
Letting Go of the Invisible Contracts that Make Parenting Teens and Adult Kids so Hard | Ep. 285
The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar CoachShow Notes
Have you ever been surprised by how much a late text, an eye roll, a messy kitchen, or a kid who barely talks to you can get under your skin?
Sometimes the behavior itself isn’t really the whole story.
In this episode, I’m exploring the invisible contracts we create with our big kids.... the unspoken expectations about how they should respond, appreciate us, follow through, or stay connected... and what we make it mean when they don’t.
If you’re parenting teens, navigating the empty nest, or learning the art of letting go, this episode will help you recognize where disappointment and resentment may actually be coming from. You’ll learn how to separate your kid’s behavior from the story your mind creates about your relationship, their future, or your motherhood, so you can stop overthinking, set boundaries intentionally, and feel more grounded in the mom you want to be.
💡 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? Check out our Mom 2.0 coaching programs (both group and 1:1): 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 from The Almost Empty Nest—Letting Go, Redefined: Parenting Teens and Finding Yourself Again—with Small Jar Coach
What do you make it mean when your big kid stops opening up to you?
What happens inside you when your big kid is struggling and you can’t immediately make it better?
Have you ever watched your big kid do something and immediately thought, Oh my God… what are people going to think of me?
What happens when the child you would happily spend all weekend with can barely carve out dinner with you?
Have you ever found yourself more invested in your big kid’s success than they seem to be?