Life After Launch: Navigating the Empty Nest

Available Episodes

5 of 26

What Really Prepares Your Teen to Thrive with Stuart Dow
What if we’ve been looking at our children's success all wrong? Senior year hits, and we're on an unexpected rollercoaster. It’s not just our kids’ transition; it’s ours, too. While they figure out who they are without us, we must figure out who we are without them. It’s a messy, beautiful, often terrifying process of letting go. Today, I speak with Stuart Dow, Head of School at Emery Weiner. He has a front-row seat to what readiness looks like for both our kids and us, the parents, as we learn to let go. As an administrator, he teaches every senior, providing them with a valuable perspective on their shifts that we might miss.In this episode, Stuart and I explore what it takes for a teen to thrive, emphasizing patience and allowing kids to find their own path. Stuart highlights the importance of soft skills, such as respect, eye contact, and apologies, for long-term success, often more so than academic ability. He discusses common parental mistakes, such as projecting dreams and intervening too much, especially before college. This conversation offers a grounded, empowering perspective, reminding us our role isn't to control outcomes but to build a foundation and trust them to succeed.In this episode, we discuss:👉 The emotional transition for parents and teens👉 Why patience is a parent’s greatest tool👉 Soft skills that matter more than grades👉 How parental interference can hinder growth👉 Letting kids find their own unique paths👉 The truth about following talent versus passion===================Want to be a guest on the show? Share your story.Find out more about me here, or shoot me an email [email protected]
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38:01
When the Launch Looks Different: College Isn’t the Only Way
Ever looked around and felt like your child's launch doesn't fit the "typical" path? What if their dream doesn't involve a dorm or a degree? Today, we're redefining what a successful launch truly looks like.Many of you have asked me: What happens when your child's launch doesn't follow the straight-to-college path? We often hear about the "one-dimensional path": high school, college, job, independence. But the truth is, launch is rarely a straight line, and it definitely doesn't always include a degree. As parents, it's vital that we stop measuring our worth, or our children's, by whether they took this "expected" path. Today, I’ll share how to support your child without judgment, how to set expectations if they return home, and, most importantly, how to celebrate their unique successes, big or small. This episode is all about letting go of your plan and allowing them to create their own dream. In this episode, we cover:👉 Challenging the "traditional" launch narrative👉 Celebrating success beyond a college degree👉 Supporting your child without judgment👉 Setting clear expectations for boomerang kids👉 Watching for progress, not perfection👉 Celebrating your child's "little wins" ===================Upgrade your eyewear by visiting peepers.com. Use my code EMPTYNESTER15 to receive 15% off before June 27.Want to be a guest on the show? Share your story.Find out more about me here, or shoot me an email [email protected]
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Before They Leave: The Talks Every Parent Needs to Have Before College Drop-Off
The countdown to college drop-off has begun, and with it, all the questions: "Did I do enough? Will they be okay? Will I be okay?" Today, we're giving you a game plan for their first year away! Joining me today is my incredible friend and empowerment coach, Sunni Markowitz, to tackle the big anxieties parents face when their kids head off to college. We discuss setting realistic expectations for freshman year, emphasizing that true success involves building community, managing work-life balance, and learning from "healthy mistakes". Sunni shares invaluable advice on shifting from managing to mentoring our young adults and encouraging them to find their own solutions. We also discuss how to navigate homesickness with empathy and practical tools like journaling. A key takeaway is the importance of having open conversations before drop-off about communication boundaries, handling money, and accessing on-campus resources. This episode is all about letting go with courage and trust, understanding that college is a journey of growth for both our kids and us, and remembering that leaning in doesn't mean disappearing.In this episode, we cover:👉 Defining freshman year success realistically 👉 Shifting from parent to mentor 👉 Encouraging community building and connection 👉 Navigating homesickness with practical tools 👉 Teaching financial responsibility and boundaries 👉 Healthy vs. hurtful parental support ===================Discover more about Sunni and what she offers at Brighter U Coaching.Upgrade your eyewear by visiting peepers.com. Use my code EMPTYNESTER15 to receive 15% off before June 27.Want to be a guest on the show? Share your story.Find out more about me here, or shoot me an email [email protected]
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42:08
They’re Baaack: From Empty Nest to Full House (Again)
Just when you were getting used to the quiet house and your newfound freedom, they're back! Are you ready for the beautiful, messy, and totally unexpected reality of having your college kids home for the summer?If you’re like me, these next months, you’re diving into a major plot twist in your empty nester journey, the summer return of our college kids. I know that feeling of pure excitement, stocking the fridge with all their favorites and counting down the minutes until they walk through the door.But then, reality sets in, right? For us, it started with curfews and quickly became clear that the kids we dropped off last fall weren't the same ones who came back. They’ve tasted independence, and we've gotten used to our quiet evenings and clean kitchens. Suddenly, we’re navigating messy bathrooms, endless laundry, and conversations that sound a lot like, "I'm 18, I can do what I want!". It’s a huge adjustment for everyone, and if we’re not careful, it can lead to some really tough moments and hurt feelings.In this episode, I discuss my family’s struggles and the lessons I've learned from my kids and their friends. It’s not just about rules; it’s about shifting identities for everyone. We must honor the new people our kids are becoming while respecting our new lives. Needing your space isn’t selfish… It's just reality.In this episode, we cover:👉 The "honeymoon phase" of kids returning home👉 Navigating the inevitable clash over rules and freedom👉 Understanding your college kid's perspective on returning👉 The pros and cons kids experience at home👉 Shifting identities for both parents and kids👉 Adjusting to a new, shared-space reality===================Upgrade your eyewear by visiting peepers.com. Use my code EMPTYNESTER15 to receive 15% off before June 27.Want to be a guest on the show? Share your story.Find out more about me here, or shoot me an email [email protected]
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Life Lessons from My 20s, 30s, 40s & 50s
As empty nesters, we finally have the space to look back and ask: "Who am I now?" Join me as I reflect on lessons learned from my 20s, 30s, and 40s! Today, I open up about my personal journey through different decades of my life – my 20s, 30s, and 40s – and share the lessons I've learned that resonate deeply with where we are now as empty nesters. I talk about my struggle with people-pleasing in my 20s and the importance of finding my authentic voice. In my 30s, I reflect on being "knee-deep in motherhood" and the realization that I needed to honor my kids for who they were, not who I wanted them to be. My 40s were a time of grappling with control and, unfortunately, letting my relationship with Joel take a back seat. Now, in my 50s, I'm finally finding my voice and leaning into the person I was always meant to be. This episode is about making peace with our past, sharing our wisdom, and deciding how we want to move forward from this point on. In this episode, we cover:👉 Finding your authentic voice in your 20s 👉 Honoring your kids' true selves 👉 Releasing control as a parent 👉 Prioritizing your marriage in midlife 👉 Embracing your voice in your 50s 👉 Owning your story and the lessons learned ===================Upgrade your eyewear by visiting peepers.com. Use my code EMPTYNESTER15 to receive 15% off before June 27.Want to be a guest on the show? Share your story.Find out more about me here, or shoot me an email [email protected]
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