When the last child leaves home, it can feel like the whole rhythm of your life changes overnight. The house is quieter. The calendar emptier. And deep down, you may be asking: Who am I now? What’s next?
If you’ve been feeling the ache of this transition, you’re not alone. In this episode of the Habits of Hope Podcast, I sat down with Kate Battistelli—author of The After Party of the Empty Nest—to talk about navigating these changes with hope, faith, and renewed purpose. Kate’s story is honest, encouraging, and deeply rooted in trusting God through seasons of uncertainty.
A Season of Change and New Beginnings
“When the last child leaves home, it can feel like a door slamming shut,” Kate says. “You look around and think, Wait a minute, what just happened? The house is so quiet, your routines are gone, and you suddenly wonder, Who am I without being Mom 24/7? But here’s the good news: this isn’t the end. It’s just moving into a new room. God has a whole new chapter waiting—one full of joy, purpose, and adventure.”
For Kate, this transition began when her daughter, Francesca Battistelli—now a Grammy-winning Christian artist—moved to Nashville to pursue her music career.
Ginger: “Kate, was there a moment when your perspective shifted from feeling the loss to anticipating what’s next?”
Kate:
“At first, I was heartbroken. Francesca and I were so close, and suddenly the house was silent. I spent a couple of years really grieving, and I didn’t know what to do with my time. When she moved, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I didn’t know what to do with myself or my time. But God started nudging me to get out of my own head and serve others. I began volunteering with a single moms’ ministry, and that changed everything. I made new friends, I was helping people, and it opened my heart to the idea that there’s more for me in this season. That was the beginning of rediscovering my purpose.”
God’s Calling Often Looks Like a 90-Degree Turn
Kate describes what happened next as one of several “90-degree turns” in her life—moments when God completely redirected her path:
“I never set out to be an author. I had no desire to write books, speak, or podcast. But God had other plans. After giving a talk at a homeschool event, I went home and prayed, and I felt Him whisper: ‘Those are book chapters.’ I thought, Lord, I can’t write a book! I didn’t even graduate college. But He kept nudging me, step by step.”
Her first book, Growing Great Kids, came out of that experience. Later, she wrote The God Dare, which explores how God calls us to bold steps of obedience—often into things far beyond our comfort zone.
“I call them ‘God dares,’” Kate explains. “It’s when God drops something in your spirit that feels crazy and impossible. You think, Lord, there’s no way I can do that. But if He’s calling you, He will equip you. And when you say yes, you begin to experience a life you couldn’t have planned if you tried.”
https://youtu.be/4_E5SaqTHkY
Finding Purpose in Today’s World
Ginger: “Kate, so many women today feel disoriented—not just by the empty nest, but by everything happening in the world. How do we find God’s purpose right now?”
Kate:
“I honestly believe we’re living in pivotal times. Look around—our culture is shifting so quickly. It feels like we’re in the end times, and I think that’s why this matters so much. We don’t have time to waste. Every one of us has a part to play in God’s Kingdom. You’re not here by accident. If He’s given you another 30 or 40 years, ask Him: ‘Lord, what do You want me to do with this time?’ There is always a next thing, always a way to make an eternal impact.”
Identity Beyond Motherhood
One of the deepest struggles women face in this season is identity.
Ginger: “What would you say to the mom who feels lost when her role as ‘Mom’ changes?”
Kate:
“I’ve been there. For years, being Francesca’s mom was central to my identity. But God began to show me that motherhood was a calling—but not my only one. He calls us daughters. He calls us beloved. He gives us names we don’t even know yet. The empty nest is an opportunity to rediscover who He says you are and what He’s created you to do in this next chapter.”
Kate explains that the “after party” mindset begins when you stop seeing the empty nest as an ending and start embracing it as an invitation:
“The after party is a celebration—a time to look back on the years of raising your kids and say, ‘We did it!’But it’s also about what’s next. God has more for you than just what you’ve already done.”
Three Types of Empty Nest Moms
One of Kate’s most relatable insights comes from her description of three types of moms navigating this transition:
- The Swallow Mom — ready to fly into the next thing without looking back.
- The Mourning Dove Mom — deeply grieves the loss and struggles to move forward.
- The Robin Mom — wants to embrace the future but still feels tender and unsure.
Kate:
“I was definitely a Robin Mom. I was anxious to discover what was next, but at the same time, my heart was still healing. And that’s okay. There’s no one ‘right’ way to do this. God meets you wherever you are and walks you forward one step at a time.”
The Rise of Gray Divorce and Why Marriage Matters
As we talked, Kate brought up a trend she’s deeply concerned about: the rise of gray divorce—divorce among couples in their 40s, 50s, and beyond.
“It’s heartbreaking,” Kate says. “So many couples pour everything into raising their kids, but when the nest is empty, they look at each other and realize, ‘I don’t even know you anymore.’ Divorce rates are climbing in this stage, and it’s devastating families. That’s why we need to be intentional now.”
Kate encourages couples to:
- Invest in your marriage now, before the nest is empty.
- Schedule date nights, even if they’re simple and free.
- Talk openly about what life will look like when the kids are gone.
- Seek counseling or mentorship if there are unresolved tensions.
“Your husband was there before the kids came,” Kate says gently. “He’ll be there after. This is the time to reconnect, to dream together, and to build a strong foundation for the years ahead.”
Practical Ways to Step Into What’s Next
Ginger: “For the mom sitting in the quiet tonight, what’s one thing she can do this week to begin moving forward?”
Kate:
“Start where you are. Volunteer, take a class, join a Bible study, or revisit a passion you set aside years ago. It doesn’t have to be big. Just start moving in the direction of life-giving things.”
Kate also recommends:
- Pressing into prayer. “Ask God what’s next. He’ll show you.”
- Mentoring younger women. “The Titus 2 woman is missing in many churches today. Younger moms desperately need us to share our wisdom and our stories.”
- Embracing community. “Don’t isolate yourself. Find people who will encourage you and walk alongside you.”
Faith That Anchors You Through Change
When anxiety and uncertainty creep in, Kate leans on Scripture for strength:
Psalm 16:5-6
“Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.”
Philippians 4:6
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
“I repeated those verses constantly,” Kate says. “They reminded me that God has already marked out my future, and I don’t have to figure it all out. I just need to trust Him and take the next step.”
Finding Hope and God’s Purpose in Your Empty Nest Season
The empty nest can feel like loss—but Kate wants moms to know it’s also a divine invitation:
“Don’t get stuck in sadness. God has so much more for you—more joy, more calling, more impact. The best may still be ahead. Trust Him with your story and step into the purpose He’s prepared for you.”
“The empty nest isn’t the end—it’s an invitation,” Kate says. “This is your time to rediscover the passions God placed inside you and step into your next calling. Don’t let fear or regret hold you back. God has more for you than you can imagine.”
About Kate Battistelli
About Kate BattistelliKate Battistelli is an author, speaker, and former Broadway performer passionate about helping women discover God’s calling in every season of life. She is the author of The After Party of the Empty Nest and The God Dare, where she encourages women to embrace bold steps of faith and trust God’s plan for their lives.
Kate is also the proud mom of Grammy Award–winning artist Francesca Battistelli and loves mentoring moms navigating empty nest transitions and discovering their purpose after parenting.
Resources & Links
- Kate Battistelli’s Website: https://katebattistelli.com
- Book: The After Party of the Empty Nest
- Devotional Companion: The After Party Devotional Companion
- Podcast Episode: Listen to the full conversation on the Habits of Hope Podcast
*This post contains affiliate links at no cost to you.
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