No. #9

"You can’t pour from an empty cup. You have to take care of yourself even if you feel guilty about leaving your child. I think it’s important to take care of yourself so then you can be so awesome to your kids."

It wasn’t planned, but things worked out. I don’t believe in abortion, so I kind of just went with it and it worked out. She’s crazy, just like me! But she’s very sweet. I’m impressed because she’s really sweet and kind and she likes to share with people. I’d like to say that it came from me, but I’m not really sure.

I was married. When I got married I didn’t even think I was gonna have kids. I didn’t even think I was gonna get married, so I didn’t really have that planned in my life. And one day you find out and you’re like, “Oh, wow. I’m pregnant,” and you have to decide what you’re gonna do. I was pretty well-off with my relationship. I had been married for six years, so I was fine. I was in a really good relationship, but I still wasn’t sure if I wanted to have kids. She still is the best thing that has ever happened to me, so I don’t regret it. It’s hard, but I don’t regret it at all.

When I found out, I think I was at a point in my life where I was like, I was scared. But not as scared as I could have been because I was with someone stable. I do believe that you can do it on your own. My mom, she raised us and she was a single mom of five children. I don’t believe that you need to stay in a relationship based on just your kid alone. I think you can be strong enough to stick it out.

I have no clue how my mom did it. I mean, she literally came from the Philippines. She didn’t speak a single word of English. She didn’t have a job, didn’t have family here. I don’t know. There’s no reason for me to complain about one kid, because she did it with five. And she has the disability of not having English as her primary language. Right now she has her own business, and I’d like to think I turned out okay but I’m kind of a little nuts sometimes. But we’re good. We didn’t end up on the streets and we’re well-taken care.

She’s probably my biggest inspiration. I just believe in women being really strong and not relying on men or their partners to be successful or just to be strong for their kids. That’s one thing that always stuck with me.

I think parents in general have to be mentally and physically strong, no matter if you’re together or not. “Strong” meaning I think you could stand on your own two feet without relying on anybody. Being able to stand up even when you’ve been knocked down so many times, being able to get up every single time. When you’re doubting yourself, but then you find a way to pick yourself back up and stay positive. I think being strong also means finding a really healthy balance for your kids but making time for yourself.

You can’t pour from an empty cup. You have to take care of yourself even if you feel guilty about leaving your child. I think it’s important to take care of yourself so then you can be so awesome to your kids.

I’m a full-time mom. I also have my own side business. I just try to play the superhero every single day and I try to balance everything out as much as I can. Full-time at work, corporate life, full-time at my own business, and full-time mama.

Guilt is the hardest part. I feel like you prioritize time to be with people and things that are important to you. For example, for my business, I have to physically be there. I dance on the side, and that’s something that’s a big priority for me, but I also still have to make money. So I work Monday through Friday, and I need to make sure that I’m present when I’m with her on the days that I do take time off.

Then when I leave, say if I go dance, that’s when the guilt settles in. I know that I have to remind myself that I’m doing it for her. So it’s the guilt, you’re trying to work with it and try to not feel as guilty, but it’s always there.