The Girlfriend's Guide to an Empty Nest

Anne Watson and Becky Kopitzke
  • 4.6 (23)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Biweekly

Hey! We are Anne & Becky! Here we discuss the challenges and joys of the empty nest phase, sharing personal experiences and advice. You aren't alone if emptying nesting feels HARD! We cover topics such as the grieving process, reconnecting with spouses, rediscovering purpose, and the transition from parent to friend. We share the importance of faith and humor in navigating this season of life. We pray these episodes bless and prepare you for emptying nesting... and make you giggle!

  1. May 19

    46. Advice for When Your College Kids Move Home for the Summer

    Today we are sharing our thoughts on how our parents raised us and how that influenced how our generation then raised kids in a “hovering” fashion.  Becky also shares her concerns about her daughter moving home for the summer and Anne shares her experience with this with her own kids. For any girlfriends in this boat of kids temporarily moving home, we pray this one is so encouraging and empowering!  Topics in our conversation today: Do you give your child rules when they return home from college to live at home for the summer? The balancing act of not policing your kids but still giving them independence and healthy expectations for living back at home Things giving us joy with our kids right now (there ARE pros of social media!) The only rule Anne had for her kids when they moved home for the summer Factors that impact your future relationship with your kids positivity  The powerful teacher that failure can be and why we need to let our kids make mistakes The struggle to trust your kids AND God Practical statements you can say to your kids when giving your opinions to them without judgment The wisdom of still investing in what fills you up, even when they are home for the summer.  The grief of things still changing and evolving and how to deal with that in a healthy way Validation that this season has really hard, awkward and not fun parts Hope for a future where you actually enjoy an empty home Get in Touch With us!⁠⁠ Connect with Anne: ⁠Swayology Business podcast⁠ Instagram Connect with Becky: Website⁠ ⁠Her books⁠ The Inspired Business podcast

  2. May 5

    45. Raising Boys & Gaining Sons-in-Law

    No brothers? No sons? No problem! :)  For those girlfriends who want to better understand raising boys or how to interact with/encourage the boys in their lives (sons-in-law, boyfriends of your daughters etc.), this episode is for you!  We share today about: Anne’s experience raising a son vs raising her daughters Helping your kids navigate online dating  A funny story of Anne standing up for her son his freshman year of college  What matters to boys in college compared to what matters to girls  Things Anne wishes she would have talked to her son about more Different techniques for learning about what is going on in a son’s life Anne’s biggest fear as a mother of a son Why you have to sometimes be more intentional connecting with your sons than your daughters once they leave home/get married Tips for being an open and not pushy parent, so your kids want to come to you for advice Unique Advice on welcoming new “kids” into the family via sons-in-law Get in Touch With us!⁠⁠ Connect with Anne: ⁠Swayology Business podcast⁠ Instagram Connect with Becky: Website⁠ ⁠Her books⁠ The Inspired Business podcast

  3. Apr 21

    44. Becoming Someone Joyful to Be Around

    There is a different tone in homes when laughter is easy, jokes are made more often and when your spouse is actually enjoyable to be around and not weekly getting a case of the Sunday Scaries (you know, dreading the upcoming work week). So today we pose the question: what can we do to set a joyful atmosphere in our homes as wives and moms? This episode is all about intentionality. Taking action to get a better outcome.  We pray this one encourages you, girlfriends! Today we dive into: How our contentment at work (or lack of) impacts our home lives Why YOUR pursuit of joy benefits your loved ones too Thoughts on changing jobs in the Empty Nesting season to bring you more purpose Looking for next steps once your kids leave, to lead you to new callings  Our experience with being Empaths and how that feels when your spouse is down Recognizing the impact you have as a woman on the mood in the home Ideas to have more fulfilling relationships and days How to find things that bring you joy and how to allow your deep dreams to awaken Amazing stats about productivity in your 50’s and 60’s Accidental joy hunting vs intentional joy hunting  The importance of staying curious Episodes mentioned:  Doing Some Thing Badly episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/37-how-about-not-setting-goals-this-new-year/id1760203235?i=1000743952619 Smothering Your Dog Once Your Kiddos Leave episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/4-where-to-put-your-mom-energy-now/id1760203235?i=1000664451393 Get in Touch With us!⁠⁠ Connect with Anne: ⁠Swayology Business podcast⁠ Instagram Connect with Becky: Website⁠ ⁠Her books⁠ The Inspired Business podcast

  4. Apr 7

    43. Letting Your Kids Walk Through Difficulty in Order to Grow

    Today is an episode for all the mama bears out there who just want to swoop in and fix things for their kids. It is such a HARD thing when your cub is grown and now you are required to play a supportive role, not a fix it role.  We chat today: The importance of life’s trials being allowed to be a teacher Encouraging vs fixing Thoughts on how hardships in life shapes you (and your kids) The natural feeling of wanting to fix things The pain of watching your kids experience pain (even when it results in good things)  Why the answer isn’t always to make struggles go away How issues in relationships can teach our kids how to handle conflict and more Ideas on how to give your perspective to your kids with loving language Successes AND failures providing lessons for all Noun Parenting vs Verb Parenting  The skill of trusting your kids and your good job as a parent   Get in Touch With us!⁠⁠ Connect with Anne: ⁠Swayology Business podcast⁠ Instagram Connect with Becky: Website⁠ ⁠Her books⁠ The Inspired Business podcast

