Claim OwnershipThe Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar Coach
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Are you stuck between wanting to guide your teen or college kid and knowing it’s 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, you’ll learn how to:
• Break free from mindset traps like catastrophizing, mom guilt, and the illusion of control
• Build a stronger relationship with your teen—even 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 coach—and mom of two college kids—Jennifer 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.
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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 feel exhausted by the mess, the noise, the disengagement, or the feeling that the holidays don’t look the way they used to.
In this episode, I talk honestly about why the holidays can feel so hard, and why that discomfort doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. I explore how we often cope by working harder and taking responsibility for everyone else’s emotions, all in an effort to finally feel at peace. And why that approach, as understandable as it is, leaves us feeling even more disappointed.
If you’re feeling worn down by the pressure to make the holidays magical, this episode will help you let go and actually find moments of peace in your life without needing to change anything first.
💡 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.
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 responsibility for other people’s emotions, how to stay connected to your teen without conditions or expectations, and why treating yourself with compassion is essential as you navigate the emotional shifts of letting go.
If you’ve been feeling drained, stuck, or unsure how to show up as your role as a mom evolves, this conversation will help you approach parenting teens — and the empty nest ahead — with more intention and emotional freedom. These simple but meaningful shifts can transform not just the holiday season, but the way this next chapter of motherhood feels.
💡 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.
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 episode, I explore what’s really underneath that fear. It’s not about your teen being difficult — it’s about how easily we tie our sense of connection and peace to how our kids show up. I'll explore the mindset trap of emotional outsourcing, why connection starts to feel conditional in this phase of motherhood, and how letting go can feel both necessary and terrifying at the same time.
Join me to learn how to create connection without waiting for your teen to meet you halfway, and how to let go of the belief that your child gets to decide whether the holidays — or your relationship — feel good.
💡 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.
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 skill that allows you to stop wasting energy on what you can’t control and start reclaiming your power in how you show up.
I walk you through four practical steps that help you move out of emotional reactivity and into steadiness—so you can acknowledge what’s happening, tell the truth about how you feel, work through the pain instead of resisting it, and then decide, with intention, who you want to be in the middle of a hard moment.
If you’re tired of feeling like your peace depends on your teen’s choices or this season being over, this episode will show you how to let go without losing yourself—and how to feel grounded and confident even when parenting gets hard or the empty nest feels heavy.
💡 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.
💡 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.
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, tryouts, auditions, internships, and every season where we’re invited to practice letting go.
You’ll learn how to deal with the helplessness of not being able to influence the outcome, and how to support your big kid and even strengthen your connection in the moments that matter most. The lessons you'll takeaway will give you confidence to navigate all of the twists and turns of the road ahead.
💡 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.
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 shifts, the choices that make you question whether your child is on the right path. And in this conversation, I'm going to explain why we turn our kids' behavior into a measure of our own success.
If you’re tired of feeling stressed about your kid's future, or confused about what letting go is supposed to look like, this episode will help you understand what’s happening beneath the surface and what’s actually within your control.
💡 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..
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 world…but really, it’s your brain slipping into a survival pattern that makes you question your parenting, your teen’s progress, and even your worth. And during this stage of motherhood—when you're navigating that delicate balance between holding on and letting go—that pressure can show up everywhere.
In this episode, I break down why your mind automatically compares and how it fuels overthinking and anxiety. You’ll learn how comparison steals your peace, puts pressure on your connection with your child, and wears down your confidence as a mom. Most importantly, you’ll hear how to shift out of this trap so you can build a sense of self-trust that can only come from within.
💡 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.
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 resentment and anxiety, and how shifting your mindset from managing others’ emotions to owning your own can completely change your experience. You’ll hear how our society trains moms to outsource our emotional peace to how everyone else behaves — and why that leaves us exhausted, especially during the holidays. And I’ll show you a simpler, more grounded way to show up as the mom and woman you want to be, with healthier boundaries, less guilt, and more authentic connection.
If you're ready to stop carrying pressure that was never yours, feel more calm and purposeful, and create a holiday season that feels human instead of perfect, this episode is for you. Tune in, my friend. You have more power than you think.
💡 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.
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 feels messy or uncertain. You’ll learn how to see clearly where you do have power, how to stop wasting emotional energy on what you can’t control, and how to create calm, confidence, and clarity right where you are — before anything around you changes.
My friend, radical acceptance is the key to stop fighting reality and start embracing your power. And this episode is going to show you exactly how to begin.
