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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:

The Holiday Overwhelm Moms of Teens Don’t Talk About — Finding Calm, Connection, and Presence | Ep. 76| Ep. 76 Nov 18, 2023

Show notes

As a mom of teens, the holidays hit differently now. I want to create joy, tradition, and connection—but underneath the twinkling lights is a quiet pressure that leaves me anxious, overwhelmed, and often carrying the emotional burden alone. In this episode, I open up about the deep ambivalence that so many moms feel this time of year: the joy and the dread, the gratitude and the guilt, the connection and the disconnection—all swirling in the same moment.

We’ll explore how this mindset of perfectionism and over-responsibility quietly pulls us out of the present, fuels overthinking, and disconnects us from the very peace we’re chasing. You’ll learn why emotional regulation is the foundation for letting go of unrealistic expectations and how embracing both the magic and the mess is the real path to feeling more grounded.

This conversation is for any mom navigating the complexity of parenting teens and young adults through the holidays—and longing to feel more present, more calm, and more like herself.

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.

Letting Go on the College Tour — A Mindset Shift for Moms of Teens | Ep. 75 Nov 11, 2023

Show notes

I used to think the college process was all about helping my teen succeed. But this past week, during a whirlwind of campus tours with one son and Parents Weekend with the other, I realized just how much my own mindset has shifted. This episode isn’t just about college visits—it’s about the emotional rollercoaster we ride as moms of teens and how our hopes, expectations, and anxiety can quietly morph into pressure, overthinking, and attempts to control.

I share candidly about how my own fears and guilt played out during my older son’s journey—and how they impacted our connection. And I reflect on how emotional regulation and letting go (the real kind) have changed everything about how I show up now. This isn’t about checking a box or getting into the “right” school. It’s about trusting your teen to define success on their own terms—and learning how to love and support them without losing yourself.

If you’ve ever found yourself awake at night worrying about your teen’s future, this one’s for you. Let’s talk about mindset, motherhood, and the gift of truly seeing our kids for who they are—right now.

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.

Emotional Reasoning — The Trap That Makes Moms Believe Their Anxiety, Guilt, and Fear Are Facts | Ep. 74 Nov 04, 2023

Show notes

Have you ever felt anxious, guilty, or afraid—and assumed it meant something was wrong with your teen, your parenting, or even you? In this episode, I explore one of the most powerful and sneaky mindset traps moms face: emotional reasoning. This is the trap where we mistake our feelings for facts—and it’s a major reason we stay stuck in overthinking, self-doubt, and emotional chaos.

As a mom of teens navigating everything from school struggles to social drama to the looming empty nest, I know firsthand how intense our emotions can get. But what if our mindset—not our circumstances—is what’s creating all that stress? I walk you through how this trap plays out in everyday parenting moments, from unreturned texts to college anxiety, and how we can learn to regulate our emotions, trust our teens, and let go of control without disconnecting.

This episode is for every mom who wants to stop reacting out of fear and start responding from a place of clarity, connection, and self-trust.

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.

Identity Crisis — Letting Go, Losing Yourself, and Starting Again as a Mom of Teens | Ep. 73 Oct 28, 2023

Show notes

When my son started to pull away, I panicked. I thought I was losing him—and, in many ways, I was. But what I didn’t expect was how much of myself I’d lose in the process. In this episode, I open up about one of the most profound mindset traps I’ve experienced as a mom of teens: the identity crisis that hits long before the empty nest actually begins.

Motherhood has been my purpose, my structure, and my emotional anchor. But as my kids grow up and push for independence, I’ve had to face the grief, the anxiety, and the disorientation that comes with letting go of being the caregiver, the cop, even the coach—and trying to figure out who I am beyond all that.

This conversation is for every mom who feels stuck in overthinking, self-doubt, or the quiet heartbreak of disconnection. It’s about emotional regulation, self-discovery, and learning how to reclaim your identity and confidence in this next chapter. Because you are not just a mom. You’re a woman who still has so much life—and love—left to live.

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 Mindset Traps Moms Don’t Talk About — A Real Conversation on Perfection, Comparison, and Letting Go with Ali Flynn | Ep. 72 Oct 21, 2023

Show notes

This week, I had the gift of sitting down with Ali Flynn, the creator of Hang In There, Mama, and a fellow mom walking the wild ride of raising teens and young adults. Our conversation was deeply honest—about perfectionism, comparison, emotional regulation, and the ways we as moms lose ourselves while trying to hold everything (and everyone) together.

We opened up about what it’s like to parent teens in a world flooded with unrealistic expectations—from body image to social media pressures—and how both our daughters and sons struggle silently. We talked about mindset traps like all-or-nothing thinking, guilt, and overthinking, and how they show up for both us and our kids. Most importantly, we talked about how letting go—not just of control, but of outdated ideas about what motherhood "should" look like—is the only path to feeling connected, confident, and grounded.

