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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:

Lessons I Wish I Knew Sooner — Learning to Love My Teen Without Conditions and Let Go With Grace | Ep. 102 May 18, 2024

Show notes

Motherhood has taught me a thousand lessons—but none more important than how to love without conditions. This episode is personal. I open up about what it felt like to bring my son home after his first year of college, the joy and pain of watching him grow, and the hard-earned truths I’ve learned about parenting, expectations, and letting go. You’ll hear how the idea of unconditional love has taken on new meaning for me—and how learning to respect my teen’s choices, even when I disagree, has brought more peace and connection than control ever could. If you’re deep in the messy middle of motherhood and wondering how to love your teen as they are—not as you wish they’d be—this episode is for 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.

Regret, Guilt, and the “What Ifs” — For the Mom Who’s Ready to Let Go of the Past | Ep. 101 May 11, 2024

Show notes

Regret has a way of creeping in when we least expect it—especially in motherhood. Sometimes it sounds like, “I should’ve done more,” or “Why did I let that happen?” Whether it’s about parenting choices, missed moments, or how we’ve cared for ourselves along the way, the weight of guilt and regret can be heavy—and it can keep us stuck. In this episode, I break down the difference between regret and guilt, why we so often blame ourselves for things out of our control, and how to challenge the mindset traps that keep us looking backward. If you’re ready to stop letting regret define your story and start taking your next best step forward, this episode is for 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.

The Managed Mindset — Letting Go of Overthinking, Guilt, and Emotional Chaos while Raising Teens | Ep. 100 May 04, 2024

Show notes

It’s easy to feel like life is happening to us—especially in this season of raising teens and preparing for the empty nest. We care so deeply that we absorb all the worry, guilt, and stress, and then wonder why we’re constantly overwhelmed. In this episode, I explain what it really means to have a “managed mindset” and how it can transform your experience of motherhood. This isn’t about toxic positivity or pretending everything’s fine—it’s about learning to observe your thoughts, challenge old stories, and step back into the driver’s seat of your emotional life. If you're ready to feel more confident, peaceful, and present—even when life doesn’t go as planned—this episode will show you where to start.

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 Judgment Mindset — How Labels, Guilt, and Overthinking Keep Moms of Teens Stuck in Anxiety | Ep. 99 Apr 27, 2024

Show notes

Judging ourselves is second nature—we question our parenting, criticize our choices, and even feel guilty for just having negative thoughts. But that judgment doesn’t stop with us. It shows up in how we see our teens, our relationships, and the world around us. In this episode, I’m unpacking the Judgment Mindset Trap and the four ways it plays out: mind reading, labeling, overgeneralization, and emotional reasoning. These patterns are so common in motherhood, especially in the teen and empty nest years—but they keep us stuck in anxiety, self-doubt, and constant overthinking. If you’re ready to challenge the thoughts that are wearing you down and create more peace in your relationships and in your mind, this episode is your first step.

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 Validation-Seeking Mindset — How Comparison, Perfectionism, and People-Pleasing Keep Moms Feeling Not Enough | Ep. 98 Apr 20, 2024

Show notes

Sometimes I don’t even realize I’m doing it—comparing myself, needing reassurance, wondering if I’ve done enough, or if my teen thinks I’m a good mom. But when my self-worth depends on their approval—or anyone else’s—it leaves me anxious, reactive, and disconnected from who I really am. In this episode, I dive into the validation-seeking mindset and the four traps that go with it: perfectionism, comparison, identity crisis, and people-pleasing. I’ll show you why this pattern feels so hard to escape—and how letting go of external validation is the key to reclaiming your confidence, your peace, and your power.

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 L.O.V.E. Technique — A Mindset Reset for Moms Who Feel Overwhelmed, Anxious, and Stuck in Overthinking | Ep. 97 Apr 13, 2024

Show notes

There are days when motherhood feels like too much—when the weight of worry, responsibility, and overthinking leaves me anxious and exhausted. I created the L.O.V.E. Technique because I needed a way to step off that emotional rollercoaster and reclaim some peace. In this episode, I walk you through the four-part process I use with my clients (and myself!) to shift from overwhelm to clarity: Learn, Observe, Verify, and Empower. This isn’t about ignoring the hard stuff—it’s about changing how you relate to it. If you're ready to feel more grounded, confident, and emotionally free in motherhood and beyond, this is the place to start.

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 Fix-It Mindset — How the Urge to Help Keeps Moms Anxious, Overwhelmed, and Emotionally Exhausted | Ep. 96 Apr 06, 2024

Show notes

Fixing things used to feel like love—jumping in to help, offering advice, smoothing the path so my teen wouldn’t struggle. But eventually, I realized all that fixing was costing me more than I thought. It left me anxious, overwhelmed, and disconnected—from myself and my teen. In this episode, I break down the Fix-It Mindset and why it’s so common for moms who care deeply. You’ll learn how this pattern creates emotional burnout and what it takes to step back, let go, and trust your teen’s growth without trying to control it. If you’re ready to shift from fixer to guide—and find more peace in the process—this is the episode for 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.

The Worry Mindset — How Overthinking, Uncertainty, and a Fear of Letting Go Keep Moms of Teens Stuck in Anxiety | Ep. 95 Mar 30, 2024

Show notes

Worry has always felt like part of motherhood—like proof that I care deeply and want to protect my teen. But over time, I started to see how that worry wasn’t keeping anyone safe; it was just keeping me stuck in overthinking and anxiety. In this episode, I dive into what I call the Worry Mindset: the mental patterns that drive our fear of the unknown, the urge to control, and the inability to let go. If you've ever felt powerless to stop spiraling or guilty for how much you care, this conversation will help you find a new way forward—one that honors your love and brings you peace.

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 Mindset Trap Primer — What Every Mom Needs to Know About the Mental Habits That Steal Your Peace | Ep. 94 Mar 23, 2024

Show notes

This season of motherhood is full of emotional whiplash—one moment I’m trying to guide my teen through college applications or mental health struggles, and the next I’m wondering who I even am outside of being a mom. In this episode, I introduce the mindset traps that keep so many of us stuck: overthinking, guilt, catastrophizing, trying to fix everything, and never feeling like enough. I’ll show you how your brain is wired to avoid emotional pain—but in the process, keeps you from living with peace, confidence, and clarity. If you’re caught in the chaos of parenting teens and preparing for the empty nest, this is where we begin to find your power again.

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.

I Am Enough — How Moms of Teens Can Stop Overthinking and Start Trusting Themselves Again | Ep. 93 Mar 16, 2024

Show notes

For years, I’ve chased the feeling that what I was doing as a mom was “enough.” That I was doing enough, giving enough, being enough. But no matter how much I checked off the list or how hard I tried, that whisper of doubt always returned. In this episode, I open up about the emotional weight we carry as moms of teens—the guilt, the fear, the comparison—and how it disconnects us from our own worth. I share the turning point that helped me begin to believe I am enough, and how you can too. If you’re caught in the constant push to prove your value, this episode is a reminder: your worth has never been up for debate.

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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