Renton|Neighbor News|
How to Inspire Your Children When You Don’t Feel Worthy of It
Parenting is a journey filled with love, growth, and—let’s be honest—moments of deep self-doubt.
Swannee Rivers, Community Contributor
- Renton, WA
- Website
Swannee Rivers is a nationally credentialed Early Childhood Educator, author, mother, teacher, wife, motivational speaker, and community showcase developer whose work has inspired readers across the Pacific Northwest and beyond. A graduate of the University of Washington, she brings heart, advocacy, and authenticity to every project she touches.
Her published works span more than two decades and multiple genres—from investigative nonfiction to uplifting children’s literature. Her groundbreaking book Healthcare Under Duress (2003) gained international recognition for its bold stance against fraud in the healthcare industry and continues to be used in training programs for insurance institutions and community colleges throughout the Pacific Northwest. She is also the author of Hidden Treasures (2007), Cancer Journal for the Survivor in You (2003), Cancer Journal for the Survivor in You II (2009), and Parents Don’t Know Everything (2003).
Swannee’s storytelling has reached national audiences through her contributions to The Renton Reporter, The Seattle Times, Northwest Baby & Child, Campfire Girls National Campaign, and the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, where she also helped select incoming story submissions. Her work has appeared on Soap Opera Central, ConsumerReview.com, and in creative media collaborations such as New Play Media’s online Soap Opera Trivia Game. She has been featured in the documentary The Last Swing (2017) and appeared in a 2019 episode of Oxygen’s Criminal Confessions.
Her children’s book collection continues to grow with beloved titles including Fuzzy Ears and the Grocery Store Adventure (2020), Zack the Yak’s Mountaintop Adventure (2022), There’s a Purple Jelly Monster in My Tummy! (2022), Jake Robinson: The Smallest Hero (2024), Bobby Sue’s Hats (2025), and My Big Simple & Fabulous Coloring Book Series (2026).
Today, Swannee Rivers lives in Renton, Washington, where she continues creating stories that celebrate courage, curiosity, and the extraordinary beauty found in everyday life.
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