If you’re a mom of a teen and you ever find yourself thinking, “I should be more patient... I should give them more space… I should have done something differently,” this episode is for you.

In this week’s episode of the Mindset Traps of the Empty Nest series, I’m diving into the Should Trap. As moms, especially in this stressful season leading up to the empty nest, we carry around an invisible checklist of expectations—and when we don’t meet those expectations, we don’t just feel like we’ve made a mistake… we feel like we’re failing. In this episode, I’ll show you how this trap disguises itself as good parenting, where these “should” thoughts really come from, and how they layer with other mindset traps like personalization and perfectionism to keep you stuck in guilt, pressure, and self-doubt.

If you’ve been feeling like no matter what you do, it’s never enough—you’re not alone, and you’re not doing it wrong. Let’s unravel the Should Trap together, and help you reconnect with peace, self-trust, and the mom you actually want to be.

In today’s episode, I’m getting real about one of the hardest parts of raising teens—setting boundaries. Not boundaries to control your teen or fix their behavior—but boundaries that reconnect you to your own peace, clarity, and confidence. We’ll talk about why boundaries feel so hard (hint: it’s not because you’re doing it wrong), what’s actually underneath the guilt and second-guessing, and how the most powerful boundary you can ever set… is the one you set with yourself. If you’ve been feeling like you’re losing connection with your teen—or losing connection with yourself—this conversation will help you find your way back.

And if you’re ready to go deeper, join me in my free live masterclass happening this Tuesday.  Sign up here: https://www.thesmalljar.com/setbound

We’re continuing the Empty Nest Mindset Trap series this week with one of the most common and exhausting patterns I see in anxious moms: worst-case scenario thinking. Maybe your teen’s been struggling in school for a while… or they’ve been more distant lately. The concerns are real—but your brain takes that evidence and spins it into something so much bigger, imagining futures that feel terrifying and out of your control. I’ve been there too, lying awake at night trying to solve problems that haven’t even happened yet. In this episode, I’ll show you why your mind goes to the worst-case, how this spiral quietly steals your peace, and how to step out of the fear and back into calm, connection, and confidence—right now.

Download a free Mindset Trap Detector here: https://www.thesmalljar.com/detector

If you're interested in exploring Small Jar's Mom 2.0 Coaching Program, visit  https://www.thesmalljar.com/Mom-2-0. 

This episode is for every anxious, almost empty nest mom whose heart is tangled up in her teen’s future. Whether you're in the thick of college admissions or simply watching your child make choices that feel high-stakes, I promise—you’re not alone. I share my own raw experience of watching my son navigate college decisions and the gut-punch of feeling powerless. But this isn’t just a conversation about college. It’s about the fear of failure—not just for our teens, but our own fear of failing them. And how that fear keeps so many of us stuck in anxiety, control, and self-doubt. We’ll explore how to let go, how to love without needing to fix, and why reclaiming your emotional peace is the most powerful gift you can give—to your teen, and to yourself. If you’re a mom who lies awake at night wondering if you’ve done enough…this episode is for you.

Download a free Mindset Trap Detector here: https://www.thesmalljar.com/detector

If you're interested in exploring Small Jar's Mom 2.0 Coaching Program, visit  https://www.thesmalljar.com/Mom-2-0. 

MINDSET TRAPS OF THE EMPTY NEST - Trap #6 - Personalization

Ever feel like your teen’s bad mood is somehow your fault? In this episode of The Almost Empty Nest Podcast, I’m diving deep into one of the most painful and sneaky mindset traps we moms fall into—personalization. It’s that gut-wrenching habit of making our kids’ struggles, choices, and emotions mean something about us. I’ve lived it, I’ve coached through it, and I’ve seen how it quietly steals our peace and strains our connection with our kids. But here’s the truth: this trap isn’t who you are—it’s just a pattern your brain has learned. And once you see it, you can start to let it go. Join me for a heartfelt look at how to release the guilt, reclaim your power, and show up with the love and presence you’ve always wanted to give.

Download a free Mindset Trap Detector here: https://www.thesmalljar.com/detector

If you're interested in exploring Small Jar's Mom 2.0 Coaching Program, visit  https://www.thesmalljar.com/Mom-2-0. 

