To the Tired Parents: Celebrating the Strength of Women – For You, For Them, For Us

As I sit down to write this, I find myself reflecting on the incredible women who've shaped my journey — as a mum, a Norland Nanny, a sleep consultant, and simply as a woman trying her best to raise a strong daughter in a world that sometimes feels overwhelming.

Today, on International Women's Day, I want to pause and celebrate those women — and more importantly, I want to celebrate you.

The Strength We Carry

Motherhood changes you. It softens parts of you that once felt sharp, and it strengthens parts of you that you didn’t even know existed.

I see that strength every day in the families I support.

I see it in the mum who hasn’t had a full night’s sleep in weeks but still manages to smile when her baby giggles. I see it in the parents who are constantly second-guessing themselves yet still show up — day after day — determined to do their best. I see it in the tired eyes of mums and dads alike who love their little people fiercely, even when they’re running on fumes.

I know that strength because I’ve felt it myself.

A Lesson from My Daughter

My five-year-old daughter amazes me.

She’s full of ideas, full of questions, full of opinions (so many opinions!). She’s growing into this strong, thoughtful, kind-hearted young lady, and every day she teaches me something new about resilience, courage, and love.

Most days, she makes me emotional — not because things are always easy, but because I see her becoming exactly the kind of person I hope she’ll be. And that makes me proud.

But I’ll be honest — there are moments when I wonder if I'm doing enough. If I'm teaching her the right lessons. If she’s watching me closely enough to see that strength isn't about being perfect — it’s about showing up, trying again, and believing in yourself even when you’re unsure.

The Women Who Shaped Me

I wouldn’t be where I am without the incredible women who believed in me.

The mums I’ve worked with who taught me that love doesn’t always look like the picture-perfect moments we see on social media — sometimes, it’s just getting through the day with a sense of humour intact.

The Norland Nannies I trained alongside — women who showed me that caring for children isn’t just about routines and nap schedules, but about creating moments of security and trust that stay with little ones for life.

And, of course, my own mum — who quietly modelled what it means to be strong, kind, and compassionate in the face of life’s challenges.

I carry their lessons with me every day.

Empowering Families — And Ourselves

As a sleep consultant, I often remind parents that they are not failing just because their little one’s sleep feels chaotic.

In fact, I believe that stepping back and asking for help is one of the bravest things a parent can do.

I love empowering parents to take control of their child’s sleep — not because I have all the answers, but because I know what it feels like to doubt yourself, to wonder if you’re doing it “right,” and to feel utterly exhausted in the process.

Parenting isn’t about doing it perfectly. It’s about building a team — one that works together for the good of those little people who rely on us.

Today, I Celebrate You

So today, I want to celebrate you.

To the tired mum holding her family together even when she’s barely holding herself together — I see you.

To the parents feeling overwhelmed by sleep regressions, tantrums, and endless questions — I understand.

To the woman who’s quietly wondering if she’s doing enough — I promise you are.

Today, on International Women's Day, I hope you take a moment to breathe, to reflect, and to remind yourself just how strong you are — even if you can’t see it right now.

Because you are shaping the next generation — one bedtime routine, one cuddle, one whispered “I love you” at a time.

And that? That’s the greatest strength of all.