Suzzette Lopez I Motherhood

Motherhood changed me. It gave me a strength I didn’t know I had, a voice I didn’t know I would need, and a willingness to stand up for my children even when it’s uncomfortable.

I will never apologize for advocating for my kids.

I will never apologize for asking questions, speaking up, seeking answers, or making sure their needs are heard and respected.

Being their mother means being their voice when they need one. It means showing up, even when it’s hard. It means standing beside them, protecting them, and pushing for what they need—not because I want to be difficult, but because I love them deeply.

I will always choose to be the mom who asks the extra question, makes the extra phone call, shows up to the meeting, and keeps advocating when the easy thing would be to stay quiet.

My children may not always understand why I fight so hard for them, but one day I hope they look back and know:

Mom never stopped showing up. Mom never stopped believing in us. And Mom never stopped fighting for us. ❤️

🇵🇷 Mi gente, ¡qué viva Puerto Rico! 🇵🇷❤️

The Puerto Rican Parade is something I truly enjoy being a part of, and for the last three years, I’ve made it even more special by bringing my children along with me.

Being born and raised in the U.S., it’s important to us to keep our Puerto Rican roots alive at home and teach our children about where we come from. ❤️🇵🇷

My kids LOVE being part of it all—the food, the music and rhythms, the dancing, the beautiful artwork, the flags, and learning about the beauty and vibrancy of Puerto Rican culture. Watching them enjoy it and become excited about their culture makes my heart so happy. 🥹❤️

I’m so grateful that we get to experience this together at least once a year. These are the memories I hope they carry with them and eventually pass on to their own children. 🇵🇷

❤️ A few tips for my moms:

👗 Dress the kids comfortably — and let them help choose or be part of getting ready!
💧 Bring snacks and plenty of water — because they WILL get hungry and thirsty. 😂
💃🏽 Let them participate! Walk, sing, dance, wave the flags, enjoy the music and be part of the festivities.

💙 And to my autism moms…

YES, you can do this too! ❤️

You know your child best, so do whatever makes the experience comfortable and enjoyable for them. For Xavier, a few things that really helped us were:

🎧 Headphones/AirPods — I kept them in the case and used them when the noise became too much. They helped reduce some of the overwhelming sounds while allowing him to continue enjoying the parade.

📱 His tablet — I brought it along so he could take little breaks throughout the day when he needed them.

The goal isn’t for our kids to experience things exactly the way everyone else does. It’s about finding what works for YOUR child and allowing them to experience it in a way that feels safe and enjoyable for them. ❤️

Culture, family, memories, and inclusion. 🇵🇷❤️

Yo soy boricua, pa’ que tú lo sepas! 🇵🇷
¡WEPA! 🎉

❤️