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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:

Catastrophizing — The Trap That Keeps Moms Anxious, Overthinking, and Bracing for the Worst | Mindset #2 | Ep. 66 Sep 09, 2023

Show notes

I used to think I was just being prepared. But what I’ve come to realize is that I was stuck in a mindset trap: catastrophizing—constantly imagining the worst-case scenario and calling it “planning.” In this episode, I dive into how this pattern shows up for moms of teens and college kids, and why it’s so emotionally exhausting.

Whether you’re parenting through high school drama, college applications, or the early days of the empty nest, this mindset often drives our anxiety, fuels overthinking, and disconnects us from the truth of the present moment. I share how our brains are wired for this kind of emotional reactivity—and how emotional regulation and awareness can help you step out of the spiral.

We’ll talk about:

How catastrophizing disguises itself as “being a good mom”
Why it robs us of peace, presence, and trust in our teens
How to let go of fear-based parenting and reconnect with confidence

If you’ve ever felt like you’re constantly bracing for impact, this episode is your invitation to pause, breathe, and reclaim a calmer, clearer mindset—so you can parent from love, not fear.

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.

Confirmation Bias — The Mindset Trap That Distorts How Moms See Their Teens | Ep. 65 Sep 02, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, I open up about the powerful and often invisible mindset trap of confirmation bias, and how it can deeply impact our parenting experience, especially during the teen years and as we approach the empty nest. I share vulnerable moments from my own journey — the emotional rollercoaster of college move-in, the bittersweet tension of letting go, and a personal story about curfews and fear of disconnection — to show how our brains can convince us that our worst fears are true.

You’ll learn how confirmation bias, paired with negativity bias, can cause us to interpret our teen's actions in ways that reinforce our anxiety, frustration, and even grief. I’ll help you spot the signs, shift your perspective, and find clarity and connection with your teen, and most importantly, with yourself.

If you’ve ever caught yourself saying “My teen is pulling away,” or “I’m losing them,” this episode will help you reframe those thoughts and build a more connected and intentional mindset for this transitional 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.

Running Out of Time Parenting Teens — Letting Go of Guilt and Holding On to What Matters Most | Ep. 64 Aug 26, 2023

Show notes

When I first heard the statistic that we spend 90% of our time with our kids by the time they turn 18, my heart sank. That number hit me like a wave of regret, especially now that my son is officially an adult. Suddenly, all the ordinary moments—driving, cleaning, working—felt like missed chances for something more. And when one of my sons casually said, “We never really did anything as a family,” it pierced deeper than I expected. That’s when the guilt came rushing in.

In this episode, I open up about what it means to parent teens in the shadow of time’s passing—how we hold tight to the good, question if we did enough, and often find ourselves overthinking, worrying, and comparing our past to some imaginary perfect standard. This is about letting go of guilt and rewriting the story we tell ourselves about those 90% of moments we already lived.

Whether you're wrestling with mom guilt, struggling to stay present, or navigating the emotional roller coaster of the empty nest, this episode offers clarity and comfort. Because the truth is, the love and connection you built over the years can’t be measured in hours—and the joy you’re looking for in this next season? It’s not gone. It’s just waiting for you to notice it.

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 Success as a Mom — A Mindset Shift for Parenting Teens and Letting Go | Ep. 63 Aug 19, 2023

Show notes

If success as a mom isn’t about perfect grades, college acceptances, or constant hugs and thank-yous, then what is it really about?

In this episode, I dig deep into the emotional and mindset shift so many of us face as we move through parenting teens and into the empty nest years. I share personal stories—of gummy baby smiles, late-night curfews, and running out of gas—as I reflect on the expectations I’ve held for my kids and myself.

We talk about:

Why your vision of success as a mom might be outdated or unrealistic
How letting go of control (and guilt) opens the door to connection
The difference between authority and control—and why that matters now more than ever
What corporate strategy can teach us about setting realistic goals and shifting mindset as moms

Whether you're feeling anxious, overthinking your parenting decisions, or just wondering if you're doing enough, this episode will help you uncover your true parenting values—and give you the freedom to rewrite what success looks like in this messy, beautiful 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.

Lifelong Connection in Motherhood with Your Big Kids - Special Guest Esther Joy Goetz | Ep. 62 Aug 12, 2023

Show notes

I was honored to have author, influencer, connector and founder of Moms of Bigs, Esther Joy Goetz join me to talk about the lifelong journey of being a mom and how to create a lifelong connection with your children. Esther's motte is to "give our BIG KIDS (teens and young adults) the roots of love and the wings of freedom to be completely themselves." In our conversation, we explored how to do this, but even more, how to find love and compassion for ourselves in the process. Motherhood is hard, and none of us get it right all of the time. But how can you create the mindset to achieve a relationship with your children that "invites not demands" and so that we as moms are no longer "responsible for" but "responsible to" our children. Follow Esther @momsofbigs and www.estherjoygoetz.com.

