Digital Parents Blog Conference 2012

Last Friday I was fortunate enough to attend the Digital Parents Conference.

Loved it.

I felt a little more confident than the last time I attended a conference, but yet still lacked the ability to just walk up to people and say hi.

Bloggers are constantly talking, excited to see one another, and already feeling like you're a part of their life (from reading their blog) we're never short of something to talk about.

So what is my problem?

Everyone is always talking to someone, I find it difficult to walk up and intrude on a conversation to say hello.  Why should I interrupt them, their conversation is not less important than mine.  

A skill I'll continue to work on and eventually as I grow more and more comfortable in my own shoes......

Luckily for me I do have some lovely blogging friends that I can 'hang out' with.

 Mez from Back in G-Town

Cate from Keep Cate Busy and Del from My Relish / Super Relish

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I made the decision early on that I wanted to stay overnight in the city.  Best decision ever.

Not only was it great to have time to chill out in our room before dinner, freshen up and catch up with friends, it was heaven to have a whole bed all to myself and no little voices to interrupt my sleep.

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Listening to other bloggers share their stories was a highlight.  Even if I did ball my eyes out.  Thank goodness Mez had a stash of tissues otherwise snot would have gone everywhere.  Seriously balling is an understatement.  But that is the effect blogging has on me.  I am not a stalker, I just thrive on reading about others lives, being able to interact with them on line and sometimes taking comfort in the fact that in life we are not alone.

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Hearing Bloggers talk about social good was refreshing.  It's something I have been thinking about for awhile.  A few years ago I was in awe of a local family who packed up their lives and their three children to live in Thailand and work as volunteers in an Orphanage.  They were protecting children from all sorts or predators.  You can read their story here.  

I've thought a lot since then about what I can do.  But I will be honest and say I've not done a lot more.  Sure I've constantly donated to peoples causes, and yes I know that is a contribution, but I know I need to think about what am I doing, how am I using my voice.

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It was inspirational to listen to Bloggers talk about transforming a Blog to a Business or a Blog to a Book.  I don't know what direction this Blog will take, maybe one day I'll make money, but I know first and foremost this is my happy place, that is what matters to me.

I love sharing stories and communicating with other people.  I love that people read this blog and leave comments.  I love that I do get the opportunity to share giveaways that put a smile on your face and often a smile on your children's faces.  What is not to love about that.  All the while I am creating memories, so that when the fuzz of motherhood has faded I'll have so much to reflect on and enjoy.

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It was also great to chat with some lovely brands, Richenda from World Vision was inspirational, as was the announcement that Eden was heading to Africa to share the stories of those caught up in the drought and famine. You can follow her journey on twitter at #EdeninNiger

Hallmark shared some of their latest products, I've already been out and bought Abigail for an upcoming birthday, she is just the cutest thing I ever did see.  I'll also be joining in the Hallmark 7 day card challenge, but more of that later.

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So on a final note this last weekend was all about me, I got time out to soak myself in the blogging world, catching up with old friends and new.  I got to relax, dance, dance, dance, oh and sleep in. 

The high you take away from something like the Digital Parents Conference is priceless.

Cheers

Mandy