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This episode of Sandwich Season Sanity is about navigating the “afterparty” of the empty nest, offering encouragement and wisdom for moms redefining their purpose after their children have grown. Host Ruthie Gray welcomes guest Kate Batastelli—author, former Broadway actress, and mother of Grammy-winning artist Francesca Battistelli—to share her insights and journey.

Ruthie and Kate discuss the reality that the shift to an empty nest can bring deep grief and a loss of purposeful identity. Kate shares, “The only way out of grief and heartache is to go through it.” She emphasizes that few moms prepare for this transition emotionally, often feeling blindsided when their central role as "Mom" shifts and their children begin new, independent chapters.

Some key thoughts from the episode:

• Embrace the Transition: The empty nest phase can be emotional, but Kate encourages us to honor the grief while also planning for a vibrant “second act.” Don’t get stuck—look for ways to serve, volunteer, and step outside your comfort zone.
• Seek Your “And”: Your identity isn’t just tied to the title of “mom.” There’s an “and”—a new chapter or calling that God may have for you. Ask yourself: What else am I called to do in this season?
• Prioritize Self-Care: “Self-care is not selfish.” Whether you’re in the thick of caregiving or finding your footing post-parenting, it’s essential to carve out time for what renews your spirit and brings you peace.

Resources:

• Kate Battistelli’s Website: Kate Battistelli
• Kate Battistelli’s Book: The Afterparty of the Empty Nest
• Ruthie’s Private Podcast: The Peaceful Mom Collection
• Retreat for Empty Nest Entrepreneurs: Next Steps Retreat

Note: Affiliate links may be included.

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This episode of Sandwich Season Sanity features a heartfelt check-in between host Ruthie Gray and guest Pat Fenner discussing what it’s like to juggle work commitments, family responsibilities, and grandparenting—all while striving to nurture healthy boundaries with adult children and loved ones.

Here are three key takeaways for moms facing similar challenges:

• Setting Boundaries Is Necessary—And Never Easy: Pat shared her ongoing journey of creating healthy boundaries, especially with adult kids and grandkids.
• Letting Go for Growth: As parents, it's tough to step back and let adult children face their own challenges. Pat encourages us to lean into faith and trust that we're not meant to carry the load alone—sometimes the best thing we can do is surrender and let God work in their lives.
• Finding Joy After Hardship: Pat spoke about her book, Rebuilding Your Life After a Silver Divorce, and the importance of seeking healing and joy after major life transitions. Her story is a powerful reminder that surrender can lead to unexpected redemption and new beginnings.

Resources:

• Pat Fenner’s book, Rebuilding Your Life After a Silver Divorce: A Pathway to Healing, Significance, and Joy, offers hope and actionable strategies for women walking through divorce and beyond.
• Ruthie’s Private Podcast: The Peaceful Mom Collection
• Retreat for Empty Nest Entrepreneurs: Next Steps Retreat

Note: affiliate links may be included.

Pat Fenner is a devoted advocate for personal transformation and healing. As an accomplished author and podcast producer, Pat has dedicated her career to empowering women, particularly those navigating the challenging waters of post-divorce life. In her latest book, Rebuilding Your Life After a Gray Divorce: A Path to Healing, Joy, and Significance, Pat draws on her own experiences and years of mentoring to offer a lifeline to women struggling to find their footing after a later-in-life divorce.

With a compassionate voice and a deep understanding of the emotional and spiritual upheavals faced in later-life separations, Pat has crafted the STRENGTHS framework. This guide is designed to help women savor simplicity, rebuild trust, and embrace a promising future. Her approach is deeply practical, rooted in real-life stories, biblical wisdom, and actionable strategies, encouraging women to reclaim their lives and rediscover joy.

In addition to her writing, Pat produces the engaging and insightful podcast "Silver Women, Bright Future" which serves as a platform to explore resilience, healing, and personal growth. She aims to inspire listeners to move forward with grace and strength.

Whether through her book or her podcasts, Pat Fenner is passionate about helping others rewrite their stories, proving that the journey doesn’t end post-divorce—it simply transforms.

For more on Pat’s mission and resources, visit her online at https://patfenner.me/silver-resources

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Today's episode with guest, Melinda Patrick, explores how parents can navigate and maintain healthy relationships with adult children, especially when they choose paths that diverge from their upbringing.

As parents, we often wrestle with how to handle our children’s unexpected life choices as they grow into independence. These choices can range from where they shop for groceries, to church attendance, to walking away from their faith. Through her personal experiences, Melinda Patrick shares how to move beyond our instincts of taking these decisions personally and engage with children through tricky conversations.

To hear Ruthie and Melinda go deeper on the topic of faith and life, join Ruthie’s private podcast and newsletter, The Peaceful Mom Collection, which provides guidance on parenting in these complex seasons.

Resources mentioned:

1. Download Melinda’s Scripture journaling activity: Tracing The Father’s Heart

2. Melinda’s Podcast: The Bridge Between Us

3. Melinda's Book: The Daring Rescue

4. Ruthie’s Private Podcast: The Peaceful Mom Collection

5. Retreat for Empty Nest Entrepreneurs: Next Steps Retreat

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Ruthie Gray explores the concept of "sandwich season," emphasizing the caregiver's role as the central hub between multiple generations, often managing responsibilities for both children and aging parents. She shares her personal experiences with multigenerational caregiving, offering insights into the importance of support and validation for those who feel overwhelmed.

Key Takeaways

1. Practical Strategies for Managing Caregiving Challenges:

o Being proactive and seeking practical solutions is essential for sustaining your efforts in the long run.

2. Support and Validation for Overwhelmed Caregivers:

o Connecting with community and sharing experiences can provide the validation you need.

3. Tips for Maintaining Self-Care:

o It's important to prioritize your well-being so you can continue to support your loved ones effectively.

Resources

· Reyna Neises's podcast, A Season of Caring," which provides relatable stories and advice for caregivers.

· Reyna's book, No Regrets: Hope for Your Caregiving Season, available on Amazon.

· Ruthie’s own book, Empty Nest Awakening: Weaving the Threads of Your Passions into Purpose (Amazon), designed to help individuals navigate new life phases while balancing caregiving responsibilities.

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Welcome to Episode 1 of Sandwich Season Sanity! This episode explores finding peace amid fear, particularly for those navigating the challenges of sandwich season—caring for aging parents while supporting growing and adult children.

• Finding Peace Amidst Fear: Ruthie Gray shares personal stories about her own fears with her adult daughter’s health scares. She emphasizes the significance of finding God's peace through prayer and scripture (Philippians 4:6-7) rather than succumbing to worry.
• Cultivating Thankfulness: Ruthie highlights how giving thanks is a powerful antidote to worry. She outlines the importance of a spirit of gratitude, explaining that it helps redirect the mind from anxiety to appreciating what one has, aligning with Scripture.
• Practical Encouragement for Moms: The episode offers practical advice for "sandwich season" moms juggling caregiving responsibilities. Ruthie introduces "The Peaceful Mom collection," a podcast resource to help listeners cultivate peace and embrace self-growth during challenging times.

Resources

The Peaceful Mom Collection, a Private Podcast with a deeper look at how to prioritize peace amidst tricky family dynamics, nurture communication and boundaries with adult kids and elderly parents, and gain confidence and clarity on personal endeavors.

Check the link here to sign up

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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.