Being forced to slow down this week gave me the space to reflect on something that’s been simmering for a while: perfectionism. Not the kind we brag about in job interviews—but the kind that quietly runs the show in motherhood, parenting teens, and navigating the empty nest.

Whether or not you call yourself a “perfectionist,” this mindset trap is sneaky. It shows up as guilt, overthinking, needing control, and always feeling like you’re not doing enough—even when you're doing everything. We talk about the pressure to be a "good mom," how anxiety, self-worth, and societal expectations feed into our impossible standards, and what it really costs us emotionally.

If you’ve ever felt like your teen’s happiness, success, and future somehow depend entirely on you, or if you’re burnt out trying to meet everyone else’s expectations, this episode is for you. You’ll walk away with mindset shifts and tools to release the pressure, set healthier boundaries, and finally feel some peace—in both your parenting and in your own life.

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.