It’s not just dinner out, it’s special needs moms moving from grief to connection.

A season of sadness isn’t uncommon for special needs parents when they hear the diagnosis of their child for the first time. It’s grief that isn’t often talked about but can be very real and usually circles around what today, tomorrow, and the future will look like. This grief isn’t in the absence of joy and love, they all co-exist, but life and what they envisioned it looking like, change. This delicate balance of celebration and joy, coupled with the overwhelm of navigating a special needs life, is something that Thrive Night Out creates space for.

Thrive Night Out offers moms a chance to step away from the weight of daily caregiving responsibilities and connect with others who truly understand the nuances of their lives. While honoring their children, the event also focuses on helping caregivers navigate the more difficult aspects of their journey with strength, resilience, and most importantly, hope. This event fosters meaningful relationships by creating a safe space where caregivers can be vulnerable, share their challenges, and leave feeling renewed. 

The evening’s theme is “You are Enough”- directly speaking to the national average (80%) of women who struggle believing it. The constant message of Thrive Night Out is clear: you are enough. They find comfort in knowing they aren’t the only ones who struggle with identity, time for themselves, a community they can count on and self-worth. This connection point leads them out of isolation while providing them an opportunity to come together over good food, intentional conversation, and a bunch of “me too”s.

At the end of the night, we ask parents to share the “lie” they are leaving in the room and the “truth” they are taking with them. 

Lies moms communicated they were leaving at this event…

• No one would relate.

• You will always be stuck.

• I am insignificant.

• I’m the only one.

• I am only a mom.

• No one will understand how you feel.

• I am not likeable.

• I am broken.

…and the truths they packed up to take home.

• I do belong.

• There are others like me.

• It’s okay if I can’t fix it all.

• We are all people with stories.

• I am doing my best.

• I have support.

• I am not alone.

• I am enough.

“This was exactly what my soul needed. It was such a comforting reminder that we’re not alone on this journey. The shared laughs, understanding nods, and honest conversations created an atmosphere of support and connection that you can’t find anywhere else. Being able to talk openly about our challenges and triumphs without fear of judgment was such a gift. I left feeling inspired, recharged, and so grateful for a community of women who truly ‘get it.’ If you ever get the chance to attend something like this, I can’t recommend it enough!”

“I have been feeling stuck and overwhelmed. The power of connection is real. I left the night feeling lighter.”

“Thrive Night Out is a way to take the mom hat off for the evening. It allows me to be my authentic self without judgement. Sometimes we get lost in just being a mom when we are so much more than that and dinner was a reminder of all the awesome things we are capable of doing as a woman.”

At Pause, we believe in the power of hope to fuel resilience. We believe in it because we have seen how organized events like Thrive Night Out lead to organic change. 

Partner with us and help caregivers move out of isolation into connectedness. Because in the end, it’s not just about surviving; it’s about thriving.