💡 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.
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 our own lives—and it feels like none of it even matters to our big kid.
And when it feels like they don’t notice, we start to wonder if we’ve done something wrong. Maybe we made it too easy. Maybe we gave too much. Maybe we should’ve handled things differently when they were little. It’s amazing how fast our brain can turn one small moment into a whole story about what kind of mom we are.
If you’ve ever felt worn down, or questioned yourself, or wondered how on earth you ended up carrying so much, you’re not alone. Listen in to feel seen, more at peace, and even more appreciated...without needing your big kid to change first.
💡 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.
Have you ever noticed how different parenting teens can feel depending on how much they share with you? Some days, your teen tells you everything — every thought, worry, and drama — and it’s a lot! Other times, you get silence, and that brings up a whole different kind of discomfort.
In this episode, I’m talking about both sides — the moms who long for more conversation and the ones who sometimes wish for a little less. Because no matter where you fall, this stage of motherhood invites us to rethink what connection, trust, and letting go really mean as we move toward the empty nest.
I’ll share stories and mindset shifts that can help you feel more grounded and confident — whether your teen overshares or keeps it all inside. We’ll talk about how to stop overthinking their moods, reduce anxiety around what you can’t control, and set healthy boundaries that let you love and support them without losing yourself.
If you’re a mom navigating this in-between season — parenting teens, preparing for the empty nest, and learning how to find peace and purpose in the process — this conversation is for you.
💡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.
Have you ever had your teen look at you like you’re the problem? It feels like a gut punch, specially when you know in your heart you’ve been doing everything you can to love and support your big kid.
In this episode, I share a story from my own life about what it feels like when your big kid blames you and how to move through that pain without losing yourself in it. We’ll talk about why this stage of parenting feels so hard, how to stop taking their reactions so personally, and how to find peace even when your teen doesn’t see your good intentions.
If you’ve been feeling anxious, walking on eggshells, or wondering if you’ve somehow failed, this conversation will help you exhale. You’ll see that what feels like rejection might actually be your teen’s way of growing — and your invitation to grow, too.
💡 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.
Have you ever noticed how motherhood can make everything feel high stakes? One minute you’re calm and connected to your teen, and the next, you’re spiraling into worry, certain that everything is going south. That’s the All or Nothing Trap, and if you’ve ever found yourself stuck there, you’re not alone.
As moms of teens and almost empty nesters, we’re navigating a season of constant change — where letting go can feel like losing control. And it’s no wonder our minds cling to extremes: if our kids are thriving, we feel okay… but if they’re struggling, we immediately assume we’ve failed. In this episode, I unpack why your brain defaults to this kind of thinking — and how it quietly fuels anxiety, perfectionism, and self-doubt.
You’ll learn how to see these patterns for what they really are — your brain’s instinct to protect you — and how to gently retrain your mind to find peace in the gray. I’ll share stories from my own life and from moms I coach, showing how all-or-nothing thinking can show up as we raise and launch our big kids. If you’re ready to let go of anxiety and feel grounded no matter what’s happening around you, this episode will help you find your footing.
💡 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.
Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “I don’t even like the person I’ve become”?
It’s one of those thoughts that hits you right in the gut. You love your kids. You’re doing your best to hold it all together. And yet, somewhere in the process of raising and launching your big kid, you don’t quite recognize yourself anymore.
In this episode, I’m diving into what’s really underneath that thought. Because it’s not a sign that you’re failing — it’s a sign that you’re hurting. You’ll learn how your brain uses self-judgment as a way to feel in control, and why that mindset only creates more guilt, anxiety, and overthinking.
Together, we’ll explore how compassion and awareness can help you step off that hamster wheel — so you can stop reacting from fear and start responding from calm. You’ll see how to reconnect with the woman underneath the stress, the mom who still wants peace, confidence, and purpose in this next season of motherhood.
If you’ve been feeling disconnected or overwhelmed — wondering where your spark went — this episode is your reminder: you haven’t lost her. She’s still there. Let’s help you find her again.
💡 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.
Parenting teens through the college process can stir up a mix of pride, fear, and anxiety that no one really prepares us for. Whether you’re deep in the application season or already adjusting to the empty nest, this stage of motherhood is full of moments that test our ability to let go.
In this episode, I’m sharing what I wish I’d known before my boys went through the college process—the truths that helped me stop overthinking, ease my anxiety, and show up as the calm, confident mom I wanted to be. You’ll hear the lessons that changed everything for me: why college admissions are less about your child’s worth and more about perspective, how struggle is the foundation of growth, and what it really looks like to support your teen without losing yourself in the process.
