The house is quieter, the hallways feel empty, and our hearts are caught somewhere between pride and heartache. In this episode of Relating, I’m sharing my own journey of sending two kids off to college while preparing for my youngest’s senior year of high school. I want to invite you to see this season of life as both bittersweet and full of possibility.

I’ll talk about why it’s important to let ourselves grieve, how to avoid putting the weight of our emotions on our kids, and ways to show compassion when we and our spouses process this time differently. I’ll also give you 5 practical steps to help you move forward with hope: Feel it all, Honor Boundaries with Your Kids, Plan Something to Look Forward to, Support Your Spouse with Compassion, and Reconnect with your Partner.

Whether you’ve launched your first, your last, or you’re staring down senior year with tissues in hand, this episode will remind you that you’re not alone, and that what’s left when the kids leave can be beautiful.

If you enjoy this episode, hit follow/subscribe so you don't miss new episodes every Thursday. For more support, head to jenfunkcoaching.com to grab my free guide, 5 Simple Steps to Improve Your Relationship Today, and sign up for my weekly newsletter. You can also submit a question for a future "Ask Jen" episode and learn more about how to work with me in one of my groups or 1:1 coaching.