Soiling the Nest: Why Your Teen is Pushing You Away

02/12/25 • 43 min

Is your college-bound teen suddenly moody, defiant, or picking fights? Welcome to soiling the nest—a real and natural part of their transition to independence. In this episode of the Women’s Mental Health Podcast, licensed psychotherapists Randi Owsley, LMSW, and Jessica Bullwinkle, LMFT, break down why this happens, how it impacts your mental health, and what you can do to cope. Whether you're feeling hurt, confused, or just plain exhausted, this conversation will help you navigate the messy emotions of this stage with self-care and confidence.

While this shift can feel personal, understanding the psychology behind soiling the nest can help you navigate the emotional rollercoaster with empathy and patience. Beyond the household, this behavior also has social and economic impacts, influencing family dynamics, financial planning, and emotional well-being. Learn practical tools to manage your own emotions, strengthen your parent-child relationship, and find resources to help guide you through this transformative stage with confidence.

Whether you're a parent navigating this emotional phase at home or a business leader looking for solutions to prevent disruption in your company, we’ll provide expert insights, actionable strategies, and preventative measures to help you adapt and thrive. Stay tuned for practical tips, professional advice, and real-life examples that bring clarity to this complex topic!

Questions we answer!

Why do some teens engage in challenging behavior before leaving home?

How can I differentiate between normal teenage behavior and more serious issues?

What are some strategies for addressing challenging behavior in teens?

Should I be worried if my teen experiments with substances?

How can I support my teen's mental well-being during this challenging time?

Is it normal for my teen to distance themselves from family and spend more time with friends?

What role does autonomy play in a teen's development?

How can I prepare my teen for the challenges of leaving home?

What should I do if my teen's behavior becomes concerning or poses a danger?

How can I maintain a strong, supportive relationship with my teen during this phase?

#SoilingTheNest #TeenIndependence #ParentingTeens #EmptyNestSyndrome #TeenBehaviorExplained #ParentingChallenges #MentalHealthForMoms #CopingWithChange #FamilyDynamics #RaisingTeensRight #collegebound #collegeboundkids #CollegeBound2025 #NervousSystemSupport #ProtectYourPeaceNow #EmotionalWellnessMatters #FindYourInnerCalm #PrioritizeYourMentalHealth #HealthyBoundariesHappierLife

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Head to our website to learn more about sponsorship opportunities, as well as stats.
https://www.womensmentalhealthpodcast.com/p/advertise/

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Stay Connected! Instagram | Facebook | Website + Resources
The Women’s Mental Health Podcast, hosted by licensed therapists Randi Owsley MSW and Jessica Bullwinkle LMFT, PMH-C, offers educational and entertaining mental health content. This is not therapy or a substitute for professional care. No therapeutic relationship is formed by listening or engaging. Some links may be affiliate links, which may earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Questions we answer!

Why do some teens engage in challenging behavior before leaving home?

How can I differentiate between normal teenage behavior and more serious issues?

What are some strategies for addressing challenging behavior in teens?

Should I be worried if my teen experiments with substances?

How can I support my teen's mental well-being during this challenging time?

Is it normal for my teen to distance themselves from family and spend more time with friends?

What role does autonomy play in a teen's development?

How can I prepare my teen for the challenges of leaving home?

What should I do if my teen's behavior becomes concerning or poses a danger?

How can I maintain a strong, supportive relationship with my teen during this phase?

Send us a text

Head to our website to learn more about sponsorship opportunities, as well as stats.
https://www.womensmentalhealthpodcast.com/p/advertise/

Support the show

Previous Episode

Doubling Down on ADHD: Harnessing Body Doubles for Success

Is your ADHD toolbox in need of a powerful, yet simple tool? In today’s episode, we dive deep into the Body Doubling Technique for ADHD, unravelling how this practice can transform your productivity and emotional wellness. Join Randi Owsley, LMSW, and Jessica Bullwinkle, LMFT, two licensed psychotherapists with over 23 years of experience in women’s mental health, as they discuss practical strategies for using body doubling to foster focus and accomplish daily tasks. Whether you're battling feelings of isolation or seeking everyday coping strategies, this episode will enlighten and inspire you to embrace body doubling as a pathway to empowerment throughout your ADHD journey.

Navigating the path of ADHD as a woman can often feel like a solitary journey, but it doesn't have to be. Embracing techniques like body doubling and seeking ADHD accountability partners can transform your daily struggles into stories of success. We understand how vital finding effective, relatable coping strategies and support resources is in empowering you towards personal growth and mental resilience.

