1544: Amateur Moms Happily Ever After Motherhood Empty Nest Life and Grandkids with Renee Thomas Hawkley
Raising eight kids across six states and two countries gave Renee Thomas Hawkley a front-row seat to the beautiful chaos of family life. Now a grandmother and widow at 79, she’s still learning new lessons in love, loss, and letting her adult children “mother” her back. Author of “Once Upon an Amateur Mom” and the forthcoming “Amateur Moms Happily Ever After,” Renee shares honest, humorous stories that reassure overwhelmed moms that joy is still hiding in the mess. From heart‑shaped Valentine’s pizzas and allergy‑friendly family dinners to long‑distance group texts and quick check‑ins, Renee shows how simple acts of inclusion and thoughtfulness keep families close even when they’re spread across multiple states and seasons of life.
In this conversation, Renee and Robert explore the emotional shifts of aging and empty nesting, the reality that every child needs different rules, and the hard truth that you can’t fix everything but you can always offer love and kindness. Renee reflects on widowhood and the enduring influence of her late husband Dan, and closes by reading her moving piece “A Mother’s Creed,” a poetic reminder that motherhood links humanity’s past to its future. Whether you’re a mom in the trenches, an empty nester, or an adult child wondering how to better honor your own mother, you’ll come away with simple, practical reminders to invite, include, and reach out while there’s still time.
Quotes:
“You can’t fix everything for your children but you can always offer your love, your kindness, and the joy of having them close.”
“Every child is raised in the same home, but no two children are the same and sometimes love means giving them different rules.”
“At 79, I’ve learned that letting my children ‘mother’ me is not weakness; it’s the beautiful proof that family love has come full circle.”
Resources:
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:06 — 42.7MB) | Embed
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