Sandwich Season Sanity
Welcome to Sandwich Season:
Peace, joy, and wisdom for moms who are stretched thin in multigenerational caregiving, juggling parenting, grandparenting, and eldercare.
Take charge of reactions, set those oh-so-important boundaries, and find time for new passions and hobbies.
Sandwich Season Sanity
Holiday Adaptability for Moms of Adult Kids ft. Pamela Henkelman
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On this episode, host Ruthie Gray welcomes Pamela Henkelman, certified empty nest coach and host of the Midlife Momma podcast, for a candid conversation about navigating the holidays with adult children. Pamela shares her wisdom on letting go of old expectations, respecting new family traditions, and fostering open communication—especially when it comes to those difficult conversations we tend to avoid. She emphasizes the importance of adaptability and prioritizing peace, reminding moms that the holidays may not look like they used to, but can still be filled with joy and connection.
Pamela also offers practical advice drawn from her own family’s experience, from scheduling celebrations on non-traditional dates to asking adult kids what traditions matter most to them. The episode highlights the need for moms to process their emotions privately and show up with love, creating a safe and welcoming space for everyone. Listeners will find encouragement to embrace trust and surrender, as well as resources like Pamela’s free guide “10 Things Not to Say to Your Adult Child and 5 Ways to Stop Yourself from Doing It”—linked in the show notes. If you’re a mom facing the empty nest or the “sandwich season” of life, this episode delivers actionable tips and heartfelt support for maintaining healthy, vibrant family relationships.
Resources:
- Freebie: 10 Things Not to Say to Your Adult Child(And 5 Ways to Stop Yourself from Saying Them)
- The Midlife Momma podcast
Pamela’s Bio:
Pamela Henkelman is a certified Empty Nest Coach, speaker, writer, and host of the Midlife Momma Podcast. With her bright smile and enthusiastic personality, she is passionate about encouraging women, particularly the often-forgotten group of moms with adult children. Pamela helps Christian moms let go with grace and enjoy the empty nest.
As a mom of five grown children and four grandchildren, Pamela has firsthand experience with the challenges and joys of navigating the empty-nest phase of life. She and her husband, of 37 years, are living their best empty-nest life and loving every minute of it.
Visit Ruthie's Website at RuthieGray.com
Get Ruthie's Sandwich Season Pieces Newsletter
Read Ruthie's book, Empty Nest Awakening; Weaving the Threads of Your Passions into Purpose