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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:

“It's All On Me”—Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 242 Apr 08, 2026

Show notes

Have you ever had the thought as a mom… it’s all on me?

If you’re parenting teens or navigating the empty nest, you probably know exactly what that feels like. The constant pressure, the mental load, the overthinking… the sense that if you don’t stay on top of everything, something important could slip through the cracks. In this episode, I unpack why this mindset feels so true, and why so many moms carry it. I talk about how love and responsibility get tangled together in motherhood, and how that can create anxiety, pressure, and even resentment.

But here’s what I want you to see: letting go doesn’t mean caring less. It means learning how to show up in a way that feels more more intentional and sustainable. You’ll walk away with a new perspective on what it really means to be a “good mom,” along with simple mindset shifts that can help you reduce anxiety, stop overthinking, and begin letting go—without losing connection to your child.

💡 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.

Mindset Traps of Parenting Teens and the Empty Nest—Trap #8: The Should Trap. Why You Never Feel Like You're Doing Enough | Ep. 241 Apr 04, 2026

Show notes

Have you ever felt like no matter what you do as a mom… it’s just not enough? Like you should be more patient… more present… handling everything better, but you’re never quite getting it right? Today, I’m continuing the Mindset Traps of Parenting Teens and the Empty Nest series with a focus on what I call the Should Trap. It's when your mind is constantly telling you what you "should" be doing that's different, but the result is that you stay stuck in guilt, pressure, and self-doubt, especially in this stage of raising teens and navigating the empty nest. You’ll start to see where these “shoulds” come from, why they feel so true… and most importantly, how to step out of them so you can feel more confident, more at peace, and actually trust 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.

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 Wish I Did Things Differently as a Mom”—Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 240 Apr 01, 2026

Show notes

I know what it feels like as a mom of big kids to look back and think, "I wish I had done things differently." Especially when you start seeing who your child is becoming and wondering how your parenting shaped it. In this episode, I walk you through why that thought feels so heavy...and why it’s not actually about the past at all.

If you’ve been stuck in regret, overthinking your parenting decisions, or questioning whether you did enough (or too much), this conversation will help you understand what’s really going on in your mind. I share how our desire for certainty and control in motherhood keeps us holding onto guilt, and how that impacts the way we show up with our kids today. You’ll learn how to begin letting go, not of your child, but of the pressure, self-blame, and anxiety that come with this stage 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.

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 Big Kid Reaches Their Potential—Why the Way You Think About Their Future Might Be Holding Both of You Back | Ep. 239 Mar 28, 2026

Show notes

Have you ever looked at your teen or adult child and wondered, Are they going to be okay? When our kids struggle, it’s easy to believe that their choices today will define their entire future.

In this episode, I’m going to help you understand why that fear shows up, how our expectations about our kids’ potential create stress and tension, and how to support your big kid without feeling like you have to control their path.

If you want to feel more calm, confident, and connected as your kids figure out their lives, don't miss this episode.

💡 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.

“What My Big Kid Does Is Hurtful”—Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 238 Mar 25, 2026

Show notes

I know how painful it can feel when your relationship with your big kid changes and you find yourself thinking, “What my kid does is hurtful.” In this episode, I open up about a truth many moms experience but rarely say out loud...the heartbreak that can come up while parenting teens and young adults.

If you’ve ever felt rejected, blamed, or unappreciated by your child, you’re not alone. I share how easy it is for us moms to start questioning ourselves, overanalyze every parenting decision, and slip into patterns of overthinking or self-blame. This conversation is about more than difficult moments with our kids...it’s about what letting go really means in this phase of motherhood.

If you’re navigating the emotional rollercoaster of raising teens or stepping toward the empty nest, this episode will help you reconnect with the love that’s still there even when the relationship feels strained.

💡 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.