Have you ever felt like you're living in two worlds at once—still deep in the trenches of motherhood while also staring down an almost-empty nest? I know I have. In this episode, I dive into what I call the Empty Nest Straddle—that long, messy, emotional transition where you're constantly shifting between holding on and letting go. It’s the push and pull of still being needed while feeling your child drift into their own independence. And if you’ve ever wrestled with uncertainty, control, or the fear of what comes next for you, you’re not alone. I’ll share why this transition feels so hard, the mindset traps that make it even harder, and how we can start trusting ourselves to navigate this season with more peace, confidence, and clarity.

Download a free Mindset Trap Detector here: https://www.thesmalljar.com/detector

If you're interested in exploring Small Jar's Mom 2.0 Coaching Program, visit  https://www.thesmalljar.com/Mom-2-0. 

MINDSET TRAPS OF THE EMPTY NEST - Trap #5 - Perfectionism

In this episode, I’m digging into one of the most exhausting and invisible traps so many of us fall into—perfectionism. You might think you're just trying to do your best, but what if that constant pressure to get it all right is actually making motherhood—and life—so much harder than it has to be? I’ll share how perfectionism shows up in ways you might not expect, how it affects your relationship with your teen, and how it keeps you stuck in fear and self-doubt. Most importantly, I’ll show you how to begin letting go of this impossible standard so you can step into more peace, trust, and confidence as both a mom and a woman in your next chapter.

Download a free Mindset Trap Detector here: https://www.thesmalljar.com/detector

If you're interested in exploring Small Jar's Mom 2.0 Coaching Program, visit  https://www.thesmalljar.com/Mom-2-0. 

Some moms dread the empty nest...and some of us....can't wait. Have you ever found yourself counting down the days until your child leaves home (either for the first time or after a visit)—but then feeling guilty about it? In this episode of The Almost Empty Nest Podcast, I dive into the emotional rollercoaster of looking forward to the empty nest while still holding space for the deep love we have for our kids. Why do some of us feel relief at the thought of reclaiming our time, while others struggle with the idea of letting go? And most importantly, why do we wait to feel better—believing peace, joy, and purpose will come after our kids leave? What if we didn’t have to wait? Join me as we unpack these emotions and explore how you can start embracing the next chapter of your life right now.

Download a free Mindset Trap Detector here: https://www.thesmalljar.com/detector

If you're interested in exploring Small Jar's Mom 2.0 Coaching Program, visit  https://www.thesmalljar.com/Mom-2-0. 

MINDSET TRAPS OF THE EMPTY NEST - Trap #4 - Illusion of Control

Have you ever found yourself checking your kid, reminding them (again) about their responsibilities, or feeling that tight grip of anxiety when they don’t do what you ask or hope they'll do? If so, you’re not alone. In this episode of The Almost Empty Nest Podcast, I dive into one of the biggest mindset traps we face as moms of teens—the illusion of control. For years, we’ve shaped our children’s lives, guiding them, protecting them, ensuring their happiness. But as they step into independence, we find ourselves holding on tighter, convinced that if we just say or do the right thing, we can keep them safe, successful, and happy. The truth? We were never in control to begin with. And the more we try, the more frustrated, exhausted, and disconnected we feel. In this episode, I’ll show you why letting go doesn’t mean giving up—it means finding peace, trust, and a whole new way to connect with your big kid.

Download a free Mindset Trap Detector here: https://www.thesmalljar.com/detector

If you're interested in exploring Small Jar's Mom 2.0 Coaching Program, visit  https://www.thesmalljar.com/Mom-2-0. 

Two years ago, I recorded an episode about the last 100 days before my oldest son's high school graduation—full of emotion, nostalgia, and the feeling that time was slipping away. Now, I'm here again, counting down the last 100 days with my youngest, but this time, everything feels different. In this episode, I reflect on how much I've grown, how my perspective has shifted, and what I’ve learned about letting go, trusting the journey, and embracing this season with peace instead of fear. If you’re feeling the weight of change and wondering how to navigate it with grace, this one’s for you.

Download a free Mindset Trap Detector here: https://www.thesmalljar.com/detector

If you're interested in exploring Small Jar's Mom 2.0 Coaching Program, visit  https://www.thesmalljar.com/Mom-2-0.