Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast The Girlfriend's Guide to an Empty Nest
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1–49 of 49
Titre
Date
Durée
48. The Fun Parts of Having Adult Kids & Hobbies for Mid-life
15 Sep 2026
00:31:22
Today you are in for a big giggle fest. We start the episode with a hilarious story from Anne’s life messing with her son (in a very harmless way) and also give some conversation topics for making your kids cringe! Lol!
We also dissect an article about current trending hobbies for mid-life women and give our thoughts on it.
Today we chat about:
Why fun is important to incorporate into your relationship with your launched kids
Ideas of ways to add laughter and play into your life
Why hobbies are not a luxury but a need
Bird watching … Yay or nay?
Why it’s not a failure to not finish a book
Our experiences with book clubs
The protein train … are we on it?
Explanation of mahjong (a tile game)
Surprising trends amongst college aged kids
Wonderments about if certain lingo is dating us??!!
47. We are Baaaaccck! Season 3 is HERE! (Chatting Influencers Impact on us and Our Kids)
01 Sep 2026
00:28:48
Ahh! We are SO ready to be back with the girlfriends on this show! As Anne says, we are back BABY! What a joy it is to hop on these mics and share our hearts with you. Recording these conversations truly is so dang fun and we pray they bless you immensely too, friends.
Things we dive into today for our first episode back:
Highlights (and lowlights) of our summers
Plans for fall for the podcast
Thoughts on make-up today vs when we were kids
TikTok, ADHD, trends and marketing thoughts
A very interesting influencer neighbour that Anne has
Social media’s influence on kids and adults (the good, the bad and the ugly)
How social media makes you notice aging and bodies more
Aging in an anti-aging world
The online message of “You aren’t doing enough.”
Our opinions on nylons (are they of the devil? Possibly)
What we can learn from younger generations and their approach to the socials
46. Advice for When Your College Kids Move Home for the Summer
19 May 2026
00:35:30
Today we are sharing our thoughts on how our parents raised us and how that influenced how our generation then raised kids in a “hovering” fashion.
Becky also shares her concerns about her daughter moving home for the summer and Anne shares her experience with this with her own kids. For any girlfriends in this boat of kids temporarily moving home, we pray this one is so encouraging and empowering!
Topics in our conversation today:
Do you give your child rules when they return home from college to live at home for the summer?
The balancing act of not policing your kids but still giving them independence and healthy expectations for living back at home
Things giving us joy with our kids right now (there ARE pros of social media!)
The only rule Anne had for her kids when they moved home for the summer
Factors that impact your future relationship with your kids positivity
The powerful teacher that failure can be and why we need to let our kids make mistakes
The struggle to trust your kids AND God
Practical statements you can say to your kids when giving your opinions to them without judgment
The wisdom of still investing in what fills you up, even when they are home for the summer.
The grief of things still changing and evolving and how to deal with that in a healthy way
Validation that this season has really hard, awkward and not fun parts
Hope for a future where you actually enjoy an empty home
For those girlfriends who want to better understand raising boys or how to interact with/encourage the boys in their lives (sons-in-law, boyfriends of your daughters etc.), this episode is for you!
We share today about:
Anne’s experience raising a son vs raising her daughters
Helping your kids navigate online dating
A funny story of Anne standing up for her son his freshman year of college
What matters to boys in college compared to what matters to girls
Things Anne wishes she would have talked to her son about more
Different techniques for learning about what is going on in a son’s life
Anne’s biggest fear as a mother of a son
Why you have to sometimes be more intentional connecting with your sons than your daughters once they leave home/get married
Tips for being an open and not pushy parent, so your kids want to come to you for advice
Unique Advice on welcoming new “kids” into the family via sons-in-law
There is a different tone in homes when laughter is easy, jokes are made more often and when your spouse is actually enjoyable to be around and not weekly getting a case of the Sunday Scaries (you know, dreading the upcoming work week). So today we pose the question: what can we do to set a joyful atmosphere in our homes as wives and moms? This episode is all about intentionality. Taking action to get a better outcome.
We pray this one encourages you, girlfriends!
Today we dive into:
How our contentment at work (or lack of) impacts our home lives
Why YOUR pursuit of joy benefits your loved ones too
Thoughts on changing jobs in the Empty Nesting season to bring you more purpose
Looking for next steps once your kids leave, to lead you to new callings
Our experience with being Empaths and how that feels when your spouse is down
Recognizing the impact you have as a woman on the mood in the home
Ideas to have more fulfilling relationships and days
How to find things that bring you joy and how to allow your deep dreams to awaken
Amazing stats about productivity in your 50’s and 60’s
43. Letting Your Kids Walk Through Difficulty in Order to Grow
07 Apr 2026
00:36:44
Today is an episode for all the mama bears out there who just want to swoop in and fix things for their kids. It is such a HARD thing when your cub is grown and now you are required to play a supportive role, not a fix it role.
