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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:

Relationship Goals with Your Teen — A Mom’s Guide to Parenting Teens Without Losing the Relationship | Ep. 86 Jan 27, 2024

Show notes

The older my kids get, the more I realize: parenting isn’t about control—it’s about connection. But that’s so much easier said than done, especially when your teen is pulling away or making choices you don’t understand. In this episode, I share what it means to set real relationship goals with our kids—not based on fear, guilt, or perfection, but on empathy, trust, and presence. You’ll hear how I’ve learned to move from reactivity to regulation, from fixing to guiding, and how to stay rooted in the kind of connection that lasts long after they’ve left home. If you're navigating the messy middle of motherhood and want to rebuild or protect your relationship with your teen, this episode will help you find your way back.

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 Empty Nest Straddle — The Emotional Tug of Parenting Teens and Facing the Empty Nest| Ep. 85 Jan 20, 2024

Show notes

There’s a moment in motherhood that no one prepares you for—the one where your child is pulling away, and every instinct tells you to hold on. In this episode, I talk about what I call the Empty Nest Straddle—that emotional space between still feeling responsible for your teen and realizing they’re stepping into their own life. It’s a tug-of-war between purpose and powerlessness, love and letting go. I share my own story, the guilt, the control, the fears—and what it took for me to begin releasing my grip and creating a new identity as a mom. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Who am I if they don’t need me anymore?”—this one’s 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.

Habit Goals That Actually Stick — A Mindset Shift for Midlife Moms Craving Peace, Purpose, and Self-Trust | Ep. 84 Jan 13, 2024

Show notes

I used to think that setting goals meant pushing harder—doing more, fixing myself, keeping up. But all that hustle left me feeling more overwhelmed, not more fulfilled. In this episode, I share a new way to think about habit goals—especially for moms navigating the teen years and the emotional shift of the empty nest. You’ll learn how to set goals from a place of self-awareness, peace, and purpose, not guilt or perfectionism. If you’re ready to feel more grounded, aligned, and confident in how you show up every day, this episode will help you start small, go deep, and build habits that actually feel like 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.

Redefining Body Goals for Moms in Midlife — Why Mindset, Not Willpower, Changes Everything | Ep. 83 Jan 06, 2024

Show notes

I’ve set body goals for decades—but the real work wasn’t about finding the perfect plan. It was about rewriting the mindset that made me feel like I’d already failed. In this episode, I share what finally helped me break free from the guilt, overthinking, and “all or nothing” mentality that so many of us moms carry when it comes to weight, exercise, and self-image. If you’ve ever felt defeated before you even began, or sabotaged your goals out of frustration or shame, this episode will show you a different way. One that starts with self-love, curiosity, and a belief that you can trust yourself again.

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.

Redefining Resolutions — A Midlife Mom’s Guide to Becoming Who You’re Meant to Be | Ep. 82 Dec 30, 2023

Show notes

This isn’t your typical New Year’s pep talk. I’m not giving you a checklist or another resolution to chase. In this episode, I share the truth I’ve lived into this past year: that the most powerful change we can make as moms is to decide—on purpose—who we want to be. Not just for our kids, but for ourselves. I talk about the mindset shifts that freed me from perfectionism, the emotional work that helped me stop outsourcing my peace, and what it means to evolve into Mom 2.0. If you're ready to stop hustling for worth, let go of what’s not working, and step into the next version of yourself with confidence and clarity—this episode is your invitation.

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 12 Holiday Mindset Traps — Why Moms of Teens Feel So Much Pressure This Season | Ep. 81 Dec 23, 2023

Show notes

The holidays are supposed to be magical—but if you’re anything like me, you’re feeling more stress, anxiety, and guilt than peace and joy. In this episode, I walk through the 12 mindset traps that sneak up on us this time of year—especially as moms of teens and college kids navigating the emotional chaos of a not-quite-empty nest.

We talk about everything from mind-reading and perfectionism to overthinking, control, and the fear of the unknown. And I don’t just name the traps—I help you start to loosen their grip, so you can find more calm, connection, and self-compassion in the middle of it all.

