The Empty Nest Straddle—3 Truths About Living Between Holding On and Letting Go When Parenting Teens and Adult Kids | Ep. 247

About this episode

This episode discusses the challenges of transitioning from parenting teens to adult children, focusing on the emotional struggle of letting go while maintaining connection.

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…

People in this episode

Host: Jennifer Collins

Topics covered

• parenting teens
• letting go
• emotional support
• motherhood
• anxiety management

Keywords

• empty nest
• parenting
• letting go
• anxiety
• motherhood
• emotional support
• self improvement

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Small Jar

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

• Mindset Traps of Parenting Teens and the Empty Nest—Trap #10: The Identity Trap—Who Are You When Your Kid Stops Needing You? | Ep. 261 · June 13, 2026 · 22 min
• “I Feel Like I'm the Only Mom Who Doesn't Have It All Together”—Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 260 · June 10, 2026 · 22 min
• How to Get Your Teen to Open Up—A Parenting Teens Mindset Reset | Ep. 259 · June 6, 2026 · 24 min
• “I'm Dreading Having My Big Kid Home This Summer”—Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 258 · June 3, 2026 · 15 min
• Parenting Teens and Adult Kids and Why It's So Hard to Stay Present for Their Wins | Ep. 257 · May 30, 2026 · 19 min
• “I Feel So Alone In This Experience of Raising Big Kids”—Thoughts Moms Parenting Teens and Adult Kids Are Ashamed They Think | Ep. 256 · May 27, 2026 · 21 min