We chat today:
The importance of life’s trials being allowed to be a teacher
Encouraging vs fixing
Thoughts on how hardships in life shapes you (and your kids)
The natural feeling of wanting to fix things
The pain of watching your kids experience pain (even when it results in good things)
Why the answer isn’t always to make struggles go away
How issues in relationships can teach our kids how to handle conflict and more
Ideas on how to give your perspective to your kids with loving language
Successes AND failures providing lessons for all
Noun Parenting vs Verb Parenting
The skill of trusting your kids and your good job as a parent
42. When Your Adult Kids Are on the Struggle Bus (and you can’t really help)
24 Mar 2026
00:33:29
Today we are navigating a tough topic: what to do when your grown children are struggling. It is SO hard on a mama’s heart when situations arise that you can’t practically do anything to fix, other than letting them know you are there to listen and sympathize.
Today we chat about:
Reflections of our own childhoods
Our own parent’s style for parenting vs our own styles
How to to give our imperfect parents grace
Becoming the mom you wish you had growing up yourself
How the older generations view emotions as weakness (and the impact of that on their kids)
Thoughts on mental health in the church and our kids lives
The wisdom of just asking your grown kids how to best help them
The importance of apologizing to your kids
Giving yourself grace for not knowing how to do everything right
Why looking to the grace of God first, helps you to then have grace for yourself
Today we are chiming in on how to take care of ourselves. Please note, taking care of yourself doesn’t just mean exercise or eating nourishing meals. It also means learning how to be resilient to peer pressure to do something a certain way, like those around you are. We also share about caring for our future self by caring for our current selves physically and emotionally. We’ll be chatting today tons too about clothing and how to let yourself wear what you wanna! Even if your kids think your fashion is wacky :)
You’ll hear today:
The freedom that comes from not caring what others think about your words, appearance, life choices etc
Our thoughts on dressing aging bodies (is it okay to still dress like your 20 even when you aren’t?)
Being mindful to listen to the right voices
The comfort and confidence to be yourself, unapologetically
How clothing can become an unhelpful armour
Anne’s experience “getting her colors” done
The power of considering what is right for you and not just doing what appears right to other
Considering “Grandma You” and what you can do to be the version of her you desire to be one day
Commentary on barrel jeans … what the heck?!
How you feel vs what other people think
Watching out for the “Comparison Gauge"
Finding health promoting behaviors that work for you personally
Learning what feels good for you (which might not look like what the influencer says to do or buy)
The day has finally arrived …. Our hubbies borrow our microphones and host the show for a special episode! Get ready for some jokes but also some great male insights to the Empty Nesting season. You’ll hear new information from stories already shared on this podcast, all from Rick and Chad telling THEIR experience of these moments. They may or may not also make a few jabs at Anne and Becky : ) To quote Rick, “This is our chance to throw our wives under the bus.” LOL!
The guys chat about:
How launching a child looks different outwardly on dads and what they actually are thinking inside
Mindsets dads use to help with the deep emotions that come with kids leaving the home
Drop off Day from a dad’s perspective (including some funny memories!)
Why our husbands wanted to come on the show
Advice for dads dropping off kids at college
The blessings that come from less kiddos in the home
The mixed emotions that come with an Empty (or Emptier) Nest
How dads (these dads at least) feel when the kids come back for visits (tripping over shoes anyone else?!)
How marriages and friendships change when the kids are no longer living in your home
How conversations change with your kids once they leave
Thoughts on boundaries to set with kids when they come home after being on their own
How the dads chatted with their kids about money to set them up for adulthood budgets
39. Mentoring Your Kids Once They Leave + Being a Freshman Old Person!
10 Feb 2026
00:34:52
Tune in today to hear about some exciting things coming to the show! Think HUSBANDS! You’ll also hear on today’s episode how to practically transition into your new roles in the Empty Nest season and we also share a fun BAD challenge to join us in this year!
Today we also chat about:
Expert Adults vs Baby Adults
The sweetest listener review from a military mama
A refreshing way to look at being in your 50’s (it’s funny but true!)
Shifting from guide to mentor to your kids (what the practically looks like)
Compassion for moms, no matter what your child decided to do post high school
Helpful analogies for this stage of life
The exciting possibilities for moms in the Empty Nest season
Why it’s not all about your kids anymore
The wisdom of embracing the suck
Thoughts on “shoulding” on yourself vs listening to what God is asking you to do (even if you stink at it)
An invitation to do something you are terrible at this year
38. 1st College Semester in the Books! (Chat with Becky’s Daughter, Clara)
20 Jan 2026
00:35:12
Today is a suuuuppper fun episode for the girlfriends listening. We have a very special guest on … Clara, Becky’s oldest daughter! You’ll hear in our conversation all things leaving the nest, starting college, building new relationships and learning to “adult”, all from a daughter’s perspective. We know this episode will bless you. Clara gives such insightful wisdom and encouragement for moms and kids alike!
