About Us

When I first found out our daughter had autism, I began researching to learn all I could about autism and how to parent autistic children. I read every book I could find at the library. I attended many events and listened to many speakers. I wanted to learn everything that could help our daughter, and our family, navigate this diagnosis.

As I dove head first into counseling sessions, meetings with school counselors, and doctor appointments, I felt very overwhelmed. And although I had an amazingly supportive and loving family, I was exhausted and felt very alone. One thing I wasn’t prepared for was the amount of mental, emotional, and physical energy required to raise my autistic child, not to mention how it affected me socially and created an inability to get out more. It was difficult to ever get a break, especially because I knew our daughter better than anyone else and was, therefore, the person best able to keep her from triggering. It was depleting to always be on high alert to prevent meltdowns. I love our daughter, but not taking breaks to relax and recharge was a detriment to my own mental health.  And I’m not the only one who would have benefited from me taking a little time for myself…my family would have too! My patience rarely made it through the day, which meant I was definitely not the mom or wife I really wanted to be.

Over the years I have met many mothers of autistic children. Most have expressed feeling very similar to the way I did.  I really want to help those moms! I created Espero Retreat to provide a safe, uplifting place of rest, renewal, and connection for moms of autistic children! I believe that helping moms helps families. And by helping families, we help neighborhoods and communities.