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Kids & Family

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:

Overcoming Worry and Anxiety - How Moms Can Reclaim Peace While Raising Teens | Ep. 126 Nov 02, 2024

Show notes

Welcome back to the second episode in Small Jar's new series where we’re diving into the one thing holding so many of us back from creating the happiness we crave in midlife. In this episode, I’m diving into one of the most common obstacles we face in midlife—worry. Whether it’s our kids, our relationships, or uncertainty about the future, worry can consume us, leaving us feeling powerless and disconnected from the moments that matter most. I’ll explore why our minds are wired for worry and how it keeps us stuck. Whether your mind falls prey to mindset traps or if you find yourself trying to control the people or outcomes around you, all of this only serves to heighten anxiety. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by worry, join me to discover how you can reclaim your peace, set powerful boundaries, and show up for yourself with intention.

Curious about coaching with Small Jar? Check out our Mom 2.0 coaching program: www.thesmalljar.com/Mom-2-0

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.

From Overwhelmed to Empowered: Overcoming the One Obstacle That Keeps Moms of Teens Stuck | Ep. 125 Oct 26, 2024

Show notes

Welcome to a brand-new series on the Small Jar Podcast where we’re diving into the one thing holding so many of us back from creating the happiness we crave in midlife. If you’re a mom of teens or an empty nester, feeling like your world is shifting as your kids grow more independent, you’re not alone. What if I told you that there's one obstacle keeping you stuck, and that understanding this obstacle emotion is the key to unlocking a new chapter of peace, purpose, and joy in your life. In this episode, I’ll break down why this obstacle is so difficult to overcome, why the typical solutions don’t work, and how you can finally overcome it. If you're ready to get unstuck and start living the life that you want, join me for this new series launch!

Curious about coaching with Small Jar? Check out our Mom 2.0 coaching program: www.thesmalljar.com/Mom-2-0

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.

This Moment Will Never Come Again: A Wake-Up Call for Moms of Teens in Transition | Ep . 124 Oct 19, 2024

Show notes

As moms in midlife, we face a lot of challenges. In this week's episode, I'm diving into something that’s been heavy on my heart lately—navigating my son's senior year, the pressure of college applications, and all the emotions that come with it. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by stress or found yourself worrying endlessly about your child’s future, you’ll want to listen in.

I'll be sharing the roller coaster of emotions I've been experiencing, and more importantly, how I’ve been working through it all. But here’s the twist—it's not just about managing anxiety or forcing gratitude. It’s about truly understanding how our minds work, why those stressful thoughts show up, and what it means to be present even when life feels chaotic.

So, if you’re ready to explore how to find peace in the midst of the storm, how to recognize the purpose behind your thoughts, and how to see the beauty in your life—even when it’s messy—this episode is for you. Join me as we unpack the journey of embracing both the joy and the challenge of these pivotal moments.

Curious about coaching with Small Jar? Check out our Mom 2.0 coaching program: www.thesmalljar.com/Mom-2-0

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.

Who’s Taking Care of You? A Mom’s Survival Guide to Letting Go Without Falling Apart | Ep. 123 Oct 12, 2024

Show notes

No matter how old your child, no matter what else you have on your plate, I bet you drop everything if they need you. It's just what we do as moms. You do everything in your power to support their dreams. We're working so hard to support the needs of everyone else in our life. But, who's taking care of us? Even though we wouldn't trade anything for the gift of being a mom, this sense of purpose and meaning doesn't solve for the anxiety and stress we can feel as we navigate raising and launching our kids. It doesn't solve for the loneliness we start to feel as our kids become busier in their lives and eventually leave home. In this episode, I explore the question - who's taking care of you. And how you can learn to take care of yourself on a deeper level than ever before.

Curious about coaching with Small Jar? Check out our Mom 2.0 coaching program: www.thesmalljar.com/Mom-2-0

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 Letting Go Isn’t What You Think? A Mindset Shift for Moms of Teens in Transition | Ep. 122 Oct 05, 2024

Show notes

Let's talk about this phrase, "letting go." As we raise our teens and approach the empty nest, the thought of "letting go" of our kids is painful. It can make us feel like we need to hold on tighter, or dread a time when we really will have to let go. We think it means we have to let go of our desire to keep our kids safe and help them be happy and successful. We can think he means we have to let go of our connection with our kids, and the deep purpose we have felt as moms. Is it any wonder that it's hard to let these precious things go? But in this episode, I ask you to consider, do you really need to let your dreams for your child, or even your purpose as a mom go? If you're struggling as your teen grows up, this episode will empower you to know that you never have to let go of your child. In fact, you can create the love and connection you want with them, no matter how far away they go.

