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:

“I Feel So Alone In This Experience of Raising Big Kids”—Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 256 May 27, 2026

Show notes

If you're parenting teens or navigating the empty nest, there's a good chance you've felt it... that sense that no one else is carrying what you're carrying. Not because you don't have people around you. You might have a partner, friends, even other moms in your life. But something about this stage feels uniquely isolating. The things that are hard now are harder to say out loud. And when you do try to talk about it, you walk away feeling like the other person didn't quite get it.

So you keep it in. You edit. You share just enough... and privately wonder why this feels so hard for you when everyone else seems to be managing just fine.

And that story..."I'm alone in this..." starts to impact how you show up with your child. And the way you trust, or stop trusting, your own instincts. .

What if that loneliness isn't telling you the truth about your situation? What if there's a different way to understand what's actually happening in your mind... and what it's costing you?

Join me in this episode to feel less alone, and more present in the moments that actually matter.

💡 Interested in learning more about how to create peace, confidence and connection as you raise and launch your teen? Join me for my next free masterclass: 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.

Graduation Isn't Just About Them—Parenting Teens, Adult Kids, and Letting Go | Ep. 255 May 23, 2026

Show notes

If you're a mom of teens or an adult kid approaching graduation, you already know this season brings up way more than pride and excitement. One minute you're soaking it all in... the next, you're spiraling into questions like: Did I do enough? Are they ready? Why is letting go so hard?

In this episode, I talk about the hidden layers underneath graduation season... the grief about time passing, the identity shift that comes with stepping out of the daily structure of motherhood, the loss of influence we feel as our kids head into their own lives, and that quiet, nagging question so many of us carry: did I get this right? Understanding what's really driving these emotions is the first step to finding your footing in this chapter of motherhood.

💡 Interested in learning more about how to create peace, confidence and connection as you raise and launch your teen? Join me for my next free masterclass: 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.

“I Can't Stop Worrying About My Big Kid”—Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 254 May 20, 2026

Show notes

Do you ever feel like you just can’t stop worrying about your kids? No matter how old they get or how independent they become, your mind keeps replaying conversations, imagining worst-case scenarios, and searching for ways to make sure they’ll be okay. If you’re a mom navigating parenting teens or the empty nest and you find yourself doing this, you are so not alone.

In this episode, I’m talking about why letting go can feel so incredibly hard in motherhood and what’s really happening when we get stuck in overthinking and anxiety about our kids. I share a personal story about my son that helped me see how deeply our brains and nervous systems are wired to protect the people we love, and why worry can start to feel almost impossible to turn off.

💡 Interested in learning more about how to create peace, confidence and connection as you raise and launch your teen? Join me for my next free masterclass: 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.

Boundaries You Set With Your Self: The Missing Piece in How You Show Up as a Mom Parenting Teens | Ep. 253 May 16, 2026

Show notes

Have you ever promised yourself you’d stay calm, stop overthinking, or finally focus on yourself, only to end the day feeling frustrated that you reacted the same way again? If you’re a mom navigating parenting teens or the empty nest, this episode will help you understand why that happens, and why it’s not a lack of discipline.

In this episode, I’m talking about the boundaries we set with ourselves and why they’re often the hardest ones to keep. I’ll show you how your mindset and emotions drive reactions you later regret. More importantly, I’ll help you understand how to stop reacting on autopilot and start showing up with more intention and self-trust.

💡 Interested in learning more about how to create peace, confidence and connection as you raise and launch your teen? Join me for my next free masterclass: 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.

“My Big Kid Is Lying”—Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 252 May 13, 2026

Show notes

Have you ever caught your big kid in a lie? Well...you're not the only one. In this episode, I'm exploring why this hits us so hard in motherhood... not just because of the behavior itself, but because of what we make it mean about our kids, our relationship, and ourselves. I’ll walk you through the mindset shifts that help you let go of anxiety and respond in a way that actually builds connection instead of creating more distance. This isn’t about excusing the lie or letting go of your values. It’s about redefining trust, setting boundaries from a grounded place, and learning how to show up as the mom you want to be, even when things feel out of control.

If you’re navigating the challenges of parenting teens, feeling the emotional weight of letting go, or searching for a deeper sense of purpose in this season of motherhood, this conversation will help you feel more steady, more confident, and more connected... both to your child and to yourself.

💡 Interested in learning more about how to create peace, confidence and connection as you raise and launch your teen? Join me for my next free masterclass: 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.

The Invisible Work of Parenting Teens and Adult Kids—And Why Mother’s Day Feels So Hard | Ep. 251 May 09, 2026

Show notes

Mother’s Day used to leave me feeling unexpectedly disappointed...and I know I’m not alone. If you’re a mom navigating parenting teens or stepping into the empty nest, you might find yourself wondering why a day meant to celebrate motherhood can feel so heavy. In this episode, I open up about that disconnect and the invisible emotional weight so many of us carry.

