As a mom navigating the complexities of parenting teens, it’s easy to fall into the habit of looking to our kids for emotional validation, approval, and a sense of self-worth. But when our kids start pulling away, asserting independence, or heading off to college, we can feel unmoored—like our gravitational center has disappeared.

In this conversation, I unpack how seeking validation from our teens can lead to anxiety, low self-esteem, and even resentment. I share why this pattern is rooted in our brain’s natural desire to seek pleasure and avoid pain—and how it can quietly shape how we show up in our relationships.

If you’ve ever thought, “I’ll feel like a good mom when my teen shows me love, gratitude, or success,” this episode is for you. Let’s explore how to find emotional validation from within—so you can feel calm, grounded, and whole in this season of motherhood.

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.