We chat about:
The mixed emotions that come with starting a new chapter of your life
What goes through your child's mind on Drop of Day on their new campus
Tips (from Clara) on how parents can help make transition seasons easier
How it impacts your child, knowing it’s a change for the whole family when they leave
Ways your child can be international about savouring their “lasts” at home before they leave the nest
Adjustments your child is figuring out, moving from a high school student, to a college student
Learning how to adult, in ways like time management or living in a new city
Remembering to do things your parent use to do for you
Different approaches children can have staying connected to their family once they move out
How to NOT be a helicopter parent in college (ex: things not to text!)
Thoughts on parents tracking their kids whereabouts
Today we are chatting about going a little rouge/counter culture and letting yourself not set goals in 2026. Yes, there is a time and place for that but sometimes goals can limit us, box us in, put distracting pressure on ourselves. And as Empty Nesters (especially that first year), it can be so good to learn to just BE and not DO. Trying to figure out who you are apart from your kids is a very hard challenge so that is plenty to focus on! #goaltonotmakegoals
Things we share about today:
Why Anne doesn’t set resolutions
The strangeness of having free time and not knowing what to do with it
The freedom that comes with no goals
How Becky was able to thrive at times in 2025 as her nest started to empty
Learning to exercise “muscles” you haven't since having kids
Using this year (and new chapter) to experiment and do things just because it sounds fun
The powerful question of “how do I feel like playing today?”
Examples of how Becky is starting to do things for herself, enjoying more flexibility with less kids in the house
Things Anne has found she enjoys doing, once she tried new things as an Empty Nester
How courageous decisions are a risk but also can lead to great blessing!
The wisdom of letting go of things that don’t bring you joy anymore (it’s okay to change and pivot)
Choosing to see the GIFT that kids leaving can be to YOU the mother
The importance of having your own life and therefore having things to contribute to conversations with your adult children
36. Traditions Your Adult Kids Love (that you didn’t even see as a tradition!)
23 Dec 2025
00:26:48
Today we are chatting with the girlfriends about a fun topic today: family traditions. It can be so surprising when your kids let you know they loved certain traditions growing up, yet you didn’t even realize it was something you did for your kids on routine.
We chat today:
The thing we did with our kids that they consider a tradition vs how we saw it as moms
Why it feels like a gold star when you realize something was meaningful to your children
How traditions even begin, sometimes unintentionally (ahem, just tryin’ to manage chaos!)
Some family traditions we personally do
How interesting it is that some traditions land with our kids and some just don’t
How even the things you don’t do often can become such precious memories for your adult kids to replicate
The wonder of watching your kids join their own traditions with theirs of their spouse
The emotions certain habits can evoke and why our kids adopt them from watching us
Some conversation starters to get your kids (at any age) to chat about family traditions they love
Why you can’t decide what traditions will stick with your kids! (Becky has a fun story about fishsticks. Lol)
Dealing with holidays will no kids coming home (learning to share your kids with other people)
Today we start things off with Anne flooding Becky with buckets of genuine compliments. Becky honestly shares that it was hard to receive said affirmation! Sounds familiar? Today we are digging into why it’s so dang hard to just say “thank you” when people speak life over you. And more importantly, how to practically grow in this area.
More in today’s conversation:
Anne sharing a cute story of how she decided to embrace a compliment
How we can help the younger generation learn to accept kind words
Why it’s possible to say thanks, even if you don’t feel their words are true yourself
Thoughts on why giving lovely feedback is easier than receiving that lovely feedback
Why some people don’t give complaints
What deflecting is common
The danger of not learning to receive compliments to fill your brain space
How to give better compliments
Flattering vs thoughtful compliments
Why we might criticize ourselves more as we age
How not learning to accept affirmation can impact even your walk with the Lord
From sugar habits, continuing grief after the kids leave, to finding blessings in every season with your kids, this episode has sooo much jammed into it. It will give ya some laughter, some advice about doubting your mothering skills, a quote that rocked Anne’s world about perfectionism and everything in between.
We chat today:
Looking for the joy and inspiration where you are
How we need to encourage each other in the Empty Nest season
Thoughts from listeners of the show
What to do with the self-talk of “am I doing enough as a mom?”
Why self condemnation as a mom isn’t helpful or healthy and what to focus on instead
Comfort from God for mothers
Laughing at yourself vs beating yourself up
Why your kids need to see you mess up sometimes
Looking at the sum total of what your kids have experienced from you
Insights on when your kids pick up struggles from you
33. When Your Kid Visits (for the 1st time after going away to college)
11 Nov 2025
00:25:12
Today we are checking in on Becky, her thoughts and feelings after The First Visit of her kiddo coming home for the first time after moving away for college. This is a VERY emotional time for moms (and kids) and Becky is sharing the things she wishes she would have done to care for her heart and things that are now working better. This episode in the last half reads a little like a big sister heart to heart/therapy session with Anne!
You’ll hear us share on:
What it feels like dropping them off again once the weekend is over
Surrendering your child to the Lord
Embracing loneliness and being productive with it
Normal emotional and physical feelings that come with them leaving & visiting
Silver linings about this season
Surprising timeline of adjustment for Becky
Things that change once there is one less person at home
Reflections from Anne of her experience from this time
The impact on emotions of a mom during this transition
Hope for finding your new normal and hard things easing up!
