I don’t feel close to my kid anymore. If you’ve ever had that thought while parenting teens or navigating the empty nest, this episode is for you. I’m talking honestly about what it feels like when the relationship with your big kid changes—when they share less, pull away, or seem like they don’t need you in the same way they used to. This isn’t a sign you’re failing. It’s a painful and very human part of letting go. In this episode, I explore why this kind of distance hurts so deeply, how disappointment turns into fear, and why we often try to fix the relationship by asking our kids to show up differently. What I’ve learned—through my own experience and my work with moms—is that demanding connection isn’t what restores it. Learning how to sit with our own discomfort, trust the bond we’ve built, and love without pressure is what changes everything. This episode is an invitation to rethink what letting go really means in the parenting teens and empty nest years—and how staying steady inside yourself is often the most powerful way to stay connected. 💡 Interested in learning more about how to create peace, confidence and connection as you raise and launch your teen? Join me for my next free masterclass: https://www.thesmalljar.com/class. 💪 Curious about coaching with Small Jar? Check out our Mom 2.0 coaching program: www.thesmalljar.com/Mom-2-0. ❓ Have questions or want to share your feedback? I'd love to hear from you! You can email me at jennifer@thesmalljar.com. 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.