In our upcoming podcast episodes, we're diving heart first into a treasure trove of topics that paint the full picture of the ADHD experience for women. We understand that overcoming ADHD challenges is no small feat—it requires courage, resilience, and a community that genuinely gets it. Together, we'll uncover personal growth strategies, from time management wizardry and building life-enhancing habits to embracing mindfulness practices tailored for the unique minds of ADHD women. Our mission is to empower you to navigate your path with grace and confidence, equipping you with wellness and coping mechanisms that celebrate your strengths and embrace your challenges. Your mental health is a journey worth cherishing, and with each step forward, we're here to remind you—you're not walking it alone.

FAQs

How does body doubling help women with ADHD?

Can body doubling be done virtually?

What tasks are best suited for body doubling?

Do both people need to have ADHD for body doubling to work?

How do I find a body double if I live alone?

Is body doubling suitable for every woman with ADHD?

Can body doubling improve my emotional wellness?

What should I look for in a good body double?

How do I introduce the concept of body doubling to someone who doesn’t have ADHD?

#MentalHealthPodcast #SelfLove #SelfCare #Wellness #Mindset #MentalHealth #Depression #Healing #Podcast #Anxiety #WomensMentalHealth #MentalHealth #WomensHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #Anxiety #WomenSupportingWomen #SelfCare #MentalHealthMatters #Depression #Therapy #ADHD #BodyDoubling #ADHDAwareness #ADHDSupport #ADHDCommunity #ADHDLife #ADHDStruggles #ADHDStrategies #ADHDProductivity #Neurodivergent

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Next Episode

Reclaim Your Power: Overcoming Emotional Setbacks

In this episode of Women’s Mental Health Podcast, we explore how emotional setbacks impact confidence, self-worth, and healing for women. Join Randi Owsley, LMSW, and Jessica Bullwinkle, LMFT, two licensed psychotherapists with 23 years of expertise in women’s mental health, as they dive into the steps to rebuild confidence after trauma, heal after emotional pain, and develop resilience—whether from heartbreak, postpartum struggles, ADHD, work struggles or anxiety. If you're feeling lost, alone, or stuck in self-doubt, this episode will provide the coping tools and empowerment strategies you need to reclaim your power. Tune in for expert insights and real-life strategies designed just for you.

Struggling with emotional setbacks can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face them alone. Whether you're navigating anxiety and self-worth healing for women, working through the challenges of ADHD and emotional resilience, or seeking support from a relationship trauma healing podcast, the right tools can help you move forward. Discover therapy-based coping skills for emotional setbacks to rebuild confidence, heal from past wounds, and regain a sense of self. From building self-esteem after toxic relationships to embracing women’s empowerment through self-care, find the resources and strategies you need to reclaim your strength and thrive.

In upcoming episodes, we’ll dive deeper into the challenges and triumphs of emotional healing. We’ll explore anxiety and self-worth healing for women, practical strategies for ADHD and emotional resilience, and expert insights from our relationship trauma healing podcast to help you break free from past wounds. Stay tuned for inspiring conversations and actionable advice tailored just for you!

FAQs

What does it mean to ‘reclaim your power’ after an emotional setback?
Is it normal to feel powerless after an emotional setback?
What are the first steps to take when trying to reclaim power?
How can I stop blaming myself for setbacks that are out of my control?
Can journaling help me reclaim my emotional power?
What role do support networks play in reclaiming emotional power?
How do I balance accepting help with maintaining my independence?
What if I feel like I'm not making progress fast enough?
How can setting boundaries assist in regaining emotional power?
How can I use mindfulness to help overcome emotional setbacks?
#WomensMentalHealth #HealingJourney #EmotionalResilience #SelfLoveAfterTrauma #ReclaimYourPower #WomensMentalHealth #EmotionalHealing #OvercomingSetbacks #SelfWorthHealing #TraumaRecoveryJourney #ReclaimYourPower #AnxietySupportForWomen #ADHDAndEmotionalResilience #HealingAfterToxicRelationships #TherapyToolsForHealing #MentalHealthAwareness #MentalHealthMatters #SelfCare #Anxiety #Depression #Mindfulness #SelfLove #Therapy #Healing #EndTheStigma

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Women's Mental Health Podcast - Soiling the Nest: Why Your Teen is Pushing You Away

Transcript

Randi00:00:14.470

Welcome to the Women's Mental Health Podcast, where Randy and Jess, two licensed psychotherapists, and we talk about women's mental health, well being and strategies for coping with all of life's challenges.

Jess00:00:25.420

And how all of this is normal. This

Randi00:00:28.509

episode, we are going to try to explain teenage behavior before leaving home and its impact on women's mental h