This Is Not Homeschooling.

Friends.

I see so so very many of you talking about the new normal.

You're parents. And your children are now home with you for all the days.

Your school-aged children.

Let me tell you something.

This is not homeschooling.

First of all.

Homeschooling parents make a CHOICE to homeschool.

They decide. They know that this is what is best for their child(ren).

You? You have been given no choice in this so-called decision making process.

This is not homeschooling.

Homeschooling parents also have communities.

Did you not know any homeschooling parents before today? (Okay, this week, or two.)

They do not sit in their homes and just teach their child(ren) all the things.

Sure. They have days where they are home. Working on lessons and the like.

But they do so so much more than that.

You? You have been confined to your houses with your child(ren).

You are not allowed to go to the museum. The zoo. The play place. The library.

This is not homeschooling.

You (hopefully!) have some guidance from your school, your teachers, your child(ren)'s support teams. You (hopefully!) have access to efforts they have taken for you to utilize to help you teach your kids.

Homeschooling parents create their own lesson plans.

Sure - they might use an online program, they may purchase some workbooks, but they create it all. The whole syllabus. Schedule. Everything.

The main purpose of my clarification here is to remind you - as mom or dad or grandparent - that you are not required to do it all right now. This is brand new to you. This was not something you planned or decided on or researched in any way.

YOU ARE DOING THE BEST THAT YOU CAN.

WE ARE ALL DOING THE BEST THAT WE CAN.

And it's also a reminder, the next time you hear someone mention a homeschooled child and you find yourself thinking, I wonder how they're going to get on in the world without socialization (come on, you know you've thought it, or certainly HEARD it, at least ONCE!), you also remember that their parents have considered that. And they've made sure that their child(ren) gets to experience all the things. And their so-called lack of socialization? Is an unnecessary concern.

And, sure, there may be the homeschooling parent who only works from their home and doesn't offer their child(ren) the opportunities others do. For whatever reasons. It's not our place to judge. But most? Do not. They're out there. Teaching and learning and engaging with others. Ensuring their kids have the best of everything.

And it's a lot more than what you're suddenly finding yourself doing.

Because. My friends.

This is not homeschooling.

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Parenting: You're Their Safe Place

Good day, friends. I've got some valuable information here for you. I hope you'll take a few moments to read, and possibly share, if you think it will benefit others, as well.

This piece is the first part of a new series (possible multiple posts hopefully = a series) that I'm writing about parenting. What you are about to read is related to the really young ones. Children of grade school age, and younger. I'm not being age-specific because our children develop differently, only you can determine if I'm referring to your child when you read my words. But I remind you that there are many other aspects of parenting where parents - maybe one - maybe both - maybe other adults in our children's lives - represent the safe place for them. Stay with me and I'll be sharing more on those scenarios, too. Soon.

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My Daughter Is Ten

* I wrote much of this piece several weeks ago. I was on vacation visiting family and so much was happening in the world that I wrote it - but decided to wait to hit publish. I couldn't come up with the right words to finish it. And so, now I believe that I have. But it will never be "finished" - as we all have so much more to learn about, discuss with, and teach each other. *

How?

How is this happening in 2017?

I know that truly, racism has never gone away.

I know that truly, anti-Semitism has never gone away.

But these effing monsters.

They're not people.

They're heartless.

They're hopeless.

They're horrifying.

My daughter is ten.

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When She Grows Up.

Today I went on a field trip with my daughter's school. All the fourth grade classes headed out to Old Salem, in North Carolina. It's kind of like Colonial Williamsburg-ish.

It was a great trip. Exhausting. I walked over 11,000 steps. And then some.

My feet hurt more than when I walked around Disney a week ago. And that's saying something. Although I may have walked more steps at Disney. Which is odd. But I digress ...

And so, at Old Salem we walked around and absorbed history.

We learned a lot, or we glazed over a bit. Admittedly, I was a lucky chaperone. I only had my child and one other child. Which was fantastic. We got to enjoy more. They took loads of pictures on their tablets (yes, electronics, I know - it's crazy!) and zoomed through the museum.

We walked around Main Street and through stores and such cute places, and then all the way back to eat lunch. And then all the way back again to make it to the bakery so I could buy them oatmeal raisin cookies and pumpkin muffins.

And all of it was very cool to see. And quite beautiful, honestly.

