MommyCon 2016 Giveaway

With only a few events left in the year I thought it would be a great time to do a giveaway for a pair of MommyCon tickets.

But first, What is new? 

 MommyCon  has released a new app that has all information regarding your local MommyCon event.

MommyCon also has two ticket options. One option is the General Admission option which cost $45 dollars. This includes access to the exhibit hall, all Saturday General admission seminar, workshops and an awesome gift bag. Another option is the Expectant Parent ticket available to expectant parents and parents with Newborns. This option is $100 and includes all benefits of the General admission ticket plus a Beco Ring Sling and a special session on how to use it.

Of course there is also the VIP ticket options for special sessions on Friday. The VIP sessions available and ticket pricing vary from city to city. Links for your city are included below. 

What is MommyCon?

Well, it is a convention centered on parenting, babies, baby gear, and parent support. It mainly focuses on the more natural / organic side of parenting, BUT no one is preachy on this subject. They advocate for it, but also don’t shame parents for doing things differently. (more on that later) Vendors from many different types of products such as breastpumps (evenflo, ameda), swaddle suits, teething products, all natural baby and home care products, car seats, etc. You name it, they have a vendor or a booth that has it. 

There are also different seminars you can attend I will post the schedule so you can see what types of informational seminars there were.

You meet really neat and some really odd parents…HA! I was probably the weirdo.

There are VIP or sessions you have to pay extra for but also get these amazing goody bags from.

For a more Detailed overview visit my last year's post. 

For Now here is a list of the remaining events:

General Information about all MommyCon events

How registration works: All you need is your ID. You can also bring a printed or digital copy of your registration confirmation. If your e-ticket is unavailable, please bring your ID to the MommyCon registration desk to receive your MommyCon badge or wristband.

What do you need to bring: yourself, your bump, your baby and even your kindergartner! We plan around the growing family and offer a changing room, plush nursing area and even a play area. Children 16 years of age and under are free to attend with a paying adult. There is no limit to the number of children you may bring.

Stroller Policy: We recommend that you leave the stroller at home. If this is not an option, please be mindful of crawling children and do not block the aisles. We will have a stroller check, but we are not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Donations: We have teamed up with Share the Love for cloth diaper donations and The Carrying On Projectfor baby carrier donations. Both of these organizations take new and used items to give to families in need. Share the Love provides cloth diapers to families who could not otherwise afford them, and the Carrying On Project provides baby carriers to military families.

MommyCon DC -Sat, July 23 

VIP tickets: Upgrades are now on sale! Click here to register for all of our dynamic sessions. 

Schedule:  You can view our schedule by clicking here. 

Shopping: We will have over 50 exhibitors in attendance, and in addition to our signature event elements, we will also have a huge pop up shop with a phenomenal local retailer.
Hotel Information: We have a room block at the Cambria Hotel & Suites. The rate is $139/night. In order to book a room in the block, please call the hotel at 202-299-1188 and request the "MommyCon" rate.

Parking: We have an exclusive deal for parking with Parking Panda. Click here for the best available rates. Use code: "mommycon2016"

Food Options: The convention center will have a variety of food options available for sale. Items include sandwiches, salads and hot food. If you have trouble finding the food area, just ask our registration staff. 

MommyCon OC -Sat, August 20

VIP tickets: Upgrades are now on sale! Click here to register for all of our dynamic sessions.

Schedule and Exhibitors: You can view our preliminary schedule and exhibitor list by clicking here. 

Hotel Information: Our current hotel block is at the Hilton Orange County.

Parking: Reduced parking will be available for attendees.

Food Options: The hotel will have lots of healthy food options available in their cafe. Attendees are welcome to bring their own food and snacks, as well.

How registration works: Please bring your printed or e-ticket on your phone to registration to obtain your badge.

MommyCon Orlando -Sat, September 3 

VIP tickets: Upgrades are now on sale! Click here to register for all of our dynamic sessions.

Schedule and Exhibitors: You can view our preliminary schedule and exhibitor list by clikcing here.

Hotel Information: Our current hotel block is at the Caribe Royale. We suggest booking early as our room block always sells out. The rate is $109 within our block by using code "MommyCon" when you call in, (407) 238-8000, or click the link above.

Parking: Parking is complimentary.

Food Options: There will be a variety of food options available for sale. Items include sandwiches, salads and hot food. If you have trouble finding the food area, just ask our registration staff. Attendees are welcome to bring food and snacks, as well.

MommyCon San Jose- Sat, October 29

Schedule: Our schedule will be released a minimum of 30 days prior to the event. For the most up to date speaker announcements, follow us on Facebook.

Shopping: We will have over 50 exhibitors in attendance, and in addition to our signature event elements, we will also have a huge pop up shop with a phenomenal local retailer.

Hotel Information: Our room block is at the adjoining Hilton San Jose. Our room rate is $119 per night and can be booked by clicking here and using code: "MOM"

Parking: We are working on nearby parking options, and will update here when more information becomes available.

Food Options: The convention center will have a variety of food options available for sale. Items include 

MILK Conference (Costa Mesa, CA)- Friday, Novemeber 11 to Saturday, November 12 

MILK:  MILK is first and foremost a conference about providing information that supports feeding with confidence. The two-day event takes place in beautiful Southern California. This hybrid-style conference merges parenting events with an authentic medical conference that provides incredible information at a pricepoint that emerging professionals and parents can afford. Speakers in 2015 included: Dr. Jay Gordon, Elizabeth Bachner, Dr. Bobby Ghaheri, Kimberly Seals Allers, Dr. Henrik Norholt, and more. We aim to bring the best in emerging infant feeding practices to a discerning audience in 2016. We look forward to seeing you at MILK!

