241. How to Help Your Struggling Adult Child Without Rescuing Them

Is your adult child struggling with anxiety or depression? Pamela Henkelman talks with authors Hope Blanton and Christine Gordon, who share practical ways moms can support an anxious or depressed adult child without fixing, rescuing, or carrying their struggles. Learn from a therapist and theologian what to say, how to listen well, and how to manage your own worry as you trust God with your adult child.HELPFUL LINKS: Hope & Chris' book, Help for the Anxious and Depressed hereHope & Chris' Bible Studies hereFree Guide: 10 Things Not to Say to Your Adult Child(And 5 Ways to Stop Yourself from Saying Them) hereApply for Coaching with certified Empty Nest Coach, Pamela hereTake the free 2-minute Quiz hereReview + Rate podcast hereFollow Pamela on Instagram hereFollow Pamela on Facebook herePamela's website with free resources here

Watching your adult child struggle can bring up fear, worry, and the urge to step in and fix everything. Therapist Carol Moore, known as Hey Mom on Instagram, joins Pamela Henkelman to talk about how moms can stay emotionally steady when their adult kids are struggling. We discuss how to support without rescuing, manage your own emotions, and build a healthy relationship with your adult child.HELPFUL LINKS: Follow Carol on Instagram hereFree Guide: 10 Things Not to Say to Your Adult Child(And 5 Ways to Stop Yourself from Saying Them) hereApply for Coaching with certified Empty Nest Coach, Pamela hereTake the free 2-minute Quiz hereReview + Rate podcast hereFollow Pamela on Instagram hereFollow Pamela on Facebook herePamela's website with free resources here

When your adult child is struggling, every mom wants to step in and make things better. But rescuing your grown child can keep them from building the resilience they need. In this episode, Pamela Henkelman shares six practical ways to support your struggling adult child without rescuing them. Learn how to listen with empathy, encourage resilience, point them toward God, and let go with greater trust.HELPFUL LINKS: Free Guide: 10 Things Not to Say to Your Adult Child(And 5 Ways to Stop Yourself from Saying Them) hereApply for Coaching with certified Empty Nest Coach, Pamela hereTake the free 2-minute Quiz hereReview + Rate podcast hereFollow Pamela on Instagram hereFollow Pamela on Facebook herePamela's website with free resources here

What happens when the life you've carefully built suddenly falls apart? In this final episode of the Her Next Chapter series, Pamela sits down with author Cheryl Esper Balcom to discuss her novel Mother of the Year and the powerful themes of grief, surrender, faith, and letting go of control. If you're navigating change in midlife or learning to trust God with what you can't control, this conversation will encourage your heart.HELPFUL LINKS: Cheryl's Novel: Mother of the Year hereCheryl's Website hereFree Guide: Journaling Through Transitional Grief hereApply for Coaching with certified Empty Nest Coach, Pamela hereTake the free 2-minute Quiz hereReview + Rate podcast hereFollow Pamela on Instagram hereFollow Pamela on Facebook herePamela's website with free resources here

What emotional baggage have you been carrying for far too long? In this episode of the Her Next Chapter series, Pamela talks with Lisa Najarian, founder of the You Go Girl movement and author of Girl, Unpack That!, about why women often carry unresolved hurts alone and how friendship and honesty can help us find healing. If you're ready to let go of what's weighing you down and step into your next chapter with greater freedom, this conversation is for you.HELPFUL LINKS: Lisa's book, Girl, Unpack That! hereLisa's website, You Go, Girl hereFree Guide: Journaling Through Transitional Grief hereApply for Coaching with certified Empty Nest Coach, Pamela hereTake the free 2-minute Quiz hereReview + Rate podcast hereFollow Pamela on Instagram hereFollow Pamela on Facebook herePamela's website with free resources here

In this episode of the Her Next Chapter series, Pamela sits down with mentor, coach, and bestselling author Alli Worthington to talk about Alli’s passion to help women grow! Together, they explore why your best years may still be ahead and how to make personal growth a priority this season. Learn about Alli’s Wise Woman Method and Catalyst Circles.HELPFUL LINKS: Get Alli's Wise Woman Method on Substack hereLearn more about Alli's Catalyst Mastermind hereFree Guide: Journaling Through Transitional Grief hereApply for Coaching with certified Empty Nest Coach, Pamela hereTake the free 2-minute Quiz hereReview + Rate podcast hereFollow Pamela on Instagram hereFollow Pamela on Facebook herePamela's website with free resources here

Do you feel confident about your finances as you head into the next chapter of life? Crystal Paine, founder of Money Saving Mom and author of The 7 Habits of Financially Healthy Women, joins Pamela to talk about simple financial habits, overcoming money stress, and building greater financial confidence in midlife.HELPFUL LINKS: Crystals' Free 5- Day Budget Makeover hereCrystals' blog Money Saving Mom hereCrystals' Instagram hereFree Guide: Journaling Through Transitional Grief hereApply for Coaching with certified Empty Nest Coach, Pamela hereTake the free 2-minute Quiz hereReview + Rate podcast hereFollow Pamela on Instagram hereFollow Pamela on Facebook herePamela's website with free resources here

Weight gain during perimenopause and menopause can feel confusing, especially when the strategies that worked for years suddenly stop working. In this premiere episode of Her Next Chapter, Dr. Heather Awad explains why midlife weight gain happens, the health risks associated with menopause belly fat, why "eat less and move more" often falls short, what to know about weight-loss medications like Ozempic, and practical ways women can improve their health during this season.HELPFUL LINKS: Dr. Heather's website hereDr Heather's Instagram hereFree Guide: Journaling Through Transitional Grief hereApply for Coaching with certified Empty Nest Coach, Pamela hereTake the free 2-minute Quiz hereReview + Rate podcast hereFollow Pamela on Instagram hereFollow Pamela on Facebook herePamela's website with free resources here

Many parents dream about the day their children launch into adulthood, but for families raising children with special needs, the empty nest may look very different. In this episode, Cindi and Joe Ferrini share insights from their new book Special Needs Parenting and discuss the unique challenges and blessings of caring for a child with special needs into adulthood. We talk about grief, marriage, finding joy on an unexpected journey, and trusting God when your parenting role doesn't unfold as you imagined.HELPFUL LINKS: Cindy Ferrini's website hereThe Special Needs Parent hereFree Guide: Journaling Through Transitional Grief hereApply for Coaching with certified Empty Nest Coach, Pamela hereTake the free 2-minute Quiz hereReview + Rate podcast hereFollow Pamela on Instagram hereFollow Pamela on Facebook herePamela's website with free resources here

Why does letting go of our children hurt so much, even when they're exactly where they're supposed to be? In this episode, Pamela sits down with author Lisa Appelo to discuss her new book, God of Comfort, and the very real grief that accompanies the transitions of motherhood. Together, they explore why empty nest grief is often misunderstood, how God meets us in our sorrow, and what it looks like to trust Him as our roles as mothers change.HELPFUL LINKS: Lisa's Book: God of Comfort hereLisa's Instagram hereFree Guide: Journaling Through Transitional Grief hereApply for Coaching with certified Empty Nest Coach, Pamela hereTake the free 2-minute Quiz hereReview + Rate podcast hereFollow Pamela on Instagram hereFollow Pamela on Facebook herePamela's website with free resources here