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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 Real Reason Boundaries Feel So Hard for Moms of Teens | Ep. 152 Apr 26, 2025

Show notes

In today’s episode, I’m getting real about one of the hardest parts of raising teens—setting boundaries. Not boundaries to control your teen or fix their behavior—but boundaries that reconnect you to your own peace, clarity, and confidence. We’ll talk about why boundaries feel so hard (hint: it’s not because you’re doing it wrong), what’s actually underneath the guilt and second-guessing, and how the most powerful boundary you can ever set… is the one you set with yourself. If you’ve been feeling like you’re losing connection with your teen—or losing connection with yourself—this conversation will help you find your way back.

🎯 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 Worst-Case Scenario Trap: Anxiety, Teens, and the Empty Nest Spiral | Mindset Trap #7 | Ep. 151 Apr 19, 2025

Show notes

We’re continuing the Empty Nest Mindset Trap series this week with one of the most common and exhausting patterns I see in anxious moms: worst-case scenario thinking. Maybe your teen’s been struggling in school for a while… or they’ve been more distant lately. The concerns are real—but your brain takes that evidence and spins it into something so much bigger, imagining futures that feel terrifying and out of your control. I’ve been there too, lying awake at night trying to solve problems that haven’t even happened yet. In this episode, I’ll show you why your mind goes to the worst-case, how this spiral quietly steals your peace, and how to step out of the fear and back into calm, connection, and confidence—right now.

🎯 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 Fear of Failing Your Teen - A College Decision Wake-Up Call for Anxious Moms | Ep. 150 Apr 12, 2025

Show notes

This episode is for every anxious, almost empty nest mom whose heart is tangled up in her teen’s future. Whether you're in the thick of college admissions or simply watching your child make choices that feel high-stakes, I promise—you’re not alone. I share my own raw experience of watching my son navigate college decisions and the gut-punch of feeling powerless. But this isn’t just a conversation about college. It’s about the fear of failure—not just for our teens, but our own fear of failing them. And how that fear keeps so many of us stuck in anxiety, control, and self-doubt. We’ll explore how to let go, how to love without needing to fix, and why reclaiming your emotional peace is the most powerful gift you can give—to your teen, and to yourself. If you’re a mom who lies awake at night wondering if you’ve done enough…this episode is for you.

🎯 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 Guilt That Keeps You Stuck as an Almost Empty Nest Mom | Mindset Trap #6 | Ep. 149 Apr 05, 2025

Show notes

MINDSET TRAPS OF THE EMPTY NEST - Trap #6 - Personalization

Ever feel like your teen’s bad mood is somehow your fault? In this episode of The Almost Empty Nest Podcast, I’m diving deep into one of the most painful and sneaky mindset traps we moms fall into—personalization. It’s that gut-wrenching habit of making our kids’ struggles, choices, and emotions mean something about us. I’ve lived it, I’ve coached through it, and I’ve seen how it quietly steals our peace and strains our connection with our kids. But here’s the truth: this trap isn’t who you are—it’s just a pattern your brain has learned. And once you see it, you can start to let it go. Join me for a heartfelt look at how to release the guilt, reclaim your power, and show up with the love and presence you’ve always wanted to give.

🎯 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.

When Your Teen Starts Pulling Away: How to Let Go without Losing Connection | Ep. 148 Mar 29, 2025

Show notes

Have you ever felt like you're living in two worlds at once—still deep in the trenches of motherhood while also staring down an almost-empty nest? I know I have. In this episode, I dive into what I call the Empty Nest Straddle—that long, messy, emotional transition where you're constantly shifting between holding on and letting go. It’s the push and pull of still being needed while feeling your child drift into their own independence. And if you’ve ever wrestled with uncertainty, control, or the fear of what comes next for you, you’re not alone. I’ll share why this transition feels so hard, the mindset traps that make it even harder, and how we can start trusting ourselves to navigate this season with more peace, confidence, and clarity.

🎯 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.