Allowing yourself space to rest and adjust (instead of staying busy and being in denial)
Thoughts on emotional/identity bridges
Why having a life of your own enhances your relationship with your children
How do you feel about your body as you age? Loaded question, we know! Today we are talking about body image as you age. Level 5 (turning 50) can bring up a whole host of feelings and today we are sharing our thoughts and experiences with aging. Remember, what works for one woman to feel confident in her current body will look different for another.
You’ll hear today:
NOT should you or should you not do things but rather our experiences with aging
The different ways different women feel beautiful as they get older
The good desire to want to feel confident and beautiful that God put in women
The reasons culture makes us feel less attractive as we age (and how it doesn't respect certain types of beauty)
How it’s up to each woman to decide how to support her own body confidence
Practical ways to feel good in your skin
Adult breakouts … sigh, it’s a thing.
How with age comes wisdom and also not caring as much about people's thoughts
Self care looking like fashion or beauty choices at times
How Empty Nesting opens up opportunities to invest time and money on you!
31. Becoming Irrelevant and Invisible to Society (and being okay with it)
14 Oct 2025
00:29:04
Today’s episode will start with a big time giggle on the expense of Anne. She’s sharing what can happen when you aren’t aware of current lingo and then she and Becky discuss the deep questions those embarrassing moments can bring up. The reflection, the wondering of things like, “Who is paying attention to me? Am I okay with being irrelevant?”
You’ll hear today:
The wrestling that comes with once being someone who strives, to now simply not caring or having that ambition anymore
The lack of information for mothers in this stage of parenting
Encouragement to re-invent yourself when the kids leave
The different value our culture puts on women in different stages
How our world worships youthfulness (and sometimes even in the church)
The good desire in your 50’s and beyond to be valuable and how it looks different now
How women our age are more picky about where they want to be seen (not always on social media)
The difference between a shift in your values vs your value
The freedom that comes when you see there are ways to make impact even when “culturally irrelevant”
The joy of putting energy towards timeless things
How contributions to the world looks different in different seasons of life
The people pleasing you shed as you age that can be mistaken for invisibility
30. The After Math of Dropping Them Off at College - Now What?
30 Sep 2025
00:29:43
That thing that was once waaaayyy in the future has come and gone now for Becky: dropping her oldest off at college. It’s hard. It’s weird. It’s abrupt. It’s hopeful. It’s rewarding. And everything in between.
Today we are chatting about redefining your role as a mother and your relationship with kids as they get older and enter new life seasons. There definitely are wise and not so wise ways to do this!
Things you’ll hear today:
What changes when you become your child’s guide
How to support your kids, even if you don’t agree with their decisions
The risks that come with imposing parenting when the stage of life calls for being a guide
Why trusting your skills as a mother helps you trust your kids later on in life
The best way to “let your kids go” and encouragement for this time
Navigating how often to reach out to your kids once they move out
Signs your kids are not feeling judged for their life choices
How to NOT put your emotional care on your children (example texts provided!)
Considerations for the feelings of the kid(s) still in the nest
29. Inspiring New Beginnings for Moms (fall edition)
16 Sep 2025
00:26:12
Back to school season is in full swing right now. New school supplies, check. New teachers, check. Fresh starts for kids AND moms? Also check!
Today we are diving into the pros and cons of summer vs the regular school year. Each time of year brings a different set of challenges for moms but also unique blessings! You'll also find inspo in this conversation and practical ideas to help you discover the exciting next chapter of your life as a daughter of God.
You’ll hear today:
What we love about summer and what we enjoy about the school year
How bringing back routine impacts your physical time and your mental time
Thoughts on organizing your extra time during the school year
Things Anne and Becky miss about having younger kids and things they are glad they don’t have to deal with anymore!
How Becky is using work as a healthy tool right now, while her mama heart is hurting about missing her kids
Why it’s important to remember your kid’s childhood is only a small/short part of your life
Inspiration for finding what’s next for you as a mom once the kids are out of the house
28. Real Time Talk: How Becky is ACTUALLY Feeling During the Summer Before Her Daughter Leaves for College
02 Sep 2025
00:27:57
Today is a unique style episode: we recorded this in real time for you! We thought it would be insightful to interview Becky on how it’s feeling IN THE THICK OF THINGS. Sometimes with the passing of time, our recollections of events and attached emotions can dim … so why not check in while the hard thing is happening?
This special and emotional episode (grab the tissues!) reads sorta like a counselling session or big sister talk between Anne and Becky. Perhaps some of you are in the very same boat as Becky and if so, we pray this vulnerable episode is one of solidarity, hope, and practical encouragement!
You’ll hear today:
How grief is being expressed for Becky at this time (pre-grief is a thing!)
