The Midlife Momma Podcast - Empty nest mom, Parenting adult children, Midlife transition, Christian mom
Welcome to The Midlife Momma Podcast, the go-to resource for empty nest moms ready to embrace the next chapter of life with confidence and purpose! Join me, Pamela Henkelman, a certified Empty Nest Coach and proud momma of five, as we navigate this transformative journey together. Each week, we dive into essential topics that matter most to midlife moms, including: Setting and maintaining boundaries Rediscovering your life’s purpose Mastering effective communication with adult children Strengthening your marriage in the empty nest season Leaning on faith to guide your journey Follow The Midlife Momma Podcast now to join a community of like-minded moms and start your journey toward confidence, connection, and fulfillment in this exciting new chapter of motherhood. The Midlife Momma podcast is part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. Find more information at www.ChristianParenting.org
Episodes
Ever walked away from a conversation with your grown child thinking, “What just happened?” You’re not alone, Momma. Communication in the empty nest can feel tricky. The roles have changed, emotions run deep, and sometimes the words just don’t land the way we hoped.
In this highly downloaded episode, Pamela unpacks ten common barriers that make conversations with adult children so challenging, and shar...
As moms, our words carry incredible power, especially with our adult children. We never intend to hurt them, but sometimes, without realizing it, what we say can sound like guilt, criticism, or disapproval.
In this listener-favorite episode, Pamela unpacks ten common phrases that can unintentionally wound your grown kids and offers loving alternatives that build connection instead of conflict. If you’ve ever walked away from a conve...
What happens when your child’s choices take them down a path you didn’t expect, and you can’t fix it? In this heartfelt replay of one of our most-loved episodes, Pamela shares how to release the need to control your adult children and find peace in trusting God’s plan instead. Learn practical, faith-filled steps to trade worry for worship, surrender for strength, and fear for freedom.
HELPFUL LINKS:
Free G...
When your adult kids come home for the holidays, tough conversations can pop up fast. In this episode, Pamela shares how to talk with your grown children respectfully, even when you disagree. Learn how to listen without judgment, value the relationship over being right, and model Christ’s love in every conversation.
HELPFUL LINKS:
End of Year Gift to Christian Parenting here
Free Guide: Journaling Through Transitional Grief here
Free...
In this special Thanksgiving Day episode of The Midlife Momma Podcast, Pamela invites you to pause, breathe, and look for God’s glory all around you. Through the simple beauty of a sunrise and the practice of gratitude, she reminds us that even in the hard places of parenting adult children, God’s presence never leaves.
You’ll discover why gratitude is such a powerful antidote for a weary momma’s heart, how it helps us see God more ...
Hey Momma, are your holiday expectations stealing your joy? In this episode, we’ll talk about how to let go of what “should be” and embrace what is. Learn six grace-filled ways to stay flexible, find peace, and keep connection at the heart of your holidays. Even when things look different, God’s goodness is still all around.
HELPFUL LINKS:
CP Christmas Gift Guide here
Hey Momma, do the holidays feel different now that the kids are grown? In this heartfelt Advent conversation, Pamela Henkelman and guest Megan Nilson, author of Untangled Advent: Finding Hope in a Weary World, talk about how empty-nest moms can release expectations, embrace spiritual rhythms, and rediscover peace this Christmas. If you’re longing for a slower, more meaningful holiday season centered on Jesus, this episode will rene...
What happens when not everyone can make it home for the holidays? For many empty nest moms, this new reality brings a wave of disappointment, but it doesn’t have to steal your joy. Join Pamela as she shares six practical and faith-filled ways to approach holiday planning with your adult kids. You’ll learn how to practice radical acceptance, lead with emotional steadiness, and discover that even when the traditions change, God’s lov...
Hey Momma, what happens when your grown kids spread their wings, and their new home is in a different time zone? The distance can leave a tender ache in your heart.
In this heartfelt conversation, I’m joined by Joanne McHugh, creator of Things Your Mom Should Have Told You, to talk about how to stay emotionally close even when the miles stretch long. We’ll explore how to accept the move, manage expect...