I took some pictures and captured the colors of fall that seemed to have settled in a bit in that area of the state. We're not getting much here - it's still high 70s and low 80s, which is a bit ridiculous for November, if you ask me.

Anyway, one of the best parts of the whole day?

Stopping to see Salem College.

Stopping to absorb a piece of history.

Taking these two girls onto the campus, and into the building that is the main hall, and showing them what a college campus looks like.

My daughter's friend really wanted to see it. And my daughter was in a bit of awe when we were inside. It was very cool to watch. And so fun to consider the future.

And then I thought to myself, my goodness, the future. What WILL the future hold?

Will my child go to college? She said she wants to be a vet and go to NC State. So it's certainly in the cards. It's possible. And her friend said she wants to be a pediatrician. So they're both interested in the medical field. And it made me think of so much more - watching these two 9-year-old girls discuss their futures.

And walk through the gardens of a college campus with some fear, some delight, some intimidation, and some laughter.

As you can see ... I captured a few moments that I'm sharing here. And I have blurred out my daughter's friend's face out of respect for her privacy - I don't know her parents so I won't share her publicly.

And so - I thought a lot about the future. And what it holds. And it's no surprise that this has been on my mind a lot lately. Anyone who is anyone living in the United States - heck - or abroad somewhere - has had the future in mind.

Next week Election Day will come and go. And we will learn what the future holds for our country. And more especially? For our children. Our daughters. Yes. I stress that because I am mom to a daughter, but goodness, if ever there was an election that held consequences for the future of our girls it's this one.

And I hope you will keep that in mind when you vote. That you'll keep in mind that your friend who is a blogger has a daughter and her future and the future of her adorable friend is dependent upon you and your choice. On who you cast your ballot for this Tuesday.

I wasn't necessarily planning on heading in this direction with this post, but you know what? I did. I went there. It's time. No time like the present and all that.

Keep our girls in mind when you vote.

It's critical.

And hopefully when my daughter chooses her college - if NC State is or isn't the choice - so be it! - you'll be here, chatting with me, saying, remember how worried we were about the future? Gah! How lucky we were/are/will always be.

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Navigate The Blogosphere: NC Blogger Network

Are you a blogger in North Carolina?

I'm not talking about my area, specifically, but anywhere in NC - is that you?

Then you're going to want to know about the newly launched North Carolina Blogger Network.

The network is the brainchild of my friends and colleagues, Allison Barrett Carter of Go Dansker Mom and Nikol Murphy of Mom Complicated, both incredibly talented women who are taking this idea and RUNNING with it.

I'm fortunate enough to be a member of their leadership team, and I'm admin of the network's members-only Facebook group and Instagram account. (Forgive me there, I've fallen behind a bit as Instagram doesn't let people log in and out of accounts very easily! *shakes fist in the air*)

Now, you're probably asking - why should you decide to be a member?

Well, reader, I'm glad you asked!

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Type-A Conference: 140 Characters

If you've ever read my post-conference posts you already know I tend to take a lot of notes by using Twitter. I just do. It's a great way to promote the conference and to ensure that you don't lose your notes. I started after my very first blog conference back in 2011 (which, psst, happened to be Type-A!).

Because the Internet is forever - right?

A few of my own tweets throughout the weekend that sum up new information, intense thoughts and more of what I walked away with. #typeacon hashtags removed because, well, redundant!

And I'm working backwards because that's the way I'm accessing my twitter feed. It's how we do!

At the town hall: 

My personal experience is mine. Much of what I write is for me. The worst thing I could do is compare my content to someone else's.

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So much.

She lays next to me. Fidgeting. Unable to settle into the call of sleep.

I lay still beside her.

Reflecting on the day.

The pressure behind my right eye is immense.

Unsure of whether or not it's an actual impending headache or a ball of tears, I pretend I don't feel it.

My patience wears thin as she finds yet another need-to-do moment before shutting her eyes.

Tonight she became a Brownie.

A huge step for my little Daisy girl who has grown so over the last three years.

Huge.

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Whisk: Quality Kitchenware and Classes in Cary, NC

* This is a review post. My daughter attended a cooking class at Whisk recently for me to review. I am not receiving compensation for this post. All opinions expressed are either mine or my daughter's. *

About a week or so before Easter my daughter and I went over to Whisk to attend a class for kids in which they'd be preparing holiday treats. Initially I thought that I was supposed to stay with her for the session and work with her. But when I arrived I learned that this was a totally parent-free class. Score!