When Being A Good Mom Still Feels Like It's Not Enough | Mindset Trap #5 | Ep. 147 Mar 22, 2025

Show notes

MINDSET TRAPS OF THE EMPTY NEST - Trap #5 - Perfectionism

In this episode, I’m digging into one of the most exhausting and invisible traps so many of us fall into—perfectionism. You might think you're just trying to do your best, but what if that constant pressure to get it all right is actually making motherhood—and life—so much harder than it has to be? I’ll share how perfectionism shows up in ways you might not expect, how it affects your relationship with your teen, and how it keeps you stuck in fear and self-doubt. Most importantly, I’ll show you how to begin letting go of this impossible standard so you can step into more peace, trust, and confidence as both a mom and a woman in your next chapter.

🎯 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.

Can't Wait for the Empty Nest? Why You Feel That Way and What To Do With It | Ep. 146 Mar 15, 2025

Show notes

Some moms dread the empty nest...and some of us....can't wait. Have you ever found yourself counting down the days until your child leaves home (either for the first time or after a visit)—but then feeling guilty about it? In this episode of The Almost Empty Nest Podcast, I dive into the emotional rollercoaster of looking forward to the empty nest while still holding space for the deep love we have for our kids. Why do some of us feel relief at the thought of reclaiming our time, while others struggle with the idea of letting go? And most importantly, why do we wait to feel better—believing peace, joy, and purpose will come after our kids leave? What if we didn’t have to wait? Join me as we unpack these emotions and explore how you can start embracing the next chapter of your life right now.

🎯 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.

Trying To Fix Everything As a Mom? The Illusion of Control | Mindset Trap #4 | Ep. 145 Mar 08, 2025

Show notes

MINDSET TRAPS OF THE EMPTY NEST - Trap #4 - Illusion of Control

Have you ever found yourself checking your kid, reminding them (again) about their responsibilities, or feeling that tight grip of anxiety when they don’t do what you ask or hope they'll do? If so, you’re not alone. In this episode of The Almost Empty Nest Podcast, I dive into one of the biggest mindset traps we face as moms of teens—the illusion of control. For years, we’ve shaped our children’s lives, guiding them, protecting them, ensuring their happiness. But as they step into independence, we find ourselves holding on tighter, convinced that if we just say or do the right thing, we can keep them safe, successful, and happy. The truth? We were never in control to begin with. And the more we try, the more frustrated, exhausted, and disconnected we feel. In this episode, I’ll show you why letting go doesn’t mean giving up—it means finding peace, trust, and a whole new way to connect with your big kid.

🎯 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.

100 Days Until High School Graduation....On My Way to the Empty Nest | Ep. 144 Mar 01, 2025

Show notes

Two years ago, I recorded an episode about the last 100 days before my oldest son's high school graduation—full of emotion, nostalgia, and the feeling that time was slipping away. Now, I'm here again, counting down the last 100 days with my youngest, but this time, everything feels different. In this episode, I reflect on how much I've grown, how my perspective has shifted, and what I’ve learned about letting go, trusting the journey, and embracing this season with peace instead of fear. If you’re feeling the weight of change and wondering how to navigate it with grace, this one’s for you.

🎯 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.

When Moms Always Fall Short Thanks to the Comparison Trap | Mindset Trap #3 | Ep. 143 Feb 22, 2025

Show notes

MINDSET TRAPS OF THE EMPTY NEST - Trap #3 - Comparison Trap

Have you ever found yourself scrolling through social media, seeing another mom’s perfectly happy family vacation, and feeling that pang of “Why can’t I have that?” Or maybe you’ve heard about another teen’s big achievement and suddenly questioned whether you’ve done enough for your own child? In this episode of The Almost Empty Nest Podcast, I dive into the comparison trap—one of the sneakiest mindset traps that keeps us feeling inadequate and anxious. I’ll unpack why our brains are wired to compare, how it distorts our sense of worth, and most importantly, how to break free from this cycle so you can step into confidence, peace, and the truth that you are already enough.

🎯 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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