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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:

Trusting Yourself — The Mom Who's Ready to Let Go of the Guilt and Lead with Confidence | Ep. 106 Jun 15, 2024

Show notes

There comes a moment in every mom’s life—usually somewhere between the chaos of the teen years and the quiet of the empty nest—when you realize you’ve been so focused on keeping your kids safe, happy, and successful that you’ve lost sight of yourself. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on why this podcast exists, how I got here as a coach and mom, and what it really means to trust yourself. I’ll show you how peace, parenting, and purpose all begin with one thing: deciding to believe you already have what it takes to move forward. If you’re ready to stop second-guessing yourself, release the guilt, and rediscover your identity in motherhood and beyond—this is your starting place.

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 End-of-School-Year Overwhelm — To The Mom Who Holds It All Together While Falling Apart Inside | Ep. 105 Jun 08, 2024

Show notes

Is it just me, or do we moms bear the brunt of the responsibility for the end of year celebrations and our kids' transition to summer? Your kid might be taking final exams and you're supporting them through that stress. Your child could have just graduated, and you've planned countless celebrations, hosted family, and attended endless "lasts". Or maybe your college kid is back home and suddenly there's more laundry, more mess, more groceries needed. There is so much to celebrate and look forward to, but as a mom, you might also be feeling a lot of stress, anxiety, and frustration. If this is you, you're definitely not alone. Join me as I work through my own end of school year overwhelm.

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 Guardian Mom — The Mom Who Lives to Protect Her Teen and Struggles to Let Go of the Worry — Archetype #1 | Ep. 104 Jun 01, 2024

Show notes

Being the mom who sees every risk, anticipates every need, and quietly absorbs the worry feels like love—until it starts to feel like fear. The Guardian Mom wants nothing more than to keep her teen safe, but in the season of letting go, that fierce protection can become emotional exhaustion. In this episode, I explore how the drive to protect can turn into anxiety, why we carry it so silently, and how to start building trust—not just in our kids, but in ourselves. This is for every mom who feels the weight of doing it all, holding it all, and never quite knowing how to let it 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.

What Type of Mom Are You? — Why Understanding Your Mind Changes Everything in Motherhood | Ep. 103 May 25, 2024

Show notes

We spend so much time worrying we’re not doing enough—overthinking our parenting, second-guessing our instincts, and comparing ourselves to other moms who seem to have it all together. But what if the way you love, lead, and show up is already powerful… even when it doesn’t feel like it? In this episode, I introduce four core Mom Archetypes—the Guardian, Achiever, Nurturer, and Mentor—and explain how your natural strengths might also be what’s tripping you up. You’ll hear how each type brings something beautiful to motherhood—and how embracing your style can help you find peace, confidence, and purpose as you let go and raise your teen.

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.

Lessons I Wish I Knew Sooner — Learning to Love My Teen Without Conditions and Let Go With Grace | Ep. 102 May 18, 2024

Show notes

Motherhood has taught me a thousand lessons—but none more important than how to love without conditions. This episode is personal. I open up about what it felt like to bring my son home after his first year of college, the joy and pain of watching him grow, and the hard-earned truths I’ve learned about parenting, expectations, and letting go. You’ll hear how the idea of unconditional love has taken on new meaning for me—and how learning to respect my teen’s choices, even when I disagree, has brought more peace and connection than control ever could. If you’re deep in the messy middle of motherhood and wondering how to love your teen as they are—not as you wish they’d be—this episode is for 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.

Regret, Guilt, and the “What Ifs” — For the Mom Who’s Ready to Let Go of the Past | Ep. 101 May 11, 2024

Show notes

Regret has a way of creeping in when we least expect it—especially in motherhood. Sometimes it sounds like, “I should’ve done more,” or “Why did I let that happen?” Whether it’s about parenting choices, missed moments, or how we’ve cared for ourselves along the way, the weight of guilt and regret can be heavy—and it can keep us stuck. In this episode, I break down the difference between regret and guilt, why we so often blame ourselves for things out of our control, and how to challenge the mindset traps that keep us looking backward. If you’re ready to stop letting regret define your story and start taking your next best step forward, this episode is for 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.

The Managed Mindset — Letting Go of Overthinking, Guilt, and Emotional Chaos while Raising Teens | Ep. 100 May 04, 2024

Show notes

It’s easy to feel like life is happening to us—especially in this season of raising teens and preparing for the empty nest. We care so deeply that we absorb all the worry, guilt, and stress, and then wonder why we’re constantly overwhelmed. In this episode, I explain what it really means to have a “managed mindset” and how it can transform your experience of motherhood. This isn’t about toxic positivity or pretending everything’s fine—it’s about learning to observe your thoughts, challenge old stories, and step back into the driver’s seat of your emotional life. If you're ready to feel more confident, peaceful, and present—even when life doesn’t go as planned—this episode will show you where to start.

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 Judgment Mindset — How Labels, Guilt, and Overthinking Keep Moms of Teens Stuck in Anxiety | Ep. 99 Apr 27, 2024

Show notes

Judging ourselves is second nature—we question our parenting, criticize our choices, and even feel guilty for just having negative thoughts. But that judgment doesn’t stop with us. It shows up in how we see our teens, our relationships, and the world around us. In this episode, I’m unpacking the Judgment Mindset Trap and the four ways it plays out: mind reading, labeling, overgeneralization, and emotional reasoning. These patterns are so common in motherhood, especially in the teen and empty nest years—but they keep us stuck in anxiety, self-doubt, and constant overthinking. If you’re ready to challenge the thoughts that are wearing you down and create more peace in your relationships and in your mind, this episode is your first step.

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 Validation-Seeking Mindset — How Comparison, Perfectionism, and People-Pleasing Keep Moms Feeling Not Enough | Ep. 98 Apr 20, 2024

Show notes

Sometimes I don’t even realize I’m doing it—comparing myself, needing reassurance, wondering if I’ve done enough, or if my teen thinks I’m a good mom. But when my self-worth depends on their approval—or anyone else’s—it leaves me anxious, reactive, and disconnected from who I really am. In this episode, I dive into the validation-seeking mindset and the four traps that go with it: perfectionism, comparison, identity crisis, and people-pleasing. I’ll show you why this pattern feels so hard to escape—and how letting go of external validation is the key to reclaiming your confidence, your peace, and your power.

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 L.O.V.E. Technique — A Mindset Reset for Moms Who Feel Overwhelmed, Anxious, and Stuck in Overthinking | Ep. 97 Apr 13, 2024

Show notes

There are days when motherhood feels like too much—when the weight of worry, responsibility, and overthinking leaves me anxious and exhausted. I created the L.O.V.E. Technique because I needed a way to step off that emotional rollercoaster and reclaim some peace. In this episode, I walk you through the four-part process I use with my clients (and myself!) to shift from overwhelm to clarity: Learn, Observe, Verify, and Empower. This isn’t about ignoring the hard stuff—it’s about changing how you relate to it. If you're ready to feel more grounded, confident, and emotionally free in motherhood and beyond, this is the place to start.

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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