197. Empty Nest Season: Preparing Your Kids (and Your Heart) for Launch

Whether your baby is still in diapers, you’re in the middle of the school years, your teenager just got their driver's license, or you've recently become an empty nester, the relationship you hope to have with your children when they leave home doesn't begin the day they pack their bags.It begins today.It begins with the culture you're creating in your home, the words you speak, the trust you're building, the way you respond to change, and the example you're setting.In this conversation, we talk about what it really feels like when your children begin leaving the nest—not just for them, but for you and even for the siblings they leave behind. We discuss the grief that can catch you off guard, the joy of watching your children become independent, and the mindset shifts that help us parent with open hands instead of clenched fists.You'll hear us talk about becoming an "open nester" instead of an "empty nester," why it's so important not to keep our kids small, how to prepare them with the life skills and confidence they'll need to launch well, and why it's never too late to change the patterns in our homes.One of my favorite reminders from this conversation is something Amy says: "You can't talk to your kids enough." And Jennifer's encouragement not to keep our kids small has stayed with me ever since.If you've ever wondered how to prepare your children to leave home while also preparing your own heart, I think you'll find so much encouragement here.And if your kids are still little, don't skip this episode thinking it's for someone else. The foundation for launching our children well is laid years before they ever leave. The attitudes, habits, and relationships we cultivate now matter more than we realize.So grab a cup of coffee, settle in, and enjoy this conversation with my sweet friends, Jennifer Ford Berry and Amy Debrucque. In this episode we talk about:  Open nester vs. empty nesterThe transition from needing you all the time The change that happens when kids get their driver’s licenseDaily independence vs. financial independenceDifferences based on boys vs. girls leaving the nestDifferences with number of kidsGrieving unexpected things with their departureSong: Crowded Table by Highway WomenEvery flight is differentMindset through our whole motherhood journeyThe parallel between school breaks and when your kids fly the nestThe selfless nature of motherhoodKids still at home with their siblings leave homeLife 360 AppGiving them messages of security and encouragementMaking sure we lay a secure foundation and not one of nagging and mistrustLearning from our realizations and taking action from therePivoting and adaptingWE NEED TO MODEL FOR OUR KIDSIt’s never to late to changeHow moms change when kids leave the nestMistakes they made when their kids first left the nestBeing more awareFigure our what draws your kids in and what drives them awayTaking up hobbies as a mom in this season for rejuvenation Talking with moms who have gone before you in this seasonAcknowledging the griefPreparing your child to launch – was there a list of skills you want them to have before they leave home? Open communication within a familyBecoming less offended“You can’t talk to your kids enough.” -Amy DebrucqueRealistic expectationsTalking through how to navigate situationsBuilding up their courageDealing with homesickness“Don’t keep your kids small.” – JFBAnd so much more...full show notes at: www.elevatingmotherhood.com  Link to Jennifer’s Podcast: The Make Room Show https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/make-room-show/id1664260193  Link to Amy’s Podcast: Life on Purpose Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-on-purpose-podcast-with-amy-debrucque/id1498212623 Elevating Motherhood Links: Website: www.elevatingmotherhood.comInstagram: @loribethauldridge @elevatingmotherhood Please Visit Our Sponsors: www.elevatingmotherhood.com/sponsors