Whether you're a mom of teens dealing with anxiety, setting boundaries, or simply wondering, “Is this enough?”—this episode will remind you that you are not alone. Join us for an honest, compassionate conversation that’s packed with encouragement and the kind of truth we don’t always see online.

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.

Personalization (aka Mom Guilt) — The Mindset Trap That Keeps You Stuck in Overthinking and Disconnection | Ep. 71| Oct 14, 2023

Show notes

Guilt used to drive my parenting. If my teen was struggling, it must have been something I did. If I lost my temper, I spiraled in shame. And if I tried to set a boundary? I felt selfish. In this episode, I dig deep into the mindset trap of mom guilt—how it sneaks in, how it drives overthinking and anxiety, and how it quietly disconnects us from the very kids we’re trying to protect.

I’ll share why guilt is often mistaken for love, how it impacts our ability to parent teens with confidence, and what it takes to shift into a healthier mindset rooted in emotional regulation, clarity, and connection—not self-blame.

Whether you're dealing with daily blowups, the long goodbye of the empty nest, or the silent second-guessing that creeps in every night, this episode offers real tools for letting go of guilt and reclaiming your peace in motherhood.

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.

Perfectionism — Why Moms of Teens Struggle to Let Go and Still Don’t Feel Good Enough | Ep. 70 Oct 07, 2023

Show notes

Being forced to slow down this week gave me the space to reflect on something that’s been simmering for a while: perfectionism. Not the kind we brag about in job interviews—but the kind that quietly runs the show in motherhood, parenting teens, and navigating the empty nest.

Whether or not you call yourself a “perfectionist,” this mindset trap is sneaky. It shows up as guilt, overthinking, needing control, and always feeling like you’re not doing enough—even when you're doing everything. We talk about the pressure to be a "good mom," how anxiety, self-worth, and societal expectations feed into our impossible standards, and what it really costs us emotionally.

If you’ve ever felt like your teen’s happiness, success, and future somehow depend entirely on you, or if you’re burnt out trying to meet everyone else’s expectations, this episode is for you. You’ll walk away with mindset shifts and tools to release the pressure, set healthier boundaries, and finally feel some peace—in both your parenting and in your own life.

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.

All or Nothing — The Mindset Trap That Keeps Moms Overwhelmed, Burned Out, and Disconnected | Ep. 69 Sep 30, 2023

Show notes

I used to believe that if I couldn’t do something perfectly, it wasn’t worth doing at all. That belief didn’t just show up in my goals—it showed up in my parenting, my marriage, my mindset, and my relationship with myself. In this episode, I unpack the all-or-nothing trap—a pattern that so many moms of teens fall into without even realizing it.

This mindset shows up when we think we’re either amazing or failing, calm or spiraling, totally connected with our teen or completely shut out. It creates emotional overwhelm, fuels anxiety, and disconnects us from the real progress and connection that lives in the in-between.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in extremes, trying to do it all or giving up entirely, this episode will help you understand what’s really going on and how to shift. We’ll talk about emotional regulation, letting go of rigid expectations, and how to reclaim a mindset that gives you permission to be human—and still be enough.

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 Comparison Trap — How Moms of Teens Lose Confidence and Connection Trying to Measure Up | Ep. 68 Sep 23, 2023

Show notes

I didn’t think I struggled with comparison—until I realized how often I measured my parenting, my kids, and even my worth against what I saw in other moms. In this episode, we dive into the comparison trap, one of the most emotionally draining mindsets for moms parenting teens and preparing for the empty nest.

Comparison doesn’t always look like jealousy. Sometimes it sounds like “Why is her teen thriving while mine struggles?” or “I should have done more.” It fuels anxiety, guilt, and overthinking, and it disconnects us from the very people we love the most—including ourselves.

I’ll walk you through how this trap impacts your mindset, how it shows up in subtle ways, and what it takes to reclaim your peace, confidence, and clarity. If you're tired of feeling behind, not good enough, or constantly second-guessing yourself, this episode offers a fresh way forward—rooted in truth, not comparison.

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.

Validation Trap — How Seeking Approval from Your Teen Keeps You Stuck | Mindset #3 | Ep. 67 Sep 16, 2023

Show notes

As a mom navigating the complexities of parenting teens, it’s easy to fall into the habit of looking to our kids for emotional validation, approval, and a sense of self-worth. But when our kids start pulling away, asserting independence, or heading off to college, we can feel unmoored—like our gravitational center has disappeared.

In this conversation, I unpack how seeking validation from our teens can lead to anxiety, low self-esteem, and even resentment. I share why this pattern is rooted in our brain’s natural desire to seek pleasure and avoid pain—and how it can quietly shape how we show up in our relationships.

If you’ve ever thought, “I’ll feel like a good mom when my teen shows me love, gratitude, or success,” this episode is for you. Let’s explore how to find emotional validation from within—so you can feel calm, grounded, and whole in this season of motherhood.

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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