Comox Valley Authors – The Grateful Mama
It was only a few weeks ago that I had the chance to meet local mom, blogger and teacher Karen Pantuso-Swanson in person.
As we sat across the table from each other at Benino Gelato, I thought to myself “How amazing she is, taking such a huge chance on her life.”
It’s a rarity – someone who puts themselves out there and says “I see my life differently.” Getting to that place is a tough sell – both personally and often to the people around you.
No one understands why you’ve had this moment where you’ve decided to go another direction.
It takes even more guts to go do it.
That’s exactly what Karen did.
A school teacher by trade, motherhood changed her. It offered challenges, times when she threw up her hands and wondered what she could have possibly been thinking – and a unique opportunity to rediscover herself through the lens of childhood.
I rarely believe a woman who gushes about the beauty of motherhood – not because it isn’t an absolutely spectacular, life-altering, mind-blowing and heart expanding journey. But, motherhood is often a grind.
Karen took that grind, found the gratitude in every moment and – on Saturday, Sept. 26 – will launch the publication of her first book – The Grateful Mama .
This project is a long time in coming, as Karen has kept The Grateful Mama Blog and developed a following of moms looking for those special moments in the simplest of day-to-day living.
Her charm and honesty is mixed with trepidation and the craziness that comes up as part of raising two girls.
The stories in her book reflect strongly the style of her blog – with inspirational quotes and real-life stories that make you go through the whole range of emotions.
I found myself stepping outside of parenting and crossing back over into the simple looks my daughter and I share in a silly moment.
They were personal yet universal. They made sense, like I was reading a diary and could refer back to my own moments at any point
I truly loved her stories.
The book – which retails for $34 – is self-published and faces the challenges that come from that. The cover is absolute sweetness with a photo of her gorgeous baby in a bath. The book is bound absolutely beautifully.
The layout and photos inside occasionally struggle from the limitations of layout options that come with self-publishing set-ups.
I struggled a lot with the price point of the book until I took a look at it from a different perspective – the stories, which are just lovely.
Karen has taken day-to-day motherhood and made even the craziest and embarrassing moments into something full of joy.
She has also stuck it out there for all of us to find our own sense of joy through challenges and all – and I truly admire her for finding her voice and believing in it.
Join Karen for the launch and book signing of The Grateful Mama at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26 at Laughing Oyster Books, 286 Fifth St. in downtown Courtenay.
What are some of your ways of finding daily gratitude in motherhood?
One random commenter will receive a complimentary copy of The Grateful Mama.
This contest is closed. Michelle Honeysett won. Thanks to everyone who took part!
You can preview the book here…
Photos courtesy of Karen-Pantuso Swanson.
Category: ARTS & LITERACY, Rainy Day Book Club
About the Author (Author Profile)
Robin Rivers is Our Big Earth’s Publisher and Sr. Partner. Able to survive on coffee alone. Often can be found leaping tall buildings with the help of great friends. Predisposed to odd hats and the color orange. In love with imagination, her kids and that crazy guy who married her.Subscribe
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Lovely, lovely blog and book.
Karen, thanks so much for sharing you stories in this book, and also every day online. Your voice is sincere and the message is received in this mother’s heart. Congrats – wishing you all the best!
Just checked out the preview of her book and it looks so sweet
That is so neat and how interesting that it’s being published through Blurb! Off to read some of her blog now 
Looking forward to reading it!
Karen, you are probably my most thought-provoking, honest, and inspiring daily read! Your book and your blog are gems. I’m so happy to see this book come alive.
Thanks Robin for introducing me to Karen’s words–and what heartfelt, authentic and truly inspiring words they are! As a teacher and a wanna-be-mom, I just spent an hour browsing around and will certainly be making your blog one of my regular stops…What a treasure!
Look forward to seeing your book!
A grandma’s thoughts – I wish I had had awareness like this when my children were young. And am so grateful to see my daughter parenting far better than I ever did and to get to share some of that with her. I will give this book to my daughter.
SOunds like a great book. As a new Mom myself I know some days can be tough to get through so reading a book like this that makes light of those not so pleasant moments could be a real fresh breath of air : )
The picture on the cover is enough to make most of us run out and buy the book! Beautiful!
As my boys were getting bigger there seemed to be less and less time to find those moments of gratitude. How can you when you’re running from one activity to another while trying to squeeze a lesson in math or science in the process? This year we have changed our routine and method of learning and I have come to realize that I was rushing through and past the joy as opposed to it having taken a different (and less recongnizable!) form. We have more time now and I feel immense gratitude in my children’s stories, whether of a moment in their life or a silly joke. The sparkle in their eyes is the reason for everything right now.
There are days when I need to be reminded of all the good that surrounds me, today was one of those days and Karen’s words have made this mama remember how grateful she is – thank you!
Yah Karen! I am a devoted daily Grateful Mama fan and so proud and honoured to be your friend! Congrats on the book launch!
Karen’s taught me much about putting my thoughts into action, especially as they relate to parenting and special unique rituals with my family. She keeps me grounded on a spiritual level and allows me to be grateful for the life I’m choosing with my daughter – balancing my own identity and self-awareness, family time, being a good role model and parent to my child, connecting with my husband and running a business.
Thank you Karen!
Ladies, your comments are soul-nourishing. Thank you so much.
what are some ways of finding daily gratitude in motherhood?
My BEST way of finding daily gratitude in motherhood is when we are having tough moments and I turn up the music and suddenly we are ALL dancing. Me, my two year old, my four year old, my six year old are all BUSTING moves together and I am at that moment so unbelievably grateful to be the mom of these free spirited angels who are groovin to rhythms and joyfully anticipating their turn to be my partner.
I realize that as they change or age they may be less willing to turn thier frowns upside down with loud happy music and dance moves, but I pray that at those moments, I will discover the best ways to appreciate my sacred role of motherhood.
I can’t wait to read Karen’s blog. I have met her, heard lots about her but had no idea about her blog. Thanks for telling me Robin.
Karen, I am loving your blog and am sorry that I am going to miss out on your launch next week, know that my thoughts are with you.
Lisa
I am looking forward to reading The Grateful Mama. Your children are very fortunate to have such a warm and talented mother.