PodcastsEducationThe Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar Coach

The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar Coach

Master Coach Jennifer Collins
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar Coach
Latest episode

255 episodes

  • The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar Coach

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

    23/05/2026 | 18 mins.
    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 [email protected].

    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 Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar Coach

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

    20/05/2026 | 19 mins.
    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 [email protected].

    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 Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar Coach

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

    16/05/2026 | 19 mins.
    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 [email protected].

    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 Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar Coach

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

    13/05/2026 | 17 mins.
    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 [email protected].

    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 Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar Coach

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

    09/05/2026 | 21 mins.
    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 [email protected].

    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.
More Education podcasts
About 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.
Podcast website

Listen to The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar Coach, Unfiltered with Dave Letele and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app

Get the free radio.net app

  • Stations and podcasts to bookmark
  • Stream via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
  • Supports Carplay & Android Auto
  • Many other app features
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar Coach: Podcasts in Family