My Nonprofit Reviews

My husband and I just returned from three wonderful days in beautiful Nellysford, Va., our first time away together in 28 years of parenting two sons with autism. We enjoyed time on our own, but then got to share awesome breakfasts with other parents who get it. I think my husband especially enjoyed meeting other special needs moms and dads. The best part was we really were able to put our sons’ needs in the back of our minds and just relax and have fun.

I participated in the retreat at the appropriately named Holladay House and enjoyed a holiday in Orange that pushed aside for a bit the realities of parenting two adult sons with autism. Coffee, wine and inn keeper Sharon’s delicious chocolate cookies available whenever I wanted. The best shrimp and grits I’ve ever had at a local restaurant. Going to James Madison’s Montpelier and actually being able to go on the tour instead of stay outside with my son. Finally using Lush bath bombs I bought last fall. Going to one of my favorite wineries and finding it makes lucious fruit wines I will enjoy this summer. I will be monitoring A Mother’s Rest daily so if and when this retreat is offered again, I can nab one of the beautiful, comfortable rooms! I wasn’t home 10 minutes before reality returned bringing the sometimes minute to minute struggle of dealing with #1 son who is frustrated by the “state of his life” and takes it out on me because I can’t fix everything. A Mother’s Rest is addressing an important need. Caregivers burn out but don’t have the option of quitting. It’s so nice to be pampered a bit in a wonderful b&b at a lower cost, which is what makes it doable. It is disruptive enough for mom to leave without it also being a costly endeavor. Thank you to all the b&bs partnering with A Mother’s Rest!