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For you, Not your child
Why do I always put my kids first — until I am completely drained and barely recognize myself?
Burnout sneaks up on Black and brown parents raising neurodiverse kids. There’s this pressure to grind, stay strong, and ignore your own needs while holding everything together for your family. But exhaustion is not just part of life; it's a warning sign that your body and mind can’t be last on the list. In this conversation, Genie and Cassandra break down how burnout shows up in our community, the hidden ways it impacts our health, and what it really looks like to reclaim space for yourself without guilt. For parents constantly in advocacy mode, caring for yourself is not a luxury; it is how you protect your children and model healthy boundaries.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Burnout doesn’t always look like falling apart; sometimes it’s feeling numb, disconnected, or doing everything for everyone but yourself.
- Black women are taught to be strong and never rest, but this grind culture can actually hurt us and our families in the long run.
- Asking for help, carving out even small moments for yourself, and saying “no” is necessary, not selfish, and helps your child in the end.
- When you notice you’ve stopped doing things you love, or your inner voice turns harsh, it’s a sign to be as gentle with yourself as you are with your child.
- Burnout can affect physical health, not just your mood, and Black and brown parents have the right to prioritize their own well-being, even when the world says otherwise.
EPISODE QUOTES
"It's okay to be sad sometimes. It's okay to be tired. It's okay to experience all the ranges of emotion that come with being a human."— Cassandra
"If you can outsource, it’s okay. It does make you less of a woman, make you less of a parent. None of those things."— Cassandra
"When it comes to identifying burnout, it’s important to really do some deep diving to get to know yourself and then to treat yourself the way you treat somebody that you really, really love and adore. Like your kids."— Cassandra
Octavia Butler's books — Example of how anxiety shows up in daily parenting life — https://amzn.to/4v7OyV7
FROM GENIE:
The Parenting Cipher Beacon Library — https://beacon.by/resources/genie-dawkins/the-parenting-cipher-advocacy-resource-library
CONNECT WITH CASSANDRA:
Website — Be Well, Sis
Instagram — bewellsis_podcast
ABOUT CASSANDRA
Cassandra Dunbar is a medical doctor, wellness advocate, and host of the Be Well Sis podcast. She helps Black millennial women find practical ways to center wellness and self-care, even in the busiest seasons of life. Her work is rooted in breaking cycles of burnout and teaching communities how to prioritize wellbeing without shame. For Black and brown parents raising neurodiverse kids, Cassandra’s approach gives permission to support yourself as deeply as you support your child.
🎙️ Stay connected with Genie Dawkins and The Parenting Cipher! Get expert support for special education, advocacy, and family success. Book a complimentary strategy session here, download your free guide “Top 10 Advocacy Mistakes to Avoid”, or inquire about podcast/media collaborations here. Follow on Instagram @geniedawkins and visit www.geniedawkins.com. Thanks for listening — let’s build powerful journeys together!
Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-parenting-cipher.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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By Genie Dawkins
5
1414 ratings
Why do I always put my kids first — until I am completely drained and barely recognize myself?
Burnout sneaks up on Black and brown parents raising neurodiverse kids. There’s this pressure to grind, stay strong, and ignore your own needs while holding everything together for your family. But exhaustion is not just part of life; it's a warning sign that your body and mind can’t be last on the list. In this conversation, Genie and Cassandra break down how burnout shows up in our community, the hidden ways it impacts our health, and what it really looks like to reclaim space for yourself without guilt. For parents constantly in advocacy mode, caring for yourself is not a luxury; it is how you protect your children and model healthy boundaries.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Burnout doesn’t always look like falling apart; sometimes it’s feeling numb, disconnected, or doing everything for everyone but yourself.
- Black women are taught to be strong and never rest, but this grind culture can actually hurt us and our families in the long run.
- Asking for help, carving out even small moments for yourself, and saying “no” is necessary, not selfish, and helps your child in the end.
- When you notice you’ve stopped doing things you love, or your inner voice turns harsh, it’s a sign to be as gentle with yourself as you are with your child.
- Burnout can affect physical health, not just your mood, and Black and brown parents have the right to prioritize their own well-being, even when the world says otherwise.
EPISODE QUOTES
"It's okay to be sad sometimes. It's okay to be tired. It's okay to experience all the ranges of emotion that come with being a human."— Cassandra
"If you can outsource, it’s okay. It does make you less of a woman, make you less of a parent. None of those things."— Cassandra
"When it comes to identifying burnout, it’s important to really do some deep diving to get to know yourself and then to treat yourself the way you treat somebody that you really, really love and adore. Like your kids."— Cassandra
Octavia Butler's books — Example of how anxiety shows up in daily parenting life — https://amzn.to/4v7OyV7
FROM GENIE:
The Parenting Cipher Beacon Library — https://beacon.by/resources/genie-dawkins/the-parenting-cipher-advocacy-resource-library
CONNECT WITH CASSANDRA:
Website — Be Well, Sis
Instagram — bewellsis_podcast
ABOUT CASSANDRA
Cassandra Dunbar is a medical doctor, wellness advocate, and host of the Be Well Sis podcast. She helps Black millennial women find practical ways to center wellness and self-care, even in the busiest seasons of life. Her work is rooted in breaking cycles of burnout and teaching communities how to prioritize wellbeing without shame. For Black and brown parents raising neurodiverse kids, Cassandra’s approach gives permission to support yourself as deeply as you support your child.
🎙️ Stay connected with Genie Dawkins and The Parenting Cipher! Get expert support for special education, advocacy, and family success. Book a complimentary strategy session here, download your free guide “Top 10 Advocacy Mistakes to Avoid”, or inquire about podcast/media collaborations here. Follow on Instagram @geniedawkins and visit www.geniedawkins.com. Thanks for listening — let’s build powerful journeys together!
Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-parenting-cipher.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.