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PODCAST

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

Master Coach Jennifer Collins

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

kids & family parenting

All Episodes

18:46

"I'm Worried My Teen Will Ruin My Holiday" —Thoughts...

The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined:... ·

2025/12/17

I’m worried my teen will ruin the holiday for me. Even saying that out loud feels uncomfortable. But if you’re parenting teens or adult kids, you’ve probably had some version of this thought at one point or another. The holidays can magnify distance, tension, and unmet expectations, leaving us bracing for moods instead of enjoying the moments we hoped would feel meaningful.In this episode, I explore what’s really underneath that fear. It’s not about your teen being difficult — it’s about

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23:17

Radical Acceptance Part II—Four Steps to Reclaim Your...

The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined:... ·

2025/12/13

What if the reason you feel so anxious, frustrated, or exhausted isn’t because your teen is struggling—but because you’re fighting reality every single day?In this episode, I’m breaking down what radical acceptance actually means when you’re parenting teens or moving through the empty nest. Not acceptance as giving up. Not acceptance as lowering your expectations. But acceptance as a skill that allows you to stop wasting energy on what you can’t control and start reclaiming your power in

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23:31

"I'm Doing Everything Wrong" —Thoughts Moms Parenting...

The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined:... ·

2025/12/10

💡 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 atjennifer@thesmalljar.com. This empowering podcast offerslife coaching for momsandparenting supportfor

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24:39

Parenting Teens in the College Process—Three Lessons...

The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined:... ·

2025/12/06

As moms, we hit so many moments where our big kids put themselves out there. We find ourselves holding our breath, hoping it all works out...and also really worried about what will happen if it doesn't.In this episode, I share three powerful lessons I learned during the college process with my sons, and how those lessons apply far beyond college admissions—to job interviews, tryouts, auditions, internships, and every season where we’re invited to practice letting go. You’ll learn how to

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22:44

"I'm Not Proud of My Teen Sometimes" —Thoughts Moms...

The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined:... ·

2025/12/03

Have you ever thought, “I’m not proud of my teen?”It feels terrible, doesn't it? And yet, so often as mom parenting teens and big kids, we have real fears about who our child is becoming and what their choices mean for their future. In this episode, I'm sharing the many differentsituations moms share with me — the academic struggles, the social worries, the attitude shifts, the choices that make you question whether your child is on the right path. And in this conversation, I'm going to

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20:18

Mindset Traps of Parenting Teens and the Empty...

The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined:... ·

2025/11/29

Have you ever heard another mom talk about her teen’s success and instantly felt that little drop in your stomach—like you missed something or should be doing more? If so, you’re not alone. This next episode of the Mindset Traps of Parenting Teens and the Empty Nestseries digs into why comparison is such a natural instinct for us moms.Comparison feels like you’re just observing the world…but really, it’s your brain slipping into a survival pattern that makes you question your parenting,

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19:49

"I Love (and Hate) the Holidays" —Thoughts Moms...

The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined:... ·

2025/11/26

Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “I love the holidays… and I kind of hate them?” If you're parenting teens or an empty nester, this tension is so normal — we crave connection and magic, but we’re overloaded with pressure and the emotional labor we’ve been conditioned to carry. In this episode, I’m breaking down why we feel responsible for everyone’s happiness, why that creates resentment and anxiety, and how shifting your mindset from managing others’ emotions to owning your own can

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19:17

Radical Acceptance: The Power of Letting Go When...

The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined:... ·

2025/11/22

As a mom, do you ever feel caught between wishing things were easier and worrying they may never change? So many of us live in the “it’ll be better when…” mindset — with our teens, our young adults, our relationships, even with ourselves. But that constant battle with reality only creates more exhaustion and anxiety. In this episode, I’m sharing the key to finding peace even when life feels messy or uncertain. You’ll learn how to see clearly where you do have power, how to stop wasting

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20:29

"My Teen Doesn't Appreciate Everything I Do for Them”...

The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined:... ·

2025/11/19

Have you ever had that moment where you catch yourself thinking, “My kid doesn’t appreciate anything I do,” and immediately feel a little sick about it?In this episode, I’m talking honestly about why that lack of appreciation feels so painful. Not because we want praise or a gold star, but because we’re doing so much behind the scenes—planning, worrying, cooking, checking in, rearranging our own lives—and it feels like none of it even matters to our big kid. And when it feels like they

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23:45

When Your Big Kid Shares Too Much…Or Not...

The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined:... ·

2025/11/15

Have you ever noticed how different parenting teens can feel depending on how much they share with you? Some days, your teen tells you everything — every thought, worry, and drama — and it’s a lot! Other times, you get silence, and that bringsup a whole different kind of discomfort.In this episode, I’m talking about both sides — the moms who long for more conversation and the ones who sometimes wish for a little less. Because no matter where you fall, this stage of motherhood invites us to

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17:48

"My Teen Thinks I'm the Problem” —Thoughts Moms...

