Welcome back to Rooted&Real.
We're going to do five episodes on 'Parenting'.
The first one is, 'You Cannot Pour From an Empty Cup'.
This is for real but tired parents.
So to every tired parent, you can't pour from an empty cup.
Listen here, I see you running on 3 hours of sleep and
cold coffee, and I need to tell you something.
You cannot pour from an empty cup.
We've been told that good parents give everything.
All your time, all your energy, all of you.
So what happens is that we feel guilty for resting.
We feel guilty for a shower alone.
But it doesn't have to be like that.
We also feel guilty for just saying, "I need 10 minutes."
But listen, exhaustion isn't a badge of honour.
Burnout doesn't make you a better mom or a better dad.
It just makes you a resentful one.
So here's the truth.
Your kids don't need a martyr.
They need a regulated adult. You hear me?
A mom who slept is more patient than a mom who didn't.
A dad who took a walk is more present than a dad running on fumes.
So taking care of you is not selfish.
It's just maintenance.
It's how you keep showing up for them without losing yourself.
That's parenting.
That's a 20-minute nap. That's okay.
That therapy appointment, that's also parenting.
That "No" to one more thing, that's parenting too.
So stop wasting and stop waiting when things calm down
to rest because you know what? They won't.
Not for years.
Ask for help.
Tag your partner, tag your sibling, tag your other offspring.
Let the dishes sit.
Let them Let them watch one more show while you breathe.
You are allowed to be a human first.
So to every tired parent, fill your cup first,
because the best thing you can give
your kids is you, a whole you.
So that's how it is.