This particular class was more like a workshop and included arts and crafts activities for the attendees along with the food prep. Whisk referred to the class as their first mini-camp, which ran longer than their usual two hour kids' classes do.

Whisk has a variety of classes on their calendar for this spring and summer. They have parent-child combination classes, along with adults-only classes, including some on Friday evenings that are geared towards those in search of a date night or girls' night out.

Their schedule includes demonstration classes for those who prefer to learn visually, or perhaps find cooking entertaining and would rather watch. Then there are the hands-on courses where skill development is the primary goal. And lastly are the participation courses where you'll be cooking and prepping along with your instructors. And then, of course, eating!

Now, back to my daughter's hard work that Saturday morning. She barely knew I was leaving after she sat down at the Whisk counter. Take a look ...

This class was so much fun for my daughter and she absolutely wants to return to Whisk to attend another lesson. It's fun, laid back and non-stressful for the kids. AND the parents. My kiddo came home with a variety of fun treats for the family to share (1. an edible arrangement, 2. purple deviled eggs, 4. bunny cake) and a really cute craft (image 3, a lamb flower pot).

And of course, before leaving I decided to walk around some. That was probably a mistake, as I didn't leave there without a purchase. I bought my first cast iron skillet! (Sssh, don't tell anyone I haven't used it yet. I'm slightly intimidated!)

The inventory at Whisk is phenomenal. Their products are of the highest quality. They carry brand names such as LE CREUSET, Lodge, Cuisinart, Kenwood and more. And yet one of the cool things about Whisk is that they're a local shop and Dan and Diana Saklad truly care about your shopping experience. They love cooking and they want you, their potential customer, to love it, too. Dan stood and spoke with me for a while as I waffled back and forth between skillets and eventually had my husband come in to help me decide which to buy. As a cast iron novice I was totally confused. He had loads of details and information to share, and so did his on-the-money staff.

Overall our experience at Whisk was a fantastic one. I would definitely recommend a kids' cooking class to anyone whose child is interested in fun food prep and I'm hoping to get there to take one for myself one of these days.

Also - I liked the store so much my husband and daughter popped in and got me a gift card for Mother's Day! Looks like I'll be back and shopping again soon. Hope to run into you there!


* This is a review post. My daughter attended a cooking class at Whisk recently for me to review. I am not receiving compensation for this post. All opinions expressed are either mine or my daughter's. *

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How do you blog?

So. You know what's been happening with me lately.

It's obvious I'm filled and consumed with grief after unexpectedly losing my father a month ago.

Unexpectedly.

Stupid word, isn't it?

When does one expect to suffer such a loss?

I suppose if someone is sick it is less unexpected, right? I guess. I don't think it's any easier, but different. I'm rambling, I know. But that's part of what's on my mind.

Do you ramble when you blog?

Do you write like me? Do you talk about everything and anything?

I do. Obviously. And yet, sometimes I don't.

It's interesting.

I'm not one to come and complain here. Not about things that supposedly matter.

I get personal, but I don't get deep.

Or is that crap? I do get deep? I talk about what I want to talk about.

I've been thinking about how I've been writing about grief. I've been wondering if it's too much for people. You - the people who read my words.

I know I have a handful of strong supporters. A handful of you who listen to me and send me love no matter how sad I am and no matter what I have to share.

You, those people who have sent me Facebook messages offering love. You, my friends who have mailed me handwritten sympathy cards that I came home to. Phone numbers offered. Ears, shoulders, warm hugs. These come from you - my friends who blog. Blogging friends.

You're real.

But sometimes I say, well, what about the rest of you? Not every reader loves me in a way that my friends do. So maybe the grief is a bit much? Maybe it's a lot to share. And I remind myself I write, not for page views, not for money, but for me.

It's why I still blog (to borrow a phrase used at Type-A Parent). I write for me. And maybe my words help someone else out there? Maybe someone experiencing such grief will pick up their pen, or laptop or something and write, too. Maybe they'll put their pain down on paper and share it, or not share it.

But it's my space and that's why I use it the way I see fit.

And no, nobody has said they have had an issue with my words at all. It's me. It's my mind, ya know? It's my thought process that leads me to thinking what if people think ...?

A very good friend this morning told me, 'Write what you need to write,' and she was, and IS, SO right.

