In the picture-perfect world of social media, parenting looks like a sweet, endless carousel of matching outfits, cute lunchboxes, and giggling children who never throw tantrums in public.
But those of us in the real world know the truth: parenting is a beautiful, exhausting, messy marathon, most important parts never make it into the captions
.
We don’t tell the stories of the mornings when you’ve been awake since 3 a.m. because someone had a nightmare again. Or the frantic school runs with mismatched socks, praying the teacher won’t notice. We don’t tell of the mental gymnastics it takes to juggle work deadlines, home chores, homework, and still have a smile ready for your child.
Why don’t we tell these stories? Maybe because we feel everyone else is coping better. Or maybe because somewhere deep down, we think that admitting we’re tired means we’re failing. But here’s the truth: being tired doesn’t mean you’re failing, it means you’re human.
“We can’t pour into our children from an empty cup. Rest isn’t laziness, it’s maintenance.”
Parenting in a World That Never Slows Down
We are raising kids in a time where bills don’t wait, careers demand more, and even our leisure time is somehow scheduled. It’s no wonder stress sneaks into our homes like an uninvited guest, sitting quietly until one day, it explodes in tears, frustration, or exhaustion or even sudden death.
But here’s the thing: we can’t pour into our children from an empty cup. If we’re constantly running on fumes, we lose the joy in the very moments we’re trying to create. That’s why learning how to manage stress isn’t a luxury — it’s survival.
From my own “Sabi parenting” journey, here are five tried-and-true ways to keep your sanity while raising tiny humans in a busy world:
1. Rest Without Guilt
I know it’s easier said than done. But the rest isn’t laziness, it’s maintenance. Even machines get switched off for repairs. Take a nap when you can, go to bed early if possible, and stop glorifying exhaustion as a badge of honour. Well-rested parents make better decisions, have more patience, and laugh more easily.
2. Take Vacations — Even Mini Ones
Not every break has to be a week-long trip to the Maldives. Sometimes it’s a day at a nearby park, a weekend stay at Grandma’s, or even a “home vacation” with phones switched off. Changing your environment, even briefly, can reset your mood and energy.
3. Delegate Without Shame
We live in a world that romanticizes “doing it all,” but smart parenting means knowing you can’t. Hire help if possible, share responsibilities with your partner, or trade tasks with a friend. Asking for help isn’t weakness but wisdom.
4. Protect Your “Me Time”
As parents, we often give and give until there’s nothing left for ourselves. Schedule small daily rituals just for you: reading, journaling, prayer, exercise, even ten minutes of deep breathing. Think of it as plugging your phone into the charger before the battery dies.
5. Build a Support Network
Find people who understand your journey. It could be fellow parents, a close sibling, or an online group where you can vent without judgment. Having a safe space to share the “stories we don’t tell” lightens the load on your heart.
At the end of the day, parenting will always come with chaos, surprises, and moments that test every ounce of patience. But if we permit ourselves to rest, to breathe, to share, and to laugh about the things we usually hide, we’ll find a rhythm that works for us.
Our children don’t need perfect parents; they need present ones. And we can’t be present if we’re permanently stressed, mentally checked out, or running on empty.
So here’s my epistle to every tired but determined parent out there:
Tell your stories — the real ones. Celebrate the wins, but don’t be afraid to admit the struggles. Let’s normalise saying, “I’m doing my best” and meaning it, even if “my best” today means ordering takeout instead of cooking.
We may not have it all together, but together, we have it all. And that, my fellow sabi parents, is more than enough.
