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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:

Rediscovering Who You Are as Your Teen Grows Up as a Midlife Mom - Part I | Ep. 6 Feb 27, 2022

Show notes

Previously the Small Jar Podcast

As my son hit a milestone and got his driver’s permit, I found myself flooded with that familiar mix of pride and heartbreak—another reminder of how parenting teens is a constant practice in letting go. But that emotional tension stirred up something else too: reflection.

In this episode, I explore how watching my teens chase their dreams reminded me of something I had long put down—my own sense of purpose. I share how I moved from feeling stuck and small to daring to dream big again, and why we often wait for the “how” before we believe in the “who.” But here’s the truth: we have to believe in ourselves first.

We’ll unpack:

Why moms often feel disconnected from their own dreams
How mindset and identity block us from starting
The trap of believing our past failures define our future
What it looks like to reconnect with your self-worth, purpose, and vision for the next chapter
How to stop waiting for permission and start showing up for yourself—even if you're still figuring it out

This episode is an invitation to reclaim your identity, not just as a mom, but as a woman who is still becoming. If you’ve been longing for something more, this is your starting point.

🎯 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 Emotional Overwhelm Moms of Teens Don’t Talk About — Letting Go Without Losing It | Ep. 5 Feb 20, 2022

Show notes

Previously the Small Jar Podcast

This week, I was in it—completely flooded by frustration, anxiety, guilt, regret, and exhaustion. As a mom of teens, I’m used to feeling a lot, but sometimes the wave hits harder than usual. In this episode, I’m sharing my experience with emotional overwhelm—and what I’m learning about letting go of the guilt and shame that so often come with it.

We’ll talk about how reacting to or avoiding our emotions—whether through snapping, crying, or numbing with wine or food—only compounds the pain. And I’ll show you what it looks like to hold space for your feelings, shift your mindset, and reclaim your emotional power without trying to fix everything.

I dive into:

Why moms feel like we have to hold it all together—and what happens when we can’t
How to recognize and release the shame cycle around emotional regulation
The myth that your feelings mean something is wrong
A new way to approach boundaries, self-trust, and being present—even when it’s messy

If you’ve ever felt like your emotions were “too much,” this is your permission to feel all of it and still be whole. This is how we reclaim peace, confidence, and connection—in parenting, in motherhood, and within ourselves.

🎯 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.

Love, Resentment, and the Mom Who Feels Invisible — Rewriting Emotional Scripts in Marriage and the Empty Nest Years | Ep. 4 Feb 13, 2022

Show notes

Previously the Small Jar Podcast

As moms of teens or young adults, we’re already juggling emotional labor, overthinking, and the exhausting process of letting go. But when it comes to love and marriage, that emotional weight gets even heavier—especially in the empty nest years when we suddenly have more time and space to reflect on what’s working… and what isn’t.

In this vulnerable episode, I explore the emotional complexity of long-term relationships and what happens when our idea of love doesn't match our reality. Whether you’re navigating resentment, guilt, loneliness, or simply questioning what connection is supposed to look like at this stage of life, you’re not alone.

We’ll talk about:

How your mindset impacts your emotional experience more than your partner’s behavior
Why expectations, boundaries, and unspoken “manuals” leave us feeling unseen
What to do when love feels like pressure, and how to separate your self-worth from someone else’s response
How to regulate your emotions, release the need to control others, and reclaim joy and emotional fulfillment

If you’ve been overthinking your relationship, stuck in cycles of emotional blame, or craving deeper connection but don’t know how to ask for it—this episode will help you take your power back and love more honestly, starting with 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.

Why Motivation Feels So Hard — A Mindset Shift for Midlife Moms Ready to Reclaim Their Dreams | Ep. 3 Feb 06, 2022

Show notes

Previously the Small Jar Podcast

Motivation can feel like a mystery—especially when you're a mom juggling teens, college kids, work, and the emotional weight of an almost empty nest. In this episode, I challenge the idea that we need to “feel motivated” before taking action on our dreams.

Instead, I share what I've learned about showing up when you don’t feel inspired, how to find purpose in the mundane, and why letting go of perfection and control is essential for building consistency and confidence. This isn’t about pushing harder. It’s about shifting your mindset to see that motivation is a choice, not a feeling.

We’ll talk about:

Why motivation is misunderstood—and how to redefine it
What holds moms back from pursuing goals during this transitional season
How to stop waiting for inspiration and start trusting yourself
The emotional mindset shifts that can reduce anxiety and overthinking
Small, doable steps that lead to big transformation

If you’ve been telling yourself, “I just don’t have the time or energy,” this episode will help you reclaim your agency and reconnect with your dreams—without making it all so hard.

🎯 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.

Letting Go of How Your Teen Reaches Their Potential — A New Mindset for Parenting Teens | Ep. 2 Jan 30, 2022

Show notes

Previously the Small Jar Podcast

I used to believe it was my job to make sure my kids reached their full potential—that if I just parented “right,” I could protect them from mistakes, failure, and regret. But somewhere along the way, I realized that belief was costing me peace, connection, and even my relationship with my teens. In this episode, I share what happens when we let go of the illusion that we can control the outcome and begin trusting our children’s path—even when it looks different than we imagined. You’ll hear the mindset traps that keep us stuck, how to shift from fear to curiosity, and how letting go doesn’t mean giving up—it means growing up alongside 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.

Letting Go of Who You Are — A Midlife Mom’s First Step Toward Purpose, Peace, and Possibility | Ep. 1 Jan 23, 2022

Show notes

Previously the Small Jar Podcast

This season of motherhood can feel like one long goodbye—letting go of our kids, our roles, our bodies, our sense of purpose. I’ve felt it deeply, and so have many of the moms I work with. But here’s the truth I’ve discovered: sometimes, letting go isn’t just about loss. It’s the beginning of something new. In this very first episode, I share what it means to release the stories we’ve told ourselves—about our worth, our limitations, and our place in the world—and how we can step into a new chapter of motherhood, identity, and purpose with clarity and courage. If you’re standing at the edge of change, this is your invitation to start 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.

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