So today I say what's on my mind, and I'm thankful for the reminder from friends that I can be me here in my space and talk about whatever it is that matters to me. And right now, that's finding my way through the clouds of grief and emotion to see the sun shining in. It will take time. It will take small moments to remind me that smiling is allowed, laughing is okay and sometimes even singing is permitted.

I just need to remember to let myself feel that stuff. Let myself do it all.

And remember that you are all here as a sounding board, listening, reading, commenting, or not. But either way it's all okay. I'll be okay.

Miss you, Daddy. But you taught me to stay strong. You taught me to do anything I ever wanted. You taught me to bring home an A when I didn't think I could. You motivated me. You supported me. And most of all, you loved me. I have others who do those things, too, but I must always remember to do them for myself, as well.

You taught me well. I won't forget. Ever.

 

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It's my 3rd year. #typeacon

If you haven't heard by now I'd like to update you on this year's Type-A Parent Conference.

It is in Atlanta this year.

And in September.

It's different.

It's not NC.

Which is where it has been, AND where I'm from. Currently.

It's not in June.

Which is when it was the last two times I attended.

And yet.

When the tickets went up for grabs I kind of couldn't wait. I had to buy mine.

Had to.

Immediately.

Type-A Parent Conference rocks.

Completely.

Rocks.

And you know what's even awesome-er? (Yeah, I know it's not a word!)

THIS!

I'm an Official Partner. 







Crazy, right?

And I couldn't be more excited. Seriously.

You learn SO much at this conference. So very much. You reconnect with your reason for blogging. You're motivated. You may - like I did - find yourself making changes TO your blog while sitting IN a session. (Not that I recommend it, but hey, I'm being honest.)

You want to register right now, don't you? That's cool, registration is over here. But don't stop reading because there's a discount code for you down below!

Now, aside from all the learning and growth you'll experience while at this conference, there are a few more important pieces of information I have to share.

It's fun!

There are parties! Yes. Parties!

I have proof. Look ...

And you find yourself connecting with the most incredible people.

Seriously.

Check it out ...

I'm not in the picture, but one of my favorite people is. And I can't even begin to tell you the number of connections I made last year who qualify as close friends for me now.

It was insta-bond. For serious. It's just amazing to be among those who truly get you. Get what you're doing and why. No questions like, What? A blog? Why would you want to do that? Do you think anyone's going to care about what you have to say? * Step back, people. Rudeness doesn't fly here!

Now, don't you want to go?

I want you to, too.

So read on. Grab my discount code. Save some money and plan ahead.

It's worth it. I promise.

And don't tell me you're a nobody. There are no nobodies at Type-A.

 And the excuse that you are someone who blogs like once a month?

Forget it. If you want to, plan to, or even THINK you want to blog more -- come to Type-A.

Seriously.

Type-A Parent Conference, in its fifth year, is the world's top conference for mom and dad bloggers. The conference has a well-established reputation for outstanding learning with actionable takeaways. It features power networking with the best and brightest parents who blog, plus the major brands and firms who want to engage them. Type-A is where influential digital parents grow their business and connect. Register today at Eventbrite to get your ticket! And use code GOODGIRLGONEREDNECK for a 25% savings (for a limited time!). So hurry and get your ticket today!


** I am an official partner for this year's Type-A Parent Conference and there are affiliate links throughout this post. But please don't let that stop you. The coupon code saves you money, it's totally worth it! Go on now ... what are you waiting for?

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Conference Recap, Part 2

Yes, here I go again. Talking about BlogHer12.

I feel like I need to give more of a recap, and I am quite sure many of you are tired of reading about it, hearing about it, etc. I'm okay with that. After all, blogging is for me as much as it is for you, so it's all good.

The first session I attended at BlogHer12 was titled Blogging for the Love of it.

This is me. I'm not all focused on blogging for money. I want to get my voice out there and be heard. I want to write. I love to write. I write because I absolutely must.

And yet - I love my audience. I feel good when people comment that they have read what I have written.

I've come to understand the change in blogging audiences. I myself am one of those members. One who reads a blog post and comments back on twitter or Facebook. It's different than it used to be. It's changing and growing. It's slowing down. And yet it's a way of communicating with each other - through the blogging world.

I didn't necessarily gain all of this knowledge through BlogHer, but it was certainly discussed and touched upon. And therefore tangents with my thought process, I suppose. It kind of is how it goes, with respect to writing just to write, writing for other reasons, looking for a future in blogging and your audience.

