Graduation isn’t just a milestone for our kids—it’s a turning point for us as moms. In this deeply personal episode, I share what it feels like to stand on the brink of my son’s high school graduation and all the emotions that come with it—nostalgia, fear, regret, and love.

Letting go of our teens as they step into adulthood is filled with uncertainty. We question if we did enough, if they’re ready, if we’re ready. The routines we've known are ending, and the future feels both wide open and deeply unsettling. This episode is my raw and honest reflection on what this moment means—both for my son and for me—as we both take the next big step.

I talk about:

The emotional complexity of parenting through big transitions

Why the idea of an empty nest feels more pervasive than we expect

The pressure to have “done it right” as a mom—and why that mindset isn’t helpful

How I’m learning to let go of guilt, release control, and still stay deeply connected

What boundaries and self-trust look like when our kids come and go

If you’re on the edge of a big change—whether your teen is graduating, leaving home, or simply growing up faster than you’d like—this episode is for you. Let’s walk through this together, with compassion, clarity, and a mindset that honors both them and you.

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.