Why It’s So Hard to Stop Putting Yourself Last when Parenting Teens….and Even When You’re In the Empty Nest | Ep. 237 Mar 21, 2026

Show notes

If you’re a mom who has spent years parenting teens and putting everyone else first, you might expect that once your kids grow up and you find yourself in the empty nest, life will finally open up for you. But many moms discover that the habit of putting themselves last doesn’t disappear—it simply follows us into the next stage of motherhood.

In this episode, I share a realization I’ve been having about how easy it is to keep postponing joy, even when our kids no longer need us in the same way. I talk about the fears that make letting go of responsibility feel uncomfortable. If you’re navigating a new chapter of motherhood, it might be time to start creating space for yourself again. Join me to figure out what standing in your way.

💡 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.

“I Only Have a Few Months Left with My Big Kid at Home”—Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 236 Mar 18, 2026

Show notes

If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking, “I only have a few months left before my kid leaves home,” you’re not alone. I remember thinking this constantly during my boys’ senior years of high school. As moms raising teens and navigating the empty nest transition, it’s easy to feel pressure to fix everything, teach everything, and make every moment count before our kids leave.

In this episode, I explore how a scarcity mindset shows up in parenting teens...whether it’s trying to repair the relationship before they go, worrying they’re not ready for the world, or feeling responsible for making their final months at home perfect. I share my own story, including a moment during my son’s senior year when I realized how much pressure I was putting on myself. When we shift from scarcity to an abundant mindset, letting go becomes less about loss and more about trust.

If you're looking at the calendar and feeling pressure to make the most of the months before your big kid leaves home, this episode will help you breathe a little easier as you navigate the powerful, bittersweet 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.

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.

Mindset Traps of Parenting Teens and the Empty Nest—Trap #7: Catastrophizing. Letting Go of Anxiety and the Worst Case Scenario Spiral | Ep. 235 Mar 14, 2026

Show notes

Have you ever woken up at 2am with your mind racing…convinced that the distance between you and your child means the relationship is slipping away… or that their struggle is going to define their future… or that the tension in your house is never going to get better… or that this heavy, almost empty nest feeling means the best part of your life is behind you?

That spiral where your brain takes something uncertain or hard and turns it into a permanent disaster?

Today, I’m continuing the Mindset Traps of Parenting Teens and the Empty Nest series with a focus on Catastrophizing. I’m going to talk about why your brain does it, how it steals your peace, and how to interrupt that worst case scenario spiral so you can approach your life and your big kid with calm confidence and self-trust…even when things are unpredictable and messy.

Join me to learn how to stop falling prey to the worst case scenario spiral.

💡 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.

“Other Moms Are Closer to their Big Kids”—Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 234 Mar 11, 2026

Show notes

Have you ever caught yourself thinking, other moms seem closer to their kids than I am?

As moms, we care deeply about our relationships with our kids. When they pull away, we can feel anxious, rejected, or even convinced we’ve done something wrong. And when they stay close, that can bring its own pressure and responsibility. In this episode, I unpack how both experiences—distance and closeness—can trigger the same internal struggle: learning the delicate balance between holding on and letting go.

If you’re parenting teens and find yourself overthinking your interactions, worrying about whether you’re doing it right, or feeling the emotional weight of motherhood shifting as your kids grow more independent, 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.

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.

Parenting Teens and Adult Kids: Why Your Boundaries Aren't Working, and What Actually Does | Ep. 233 Mar 07, 2026

Show notes

Have you ever walked away from a conversation with your teen or adult kid thinking, “I need to set a boundary here.” You’re tired of the disrespect. You’re so done with reminding them. You want to see progress and you don’t want to keep getting into the same power struggles.

Here’s what most moms don’t realize: the problem isn’t that you don’t have strong enough rules. It’s that you’re thinking about boundaries in the wrong way. In this episode, I’m going to show you why your boundaries might not be working — and what actually does. If you’re ready to stop the power struggles, calm the anxiety, and create more connection with your big kid without constantly feeling on edge… this one is for you.

💡 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.

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