  5. Mar 24

    42. When Your Adult Kids Are on the Struggle Bus (and you can’t really help)

    Today we are navigating a tough topic: what to do when your grown children are struggling. It is SO hard on a mama’s heart when situations arise that you can’t practically do anything to fix, other than letting them know you are there to listen and sympathize.  Today we chat about: Reflections of our own childhoods Our own parent’s style for parenting vs our own styles How to to give our imperfect parents grace Becoming the mom you wish you had growing up yourself How the older generations view emotions as weakness (and the impact of that on their kids) Thoughts on mental health in the church and our kids lives The wisdom of just asking your grown kids how to best help them The importance of apologizing to your kids Giving yourself grace for not knowing how to do everything right Why looking to the grace of God first, helps you to then have grace for yourself Get in Touch With us!⁠⁠ Connect with Anne: ⁠Swayology Business podcast⁠ Instagram Connect with Becky: Website⁠ ⁠Her books⁠ The Inspired Business podcast

  6. Mar 10

    41. Being Yourself Without Apology as You Age

    Today we are chiming in on how to take care of ourselves. Please note, taking care of yourself doesn’t just mean exercise or eating nourishing meals. It also means learning how to be resilient to peer pressure to do something a certain way, like those around you are. We also share about caring for our future self by caring for our current selves physically and emotionally. We’ll be chatting today tons too about clothing and how to let yourself wear what you wanna! Even if your kids think your fashion is wacky :)  You’ll hear today: The freedom that comes from not caring what others think about your words, appearance, life choices etc Our thoughts on dressing aging bodies (is it okay to still dress like your 20 even when you aren’t?) Being mindful to listen to the right voices The comfort and confidence to be yourself, unapologetically  How clothing can become an unhelpful armour  Anne’s experience “getting her colors” done The power of considering what is right for you and not just doing what appears right to other Considering “Grandma You” and what you can do to be the version of her you desire to be one day Commentary on barrel jeans … what the heck?! How you feel vs what other people think Watching out for the “Comparison Gauge" Finding health promoting behaviors that work for you personally  Learning what feels good for you (which might not look like what the influencer says to do or buy) Get in Touch With us!⁠⁠ Connect with Anne: ⁠Swayology Business podcast⁠ Instagram Connect with Becky: Website⁠ ⁠Her books⁠ The Inspired Business podcast

  7. Feb 24

    40. Our Husbands Take Over the Podcast for a Day!

    The day has finally arrived …. Our hubbies borrow our microphones and host the show for a special episode! Get ready for some jokes but also some great male insights to the Empty Nesting season. You’ll hear new information from stories already shared on this podcast, all from Rick and Chad telling THEIR experience of these moments. They may or may not also make a few jabs at Anne and Becky : ) To quote Rick, “This is our chance to throw our wives under the bus.” LOL!  The guys chat about: How launching a child looks different outwardly on dads and what they actually are thinking inside Mindsets dads use to help with the deep emotions that come with kids leaving the home Drop off Day from a dad’s perspective (including some funny memories!) Why our husbands wanted to come on the show  Advice for dads dropping off kids at college  The blessings that come from less kiddos in the home The mixed emotions that come with an Empty (or Emptier) Nest How dads (these dads at least) feel when the kids come back for visits (tripping over shoes anyone else?!) How marriages and friendships change when the kids are no longer living in your home How conversations change with your kids once they leave Thoughts on boundaries to set with kids when they come home after being on their own How the dads chatted with their kids about money to set them up for adulthood budgets Get in Touch With us!⁠⁠ Connect with Anne: ⁠Swayology Business podcast⁠ Instagram Connect with Becky: Website⁠ ⁠Her books⁠ The Inspired Business podcast

  8. Feb 10

    39. Mentoring Your Kids Once They Leave + Being a Freshman Old Person!

    Tune in today to hear about some exciting things coming to the show! Think HUSBANDS! You’ll also hear on today’s episode how to practically transition into your new roles in the Empty Nest season and we also share a fun BAD challenge to join us in this year! Today we also chat about: Expert Adults vs Baby Adults The sweetest listener review from a military mama A refreshing way to look at being in your 50’s (it’s funny but true!) Shifting from guide to mentor to your kids (what the practically looks like) Compassion for moms, no matter what your child decided to do post high school Helpful analogies for this stage of life The exciting possibilities for moms in the Empty Nest season Why it’s not all about your kids anymore The wisdom of embracing the suck Thoughts on “shoulding” on yourself vs listening to what God is asking you to do (even if you stink at it) An invitation to do something you are terrible at this year Get in Touch With us!⁠⁠ Connect with Anne: ⁠Swayology Business podcast⁠ Instagram Connect with Becky: Website⁠ ⁠Her books⁠ The Inspired Business podcast

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About

Hey! We are Anne & Becky! Here we discuss the challenges and joys of the empty nest phase, sharing personal experiences and advice. You aren't alone if emptying nesting feels HARD! We cover topics such as the grieving process, reconnecting with spouses, rediscovering purpose, and the transition from parent to friend. We share the importance of faith and humor in navigating this season of life. We pray these episodes bless and prepare you for emptying nesting... and make you giggle!

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