When I first met Syrenthia Farris, we were helping another mom with a special needs child plan and event. As parents of special needs children, we are a unique tribe, with many of the same needs as mothers with typical children: self care. The term is often used in reference to mental health, and sometimes we are unaware of how to implement self care into our routine. During her monthly podcast and meetup, Syrenthia Farris implements the types of self care that she encourages others to practice with her nonprofit POCWASN: Parents of Children With All Special Needs. Her podcast titled, “A Moms Happy Hour,” is another form of self care. Through laughter and shared experiences, Farris enjoys making caregivers unwind, by taking less than hour out of their busy schedule to enjoy their favorite beverage: tea, coffee and wine.

This past weekend, Farris and her husband took a weekend getaway at the Anza Hotel. Their aim was to be deliberate about romance and date nights, which have sustained their love for each other over the years. “I couldn’t have build my business without Bill,” says Farris. “His support and love helps me manage our blended family."

When she first launched her business, she noticed that many mothers were burnt out and they had no idea where to start. As she cultivated her own personal journey, teaching others to practice self care became easier. She enrolled in fitness class, practiced meditation, and sought support in order to cultivate a long overdue break. “Part of practicing self care is managing your relationships well,” says Farris. "Attaining business success is much more enjoyable when you can share it with the people you love."