I Give You Permission to Rest

And so often, the world overlooks and forgets to see the ones who carry the weight well.

Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, Caregiver,

I give you permission to rest. To set down what you are carrying.

I can see the weight of it all. You carry it so well.

People call you inspiring. They speak of you as an inspiration. Someone to aspire too.

But the weight is no lighter for you than for anyone else.

I know that. And so often, the world overlooks and forgets to see the ones who carry the weight well.

You are tired mama.

So, put it down. I give you permission.

Take the day. The night. The week even.

Cancel therapies. Pause in-home services. Put the goals on the back burner and the endless lists of what needs to be done.

They will wait for you.

Rest. Pause.

Enjoy this beautiful child and this is beautiful life.

Stop chasing the ‘I’ll be happy when.’

Being nonstop busy is the hearts way of avoiding feeling. It will catch up with you.

So, pause. Stand still and let the world go on without you for a bit.

Cry. Reflect. Feel all of it.

Look at how far you’ve come. You are living. You are doing it.

Eat good food.
Play.
Watch a movie.
Go for a walk.
Have a day. A night.

Don’t think about what’s next either. Just live.

And give no thought to the weight of doing it all.

Because it will be waiting for you when you are ready to pick it back up again.

Today, right now, I give you permission to rest.

And just be mom or a dad. And let your child just be a child.

Enjoy this moment. The day. This season. Even if it’s just for a little while.

Because they will never be this little again.

Smell their heads.
Kiss their cheeks.
Wrap your arms around them.

And just be.

Sending you all of my love.

Signed,

A mom who gets it.

NOW WATCH THIS

The comment read, ‘if you were my daughter, and she acted the way you did about autism, I’d disown you.’

Here is my response. Mostly to his daughter.

And give me a follow on YouTube when you are over there!

NOW LISTEN TO THIS

I had the honor of being a guest on the Be Kind to Everyone Podcast with Jackie and Ben of the SUMMER SHIRT PROJECT. I am sure you have heard of them and their amazing daughter Jordyn.

Their podcast is here to make the world a kinder place for individuals with disabilities.

UPCOMING EVENTS

April 18 @ 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Finding Cooper’s Voice Sharing A Parent’s Journey

New Prague High School Auditorium 221 12th Street Northeast, New Prague, MN, United States.

April 21 - April 23

Mother’s Day Retreat and Conference 2023 in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

I am excited to share that I will be the keynote speaker for Autism Caring Center's Mother's Day Retreat in April 2023 in Pittsburgh! More information to come! Learn more: Mother's Day Retreat (autismcaringcenter.com).

**I will be hosting a meet and greet on April 21st in Pittsburgh. To join the event, upgrade to being a paid supporter either here or on Facebook.

May 17 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Forever Parents, An Autism Support Group

Woodbury, MN, United States

Please join us at Forever Parents, an Autism Support Group with Kate Swenson from Finding Coopers Voice. This is an in-person event in Woodbury, Minnesota for parents and caregivers of children (any age) with disabilities. This will be a safe place for caregivers to discuss their experiences and share resources. This group will also provide caregivers with information, training and tools, and assist caregivers in building a supportive network.

May 19 @ 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Autism Mothers and Caregivers Retreat (Florida)

Els for Autism Auditorium Jupiter, Florida

Join parent/advocate Kate Swenson of Finding Cooper’s Voice and author of Forever Boy as she reflects back on her family's journey though an autism diagnosis, early intervention, school services, and the emotional toll these processes can take on a family. Kate will discuss her transformation she made not only as a parent, but as a person, and the support parents need from professionals, family, and educators to help their family adjust to this new chapter of life. A brief Q&A with Kate and special guests, Liezl Els, autism mom and Founder of Els for Autism in Jupiter, Florida and Pam Minelli, autism mom and Founder of the Autism Project of Palm Beach County.

The evening will conclude with a meet and greet, book signing, refreshments, and vendors at the The Els Center of Excellence, O’Donnell Pavillion.

**I will be hosting a meet and greet on May 18th in Jupiter, Florida. To join the event, upgrade to being a paid supporter either here or on Facebook.

And Shop HERE!

When you shop at Little Rebels with a Cause and use code COOPER15, YOU get 15% off plus they will donate 10% to my nonprofit, The More Than Project. It’s a win-win!

PS. They have the best hoodies!

Thank you for being here. For listening and learning. For loving and supporting our family. And believing in Cooper.

We appreciate you so much.

Kate

____________________________________________________________________________

Dear Reader,

When you have a child diagnosed with something, anything, your world changes in an instant. It gets smaller for one. Suddenly, you feel like you are the only person on this planet going through this unique thing. And you feel alone. I know I sure did. I can say for certain that the beginning of my journey into autism would have been entirely different if I had found someone who I could relate to. This book will do that for you. As you read, I hope you find yourself nodding along, finally feeling understood in something that can feel so isolating. But also seeing hope and joy in a little boy and a misunderstood diagnosis.

Whether you have autism in your life or not, I hope you enjoy reading Forever Boy. And that the yellow-haired boy who adores trains and covers his ears at the grocery store impacts you in a positive way. So next time you see autism, you choose grace and kindness.

—Kate Swenson