So many of us find it meshing together. So many of us balance the love of writing and the hopes and dreams of turning it into something that helps us thrive. Whether it be professionally, or financially, or in a way that is beyond the rush we experience when we take pen to paper, or as in most, fingers to the keyboards.

Another session I attended I truly loved. It was about pricing yourself with respect to those looking to work with you. I sadly had to leave that session early because I had an appointment to learn about Media Kits. A critical requirement if you want to work with brands, companies, etc. So while the women of the session were telling me I MUST have a media kit, I slipped out somewhat gracefully to attend that private Geek Bar session.

Sadly, the remainder of the sessions didn't work for me. I either didn't make them for timing reasoning, or because they were or seemed so crowded that it just wasn't anything I could make happen.

BlogHer is serious. It's intense. It's real.

It's not for everyone, and it may or may not be for you.

It was for me this year, as it was held in NYC, my hometown. I knew coming home would work for me to attend, and I wouldn't have missed it. I can't say that in the future I will go back. I think it is too soon to tell.

I may have had issues with a lot of the experience, but I also loved the opportunity to meet so many people I would not have had a chance to connect with. My blogging friends from across the interwebs I had the chance to chat with up close and personal. As you can tell from a previous post, that matters most. For now, I think I'll stick with smaller conferences, as I prefer an easier way of connecting. Will I stay away forever? I don't know. Maybe if I approach the conference with a different way of thinking it won't disappoint. After all - I did get to listen to President Obama address us all, AND watch as the women of BlogHer interviewed Katie Couric (which was pretty awesome). I missed out on Martha Stewart as it was too jam-packed, but I survived and was smarter the next day with an early arrival to catch Katie!

Also, I took this shot of a beautiful piece of artwork by the incredible Robin Plemmons at the Come As You Are Party.

It was quite possibly the first time all weekend that I felt this AT a party there. The other parties were fun. I found time to connect with friends like Lora from fever and my sweet roommate Amy from Somebody's Parents, but I also felt a little bit lost in the mix of it all. This party grounded me. I wish it had happened earlier in the weekend, honestly. I needed it!

I'm sure I have more to say, but in the meantime I have lots of friends who have written about their own experience, and you know me, I like to share and promote my peeps. So check 'em out!

Robyn of Robyn's Online World

Jen of Jen has a Pen

Erin (one of my fabulous roommates!) of A Parenting Production ... you can read more from her here, too.

That's just a sampling of the bloggy love I have to give post-conference. I'm sure I'll hit you all with more soon. In the meantime, mwah! Chat atcha later.

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Mission Possible - Do you think?

As someone who grew up in the New York City school system, what the Success Academy Charter Schools are doing in New York amazes me. And as someone with family members who teach and have worked in NYC public schools for years, I know that they, too, would be amazed at the work done in these schools, the support given those attending AND teaching there. 

Lastly, as someone who worked as a social worker with children who attended public schools in New York I find myself wishing that "my kids" had been given a chance to attend this kind of school.

As is indicated in the summary below, one of the important aspects of the Success Academies is the focus on the adults. So much work is done with the teachers. They are forever learning. Learning how to work with and address their students. Investing in the adults as this program does does so much for the children. The relationships set between educators involved in the program - with one another and their students - it's incomparable to anything I've heard of before. It's pretty amazing. 

Mission Possible offers practical classroom tested ideas for dramatically improving teaching and learning. Through detailed descriptions of how to keep students challenged and engaged, how to ensure that the adults are constantly learning, and how to use the Success Academies' THINK literacy program, the authors describe what can be accomplished when the schools shift their focus to improving the adults' performance. 

The first Success Academy Charter School was set up in the middle of Harlem. Yes. Harlem. I know what people think when they think of Harlem. I interned in Spanish Harlem for an entire year. I loved it. But people reacted in one way when they heard Harlem, and it wasn't a favorable one. But my experience was wonderful. Many of my kids were fantastic. But they struggled. They struggled a lot. One of the biggest issues I had to address with them was school behavior. Lack of focus. Acting out. Inability to learn. How is it possible that so many children are labeled as unable to learn? So sad. So frustrating.

This didn't change much when I started working in the Flatbush area of Brooklyn. I had a similar client base of minority children attending NYC public schools. One of my teenagers could not read. Barely a word. Granted, she was in a special education class, but for me, as her social worker - who should have been working to address her history of abuse and family issues - to be working with her on reading? It just shouldn't have been. So many teenagers who I found myself reading TO. I did it because I knew that it would empower her. It wasn't the most important aspect of my job, but it was critical to establishing a relationship with her. To help her to open up and trust me.