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 of the Pressure to Make Everyone Happy — A Mindset Shift for Moms of Teens | Ep. 61 Aug 05, 2023

Show notes

This episode came to life during a family vacation—what should’ve been a chance to unwind but turned into a mirror reflecting how hard I still am on myself, even in rest. As my oldest prepares to head off to college, I found myself tangled in a familiar trap: the belief that if everyone isn’t perfectly happy, I’ve somehow failed as a mom.

In this conversation, I open up about the internal pressure so many of us moms of teens feel—the overthinking, the constant self-blame, the anxiety that our teen’s emotional state is our responsibility. I talk about how easy it is to fall into the belief that peace, confidence, and fulfillment are always just one more thing away: a better plan, a happier child, a more perfect moment.

But here’s the truth I’ve had to learn over and over again: you don’t have to earn peace. You don’t have to wait for your teen to smile, succeed, or feel better to let yourself off the hook.

If you’re stuck in mom guilt, if your happiness feels tied to your teen’s mood or milestones, this episode will help you untangle that pattern and reconnect to your own calm, confident center—even in the messiness 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.

Letting Go on College Move-In Day — A Mindset Shift for Moms of Teens Stepping Into the Empty Nest | Ep. 60 Jul 29, 2023

Show notes

College drop-off is coming, and the countdown has begun. Whether you're sending your first or your last off to school, this episode is about the tidal wave of emotions that comes with this milestone moment in motherhood. For me, it’s a mix of pride, grief, excitement, and anxiety—all tangled up in the space between what’s ending and what’s beginning.

In this episode, I talk about what it means to truly let go—not just of your child, but of the guilt, the shame, the pressure to hold it all together. I share what it looks like to stay grounded in your emotions while also showing up for your teen as they launch into a brand new world. And I open up about the mindset traps that can make this transition feel even harder than it needs to be.

You’ll hear how I’m preparing—not just with mini fridges and mattress toppers—but emotionally, to support my son and honor my own experience. Because this isn’t just a transition for our kids; it’s a transformation for us, too.

If you’re a mom navigating the bittersweet season of parenting teens and stepping into the empty nest, this episode will help you process your feelings with compassion, set healthy boundaries, and remember you’re not alone. This is about finding peace and purpose—even as you say goodbye.

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 Dream Teen Checklist: Special Group Coaching Edition | Ep. 59 Jul 22, 2023

Show notes

Join me for a sneak peak into one of Small Jar's recent Group Coaching Workshops, where we explore the topic of relationships, particularly the dream relationship we want with our teenager. In coaching, almost any topic we explore often comes down to relationships...those we have with others, and also the one we have with ourselves. In this episode, I have omitted the individual coaching to respect the privacy of those brave enough to get coached in front of the group, but this episode includes the opening workshop and Q&A. Subscribe to Small Jar on www.thesmalljar.com to get invitations to attend future group calls (for free!).

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 Problem with “Happy Thoughts” — Why Real Peace in Parenting Teens Starts with Emotional Honesty | Ep. 58 Jul 15, 2023

Show notes

I used to believe that if I could just change my thoughts, I’d feel better—less anxious, more calm, more in control. But when life as a mom of teens started to feel like a constant emotional roller coaster, I realized: positive thinking alone wasn’t enough.

In this episode, I explore the real power of mindset—not as a quick fix, but as a tool to help us stop overthinking, release mom guilt, and create space for the full range of emotions we experience in the empty nest years. I share powerful stories, including the resilience of a young woman who found joy after tragedy, and the hard truth about why shaming ourselves for our feelings only deepens the pain.

Together, we’ll explore:

Why “thinking happy thoughts” doesn’t work—and what to do instead
How anxiety about our teens’ futures hijacks our emotional wellbeing
The role of emotional acceptance and why it’s essential in parenting teens
How to begin letting go without losing connection—with your child or yourself

If you’ve been trying to hold it all together while silently falling apart, this episode will help you reconnect with your own emotional truth—and remind you that real peace doesn’t come from pretending, but from powerful, honest mindset work.

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 the House Gets Quiet — Facing Loneliness and Reclaiming Yourself in the Empty Nest Years | Ep. 57 Jul 08, 2023

Show notes

This episode came from a quiet moment on a family trip—my first without my boys. As I walked onto the ferry alone, I felt the full weight of what it means to be a mom in the teen and empty nest years. The emotional space once filled with cuddles and chaos is quieter now. And while I cherish the independence my kids are building, I’m also discovering what it means to be truly alone—with my thoughts, my memories, and myself.

This episode is for you if:

You’ve ever felt the ache of watching your teen pull away
You’re navigating the loneliness that sneaks in when they start spending more time behind closed doors—or out of the house altogether
You’re feeling anxious or untethered in this new chapter and need a mindset shift to reconnect with your own emotional truth

We explore how mom guilt, overthinking, and our brain’s built-in negativity bias make this season harder than it needs to be—and what it really means to let go, not just of your kids, but of the pressure to always feel okay. If you’ve been running from your own thoughts, this episode will guide you toward the one person who holds the key to calm, confidence, and fulfillment in this season: 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.

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