious about coaching with Small Jar? Check out our Mom 2.0 coaching program: www.thesmalljar.com/Mom-2-0
❓ Have questions or want to share your feedback? I'd love to hear from you!
Parenting Teens in the College Process—Three Lessons That Go Far Beyond Early Decision | Ep 207
As moms, we hit so many moments where our big kids put themselves out there. We find ourselves holding our breath, hoping it all works out...and also really worried about what will happen if it doesn't.
In this episode, I share three powerful lessons I learned during the college process with my sons, and how those lessons apply far beyond college admissions—to job interviews, tryout
"I'm Not Proud of My Teen Sometimes" —Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 206
Have you ever thought, “I’m not proud of my teen?” It feels terrible, doesn't it? And yet, so often as mom parenting teens and big kids, we have real fears about who our child is becoming and what their choices mean for their future. In this episode, I'm sharing the many different situations moms share with me — the academic struggles, the social worries, the attitude shif
Mindset Traps of Parenting Teens and the Empty Nest—Trap #3: Comparison Trap—Seeing Your Life Without the Pressure to Keep Up | Ep. 205
Have you ever heard another mom talk about her teen’s success and instantly felt that little drop in your stomach—like you missed something or should be doing more? If so, you’re not alone. This next episode of the Mindset Traps of Parenting Teens and the Empty Nest series digs into why comparison is such a natural instinct for us moms.
Comparison feels like you’re just observing the
"I Love (and Hate) the Holidays" —Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 204
Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “I love the holidays… and I kind of hate them?” If you're parenting teens or an empty nester, this tension is so normal — we crave connection and magic, but we’re overloaded with pressure and the emotional labor we’ve been conditioned to carry. In this episode, I’m breaking down why we feel responsible for everyone’s happiness, why that creates rese
Radical Acceptance: The Power of Letting Go When Parenting Teens Gets Hard | Ep. 203
As a mom, do you ever feel caught between wishing things were easier and worrying they may never change? So many of us live in the “it’ll be better when…” mindset — with our teens, our young adults, our relationships, even with ourselves. But that constant battle with reality only creates more exhaustion and anxiety. In this episode, I’m sharing the key to finding peace even when life fee
"My Teen Doesn't Appreciate Everything I Do for Them” —Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 202
Have you ever had that moment where you catch yourself thinking, “My kid doesn’t appreciate anything I do,” and immediately feel a little sick about it?
In this episode, I’m talking honestly about why that lack of appreciation feels so painful. Not because we want praise or a gold star, but because we’re doing so much behind the scenes—planning, worrying, cooking, checking in, rearranging
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