Imagine how things would be for our kids today if they trusted their teachers to teach them as they do in  the Success Academy schools? So different. I can imagine it. I can hope for it. And I can also hope that my own daughter winds up with educators throughout her school years that are as strong and powerful as these.

I know school is not always the answer. I know that teaching starts at home. I know this and I get this. But once your children - OUR children - are of school-age, well, there is more to raising them than what they get from us. Don't you think?

In my opinion, teachers are the "other half" to parents in the process of raising children in today's world. Our children's teachers spend as much (if not more!) time with our kids than we do during a given day. If we cannot trust and rely on them to pull their weight and care for our kids, what are we to do? And if we CAN? If we can feel that these individuals are doing so much for our children, more than many give them credit for or understand? If we believe all of that then why don't we treat them with the respect and recognition they deserve? I won't even touch upon the salaries. (I'll save that for those who truly know them.)

Granted, there are teachers who skate by. Teachers who don't work to their fullest abilities, and don't push their students or teach their students. And they fail our children. I don't include them in those who deserve respect and recognition. Honestly, I would say that they probably need a program like this one more than some of the students do.

So either way perhaps we fail many of our teachers. When they do well we don't thank them enough. When they do poorly, do we work with them at all? Can we? Should we? Who is this we that I'm speaking of? Honestly, I don't know. I suppose it'd be easy to say that programs like these would be the solution needed across the board, but who am I to say that?

Mission Possible is a book written by Eva Mosklowitz and Arin Lavinia. Eva is the Founder and CEO of Success Academy Charter Schools. Arin designed and developed THINK Literacy, a common sense approach to balanced literacy.

To find out more about Eva and her mission, check out her Facebook page or look for her on Twitter.  If you're interested in speaking with her directly about her story, her goals and her book, please feel free to shoot her a tweet directly with your question or thoughts. I'm planning on doing the same.

To learn more about this, the Mission Possible that is happening for today's kids, check out the book. You can purchase your own copy or you can enter to win the one I have to give away.

Just enter below by leaving me a comment with the name of your favorite teacher from childhood. What grade were you in? And if you'd like an extra entry tweet about this giveaway and I'm happy to credit you with one if you comment with the URL. 

* I was compensated for writing this post and provided a copy of the book to give away to one of my readers. All expressed opinions are completely my own. 

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Why we blog: my reflections

So y'all know I just returned from Type-A Parent Conference. It was a whirlwind of a weekend.

I'll admit to a few things I didn't mention beforehand.

I was a little anxious. I was driving with someone I'd never met. Rooming with people I'd met once or not at all. And feeling kind of like, wow, this is yet another experience I'm tackling solo. I don't have that "best bloggy friend" that I can run to if I feel overwhelmed. It all turned out okay, though, and I have more to share on these thoughts - but that's a whole 'nother post!

One thing I will say? G-d, it felt good to let my hair down. Literally, figuratively, shed that Mommy title for a few days. Ahh. Don't I look relaxed? 

Type-A Parent Conference is about the people. And yet it's about so much more. I'm starting with some blogging-related informative takeaways. I'm doing my twitter recap post, because last year I felt SO great getting that done. And this year it's a part of my plan to do it again. 

This time I likely am using more of my own tweets, because of what stuck with me most. But you'll see some RTs as well. And forgive the overload of links. I copied some of this directly from twitter and am too danged lazy to remove them all. Plus, you should really know who I'm talking about - so CLICK 'EM!

And honestly, there is no way in heck I am going to be able to fit it all into one post, so be forewarned that many more will follow. Or - like last year - I'll end up doing like a small handful and just fall asleep on my notes. We shall see.

Actually, now I'm overwhelmed. So I'm going to stick with a few tweets about the amazing "Why We Blog" panel of these three incredible and beautiful women. @Cecilyk and @postpartumprogr and @redneckmommy.

So read on for my tweets. Where I'm quoting the speaker and reacting. Important things I must remember as I reflect back:

FOMO. Fear of missing out. @cecilyk #typeacon OMG. Yes. I have this, too. Totally. Yes.

RT @AlissaEnders: I try not to tweet on weekends. - @redneckmommy thinking of trying to do the same. GASP.

