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The Almost Empty NestLetting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Againwith Small Jar CoachAuthor: Master Coach Jennifer Collins
Are you stuck between wanting to guide your teen or college kid and knowing its time to start letting go? Welcome to The Almost Empty Nest Podcast, where moms of teens and college kids reframe what letting go really means and stop second-guessing themselves to feel more connected, confident, and at peace in this chapter of motherhood. Each week, youll learn how to: Break free from mindset traps like catastrophizing, mom guilt, and the illusion of control Build a stronger relationship with your teeneven when they pull away or test boundaries Strengthen your self-trust as you set boundaries, let go of anxiety, and explore your own purpose beyond parenting Hosted by master life coachand mom of two college kidsJennifer Collins, this show offers grounded, relatable support and mindset shifts to help you stop overthinking and start showing up as the mom and woman you truly want to be. Start with listener favorite Episode 85: The Empty Nest Straddle The Emotional Tug of Parenting Teens and Facing the Empty Nest. Language: en Genres: Education, Kids & Family, Parenting, Self-Improvement Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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"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
Tuesday, 6 January, 2026
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 about that feeling when your kids don’t need you in the same way, when they pull away just a little more, when the house feels different even though everyone still lives there. These moments might look different on the outside, but emotionally, they often stir the same grief and confusion. What makes it harder isn’t the sadness itself—it’s the judgment we place on it. The belief that because we’ve done this before, or because our kids haven’t technically “left” yet, we shouldn’t feel this way. But letting go doesn’t start at college drop-off. It starts the first time you realize your child is becoming someone you can’t fully follow anymore. Whether your kids are young, teens, or grown, this episode invites you to stop judging your emotions and start understanding them—so this season of motherhood doesn’t feel like something you just have to endure, but something you get to navigate with intention and self-trust. 💡 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! You can email me at jennifer@thesmalljar.com. This empowering podcast offers life coaching for moms and parenting support for midlife mothers raising teens as they approach the empty nest, teaching them how to let go of control, stop overthinking, and shift their mindset, while also helping them set boundaries, improve communication, reduce anxiety, release mom guilt, and find purpose in the evolving journey of parenting teens and motherhood.
