The Midlife Momma Podcast - Empty nest mom, Parenting adult children, Midlife transition, Christian mom

What can you expect when your kids move out? Starting the empty nest is a milestone in most couples' marriages. When you know what to expect, you can handle the changes in a healthy way. HELPFUL LINKS:  Free Guide: Your Kids Are Grown...Now What? here Free Discovery Session with certified Empty Nest Coach, Pamela here Review + Rate podcast here Follow Pamela on Instagram here Pamela's website with free resources here

Join me for an important conversation with Psychotherapist Dr Zoe Shaw. She explains complex shame and tells us how to get rid of it through self-forgiveness and self-compassion. HELPFUL LINKS:  Complex Shame Journey here Free Guide: Your Kids Are Grown...Now What? here Free Discovery Session with certified Empty Nest Coach, Pamela here Review + Rate podcast here Follow Pamela on Instagram here Pamela's website with free resources here

Join me for tips 6-10: Let’s talk about not giving advice, not criticizing, sharing your perspective, communicating love, and the best way to close this challenging conversation. HELPFUL LINKS:  Free Guide: Your Kids Are Grown...Now What? here Free Discovery Session with certified Empty Nest Coach, Pamela here Review + Rate podcast here Follow Pamela on Instagram here Pamela's website with free resources here

You need a plan and some essentials to keep in mind when you need to have a hard conversation. Let’s talk about courage, timing, listening, mirroring back, and clarifying questions. HELPFUL LINKS:  Free Guide: How to Have Hard Conversations with Your Adult Kids here Free Discovery Session with certified Empty Nest Coach, Pamela here Review + Rate podcast here Follow Pamela on Instagram here Pamela's website with free resources here

Learn why it’s good to be open to learn and grow because, as a mom, you don’t know everything and why these difficult conversations help you know how to pray. HELPFUL LINKS:  Free Guide: How to Have Hard Conversations with Your Adult Kids here Free Discovery Session with certified Empty Nest Coach, Pamela here Review + Rate podcast here Follow Pamela on Instagram here Pamela's website with free resources here

Instead of shrinking back from hard conversations, learn why they can improve your relationship with your adult child. HELPFUL LINKS:  Free Guide: How to Have Hard Conversations with Your Adult Kids here Free Discovery Session with certified Empty Nest Coach, Pamela here Review + Rate podcast here Follow Pamela on Instagram here Pamela's website with free resources here

Find four prayers for when you need acceptance, to trust God, to gain strength, and your struggling child to seek God. A Prayer for When You Need to Accept Your Child’s Troubles Scripture:“But Job replied, “You talk like a foolish woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” So in all this, Job said nothing wrong.”- Job 2:10 Prayer: Oh, Lord, you know I get this wrong so often. I assume you only give good gifts so when troubles come I’m disappointed in you. That’s the wrong way to view you. Help me understand you allow hardship because you care about my child’s relationship with you, more than their comfort. You are good. You are always good, even when difficulties arrive in my child’s life. Amen. A Prayer for When You Want to Trust God More Scripture: “The Lord is my strength and shield .I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.”-Psalm 28:7 Prayer: Dear Lord, I know this season of my life is all about trusting you more. You love my grown kids more than I do, so help me lean into my relationship with you. Reveal your greatness and reassure me as you teach me how to trust you with my grown children. These kids are yours, and I trust you with my whole heart. I know you're working in unseen ways. I bless you for helping me. I praise your great name. Amen. A  Prayer for Finding Strength in God Scripture: “O Lord, do not stay far away! You are my strength; come quickly to my aid!”-Psalm 22:19 Prayer:Lord, I must confess, there are so many times I feel weak when it comes to my adult kids' struggles. I become consumed with worry and I know that’s not how you want me to live. Be my strength and shield. Help me understand apart from you I am weak and fragile. But when I lean on you, I am held, confident and secure. Be the strength of my life and my confidence forever. Amen. A Prayer that Your Child Seeks God Scripture:“If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.”-Jeremiah 29:13 Prayer: Papa, I ask you to draw my hurting child to your heart. Help them seek you with all their might. Help them lean into you through their suffering. Help them experience your love through these difficult days. When they are far from you, draw them closer, as you minister your love. Amen. HELPFUL LINKS:  Free Guide: Your Kids Are Grown...Now What? here Free Discovery Session with certified Empty Nest Coach, Pamela here Review + Rate podcast here Follow Pamela on Instagram here Pamela's website with free resources here

Learn three prayers for when you need to lament, stop fixing your child’s problems, and release your expectations for how your adult child’s life should unfold. A Prayer of Lament When You Need to Be Honest with God Scripture: “Bend down, O Lord, and hear my prayer;  answer me, for I need your help. Protect me, for I am devoted to you. Save me, for I serve you and trust you. You are my God.” Psalm 86:1-2    Prayer: Oh, God, it hurts deeply to see my child struggle. I’m hurting and I’m overcome with worry, but I know I need to run to you. So here I am, pouring it all out. I need your help. My child needs your help. Hear me and answer me because I love you and you love me. I know you are my faithful God. Amen. A  Prayer for Releasing the Need to Fix Your Child. Scripture:“You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything.” Corinthians 6:12 Prayer: Dear God, you know I want to rush in and make everything better for my child. I could, but if I did, it would thwart their growth. So give me strength to understand what my child is responsible for and what I’m responsible for. I do not want to get in the way of their maturing. Amen A Prayer for Relinquishing Control of Outcomes.  Scripture: “You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.”- Proverbs 19:21   Prayer: God, you know I struggle with expectations about how my child’s life should go. Help me surrender my plans for your purposes. You, alone, know what’s best for my adult child. I relinquish my desire to impact any outcomes. I know your plans and purposes are best. I accept them wholeheartedly. Amen. HELPFUL LINKS:  Free Guide: Your Kids Are Grown...Now What? here Free Discovery Session with certified Empty Nest Coach, Pamela here Review + Rate podcast here Follow Pamela on Instagram here Pamela's website with free resources here

Licensed therapist, Heather Bjur, offers some language to use that will be helpful if you have a child who struggles with depression or anxiety. We talk about what not to do, and tips on how to support your adult child well.  HELPFUL LINKS:  Journal Prompts for People Pleasers here Free Guide: Your Kids Are Grown...Now What? here Free Discovery Session with certified Empty Nest Coach, Pamela here Review + Rate podcast here Follow Pamela on Instagram here Pamela's website with free resources here

It’s important to understand your child’s journey is separate from yours. Knowing God is with them, as you cling to Him, will provide immeasurable peace when you’re worried. HELPFUL LINKS:  Free Guide: Your Kids Are Grown...Now What? here Free Discovery Session with certified Empty Nest Coach, Pamela here Review + Rate podcast here Follow Pamela on Instagram here Pamela's website with free resources here