The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined:... ·

2025/11/12

Have you ever had your teen look at you like you’re the problem? It feels like a gut punch, specially when you know in your heart you’ve been doing everything you can to love and support your big kid. In this episode, I share a story from my own life about what it feels like when your big kid blames you and how to move through that pain without losing yourself in it. We’ll talk about why this stage of parenting feels so hard, how to stop taking their reactions so personally, and how to find

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22:41

Mindset Traps of Parenting Teens and the Empty...

The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined:... ·

2025/11/08

Have you ever noticed how motherhood can make everything feel high stakes? One minute you’re calm and connected to your teen, and the next, you’re spiraling into worry, certain that everything is going south. That’s the All or Nothing Trap, and if you’ve ever found yourself stuck there, you’re not alone.As moms of teens and almost empty nesters, we’re navigating a season of constant change — where letting go can feel like losing control. And it’s no wonder our minds cling to extremes: if

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23:01

"I Don't Like the Person I've Become” —Thoughts Moms...

The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined:... ·

2025/11/05

Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “I don’t even like the person I’ve become”? It’s one of those thoughts that hits you right in the gut. You love your kids.You’re doing your best to hold it all together. And yet, somewhere in the process of raising and launching your big kid, you don’t quite recognize yourself anymore. In this episode, I’m diving into what’s really underneath that thought. Because it’s not a sign that you’re failing — it’s a sign that you’re hurting. You’ll learn how

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29:09

What the College Process Taught Me About Parenting...

The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined:... ·

2025/11/01

Parenting teens through the college process can stir up a mix of pride, fear, and anxiety that no one really prepares us for. Whether you’re deep in the application season or already adjusting to the empty nest, this stage of motherhood is full of moments that test our ability to let go.In this episode, I’m sharing what I wish I’d known before my boys went through the college process—the truths that helped me stop overthinking, ease my anxiety, and show up as the calm, confident mom I

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22:17

"My Teen Disrespects My Boundaries” —Thoughts Moms...

The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined:... ·

2025/10/29

Ever feel like your teen just doesn’t care about the boundaries you’ve set? You’ve tried being calm, clear, consistent — and still, nothing changes. You end up frustrated, questioning your parenting, and wondering if you’ll ever stop overthinking this stage of motherhood. In this episode of The Almost Empty Nest Podcast, I share what’s really going on beneath the thought, “My kid doesn’t respect my boundaries.” You’ll see how easy it is to fall into the illusion of control — believing that

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24:47

Mindset Traps of Parenting Teens and the Empty...

The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined:... ·

2025/10/25

Have you ever noticed how motherhood can feel like one long emotional rollercoaster? One moment you feel calm and connected, and the next you’re anxious, frustrated, or doubting yourself. That constant up-and-down isn’t just part of the job — it’s one of the hidden mindset traps that keeps so many moms stuck in worry and self-doubt as their kids grow up.In this episode, I’m relaunching my Mindset Traps of Parenting Teens and the Empty Nest series — starting with the one that drives them

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21:59

Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens Are Ashamed They...

The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined:... ·

2025/10/22

Have you ever walked into your own home and felt invisible? As a mom of teens in the thick of raising teens and adult kids, that feeling can hurt. In this episode, I open up about how easy it is for us moms to slip into the background of our own lives, constantly giving and doing for everyone else while quietly wondering if anyone even sees us. You've been there—the clean laundry left at the foot of the stairs, the untouched dinner dishes, the exhaustion of feeling like the glue holding

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23:58

Mindset Traps of Parenting Teens and the Empty...

The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined:... ·

2025/10/18

Have you ever noticed how motherhood feels like one long lesson in letting go — but no one ever tells you how to do it? One moment you’re deep in the chaos of parenting teens, and the next, you’re staring at an empty nest, wondering how to stop worrying and start feeling at peace again.In this episode, I’m sharing a fresh take on mindset traps — those sneaky thought patterns that keep us moms stuck in anxiety, guilt, and overthinking, especially as our kids grow up and need us differently

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19:55

“I'm Codependent on My Kids”—Thoughts Moms Parenting...

The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined:... ·

2025/10/15

Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “I’m codependent on my kids”—and then immediately felt ashamed for it? You’re not alone. So many moms in the empty nest or parenting teens phase feel that tug between love and letting go. For years, we’ve been wired to sense our kids’ needs—to comfort, fix, and protect. That instinct doesn’t just disappear when they grow up. But sometimes our care turns into worry, overthinking, or trying to manage what we can’t control. Not because we’re needy, but

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21:41

Parenting Teens Without Pain - What If It's Not Too...

The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined:... ·

2025/10/11

Do you every feel like parenting your big kid without the frustration and anxiety is too good to be true?You try to be patient. You want to set boundaries and have productive conversations. But then somehow you find yourself falling back into the same patterns of reacting in ways you regret—or just feeling stuck in anger and worry.It can feel like the only way to feel better is to get your teen to change.But what I’ve learned is that peace doesn’t come from fixing your teen, your

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210 results

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