Donna: The Empty Nest Chapter

Saralynn chats with Donna, a wife, mom of six, and proud grandma about the full circle of motherhood. From homeschooling through the early years to navigating the quiet of an empty nest, Donna shares the lessons, laughter, and love that have shaped her decades of parenting.

They dive into what homeschooling looked like 20 years ago, how to prepare your heart (and identity) for life after kids leave home, and the emotional shift that comes when motherhood turns into grandmotherhood. Donna also opens up about overcoming her past, learning to apologize and model grace, and rediscovering herself through running, faith, and yes — her mini golden doodle, Yuki.

Whether you’re in the thick of toddler chaos or peeking ahead to the next season, this episode is a gentle reminder that motherhood evolves, but a mom’s heart never stops growing.

Trigger Warning: This episode includes brief mentions of childhood trauma and discussions around the emotional impact of the empty-nest stage.