Entry Level Mom Episode 41: Transition to Empty Nesting with Karen Steinhilber

In this episode, my guest Karen and I discuss the topic of empty nesting, since her son left for college. Karen shares her experience of becoming a mother, her pregnancy and delivery, and her favorite memories of her son when he wa s little. We also talk about the challenges and adjustments of empty nesting, including reshuffling friend groups and reinvesting in relationships with spouses.

Karen reflects on the journey of motherhood and the series of little goodbyes that come with it. Motherhood taught Karen that not everyone knows her child the way she does, and it's okay to figure things out together. She realized that she didn't have to rely on books or experts to understand her baby.

She would tell new mothers to trust their own intuition and knowledge about their baby. Karen also emphasized the importance of giving oneself grace and not succumbing to mom guilt. She shared her experiences with breastfeeding and the pressure to stimulate her baby's brain with flashcards, highlighting the need to let go of unrealistic expectations and focus on what truly matters.

Takeaways

• Empty nesting is a significant transition in a parent's life, and it comes with its own set of challenges and adjustments.
• Preparing for empty nesting involves going through your child's belongings together, organizing and letting go of sentimental items.
• Investing in relationships with your spouse and friends becomes important during the empty nest phase.
• Motherhood is a journey of constant change and growth, with each phase bringing new experiences and memories.
• The series of little goodbyes in motherhood can be emotional and bittersweet, but they also signify growth and independence for both parent and child. Not everyone knows your child the way you do, trust your own intuition and knowledge about your baby
• Give yourself grace and don't succumb to mom guilt
• Let go of unrealistic expectations and focus on what truly matters
• Breastfeeding can be challenging, and it's important to seek support and not feel like a failure if supplementation is needed

Sound Bites
"Parenthood is the slowest breakup in the world."

• "Making sure there's something to look forward to."
• "Your son did not read the same books that you did"
• "It's okay to set the books aside and go with what you know about your baby"
• "Not every decision is going to impact the rest of your baby's life"

Chapters
00:00
Introduction and Background

05:45
Favorite Memories of Motherhood

09:36
Transition to Empty Nesting

13:00
Preparing for Empty Nesting

19:21
Finding New Hobbies and Investing in Relationships

23:49
Reshuffling Friend Groups

26:38
Lessons Learned from Motherhood

28:45
Introduction and Karen's Experience with a Challenging Baby

31:00
Trusting Your Intuition and Letting Go of Expert Advice

33:46
The Impact of Mom Guilt and the Importance of Grace

36:09
The Reality of Breastfeeding Challenges

39:04
The Pressure of Unrealistic Expectations

41:18
Reflecting