I take you behind the scenes of what motherhood really looks like at this stage...the constant mental loop, the overthinking, and the pressure of letting go while still wanting to stay connected. This isn’t just about one day; it’s about the deeper mindset that shapes how we experience motherhood, our relationships, and even ourselves. When we don’t feel seen, it can create anxiety, self-doubt, and that nagging sense that we’re getting it wrong.

But here’s what I want for you: a shift. As a life coaching practice, I help moms begin to recognize the emotional labor they carry and learn how to reduce anxiety, stop overthinking, and show up with more clarity and confidence. This episode will help you see why your experience makes sense...and how you can start giving yourself the acknowledgment you’ve been waiting for.

💡 Interested in learning more about how to create peace, confidence and connection as you raise and launch your teen? Join me for my next free masterclass: 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.

“I Feel Emotionally Overwhelmed”—Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 250 May 06, 2026

Show notes

I know how easy it is to feel emotionally overwhelmed in this stage of motherhood, whether you’re in the thick of parenting teens or stepping into the empty nest. I’ve lived it, and I see it every day in the moms I support. In this episode, I open up about why that constant pressure, worry, and mental load doesn’t actually go away as our kids grow.

If you’ve been trying to “fix” the emotional overwhelm by doing more, planning more, or even setting boundaries perfectly, this conversation will feel like a deep exhale. I walk you through a powerful mindset shift that changes how you relate to your emotions, your kids, and yourself. Because the truth is, overwhelm isn’t coming from your life...it’s being created in the way you’re thinking about it.

This is where everything opens up. When you understand what’s really driving that emotional weight, you can finally start letting go without pulling away from your kids or your role as a mom. If you’re craving more peace, more clarity, and a deeper sense of purpose in this next chapter, this episode will show you what’s actually possible.

💡 Interested in learning more about how to create peace, confidence and connection as you raise and launch your teen? Join me for my next free masterclass: 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.

Mindset Traps of Parenting Teens and the Empty Nest—Trap #9: Validation Seeking—Letting Go of Needing Your Big Kid to Make You Feel Okay | Ep. 249 May 02, 2026

Show notes

Have you ever noticed how much better you feel when your teen or adult child is open, responsive, or appreciative… and how quickly your mood drops when they’re distant or uninterested? Like you’re okay when they’re okay with you, but unsettled when they’re not? Today, I’m continuing the Mindset Traps of Parenting Teens and the Empty Nest series with a focus on validation seeking—the habit of relying on your child’s responses to determine how you feel about yourself.

In this episode, I unpack why this pattern is so common for moms in this stage of motherhood, especially as you’re navigating letting go and redefining your role. You’ll start to see how easy it is to tie your sense of connection, purpose, and even identity to how your child shows up.

But more importantly, I’ll show you what’s possible when you shift this. When you stop relying on your child’s responses to feel steady, you open the door to a deeper kind of confidence—one that allows you to set boundaries, trust yourself, and stay grounded no matter what. This is the work that changes how you experience both parenting teens and the empty nest, helping you feel more at peace, more connected, and more like yourself again.

💡 Interested in learning more about how to create peace, confidence and connection as you raise and launch your teen? Join me for my next free masterclass: 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.

“I Don't Trust Myself To Know What To Do As A Mom”—Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 248 Apr 29, 2026

Show notes

Have you ever caught yourself thinking, I don’t trust myself to know what to do as a mom?.. And then immediately felt a wave of guilt or shame? In this episode, I walk you through why this thought is so common in motherhood, especially as our kids grow more independent and push back in ways that challenge us.

If you’ve been feeling lost, second-guessing your instincts, or wondering what your role even is in this next phase, this episode will help you reconnect with your inner guidance. You’ll begin to see that accessing trust in this season of motherhood isn’t about having all the answers.

You’ll walk away with a clearer understanding of what to do in those moments when you feel unsure. The result? More peace in your relationships, more confidence in your decisions, and a greater sense of control over how you show up...no matter how your big kid responds.

💡 Interested in learning more about how to create peace, confidence and connection as you raise and launch your teen? Join me for my next free masterclass: 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.

The Empty Nest Straddle—3 Truths About Living Between Holding On and Letting Go When Parenting Teens and Adult Kids | Ep. 247 Apr 25, 2026

Show notes

If you’ve ever felt caught between holding on and letting go as your kids grow up, this episode will feel I'm talking directly to you: the mom navigating the messy, emotional middle of the raising and launching big kids. Where you’re still needed… but no longer in control.

I know how confusing this stage of motherhood can feel. One moment you’re deeply involved in parenting teens, and the next you’re questioning your role, your boundaries, and even your sense of purpose. It’s easy for your mind to spiral...into overthinking, anxiety, and the pressure to “get it right.” But what if nothing has gone wrong?

In this episode, I’m sharing three powerful truths that will completely shift how you experience this transition. You’ll begin to understand why letting go feels so hard, how your brain is wired to resist it, and what it really takes to let go of stress and anxiety without losing your connection to your child.

If you’re ready to feel more grounded, more confident, and less consumed by worry…this conversation will meet you exactly where you are.

💡 Interested in learning more about how to create peace, confidence and connection as you raise and launch your teen? Join me for my next free masterclass: 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.

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