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

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

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

March 25, 2026 · 22 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the emotional challenges mothers face when their relationships with their teens change, emphasizing the importance of self-reflection and letting go.

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…

People in this episode

Host: Jennifer Collins

Topics covered

  • parenting teens
  • emotional challenges
  • letting go
  • motherhood
  • self-reflection
  • relationship dynamics

Keywords

  • parenting
  • teens
  • motherhood
  • emotional rollercoaster
  • self-blame
  • connection
  • letting go
  • coaching

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Small Jar, Small Jar Coach, Mom 2.0

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