Empty Nest Reality Check: What Your College Kid ACTUALLY Needs You to Know (with Natalie Goldberg)
What really goes through your child’s mind after you drop them off at college and drive away? In this special episode of Life After Launch, Allison is joined by her daughter, Natalie, for an honest, vulnerable conversation about the empty nest transition from both sides of the coin. From the fear of college move-in day to learning how to set boundaries, stop people-pleasing, and build a whole new parent-child dynamic in young adulthood, this episode is a guide for every parent learning to let go. Whether you're preparing for college drop-off, navigating empty nest grief, or figuring out how to support your child without solving all their problems, this conversation offers comfort, perspective, and actionable advice. In This Episode, We Discuss: The College Move-In Reality: What your kids are actually feeling during those first scary weeks (and why they seem fine on the outside). How Much Support is Too Much?: Finding the sweet spot between being available when they call and letting them navigate hard lessons independently. The Transition to Young Adulthood: How to shift your relationship from manager/parent to mentor/friend. Overcoming People-Pleasing & Setting Boundaries: Natalie’s personal takeaways on learning to love silence, trust her gut, and make decisions for herself. The "Good Lie" That Works: Why giving your child a safety net helps them build the confidence to stay the course. If this episode gave you comfort or insight into your own empty nest journey, please share it with a friend who needs it today and hit follow on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!