If you’ve been beating yourself up, trying to make everyone else happy, or feeling like something’s wrong with you for not loving this season more, this episode is your permission slip to pause, breathe, and start letting go—on your terms.

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.

Mind Reading — The Mindset Trap That Fuels Guilt, Overthinking, and Disconnection for Moms of Teens | Ep. 80 Dec 16, 2023

Show notes

As a mom of teens, I used to spend so much time trying to read between the lines—guessing what my kids were thinking, how they were feeling, and whether I’d done something wrong. It felt like I was constantly walking on eggshells, trying to stay ahead of an emotional explosion or fix something I didn’t even fully understand. That’s the mindset trap of mind reading, and it’s one of the biggest sources of anxiety, guilt, and overthinking for moms in the parenting-teen and empty nest seasons.

In this episode, I unpack why this trap is so sneaky and exhausting—how it disconnects us from our kids and erodes our confidence as moms. You’ll learn how emotional regulation and mindset shifts can help you stop making assumptions, start letting go of what you can’t control, and build real connection with your teen instead.

If you're tired of second-guessing yourself, jumping to conclusions, or spinning in stories that leave you feeling anxious or disconnected, this episode is your invitation to pause, breathe, and trust what's true.

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.

Fear of the Unknown — The Mindset Trap That Keeps Moms Anxious and Stuck as They Launch Teens | Ep. 79 | Ep. 79 Dec 09, 2023

Show notes

There’s a moment in motherhood when you look up and realize your teen is about to take flight—and suddenly, everything about the future feels uncertain. In this episode, I unpack the fear of the unknown, a powerful mindset trap that fuels anxiety, overthinking, and the need to control things we simply can’t.

As a mom of teens, I know how easy it is to spiral into guilt or fear—especially when we feel disconnected from our kids or unsure what life will look like after they leave home. But understanding how this fear works on a brain level (and how emotional regulation and mindset shifts can help) is the key to letting go with more peace and less panic.

We talk about why uncertainty feels so overwhelming, how it plays out in parenting teens, and how you can reconnect with yourself—your calm, confident self—even in the middle of big unknowns.

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.

Labeling — The Mindset Trap That Damages Connection and Shapes How Moms See Their Teens | Ep. 78 Dec 02, 2023

Show notes

As moms of teens, it’s so easy to fall into the habit of labeling—our kids, our partners, even ourselves. We call them lazy, dramatic, gifted, or rebellious. We call ourselves anxious, stuck, impatient, or unmotivated. But these labels—while they might feel like shortcuts—can quietly shape the way we parent, how we connect, and even how we define our identity in this season of motherhood.

In this episode, I explore the mindset trap of labeling, why our brains do it, and how it often backfires by fueling guilt, overthinking, anxiety, and disconnection. You’ll learn why even seemingly harmless labels can create emotional distance, especially during the sensitive and identity-forming teen years. We’ll also talk about how to practice emotional regulation, shift your mindset, and start letting go of the rigid stories you’ve been telling about yourself and your child. Because behind every label is a human who deserves to be seen more fully—including 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 Holiday Overwhelm Moms of Teens Don’t Talk About — Part II | Ep. 77 Nov 25, 2023

Show notes

We talk a lot about “being present,” especially during the holidays—but let’s be honest: as a mom of teens, sometimes the present moment feels more frustrating than fulfilling. In this episode, I get real about what it actually means to stay grounded in the now, especially when your mind is spinning with anxiety, guilt, overthinking, and holiday pressure.

I open up about my own experience trying to be more mindful during Thanksgiving—and how boredom, overwhelm, and unmet expectations made it surprisingly hard. We explore how mindset traps, like perfectionism and control, hijack our emotional regulation and disconnect us from the peace and connection we’re craving.

Whether you’re deep in the parenting-teen years or transitioning to the empty nest, this conversation is about letting go—not of your people, but of the mental noise that keeps you from fully living your life. Because being present isn’t just about calm—it’s about courage, awareness, and reclaiming your power moment by moment.

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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