The tension of “both and” (so feeling two opposing things at once)
How to soak in your last summer with your kid AND give them more rope for independence
Things Anne remembers about this “weirdest summer” of your life as a mom
Helpful AND vulnerable conversations to have with your kid about them leaving
Disappointments that have happened to Becky, things that can’t be distractions anymore from feeling her feelings (a blessing in disguise)
The temptation to switch to another identity once your mom identity shifts
Why your kids need to see you as a PERSON and not just their parent
Some tough love and wisdom from Anne to Becky (and you) for this season
Today is the episode about finances. Oooohhh, yes. We are going there. How to think about spending money on yourself. It goes much deeper than buying new things but uprooting thoughts about not being worthy of being invested in.
We talk today:
How we turn around and take money and time that was once spent on our kids and now being okay with spending it on ourselves
Something Anne looks back on, wishing she and her hubby had done on top of date nights when the kids were growing up
The benefits of NOT bringing the kids along on vacay
Lies that sometimes make moms think it’s not okay to spend money on themselves and their dreams
Big and small fun ideas of what to do with that extra cash
Things to expect to happen once you start to invest in yo self
26. The Danger of Trying to Rescue Your Kids from Challenges
13 May 2025
00:29:21
Though we really wanna, it’s not helpful to our children when we try to rescue them all the time. So much learning comes from them taking responsibility for the consequences of their choices. So much growing into the person they need to be, who are okay and successful without us.
Today we chat about:
A funny story where Anne admits she was wrong in advice she gave to her adult kid (all our cat lover friends will love this one!)
How it looks to actually let your kids make mistakes (and why this is so darn hard to do!)
What “taking off the hero cape” is and what it does to your kids when you don’t
Different ways to help your kids that don’t involve removing the challenge for them
The difference between Equipping vs Rescuing
The long term impact of always swooping in to save your kids
A caution for all those generous mamas out their who have a love language of giving gifts
How guidance looks different as your children get older
25. The After Party of the Empty Nest with Kate Battistelli
29 Apr 2025
00:28:17
Today we have our first guest episode … wooo who! Author Kate Battistelli (yes, Francesca’s mom!) joins us to talk about her book The After Party of the Empty Nest. As her website says, “As you begin your empty nest, you’re not only leaving your child behind, but the life you knew so well.” And that our friends, is why this season is so darn hard at times. It makes sense why we feel like a fish out of water! It’s braaaannndd new territory.
You’ll hear in this episode:
Why being mom is not your only name
Figuring out what else God has for you
Why it’s okay to grieve in this season
Three different types of mama birds and how they embrace the empty nest differently
How God may dare you to do new things
The bonuses of the empty nest
The power of volunteering when finding new purpose
24. Advice for The Summer In Between Everything Changing
15 Apr 2025
00:30:05
It’s that time of year where some are a little antsy for summer to come and school to be over. But that’s not the case for everyone in the family: mom can be dreading the buffer summer between college days beginning.
Check out today’s conversation to hear how our thoughts on the “time bomb ticking” of things never being the same again.
We chat today:
The desire to smother your kid as the end of their high school career looms
What to expect in the last summer before post secondary begins
How to make the most of that last summer together and set boundaries on time
Why eye rolls aren’t the worst thing when you share your heart with your kid
The limbo/not in control season your child feels they are in during this weird in between season
Possible behaviors to expect in your child in the buffer summer
New decade, new milestone. It comes with birthday cake and parties but also sometimes comes with imposter syndrome. “Am I too old to be relevant in my industry?!” What happens when you don’t feel like the “cool old woman” anymore but just the “old looking woman?”
Today we chat about:
Struggling with aging and looking older
Things we personally invest in to feel more confident in our appearance
Having fun with your appearance as you transition into older years
Why it’s not wrong to fight against aging
The blessing of GETTING to age
The good parts of getting older
Healthy motivations for taking care of yourself with proactive habits to age well
22. Date Your Kids = Having Adult Kids Who Still Come to You for Advice
18 Mar 2025
00:27:38
We hear alllll the time about the importance of dating your spouse but dating your kids is actually just as key! If you desire to foster a relationship with your kids so that when they are grown they still willingly seek you out for comfort and advice, this episode is for you, friend.
Tune in to hear about:
What it looks like to date your kids
Two environments that often make kids open up for heart to hearts
The power of asking questions when communicating with your kids
Advice for connecting 1:1 with each child when you have multiple children
Why bonding is not always having to do with deep talks but also fun times
A unique way to connect with your kids instead of a sweet 16 party
The beauty of reminding your kids you are proud of them
Today Anne is getting vulnerable about the confusing season of life she is currently in. We pray this conversation helps you feel not alone in being unsure what’s next and that you know there is no shame in wrestling with this!
We chat today:
About Becky’s book on purpose and her wisdom on how to help people find their purpose
The tension of having hope and despair side by side
Figuring out if God is leading you to do something or not
The beauty of waiting upon God to show you what to do and finding your identity and worth in being His kid
How no sin or shame comes from God in His directing
Helpful prayers and questions for identifying what to do next
The excitement of being asked to do things utilizing new skills you didn’t know you had
We chat on this podcast about guiding our kids through transition seasons but it’s not all about your kids. And we sometimes lose sight of that, with all the daily responsibilities that come with parenting. But once your kids are launched, there are some big questions to answer like: who am I outside of being their mom?
