This week, I had the gift of sitting down with Ali Flynn, the creator of Hang In There, Mama, and a fellow mom walking the wild ride of raising teens and young adults. Our conversation was deeply honest—about perfectionism, comparison, emotional regulation, and the ways we as moms lose ourselves while trying to hold everything (and everyone) together.

We opened up about what it’s like to parent teens in a world flooded with unrealistic expectations—from body image to social media pressures—and how both our daughters and sons struggle silently. We talked about mindset traps like all-or-nothing thinking, guilt, and overthinking, and how they show up for both us and our kids. Most importantly, we talked about how letting go—not just of control, but of outdated ideas about what motherhood "should" look like—is the only path to feeling connected, confident, and grounded.

Whether you're a mom of teens dealing with anxiety, setting boundaries, or simply wondering, “Is this enough?”—this episode will remind you that you are not alone. Join us for an honest, compassionate conversation that’s packed with encouragement and the kind of truth we don’t always see online.

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.