Conference Newbie Advice: Overcoming Nerves and Traveling with a Baby

[buckeyefan08]

I want to go to conference really bad but I'm nervous! My son will only be a few months old and I think I'm trying to talk myself into driving. I have a mini-van so four of us could comfortably fit with lots of room for our stuff. Splitting it four ways the cost wouldn't be so bad. But then again if something happens at home it's not like I can just leave the others in Chicago!
What is your advice for a conference newbie?

 

[hperschnick]

I haven't gone but know the fear of leaving your little one at home! If something happened at home you could always leave the van with the others and fly back... you will want to get there quickly anyway and that would solve both problems.

Hope you have fun if you decide to do it!

 

[ameliasurf]

or you could bring a baby sitter along with you and then you wouldn't have to worry! she could watch him while you are out at the conference then when you come back to the hotel room you could take over! Just a thought!

 

[ChefBeckyD]

or you could bring a baby sitter along with you and then you wouldn't have to worry! she could watch him while you are out at the conference then when you come back to the hotel room you could take over! Just a thought!

This is what my director did 2 years ago. Actually, another woman in our cluster brought her 16 yr old daughter, and my director brought her 10 yr old, and her 1 yr old - and they hung out together at the pool and around the hotel during the day while we were in meetings. It worked out well.

 

[buckeyefan08]

DH is willing to go but I don't think he understands how much I'll be gone. If I'm going to pay all the money to go I want to get the full experience.

I was talking to a friend last night and I think I've come to the conclusion it's to soon after having the baby. Maybe I'll send some money with my recruiter for the mystery boxes. That might give me something to look forward to!:cry:

 

[heather223]

DH is willing to go but I don't think he understands how much I'll be gone. If I'm going to pay all the money to go I want to get the full experience.

I was talking to a friend last night and I think I've come to the conclusion it's to soon after having the baby. Maybe I'll send some money with my recruiter for the mystery boxes. That might give me something to look forward to!:cry:

Could you leave the baby with Grandma or an Aunt? This is my first year going but I hear it is wonderful. I know the baby is young, but maybe you will need a little break by then?

 

[crystalscookingnow]

When I went to my first conference, DS was just 5 months old. It's all really how you look at it. If you think you'll be too nervous to enjoy/get anything out of being there, then it's not worth it & it will be a waste of money. If you can put that aside long enough to go to your classes & not be distracted, then go.

 

[buckeyefan08]

Crystal I think you hit the nail on the head! I'm thinking regional may be better for me this year.

 

[crystalscookingnow]

OH! I don't want to be the cause of you NOT going to conference if you want to go! Just take a look inside. You're going to know yourself better than any of us.

I did go when Sam was just 5 months old. When I got back from conference, my business took off. I was really excited about everything. I wanted to be there though. I started recruiting (2 in August) & my sales were very consistent. That's just my scenario though.

You have to do what's right for you, your family & your PC business. Good luck & God Bless!

 

[buckeyefan08]

No it's not that you "talked me out of it" I just think you were able to put into words what I couldn't!

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

Lisa, my clustermate is going (and taking her baby and her parents.)I am not 100 percent sure.I've given a small amount of thought to going to regional but (yawn!) not sure I want to leave early enough to get to Pittsburgh by 8 ... I would rather go to NC but honestly am not sure if I'll have the cash ...If I go to Pittsburgh, maybe we could carpool?

 

[buckeyefan08]

Lisa, my clustermate is going (and taking her baby and her parents.)

I am not 100 percent sure.

I've given a small amount of thought to going to regional but (yawn!) not sure I want to leave early enough to get to Pittsburgh by 8 ... I would rather go to NC but honestly am not sure if I'll have the cash ...

If I go to Pittsburgh, maybe we could carpool?

Definetly! I'm not sure if my recruiter is going, I think one girl on our team wants to go but she's not sure. I just don't want to drive alone, it will be boring!
As far as conference goes, DH will go so I can have the kids with me but that is going to make things even more expensive. I'm just going to go to Pitt. and be happy with that! (I do want to send money with a clustermate for the mystery boxes though! ) It will be fun and I won't be an emotional mess, Regional is my happy medium!

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

Lisa, I'm sorry ... I chose national over regional!Another clustermate's DH is going ... so if you change your mind, he won't be the only husband there!And the clustermate who is taking her baby and going with her parents is giving them the evenings off to visit family ... so she'll be staying in her hotel room. So that's where we'll be partying!