Curious about coaching with Small Jar? Check out our Mom 2.0 coaching program: www.thesmalljar.com/Mom-2-0

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.

When You’re Not Sure What to Do Next: A Mindset Reset for Moms of Teens | Ep. 121 Sep 28, 2024

Show notes

How often does the phrase, "I don't know," come to mind or out of your mouth?

I don't know how to get my teen to listen.
I don't know why my daughter is always angry.
I don't know whether I should get involved.
I don't know what I should do next.

Sound familiar?

There are some times where you literally don't know. In other words, there are facts that you don't have. Other times, we fall into what I call the "I Don't Know" mindset....when we tell ourselves that we don't know because we want to protect ourselves from pain. The problem is, when we tell ourselves "I don't know", and we fear the possibility of pain, what we're actually doing is staying stuck in pain.

In this week’s episode of the Small Jar Podcast, I dive into how to understand the "I Don't Know" mindset...and how to empower yourself to decide how to move forward.

Curious about coaching with Small Jar? Check out our Mom 2.0 coaching program: www.thesmalljar.com/Mom-2-0

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.

Stop Giving Everyone Else Control Over How You Feel: A Mindset Shift for Moms Letting Go | Ep. 120 Sep 21, 2024

Show notes

If you've ever found yourself caught in a whirlwind of frustration, resentment, or feeling out of control because of how others are behaving—whether it's your kids, your spouse, or others in your life—you are not alone. Most of us give away our emotional power waiting for others to behave a certain way so we can feel okay. The problem is, this keeps us dependent on the circumstances of our lives going perfectly, and when they inevitably don't align with our hopes and expectations, we find ourselves stuck in painful emotion. Join me in this episode as I share how to create emotional intention so you can show up in your life with strength and peace, regardless of what's happening around you.

Curious about coaching with Small Jar? Check out our Mom 2.0 coaching program: www.thesmalljar.com/Mom-2-0

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.

Believe in Yourself Like You Believe in Your Teen: The Mentor Mom Mindset Shift | Ep. 119 Sep 14, 2024

Show notes

One thing I love about being a mom is that I get to believe my in boys' potential, even when they can't see it. In fact, I am so fiercely dedicated to my belief in their potential, that there is nothing that can convince me they don't deserve all of the happiness and success their hearts can hold. But with ourselves, we're pretty quick to give up on our own potential. Or we wait for evidence to help us believe it. Whether we're looking for validation from others, or proof of our progress. The result is frustration and disappointment. And even worse, staying stuck. In this episode, I take a fresh look at the Mentor Mindset and how the skillset we have as we champion and coach our own kids is exactly the same mindset that can empower us to reach our own potential.

Curious about coaching with Small Jar? Check out our Mom 2.0 coaching program: www.thesmalljar.com/Mom-2-0

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.

The Advice You Give Your Teen Is the Wisdom You Need Most as a Mom in Midlife | Ep. 118 Sep 07, 2024

Show notes

As moms, we have really good advice. We want the best for our kids and we have a lot of experience in life that our kids don't have. But what's interesting is that the advice we give our kids is often the very same advice we need to hear ourselves. But how often do we actually take our own advice? In this episode, I share my personal experiences and examples from my coaching practice to help you see the wisdom you already have within you. Join me as we reflect on this sage advice and discover how to step into a more empowered and compassionate version of yourself.

Curious about coaching with Small Jar? Check out our Mom 2.0 coaching program: www.thesmalljar.com/Mom-2-0

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.

Senior Year: Letting Go, Showing Up, and Finding Peace in the In-Between Before the Empty Nest | Ep. 117 Aug 31, 2024

Show notes

As a mom entering your child’s senior year of high school, you feel deeply the weight of the change to come. With each micro-goodbye, each "last", you feel closer to that time when you will have to say goodbye to your child. I've been down this road before with my older son, and as I approach my baby's senior year, I thought I would share the intentions I am going into this year with to be sure that I stay in the moment and support my son in the best way I can. I have learned that by becoming more intentional about your thoughts and how they shape your emotions, you harness the power to create any even deeper and more impactful connection with your child and also with yourself. This year is a pivotal time, full of bittersweet moments. Join me as we embrace all of it together.

Curious about coaching with Small Jar? Check out our Mom 2.0 coaching program: www.thesmalljar.com/Mom-2-0

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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