Blogging has brought me amazing people. Friends. Community.@postpartumprogr ~ truth. Incredible world to exist in. So supportive.

Seriously. People drive themselves crazy. I can't do it. ~ RT @AnissaMayhew: "dont play the (blog) number games"@redneckmommy

Amazing @Cecilyk talks about number of times that she has considered stopping blogging. #TypeACon ~ Reminds me we all feel the same sometimes

Influence is getting other people to ACT. @postpartumprogr

I am never going to buy followers, EVER. (includes FB, twitter, etc.) -- YEs! @postpartumprogr 

Y. E. S. yes.

Love these words. RT @MelACulbertson: "get out there and be who you are." wise words from @postpartumprogr 

YES. Do it! RT @ErinCLane: I write for me. You should write for you.

Something many could consider. RT @CiaoMom: A blog turned resume. One key to evolving in the social media space. via @redneckmommy 

Focusing on sharing stories that are relevant to me. @redneckmommy talks about blogging w.o the mommy blogger badge. LOVE.

Truth. So much truth. RT @teachmama: 'women have such power, and there is wisdom in our words' via @redneckmommy

@elleinthecity There are these women out there writing what I can relate to, feeling what I am feeling. -  @redneckmommy

Yes. This. So much more than stats+numbers. RT @AlissaEnders: You laughing, crying, responding...that's why we blog.- @Cecilyk

I'm going to love and live in the body I have! @Cecilyk

@kikarose I always love hearing @postpartumprogr talk. She inspires me to write those tough, from the heart, blog posts y'all love.

Listening to the incredible @Cecilyk ... Words that hit home and speak to my heart. A-to-the-WOMEN. 

@MamaMommyMom I hadn't really planned on crying at #typeacon , but this is hitting a nerve.

my reply: @MamaMommyMom Welcome to the reason I am here. :) 

And what I feel was my most important tweet: 

*Why we blog. If you didn't get it before you heard these women, you absolutely do now.* 

So, just a small drop in the bucket of what this weekend brought forth. This panel of women - incredible, amazing, powerful, unassuming women? The BEST part of the conference. And seriously - wholly - why I was there. I thank them, and Kelby for bringing us this incredible window of time where their words were all I needed and more. 

And stay tuned for what's sure to be way too many follow-ups to this post! 

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How to approach the conference #typeacon

Okay, so you already know I'm going.

And I've already told you what to bring.

Now I'm going to tell you how to approach the conference. How I recommend you do - not how you must - because I don't play that way. But you know that about me already!

I have to tell you this because I know that last year I spent each morning going over the schedule, freaking out and thinking - why can't I go to BOTH of those? And what else do I want to hear, learn, etc?

And you know what? You can. You CAN go to both of those.

A simple Type-A Conference tip from me to you. It's okay to attend a 2hr session for half of the time and walk out to get to your next session if it happens to start during the first one.

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Last year I was in a 2hr session and while I enjoyed it, I kind of felt like if I stayed the whole time I'd be missing the session that would probably mean more to me. And though I felt like I was sneaking out of class a little bit, it was okay. I repeat: It was totally OKAY.

You can do it. You can stay for an hour and move on. If you're loving it and learning every single thing you ever wanted to learn? Stay! If you're feeling like you need a snack or might lose track if you blink for a second? Go. Move on to the next thing. It's probably a better fit for you. And nobody will care if you do it.

YOU paid to attend. You're the reason you're there, right?

While we go to conferences to meet other people - other bloggers - our online friends, we're also there for US. We're most important here. We're allowed to skip a block of time during the day to miss sessions, go for a walk, go get a coffee, work out, chat with friends, it's totally okay to walk away for an hour and read. It's what you make of it. The whole long weekend. You make it work for you.

I know there are many cool sessions on the agenda for the coming days, and I'm excited about a lot of them. And I know there will be a small part of me circling things and jotting them down, maybe even scheduling reminders in my phone so I know where I'm going and at what time. But I also know that if I happen to miss something? It'll be okay.

Except try not to miss the opening and closing keynotes and the panel. That's awesome stuff. You should attend that. But honestly, if you don't that's on you. You're allowed to make those choices for yourself! Be Type-A if you must, but cut yourself some slack. It's not an assignment. It's a conference. Be sure to have some fun while you're there!

And look for me. Say hey, give me a hug, ask for some gum - whatever - I promise I'm approachable!

I may or may not have glasses on, but I still look like this:

Charlotte here I come!

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