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 nester
The transition from needing you all the time
The change that happens when kids get their driver’s license
Daily independence vs. financial independence
Differences based on boys vs. girls leaving the nest
Differences with number of kids
Grieving unexpected things with their departure
Song: Crowded Table by Highway Women
Every flight is different
Mindset through our whole motherhood journey
The parallel between school breaks and when your kids fly the nest
The selfless nature of motherhood
Kids still at home with their siblings leave home
Life 360 App
Giving them messages of security and encouragement
Making sure we lay a secure foundation and not one of nagging and mistrust
Learning from our realizations and taking action from there
Pivoting and adapting
WE NEED TO MODEL FOR OUR KIDS
It’s never to late to change
How moms change when kids leave the nest
Mistakes they made when their kids first left the nest
Being more aware
Figure our what draws your kids in and what drives them away
Taking up hobbies as a mom in this season for rejuvenation
Talking with moms who have gone before you in this season
Acknowledging the grief
Preparing your child to launch – was there a list of skills you want them to have before they leave home?
Open communication within a family
Becoming less offended
“You can’t talk to your kids enough.” -Amy Debrucque
Realistic expectations
Talking through how to navigate situations
Building up their courage
Dealing with homesickness
“Don’t keep your kids small.” – JFB
And 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.com
Instagram: @loribethauldridge @elevatingmotherhood
Please Visit Our Sponsors: www.elevatingmotherhood.com/sponsors