We talk today:
How to shift your calling
Mourning the loss of being a mom as part of your identity
Why it’s healthy to invest in yourself for the sake of your relationships
The wisdom of being selfish (we give you permission, girlfriend!)
Practical tips to learn how to get back to you
The danger of using hobbies to numb
The power of examining your tears
Simple but powerhouse questions to ask to get to know yourself and what you value
19. But Do They Know They Are Loved? (and why being a perfect parent doesn’t need to be the goal)
04 Feb 2025
00:26:57
As mothers of teens and adult children, we are realizing we have less and less control over our kids' lives. And maybe instead of striving to be a perfect parent, a change in goal would be wise.
We chat today about:
How God is the only perfect parent
Advice for stressful seasons with your high schoolers
A powerful quote Anne’s mom used to say about parenting
Cranky moms and how to deal!
The power of asking your children to give you extra grace on tough days
Why it’s okay for your kids to see your need for Jesus
Ideas of how to express your love to your kids
A surprising important ingredient in making your children feel safe, loved and supported and all the things
18. How to Know What is a Big Deal for Your Senior Kid (and what balls can actually be dropped and it will.be.okay)
21 Jan 2025
00:27:40
Some things don’t actually matter in the long run. What happens to our kids in these formidable years ARE important … but not everything is going to mark their lives forever. Today we are talking about how to balance helping your kids thrive but not stressing them out with extreme pressure to succeed in senior year in all the categories.
We dive into today:
How culture normalizes moms stressing out their kids
The role comparison between moms leads to how we treat our children
Anne’s hindsight of what she would do differently if she could go back and navigate Senior Year again with her kids
The different factors that create a stressful environment for kids in the last year of high school
Main pieces of advice for this busy time (and beyond) for moms concerning homework and due dates
How hiccups in high school (mistakes) don’t mean your kid is going to fail at adulthood (we provide a powerful real life example in this episode!)
The wisdom of sometimes letting your kids walk away from goals
Something we need to prioritize in training our kids in that WILL matter in future yearsGet in Touch With us!
17. Practical Skills to Teach Your Kids to Help Them Be Successful Humans Once they Leave Home
07 Jan 2025
00:32:04
Do your kids know how to write a cheque? Boil water for pasta? Balance a budget? Sometimes we get so focused on teaching our kids these heart concepts, like God LOVES YOU UNCONDITIONALLY! Yet, we forget to teach them how to do their laundry or fix a tire.
Today we are chatting about:
The value of teaching your children to write thank you notes
Skills we were brought up knowing that kids these days lack
Why Anne told her kids they didn’t have to work in college but why they decided to (a valid reason!)
Creative ways to teach your children about budgeting and debt
Why it’s key to remind your kids to consider others (including their parents)
The importance of sibling dates before one sibling moves away
Suddenly with the kids gone you have more downtime. Today we are chatting about how to fill your time, in ways that fill you up personally, but also eases the bittersweetness of having an empty home.
We chat about:
A funny way that Anne has become her mother (ahem, a hobby Anne found out she loved that her own mother loved)
Ideas of creative hobbies to try to make your free time enjoyable and meaningful
The importance of having interests of you own (besides work or your kids)
Our experiences as moms during the pandemic
Things on our dream list to do
A key question to ask yourself TODAY
The different categories to find hobbies in (they all start with the letter s!)
Practical reflection questions to ask to help figure out what to do in your new found spare time
Confession: It’s HARD when the kids are GONE. Like really gone. You know, when they are fully moved out and won’t be bouncing back for summer break from college anymore since they now have a place of their own. Today we are chatting about how our expectations don’t always match lived out experiences for Empty Nesting. And how the grief of your kids leaving can appear in surprising ways and how each kid leaving will hit a bit different.
Check out today’s episode to hear:
Will your house be cleaner now without kids? Do you get another pet to fill the void?
Ways your time is freed up
The importance of reconnecting with your spouse BEFORE the kids are permanently gone
Things Becky is looking forward to and things she is dreading about having a fully Empty Nest
The weird transition into a new normal
Things Anne didn’t anticipate about leaving her son at his own home
How hard it is to not make mothering your identity
Why grieving is actually just part of parenting
The tough parts of mommin’ adult children (why don’t they call more!? Gah, so hard that they don’t need me as much anymore…)
Why your aren’t “doing Empty Nesting wrong” if you miss your kids
Dog IG account mentioned: https://www.instagram.com/simonsits?igsh=aWliY2l2a2FmNzJ6
14. Things to NOT do Once Your Kid Moves Out for College
26 Nov 2024
00:40:28
Should you hold off on turning their room into a crafting room? Is it okay to move from their childhood home? Track their location yes or no? So many questions, so many opinions. Today we are discussing an article we found, sharing if we agree or disagree about things the article suggests we reframe from doing when your child goes off to college.
