The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar Coach

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.

Latest Episodes:

“My Kid Doesn't Like Me”—Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 166 Jul 16, 2025

Show notes

Absolutely—here’s a refined version in your voice: warm, grounded, emotionally honest, and empowering, with the right mix of personal connection and clear value:

Have you ever thought, “My kid doesn’t even like me”—and then felt a mix of heartbreak and shame, because you can’t believe this is where you’ve ended up after everything you’ve poured into them?

If so, you’re not alone. I’ve been there too. And I’ve coached so many moms who’ve sat with this exact fear in silence, wondering what they did wrong and how to fix it.

In this episode, I’m sharing a really personal story about a time when I felt totally disconnected from one of the people I love most—when every attempt to bridge the gap only seemed to push us further apart. And I’ll walk you through what I’ve learned since then about why this happens and how we can begin to find our footing again.

Here’s what you’ll take away from this conversation:

How to recognize one of the tricky mindset traps you might be falling into with your teen—and why it never brings the connection you want
A simple shift to stop needing their reassurance so you can show up from strength instead of fear
What it looks like to love your child unconditionally… even when they’re not making it easy

If things feel strained or distant with your teen or adult child right now, this episode will help you breathe a little deeper—and start showing up in a way that feels more like you.

✨ Want to go deeper in this work with me? 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 in the Empty Nest Straddle—How Moms Can Let Go Without Losing Themselves | Ep. 165 Jul 12, 2025

Show notes

Are you a mom navigating the wild terrain of parenting teens — where one minute they need you and the next they’re pushing you away? Then this episode will show you that you're not alone.

I call this stretch of motherhood the Empty Nest Straddle™ — that long, uncertain season when you're still deeply involved in your kids' lives…while also learning to let go. It’s messy. Emotional. And completely normal. But most moms feel totally unprepared for it.

In this episode, I share:

Why uncertainty is the real reason this stage feels so overwhelming — and how your brain is wired to fight against it
The surprising truth about confidence (and why it’s not something you have to wait to “earn”)
What self-trust actually looks like in everyday moments with your teen — and how to start rebuilding it, even if you feel unsure
How you can feel more grounded, present, and proud of who you are right now, without needing to control everything or fix everyone

I also share parts of my own story — the hard lessons I’ve had to learn about control, fear, and trust — and how they’ve shaped my work as a coach.

This episode is an invitation to come back to yourself. To stop waiting for your teen to change in order to feel okay. And to remember that even in this messy middle, you have the power to show up with calm, confidence, and clarity.

✨ Want to go deeper in this work with me? 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.

“I’m Afraid I Messed My Kid Up.”—Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 164 Jul 09, 2025

Show notes

Have you ever looked at something your teen is doing and thought, “What if this is my fault?”
Maybe that you pushed too hard… or not hard enough. Maybe you missed a sign or set the wrong boundaries. If you've ever wondered whether you somehow messed up your kid, you're not alone.

In this episode, I open up about the fear so many moms of teens and college-age kids carry: that our choices, our reactions, or our mistakes in the past have damaged our children. And I explore how this fear isn’t a sign that you’ve failed—it’s a sign that you care deeply. You’ll learn how mindset traps like personalization and the illusion of control quietly fuel guilt, shame, and worst-case scenario thinking—especially when your teen is struggling and you feel helpless.

By the end of this episode, you’ll discover:

Why the belief that “I should’ve been able to prevent this” is a lie that keeps you stuck
How to shift out of guilt and self-blame into calm, confident parenting
A new way to view your teen’s struggle—so you can show up with love, not fear

🎯 Want to take this work deeper? Save your seat for the next free masterclass—click here to sign up: 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.

How to Manage the Anxiety of Parenting Teens: 4 Steps to Let Go Without Losing Control | Ep. 163 Jul 05, 2025

Show notes

Have you ever felt like your mind is constantly spinning with fear about your teen’s safety, choices, or future—and no matter how hard you try, you just can’t turn it off?
It's not just you. In fact, what's really going on is that you’re a mom trying to love and protect your child in a chapter that feels wildly out of your control.

In this episode, I’m sharing the real truth about the anxiety we moms of teens and empty nesters carry. From sleepless nights and worst-case thinking to panic and the urge to control my boys, I've been there. But there is a way to step off the rollercoaster. I’ll walk you through four powerful mindset shifts that will help you stop reacting from fear and start parenting from calm confidence.

You’ll learn:

How to interrupt anxiety before it spirals into control or panic
A proven 4-step process to regulate your emotions in the moment
How to shift from overthinking to intention—even when things feel uncertain or out of your hands

🎯 Want to take this work deeper? Save your seat for the next free masterclass—click here to sign up: 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.

“I Don’t Even Like My Kid.”—Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 162 Jul 02, 2025

Show notes

Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “I don’t even like my kid right now”—and then felt instantly ashamed?
If you’re parenting teens or navigating the empty nest, this thought might sound shocking… but it’s far more common than you think.

In this honest and validating new series, I'm exploring the thoughts we moms are most ashamed to admit out loud—and I'll explain why they don’t make you a bad mom, but they might just be a sign that your mind is trying to protect you from the pain, frustration, and disconnection we so often feel in motherhood.

Here’s what you’ll walk away with:

A fresh understanding of how mindset traps like personalization and emotional reasoning fuel guilt and anxiety
Clarity on why your emotional reactions (like nagging or jumping in to fix) actually make sense
A powerful mindset shift to help you reclaim connection, let go of anxiety, and feel more confident in your role as a mom

🎯 Want to take this work deeper? Save your seat for the next free masterclass—click here to sign up: 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.

