When you first became a parent, you likely envisioned having kids, going back to
work, and continuing life as usual. But somewhere along the way, perhaps after
the first three years, or maybe even longer, it hits you: parenting is life-changing,
mind-altering, and there’s no going back to how things once were.
I’m San, also known as The UK Parent Coach. I’m a Child Behaviour Specialist,
Progressive Parenting Consultant and a mum to three children aged 6, 9,
and 11. I know firsthand how hard it can be to fit self-care into your list of
priorities. In fact, for the longest time, I didn’t fully understand the importance of
taking care of myself.
Then I came across a quote that changed everything for me:
“A mother’s mental health directly impacts the happiness of her children.”
That simple truth hit me hard. It’s something no one tells you at the NCT classes.
At that point, I didn’t even fully grasp what self-care really meant. But then I stumbled
upon another powerful concept that completely shifted my perspective:
“A mother’s words become her child’s inner voice.”
Around the time I read this, I wasn’t taking care of myself at all. I was running on
empty, barely finding time to eat proper meals or even go for a short walk. I was beyond exhausted and soon realised that when I was stressed and overwhelmed, I spoke negatively to
my children, and they were internalising my words, taking on that negativity
themselves.
So, I set the intention and started to take steps towards focusing on myself, because it
wasn’t just about me, it was about them, too.
Parenting burnout and stress often develop after prolonged periods of self-
neglect. It sneaks up on you and the truth is, you can’t pour from an empty cup.
So, I’d love to hear from you – what steps will you take to fill your own cup?
