Most days, caregiving moms don’t get to fall apart. We don’t get to rest fully. We carry medical appointments, therapies, behaviors, fears about the future, and the quiet ache of loving a child whose needs never clock out. Strength isn’t something we choose, it’s something we live inside of every day. 
So when I stumbled upon an organization that exists for one simple, radical purpose, to care for us, I didn’t realize just how deeply my soul needed it.
A sweet friend recently told me about Breathe In Ministries. And now, I want to tell you.
Started by 2 moms who have children with extra needs, they create sacred spaces for moms with caregiving challenges to experience REST – Replenishment, Encouragement, Silence, and Tranquility! Who doesn’t need that?
I clicked on LEARN MORE on their website and watched a video of April, one of the amazing co-founders.
Here’s what I heard: They host refreshment retreats at NO COST to mamas.
Here’s what I read: This private beach house weekend breather is designed just for moms caring for children with lifelong challenges, giving them a much needed break to escape from their daily responsibilities, to replenish, and simply to relax.
No cost to them and no guilt—just space to breathe.
Through refreshment retreats, moms will feel free to set aside their daily responsibilities and simply breathe because…
a mom’s wellbeing isn’t an indulgence —
IT’S AN INVESTMENT!
I jumped right in. I clicked on INTERESTED IN ATTENDING A RETREAT and filled out the online application.
Shortly after, April scheduled a Zoom call with me to provide more details. In early October I received an official invitation to attend the January Refreshment Retreat. We had a couple more Zoom calls with all the attendees to get to know each other and learn about the schedule of events.
To describe Breathe In Ministries as a gift straight from the hands of God hardly does it justice. April and Crystal, the co-founders, are incredibly welcoming, loving, and gracious leaders who go above and beyond to ensure anyone in need of rest feels truly seen, pampered, and deeply cared for. Every detail reflects their genuine hearts and intentional love.
Upon arrival, we were given a personalized refillable water bottle and lavished with gifts donated and handcrafted by so many caring souls who just wanted to shower us with love. We each had a massage in a private room, complete with candles, calming music and relaxing aromatherapy scents.
I’ll keep the details minimal here. If you attend a Breathe In Ministries Beach Retreat Weekend, I do not want to take away your joy. You need to experience each incredible moment as it unfolds.
However, I will add that each morning our beds were made for us. We had amazing food prepared for us at each meal and we were not allowed to clean up after ourselves.
We made lifelong friendships with women we had never met before. Our shared experience of caring for a child with a disability united us tightly together.
But I think one of the moms said it best, “Watching God’s hand in everything this past weekend was so beautiful to witness. We are all different ages, different challenges and in different places in our journey, and yet all fit together so perfectly. There was never any uncomfortable or awkward moments and I felt like I walked into a family reunion and was just reuniting with sisters I have always known. Only God can do that!”
If you are a mom caring for a child with lifelong or complex needs, please hear this: your wellbeing matters. Not someday. Not when things get easier. Now.
Rest is not an indulgence. It is an investment — in your health, your heart, and your ability to keep showing up in love.
If this story stirred something in you, I encourage you to learn more about Breathe In Ministries. Even just knowing that spaces like this exist can feel like taking your first full breath in a long time.
Sometimes the most spiritual thing a caregiver can do… is rest.
Good afternoon, how are you? I am a mother of a 30 year old daughter that was born with Down Syndrome. In November 2024 we found out my mother had cancer and she passed in June of 2025. The past year was extremely hard on me trying to navigate my mom’s cancer diagnosis and care for my daughter. I was on autopilot that whole time and now I have found I have lost myself along the way. A therapist asked me what kind of hobbies I had, I told her I had NO clue what I even liked anymore. But I know things will get better in time but it is really hard
Thank you so much for sharing this Susan. You’ve been carrying an incredible amount for a very long time, and it makes complete sense that you feel lost after living in survival mode for so long. I’m really struck by your last sentence — even in the middle of grief and exhaustion, you can still see that things will get better in time. That quiet hope matters. Sometimes “getting better” doesn’t start with answers or hobbies — it starts with being allowed to rest and be cared for, even just a little. You are not alone.
Yes!!! Oh my!!! I was just studying about rest last week! This sounds fantastic!!!!
Thank you for sharing!!!
Love,
Kim
Oh Kim, that’s such perfect timing. Sometimes studying rest is the nudge we need to actually allow ourselves to receive it. I hope this story reminded you that your wellbeing matters too.