Hard to Break Habits, Explained — What Nagging Really Solves for Moms of Teens | Ep. 161 Jun 28, 2025

Show notes

Ever tell yourself, “I’ve got to stop nagging”—and then do it anyway?
Or find yourself falling into the same bad habit you wish you could just stop?
Whether it’s reminding your teen (again), pouring a glass of wine you swore you’d skip, or losing it after vowing to stay calm… you’re not alone. And there’s a reason these habits feel so hard to break.

In this episode, I share why these patterns—nagging, numbing, controlling—aren’t just bad habits. They’re emotional coping strategies rooted in how your brain tries to manage fear, overwhelm, and disconnection in motherhood. If you're parenting teens or approaching the empty nest, and stuck in habits you don’t like but can’t seem to change, this episode will show you there’s nothing wrong with you—and that real change is possible.

Here’s what you’ll take away from this episode:

Why nagging and other unwanted behaviors are your brain’s attempt to solve emotional discomfort
How unprocessed feelings like resentment and anxiety quietly drive your actions (and what to do instead)
A powerful question you can ask yourself to begin breaking free of the cycle—without just relying on willpower

🎯 Want to take this work deeper? Save your seat for the next free masterclass—click here to sign up: 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.

The Approval Trap: How Moms Parenting Teens Can Rebuild Confidence After Years of Putting Others First - Trap #12 | Ep. 160 Jun 21, 2025

Show notes

Are you a mom of teens or young adults who finds herself constantly second-guessing decisions, holding back your opinions, or putting your own desires on pause to keep others happy? You might be caught in the Approval Trap. And if you've spent years putting others first, it’s no wonder confidence feels hard to access right now.

In this episode of the Almost Empty Nest Podcast, I unpack Mindset Trap #12—the Approval Trap. This isn't just about people-pleasing. It's about how deeply motherhood conditions us to seek approval and shape our identity around what others need, expect, or value. You'll hear why it's so common to feel unsure of who you are as your teen becomes more independent, how people-pleasing patterns sneak into parenting decisions, and what it really takes to rebuild confidence when you’re no longer the center of your kids’ world.

If you're navigating the emotional rollercoaster of parenting teens, redefining your purpose, or learning to set boundaries without guilt, this episode offers a powerful reframe. You'll walk away with insight and encouragement to stop overthinking and start trusting yourself again so you can step into a more confident and grounded version of yourself.

🎯 Want to take this work deeper? Save your seat for the next free masterclass—click here to sign up: 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.

Why Letting Go with Your Teen Feels So Hard—Trap #11—Resisting Reality | Ep. 159 Jun 14, 2025

Show notes

Ever find yourself staring at your teen’s behavior thinking, this can’t be happening? Whether it’s a missed curfew, a cold shoulder, or the ache of disconnection, it’s so easy to fall into the trap of resisting what is — and it’s costing us more than we realize. In this episode, I’m diving deep into the mindset trap of resisting reality — what it looks like in parenting teens and almost-empty-nest life, how it connects to anxiety and emotional overwhelm, and why the harder we fight what’s happening, the more powerless we feel. But here’s the twist: resisting reality isn’t love — and it’s not control either. It’s war. And when we’re at war with reality, we lose every time.

You’ll learn:
💥 Why this trap is different from the “should” trap and how they often work together
💥 Three real-life examples of how this trap plays out for moms — from controlling curfews to pushing for connection and dismissing your own feelings
💥 What becomes possible when we stop resisting and start responding to our teens — and our lives — with clarity, intention, and self-trust

Letting go doesn’t mean giving up. It means reclaiming your power.

🎯 Want to take this work deeper? Save your seat for the next free masterclass—click here to sign up: 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.

You Don't Have to Let Go of Summer Expectations with Your Teen | Ep. 158 Jun 07, 2025

Show notes

If you pictured summer with your teen feeling relaxing, connected, maybe even joyful—but instead, you’re staring at a messy house, unpredictable schedules, and feeling more frustration than peace—you’re not alone. In this episode, I’m sharing what summer has looked like in my house so far—and how easy it is to get caught in disappointment when reality doesn’t match your hopes. But we’re not just talking about letting go of expectations.

In this episode you’ll learn:
✔️ Why even reasonable expectations can leave you feeling anxious, resentful, or disconnected
✔️ How to uncover the emotional need underneath what you’re hoping for
✔️ And how to shift from frustration to peace—without needing your teen to change

If you’re a mom of teens or college kids trying to stop overthinking, set better boundaries, and feel more grounded in this messy, in-between season… this one’s for you.

🎯 Want to take this work deeper? Save your seat for the next free masterclass—click here to sign up: 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.

The Identity Crisis: Letting Go, Finding Purpose, and Redefining Who You Are As Your Teens Grow Up - Trap #10 | Ep. 157 May 31, 2025

Show notes

There was a moment—standing in my kitchen, alone on a Saturday while my kids were out living their lives—when I asked myself, “Is this it? Who am I now?”

In this episode, I’m talking about the identity crisis so many of us face as moms of teens, college students, and young adults. Whether you're in the thick of middle school meltdowns or staring at an empty bedroom, the shift in how you're needed can leave you feeling invisible, untethered, and quietly asking, What’s my purpose now?

I’ll share how this trap has followed me through every stage—from folding laundry while my kids chased their dreams, to navigating emotional distance, to standing in the stillness of the empty nest. I’ll also explore why this mindset trap is so deeply rooted in how we’ve been wired to find validation, avoid pain, and define our worth by what we do for others.

If you’ve ever felt lost in this season of transition—or wondered how to find your way back to yourself—this episode is for you. You’ll hear my story, some powerful reflections, and the quiet truth that your purpose never left you… you’ve just been looking for it in all the wrong places. Let’s talk about how you move forward—not by reinventing who you are, but by finally deciding for yourself.

🎯 Want to take this work deeper? Save your seat for the next free masterclass—click here to sign up: 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.

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