Today we chat about:
7 things we have heard you should not do when your kids leave for college
How Anne did not follow the article’s suggestions and why that’s okay
What a “highschool home” is
Hear how Becky “breaks” a rule from the article during the podcast episode! LOL!
The Biblical take on giving your kid space being essential
The thought of going back to the old fashioned days and how we communicated with our parents back then
The wisdom of showing your kids YOU are independent, in order for them to grow in independence themselves
Are you in the thick of touring colleges with your senior kid? Is it causing mega stress or excitement for you and them? It’s a big choice, looking forward towards the future and figuring out where they want to land for the next 4+ years. Or deciding if they even want to go to college.
Tune in today to hear:
The wisdom of dividing and conquering the activities between mom and dad for that senior year
The importance of your kids noticing how they feel when they are walking the campus
Why it’s okay to not choose the fancy school
Being open to going to your rival school
What a Vibe Check is and why your kid needs to do it
The power of considering building community when deciding on a school
Cost of tuition and how that may impact their school choice/college experience
12. What’s a Mama to do in Senior Year to Cherish it?
29 Oct 2024
00:31:36
It’s exciting to see your kids so near walking across that stage to get their well-earned high school diploma … but it’s also very hard on a mother’s heart. All these milestones and “lasts” can be bittersweet. Today we are chatting about how to enjoy the process and make the most of senior year.
We chat today about:
Why moms are allowed to feel differently and act differently than dads in senior year
Is there a way to celebrate the “lasts” without it becoming a big cry fest?
The reasons why senior year goes crazy fast
The wisdom of looking for the beautiful moments in small moments vs the elaborate big events
Why you should probably eat more ice-cream in senior year
Senior year events to be prepared for emotionally and schedule wise
What Competitive Mom Spirit is
Tips for prom dress shopping
Navigating the various expenses of senior year
Why it’s okay if their last year of high school isn’t the best year of their life
11. How to Treat Your Adult Kids When They Come Home to Visit
15 Oct 2024
00:25:55
It can be tricky to learn new dynamics when your kid leaves then returns. Do you still give them a curfew when they come home for a long weekend? Should you ask them to do chores? What are you actually supposed to do and not do when they come back to visit after moving out? Answer: it’s a bizarre adjustment, for sure!
We chat about today:
Give yourself grace, it’s a bit of a whiplash to learn how to live again with them in your space. Finding your new normal can take time. Embrace the messy middle!
Helpful mindsets to center yourself when annoyance creeps in about their added mess.
Why how you interact with your child will be very individual to the culture in the home you desire.
Thoughts on bailing your kids out from responsibilities when they are stressed … healthy? Or not so much?
Easy to remember curfew idea for when your kiddo is still in highschool
The danger of enforcing rules after your child hasn’t had them for awhile at college or when moved out.
10. Redefining Your Role & Finding Purpose Beyond Raising Your Kids
01 Oct 2024
00:32:28
Actively raising children is a BIG job. And once they are no longer living under your roof, it takes some intentional thought to redefine your new role in their life and learn to restructure your days and life now that your kids are out of the house. But finding meaning and purpose beyond being a caregiver is very much so possible and we pray this episode inspires you to see all the amazing possibilities!
Today we share about:
The choice to look at change as a possibility and “what do I GET to do next?”
Different avenues Anne headed down once her kids went off to college
Advice for helping kids know what to do after high school (there is a special wording you’ll want to borrow!)
Why we think it’s okay to change in interests, hobbies, skills, jobs etc.
The power of humor in the church
How God confirmed a calling of Anne’s through a famous Christian Bible teacher!
The wisdom of looking for patterns in your long-term core passions when trying to figure out what is next for you
Advice that’s good for your kids and YOU (ahem, try new things!)
We have heard from listeners that sometimes rather than grief, it’s a worry that mother’s deal deeply with when the empty nesting season looms. How will my kids do once they leave? Will they be okay growing into adulthood? If that resonates with the narrative in your own head, please take a listen to this episode. We pray it brings you encouragement and a little laughter, too!
What goes through a mom’s mind when senior pictures are taken
Feedback from our hubby’s about the show!
The joy and weirdness of not having to think about buying school supplies anymore
Dealing with the mixed emotion of pride and sadness at the thought of your child leaving
Our thoughts about chapters and seasons ending
The reality of anxiety, panic or seeing possibility when it comes to what’s next for mom
When your child goes to a college 6 hours away
Advice for soaking in their last year of high school, even amongst the bitter sweetness
Yup, we are going there today. Girlfriends, we are digging into the ins and outs of menopause. If you don’t have someone in your life to chat about the “ugly” stuff, we would gladly be that friend for you. We hope this episode leaves you feeling a little more prepared about women’s health!