Event Information

Schedule: Our schedule will be released a minimum of 30 days prior to the event. For the most up to date speaker announcements, follow us on Facebook.

Exhibiting: We will have 20+ exhibitors in attendance in addition to signature event elements such as the Bottle Bar, Lactation Treat Station and the Feeding Lounge.

Hotel Information: Our current hotel block is at the Hilton Costa Mesa. Click here to book your room!

Parking: Parking is available at the hotel at a discounted meeting rate.

Food Options: The hotel has an onsite Starbucks and restauraunt featuring contemporary American fare.

GIVEAWAY!!!
I would love to give one of your an opportunity to attend MommyCon for free! You will receive 2 tickets to any MommyCon event of your choosing. This contest is open to US residents only and must be at least 18 years old to enter best of luck. If you cannot wait to buy your ticket SAVE $5 with code CRAZYLOVE16 at checkout. 

MommyCon Ticket Giveaway

What you need to know about kids with special needs (an outsiders perspective)

I was an instructional aide and I had the privilege of working with special needs children. I mostly worked with children that have Down syndrome, Autism, cerebral Palsy, and orthopedic impairments. I love my job, I love who I have become because of it. Without this job I feel I would have missed a lot of Christ’s creations. These children have taught me more than I could have ever taught them. I was only 17 when I started , I became an adult while working there, I got married, and had my daughter.  A lot of my character was developed there, my young eyes were exposed to the world. I am thankful for every single moment…seriously. 

What you need to know about kids with special needs

They can do it!

For the love of all that is good…GIVE THEM A CHANCE!!!! They will surprise you. I guarantee it. Even if they end up needing help, don’t just write off their capabilities. I have seen so many people make the excuse, “oh, he has down syndrome he can’t.” “ he belongs in functional skills.”  This by far was the hardest thing for me to see. Because they have a special need, doesn’t mean you have no expectations… have them, push them, encourage them, and above all do it with love, and they will grow! They will surprise you! The worst that can happen is they don't get, but if you don't given them a chance, the will miss out on so much more. 

They have feelings too. They Want to be Included.

I have on many occasions had to help my students get over hurt feeling’s because no one wanted to play with them or some asked “What’s wrong with her face?” There are times I have talked to my students and they are sad because they have never been invited to a birthday party. Here is the thing, Most of the time they know what you’re saying, they are aware of what is around them. Talk to your children about how to be kind to children with special needs. How nothing is “wrong,” they’re not “sick,” they’re not “broken.” Instead tell them that they were just born different, to help us see things differently, they were born to help us see the beauty in things, to teach us kindness, and compassion. How boring would this world be if we all looked the exact same way?   Tell them that they too can be good friends. Tell them to not be afraid. Instead tell them to be patient. Oh, and invite them to your kids parties, They won’t ruin it. I promise. Their parents will mostly likely stay close by and may even lend you a helping hand. (in my experience, they have always helped and never has there been a "incident")

They Make good friends.

I am not just talking about the individuals with special needs,  but also their families. Why, because they get it. They really do. They know what it is to have struggled. They know about having to fight for your family. They totally understand you when you are at your wit’s end. Now, they may not come over every weekend, or talk on the phone for hours but the second you need them, they will be there. Some of my closest friends, the people I feel I can trust, are the families of my former students. Like I said, they just get it. 

As far a the children with special needs, there are challenges when it comes to being friends with a child or adult with special needs. Let's be real for a moment, having friends, especially as children is a challenge anyway.  When it comes to special needs some challenges could be with recognizing physical space or moving from one activity to the next. Realistically,  you learn to work with it, The biggest advice I can give you, is teach your child to be vocal about what is too much. Here is an example. I have a friend with down syndrome who comes to play with my 3 year old. We will call her Dee. Dee loves to hug, she doesn't always know she is hugging too tightly or too long or just to frequently. My three old will tell her "Dee, that's too much," Dee will often say back, "Oh, sorry." Don't be afraid to help them learn. They need this.  My three year can handle it, and she loves her Friends with special needs. She begs to have play dates with them. She is also learning a lot from being around other children with special needs. To tell you the truth, I don't think she sees a difference right now. Dee has been part of her life since before she was born. It's just normal for us. 

They Will Change Your Life

I know, I know "How cliche" It is so true! I don't know what it is. I know I wouldn't be the same person without these experiences I would be the woman nor the mother I am today. I never woke up thinking " I want to work with special ed." In fact, I got the job out of desperation after the law firm relocated to a place that was over an hour away. I thought, this would be temporary, I would go get my degree and leave. I never thought my career goals would change, so that I could stay in this environment. I feel like I found myself, through my students, They made me slow down and look at the beauty around me. On a particularly challenging day, I was out a recess with my kids, I was in a bad mood, then one of my students came and hugged me and said Mrs. K, It's a beautiful day, the sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and the sky is blue!!! Then she skipped away happy as a bee. As silly as is sounds. She turned my day around. I had been focusing on the wrong things. Experiences like this happened so often, they forced my perspective to change. Without that, who know what I would be today, 

Get out there, If you don't know anyone with special needs, go and volunteer at a school, the buddy walk, special olympics events. Have your Children befriend them at school. 

What have you learned or enjoyed about knowing an individual with special needs.