View Top 200 Chart

Back to Rankings Page

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:

Navigating Stress of the College Process - with Adam Materasso | Ep. 46 Apr 23, 2023

Show notes

There are so many reasons why the college process is hard for our kids….and, if we're honest...for us as parents. The time we have left with our kids at home is short. How do you want to show up for your child, and yourself, through this process without letting go of your hopes and dreams for them or your sense of responsibility as a parent to do everything you can to support them?

🎯 Want to take this work deeper? Save your seat for the next free masterclass—click here to sign up: https://www.thesmalljar.com/class.

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

❓ Have questions or want to share your feedback? I'd love to hear from you! You can email me at jennifer@thesmalljar.com.

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.

Don't Let Yourself Be Bullied | Ep. 45 Apr 16, 2023

Show notes

Bullies are everywhere. Bullies we don't know. Bullies we know...even that we love. And possibly worst of all...the bully we are to ourselves. We will never be able to change all of the bullies in the world, but you NEVER have to let yourself be bullied again.

🎯 Want to take this work deeper? Save your seat for the next free masterclass—click here to sign up: https://www.thesmalljar.com/class.

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

❓ Have questions or want to share your feedback? I'd love to hear from you! You can email me at jennifer@thesmalljar.com.

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.

Get Out of "Doing Jail" | Ep. 44 Apr 09, 2023

Show notes

“I have so much to do.” “I wish I had more time.” The concept of “doing jail” is that you are STUCK DOING. In this episode we explore our "need" to do and why it is such a driving force for us. And also that we can feel a discomfort of NOT doing. Join me to learn how to break out of doing jail.

🎯 Want to take this work deeper? Save your seat for the next free masterclass—click here to sign up: https://www.thesmalljar.com/class.

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

❓ Have questions or want to share your feedback? I'd love to hear from you! You can email me at jennifer@thesmalljar.com.

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.

Maybe We Should Be Mad | Ep. 43 Apr 02, 2023

Show notes

Let's face it, sometimes we get mad. But sometimes as moms, we hold ourselves to a ridiculous standard: that we shouldn't get mad. How often have you beat yourself up for getting mad. Or bottled the feeling up, because you didn't want to react. But let's question this for a moment....what if we should be mad?

🎯 Want to take this work deeper? Save your seat for the next free masterclass—click here to sign up: https://www.thesmalljar.com/class.

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

❓ Have questions or want to share your feedback? I'd love to hear from you! You can email me at jennifer@thesmalljar.com.

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.

People Pleasing with My Kids - Spring Break Edition | Ep. 42 Mar 26, 2023

Show notes

They say people pleasing behavior often stems from instability in a relationship. And as our kids grow up and seek independence, instability seems inevitable. But what hasn't changed is that we want our kids to be happy, so we do everything in our power to try to make our kids happy....only, it doesn't seem to work a lot of the time. So the question for us as moms is: do we keep putting our own happiness on hold until our kids perform their happiness so that we can give ourselves permission to be happy?

🎯 Want to take this work deeper? Save your seat for the next free masterclass—click here to sign up: https://www.thesmalljar.com/class.

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

❓ Have questions or want to share your feedback? I'd love to hear from you! You can email me at jennifer@thesmalljar.com.

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.

Writing a New Story of Who You Want to Be | Ep. 41 Mar 19, 2023

Show notes

We have these precious moments—days, months, years—left with our children at home and we’re gritting our teeth. In this episode, I share that the most transformative lesson that I have learned during this journey of motherhood is about who I am and the lens that I use to interpret the circumstances of my life. I invite you to consider that it's possible to re-write this narrative, so that you can show up exactly as you want to, both for your child and yourself.

🎯 Want to take this work deeper? Save your seat for the next free masterclass—click here to sign up: https://www.thesmalljar.com/class.

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

❓ Have questions or want to share your feedback? I'd love to hear from you! You can email me at jennifer@thesmalljar.com.

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.

Managing the Anxiety of Raising Teens | Ep. 40 Mar 12, 2023

Show notes

Anxiety feels like an inevitable part of raising teens. They are pulling away, and we're losing control. We're losing our ability to help keep them safe, healthy and to ensure they reach their full potential. In this episode we explore how to manage this challenging emotion, and to build compassion for both our children and ourselves as we navigate this transition.

🎯 Want to take this work deeper? Save your seat for the next free masterclass—click here to sign up: https://www.thesmalljar.com/class.

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

❓ Have questions or want to share your feedback? I'd love to hear from you! You can email me at jennifer@thesmalljar.com.

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 Is It - The Last 100 | Ep. 39 Mar 05, 2023

Show notes

You have 100....days or weeks to graduation...hours that they come home to visit. This is it. In this episode we explore the reason why it's really so hard to let go.

🎯 Want to take this work deeper? Save your seat for the next free masterclass—click here to sign up: https://www.thesmalljar.com/class.

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

❓ Have questions or want to share your feedback? I'd love to hear from you! You can email me at jennifer@thesmalljar.com.

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 Reason Parenting Teens is So Hard | Ep. 38 Feb 26, 2023

Show notes

There are so many reasons why parenting feels hard. For each of our children...each of our families, the reasons we may list are different. But there is actually one reason that is common to all of us, and it's not what you think.

🎯 Want to take this work deeper? Save your seat for the next free masterclass—click here to sign up: https://www.thesmalljar.com/class.

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

❓ Have questions or want to share your feedback? I'd love to hear from you! You can email me at jennifer@thesmalljar.com.

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.

Is it Possible to Feel Unconditional Love? | Ep. 37 Feb 19, 2023

Show notes

Feeling unconditional love--it's easier said than done. We tend to think about loving our children unconditionally...but if we're honest with ourselves, while we know in our hearts we will always love our children, sometimes our expectations of our children lead us to show up in ways that might make our children question whether, in fact, our love is conditional. So if it's hard to deliver on unconditional love for our kids, it seems impossible to maintain unconditional love--love without expectation--for our partners...and ourselves. Join me in exploring the concept of unconditional love--and how you can have it without dropping your expectations.

🎯 Want to take this work deeper? Save your seat for the next free masterclass—click here to sign up: https://www.thesmalljar.com/class.

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

❓ Have questions or want to share your feedback? I'd love to hear from you! You can email me at jennifer@thesmalljar.com.

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.

Related Podcasts