These insights aren’t just for moms in the thick of applications—they’re for anyone learning how to trust their child’s journey while staying grounded in their own. Because the mindset that helps us let go is the same one that helps us reconnect—with our kids, and with ourselves.
💡 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.
Ever feel like your teen just doesn’t care about the boundaries you’ve set? You’ve tried being calm, clear, consistent — and still, nothing changes. You end up frustrated, questioning your parenting, and wondering if you’ll ever stop overthinking this stage of motherhood.
In this episode of The Almost Empty Nest Podcast, I share what’s really going on beneath the thought, “My kid doesn’t respect my boundaries.” You’ll see how easy it is to fall into the illusion of control — believing that your peace depends on your child’s behavior — and how to finally let go of that exhausting pattern.
Together, we’ll redefine what setting boundaries actually means. You’ll learn how to stop tying your emotional well-being to your teen’s choices and start focusing on the one thing that’s always within your control: how you show up. This simple mindset shift can help you reduce anxiety, rebuild confidence, and parent from calm instead of chaos.
If you’re a mom navigating the space between parenting teens and the empty nest, this episode will remind you that letting go doesn’t mean giving up — it means stepping into your power. You’ll see how life coaching tools and a new perspective can help you find peace, connection, and purpose in this next chapter of motherhood.
💡 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.
Have you ever noticed how motherhood can feel like one long emotional rollercoaster? One moment you feel calm and connected, and the next you’re anxious, frustrated, or doubting yourself. That constant up-and-down isn’t just part of the job — it’s one of the hidden mindset traps that keeps so many moms stuck in worry and self-doubt as their kids grow up.
In this episode, I’m relaunching my Mindset Traps of Parenting Teens and the Empty Nest series — starting with the one that drives them all: emotional reasoning. It’s the habit of believing that how you feel is evidence of what’s true — that anxiety means something’s wrong, or guilt means you’ve failed.
But once you understand this trap, you can start to see your emotions differently — as signals, not stop signs. You can stop reacting to every emotional surge and start responding with calm, clarity, and confidence. Dive into this series to learn how to step off the emotional rollercoaster and take your peace back — no matter what’s happening with your teen or in your empty nest.
💡 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.
Have you ever walked into your own home and felt invisible?
As a mom of teens in the thick of raising teens and adult kids, that feeling can hurt. In this episode, I open up about how easy it is for us moms to slip into the background of our own lives, constantly giving and doing for everyone else while quietly wondering if anyone even sees us.
You've been there—the clean laundry left at the foot of the stairs, the untouched dinner dishes, the exhaustion of feeling like the glue holding everything together. I'm going to explore why so many of us let this happen and how societal conditioning and our own loving instincts can trap us in cycles of overdoing, resentment, and guilt.
Through this conversation, I’ll help you see that the feeling of invisibility isn’t really about your family not seeing you—it’s about how somewhere along the way, you stopped seeing yourself. You’ll learn how letting go of guilt and overthinking opens the door to reconnecting with your own needs, setting boundaries with love, and rediscovering purpose beyond motherhood.
This episode is an invitation to shift your mindset—to stop searching for validation in everyone else’s reactions and start finding your worth within.
💡 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.
Have you ever noticed how motherhood feels like one long lesson in letting go — but no one ever tells you how to do it? One moment you’re deep in the chaos of parenting teens, and the next, you’re staring at an empty nest, wondering how to stop worrying and start feeling at peace again.
In this episode, I’m sharing a fresh take on mindset traps — those sneaky thought patterns that keep us moms stuck in anxiety, guilt, and overthinking, especially as our kids grow up and need us differently. You’ll learn how your mindset can either keep you in constant reaction mode or help you create calm, connection, and confidence, even when life feels uncertain.
I’ll explain why your brain is wired to crave comfort and control (and how that makes letting go so uncomfortable), and I’ll show you how to start working with your mind instead of against it. If you’ve been feeling drained by the push and pull between wanting to help and needing to step back, this conversation will help you set boundaries with love, reduce anxiety, and begin finding purpose again — not through your kids, but within yourself.
Motherhood in this season isn’t just about letting go of your kids. It’s about letting go of everything in your mind that’s holding you back from peace, joy, and freedom in your next chapter. Join me to find out how!
💡 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.
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