I used to think I was just being prepared. But what I’ve come to realize is that I was stuck in a mindset trap: catastrophizing—constantly imagining the worst-case scenario and calling it “planning.” In this episode, I dive into how this pattern shows up for moms of teens and college kids, and why it’s so emotionally exhausting.

Whether you’re parenting through high school drama, college applications, or the early days of the empty nest, this mindset often drives our anxiety, fuels overthinking, and disconnects us from the truth of the present moment. I share how our brains are wired for this kind of emotional reactivity—and how emotional regulation and awareness can help you step out of the spiral.

We’ll talk about:

How catastrophizing disguises itself as “being a good mom”

Why it robs us of peace, presence, and trust in our teens

How to let go of fear-based parenting and reconnect with confidence

If you’ve ever felt like you’re constantly bracing for impact, this episode is your invitation to pause, breathe, and reclaim a calmer, clearer mindset—so you can parent from love, not fear.

Curious about coaching with Small Jar?  Check out our Mom 2.0 coaching program: www.thesmalljar.com/Mom-2-0 

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.