In today’s episode:
How the timing of menopause and your kids leaving home can often happen at the same time, making things feel even harder
Why we should be talking about our changing brains and bodies more openly
The dismissal that doctors can often give you, making you feel a little crazy at this time
Tips for advocating for yourself at this stage of life
Mommy Wars … it’s a real thing. And it doesn’t stop once your kids fly the coop. People will continue to give you opinions on how you think you should parent your adult children too.
On this episode we dig into:
How to handle the judgy people in our lives who give their unsolicited thought about how we parent
What grocery store item can cause the downward spiral of self criticism as a woman and as a mom
Becky’s crazy story of dealing with Mommy Wars
The power in allowing your kids to make confident decisions
What Pre-Shame and how it impacts decision making for our children
How brave it is to keep to your personal convictions
The impact on Mommy Wars that social media has had
We are talking about our marriages with some REAL TALK today. Sometimes we wish our husbands didn’t live with us AND we love ‘em so much. God has created us to feel more than one thing at once, what a gift!
Today we are chatting about:
How husbands and wives handle kids leaving differently and how to cope with this difference
Ways to reconnect with your spouse
Things to chat about when the kids are no longer the main thing your conversations surround
Digging into the “Case of the Capable” and what that does to marriages
Being intentional in needing each other (like letting HIM kill the spiders!)
All the “lasts” can add up in that final year of having a child living under your roof. Counting down a whole season of “lasts” can be HARD. Today we are sharing how we can best set ourselves up to enjoy this last year.
You’ll hear in this episode:
What Senioritis is (and how it shows up in our kid’s attitudes and ours)
The power of just letting yourself be sad about all the “lasts”
A preview of your senior year with your kids can be found in having a newborn
Wisdom for navigating the beautiful and hard parts of senior year
Advice for uniquely parenting your kids last year of high school
Encouragement and real life stories about letting your kids make decisions in order to learn from their mistakes
Any dog mamas out there? As mothers, we need to channel that mom energy to something. We were made to nurture! When there is no one at home to parent anymore, sometimes a pet is just what you need.
In this episode we are chatting about:
How we are made for relationships and how dogs (or any pet) fits into that need
Ways to build into relationships once your kids are out of the house
The unexpected ways to channel your mom energy (besides on your fur baby)
Why you need to give yourself permission to be bad at new hobbies
How our seasons can be measured by the food that is being served in your home
What the Drop it and Do it Mindset is
The power of discerning from God how to intentionally spend your time with your kids during their last years at home
Join us for a conversation about grief. We won’t be shaming you ONE bit for feeling all the feels. Nope, over here, we believe that grief comes from the ending of something beautiful which is worth celebrating!
Today we discuss:
The challenges and frustrations of grieving differently than those around you
What you should NEVER tell someone in the midst of grieving
The illogical side of grief
The dangers of shutting down the process of grieving
The hard part of being good at being a successful mom
The weird side of our world that says we shouldn’t display emotions that make others uncomfortable
Pre-grief is a thing! You can start to grieve your kiddo leaving, even before they graduate high school
Today we are comparing our current journeys with empty nesting. One of us sees the empty nest through the windshield, the other one can see it in the rearview mirror.
Thanks for hanging out with us today, it’s an honor to share with you our different experiences, and we pray you leave encouraged about this topic that is close to both our hearts.
You’ll hear us share today:
Our thoughts on being friends with your kids
How men and women are different when it comes to all the “lasts” with your kids in high school
A small but profound line in the Bible about Mary the mother of Jesus that shows us it’s Biblical to mark memories down
Things to look forward to once your kiddos leave the nest
Why bumping heads with senior kids could be a good sign, something to make empty nesting an easier transition
The wisdom of expecting an emotional rollercoaster at times in this season (grief they are gone AND excited for when they will leave and when they visit!)
1. Our Heart Behind a Girlfriend’s Guide to an Empty Nest
06 Aug 2024
00:28:02
Welcome to our very first episode! We pray your time with us (Hi! It’s Anne & Becky!) is filled with laughter, encouragement and so much inspiration.
When we discovered people just weren’t talking about the grief and challenges of having your kids leave your home, we decided to become that much needed resource ourselves.
In this premiere episode we share about:
Why it’s healthy and important to let yourself grieve your kids leaving
The things Anne really enjoys about having adult kids outside of her home (there is good stuff to look forward to after they leave!)
Profound parenting tips that have blessed us so much (like why you need to let your kids get to know your preferences)
Hilarious stories about our husbands and kids!
Future episode topics to come
Anne’s encouragement to Becky as she prepares to have college aged kids and Anne’s plans to start putting herself first (maybe some higher scale shopping perhaps?!)
Welcome to The Girlfriend's Guide to an Empty Nest Podcast!
30 Jul 2024
00:12:59
Hey! We are Anne & Becky! Here we discuss the challenges and joys of the empty nest phase, sharing personal experiences and advice. You aren't alone if emptying nesting feels HARD!
We cover topics such as the grieving process, reconnecting with spouses, rediscovering purpose, and the transition from parent to friend. We share the importance of faith and humor in navigating this season of life.
We pray these episodes bless and prepare you for emptying nesting... and make you giggle!