Are you feeling weighed down by the struggles of your adult kids? In this episode, Pamela shares six soul-care practices to help Christian moms move from overwhelm to peace. With insights from Dr. Alison Cook, you’ll learn how to honor your needs, process emotions through God’s truth, and find rest in His presence. Momma, you don’t have to carry it all. Come be reminded that God sees you, loves you, and is ready to restore your wea...
Do you ever find yourself spiraling into worst-case scenarios about your adult child? In this episode, Pamela sits down with Master Coach Jennifer Collins, host of The Almost Empty Nest Podcast, to talk about why our minds default to fear and how to stop catastrophizing. Together they explore practical tools to quiet anxious thoughts, discern real concerns from imagined ones, and lean into God’s truth instead of panic.
HELPFUL LINKS...
Launching a child can leave even the strongest momma feeling undone. In this episode, we unpack transitional grief, what it is, how to recognize it, and why it’s a normal part of the empty nest journey. You’ll learn practical ways to acknowledge your emotions, healthy strategies to cope, and how trusting God can bring comfort in the middle of change.
HELPFUL LINKS:
Free Guide: Journaling Through Transitional Grief here
Free Connectio...
Author and creator of Empty Nest Blessed, Suzy Mighell, joins me for an uplifting conversation about finding faith and joy in the empty nest. Suzy shares what inspired her new book, how God has met her in this season, and how moms can experience His presence during times of transition. Whether you’re grieving the quiet or longing for fresh purpose, Suzy reminds us that the empty nest doesn’t have to feel empty; it can be a place fi...
What do you do when your adult child says, “I’m not sure I believe in God anymore”?
In this episode, we explore how Christian moms can respond with grace, compassion, and trust. Instead of panicking or preaching, you’ll learn why listening is the greatest gift you can give and how it opens the door for God to keep working in your child’s heart.
HELPFUL LINKS:
If you’ve ever struggled to set boundaries with your adult child, you’re not alone. Healthy boundaries with adult children aren’t about control; they’re about love, respect, and connection. In this episode, I’m sharing six phrases and behaviors to avoid so you can communicate clearly, protect your relationship, and honor God in the process. Learn how to set boundaries with your grown kids in a way that builds trust, strengthens you...
What if saying “no” could actually bring you closer to your grown kids? In this episode, discover why healthy, biblical boundaries can deepen connection, protect your peace, and create the space where love grows best.
HELPFUL LINKS:
Christian Parenting's Friday Favorites Newsletter here
Free Guide: 10 Things Not to Say to Your Adult Child here
Hey Momma, today we’ve got something special for you: a bonus episode straight from the
Pardon the Mess podcast!
Every Monday, host Courtney DeFeo shares a short prayer to help you lift up your kids. This
year’s series follows Christian Parenting’s brand new prayer journal, A Great Cloud of
Witnesses.
Each week highlights a biblical hero of the faith, paired with Scripture-based prayers for your
kids. Here is a sneak peek into ...
When motherhood shifts in the empty nest, how do you steady your soul? Author Mariel Davenport shares her TEND method and fresh encouragement from Scripture to help you walk with God through seasons of change.
HELPFUL LINKS:
Preorder Mariel's book, Ruth: Finding Grace in the Unexpected, here
Mariel's Free 4 Week Devotional Through Ruth here
Free Guide: 10 Things Not to Say to Your Adult Child here
What should you do when your adult child won’t leave the nest? In this honest and hope-filled episode, we explore six faith-filled strategies to help you navigate delayed launching with wisdom and grace. Learn how to set healthy boundaries, communicate with love, encourage independence, and trust God’s timing, without losing the relationship or yourself in the process.
HELPFUL LINKS:
Launching our kids into adulthood is one of the most emotional transitions of motherhood. In this episode, author and seasoned mom Ruthie Gray shares her honest wisdom on identity, boundaries, communication, and faith during the launching years. If you're feeling unsure or a little lost, you're not alone, and this conversation is full of hope and encouragement just for you.
HELPFUL LINKS:
Free Guide: Next Steps Journal here
...
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