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:

“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.

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 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.

“My Big Kid Doesn't Seem To Like Me Anymore”—Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 246 Apr 22, 2026

Show notes

Do you ever experience painful moments with your big kid and think, “I don’t think they like me anymore." The thought brings up so much heartbreak...and even shame. You think, "How did we get here?"

In this episode, I take you inside that exact experience...the overthinking after they don’t text back, the knot in your stomach when they seem fine with everyone else but distant with you, the way your mind tries to make sense of it by turning it into something personal. I will show you how we unknowingly hand over our emotional power, tie our peace to our child’s behavior, and start questioning ourselves in ways that create even more distance.

Join me to consider that this isn’t about losing your relationship… it’s about finding a deeper, more grounded way to stay connected...to them, 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 Grief of Letting Go—What No One Tells You about Parenting Teens and Adult Kids | Ep. 245 Apr 18, 2026

Show notes

If you’re parenting teens or standing in the empty nest, you may be feeling a heaviness you can’t quite explain. It might show up as sadness, or frustration. Maybe anxiety, or even disconnection. Whether your relationship with your big kid feels close or strained, this stage of motherhood can bring up emotions that are hard to name.

In this episode, I’m talking about the grief that comes with letting go...of who your child used to be, of how your relationship once felt, and even of the version of you who knew your role so clearly. This isn’t something we often talk about in motherhood. But when we don’t understand what’s really happening beneath the surface, it can lead to even more pain and disconnection.

What I want to offer you is a different perspective that helps you see this experience not as something to fix, but as something critical to the process of letting go.

💡 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 Love My Kid...But Sometimes I Don't Like Them Very Much”—Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 244 Apr 15, 2026

Show notes

Have you ever walked away from an interaction with your big kid and thought, “I love them… but I don’t actually like them right now?” And then immediately wondered what that says about you as a mom? If you’re in the thick of parenting teens or navigating the emotions of the empty nest, this episode is going to feel like a deep exhale. Because you’re not alone...and more importantly, there’s nothing wrong with you.

In this conversation, I’m getting real about those moments we don’t say out loud in motherhood. I’ll show you what’s actually happening in your mind when those thoughts come up, and how your brain is trying (in its own imperfect way) to protect you. We’ll talk about the subtle mindset patterns that keep you stuck and I’ll walk you through how to shift out of those patterns so you can respond with intention instead of reactivity.

💡 Interested in learning more about how to create peace, confidence and connection as you raise and launch your big kid? 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.

When Parenting Teens Breaks Your Heart—Letting Go when You Can’t Control the Outcome | Ep. 243 Apr 11, 2026

Show notes

Have you ever had that moment where you realize… you can’t protect your child from what they’re going through? That no matter how much you love them, guide them, or worry about them...you don’t actually have control? That realization can hit hard, especially when parenting teens and even well into theempty nest.

If you’ve ever felt that mix of love, fear, frustration, and heartbreak all at once, this episode is for you. Because today, I’m sharing a personal story from one of the hardest seasons I had as a mom… and the shift that helped me stop pushing my child away, stay connected, and become stronger in the process.

💡 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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