I know what you should be doing, and that’s attending the Attachment & Trauma Network conference in Excelsior Springs, Missouri.

I went to tour The Elms Resort & Spa where we are having the conference, today, and I am very excited. It is beautiful and has tons of things for you to do to relax. I am already scoping out the spa and making a list of services I would like.

The best part of this conference is meeting other parents who are living the same life you are, so you never have to explain why you parent a certain way or say the things that you do. We had lunch with the sales manager today. He is the one who is our contact and making all the arrangements. He got to hear from three different adoptive moms about what our life is like and a tiny amount about the stories of our kids. He was totally blown away by what we do and what we live with. He might be rethinking the plan of having all of us converge on his hotel.

We have several things to help parents unwind. One night we are having “Café Zebra.” We did this last year, and it was a hit. This is an informal gathering with background music, refreshments, and a chance to network with other parents. Last year we had the room booked until 11:00 PM, and I think we went to bed at 1:00 AM.

We also have Harry & Bess Truman making an appearance. Yes, they did depart the earth quite a few years ago, so you have to show up to see how we manage this.

There will be a cookout on the “backyard” on Thursday. It will be in a gazebo that is near the outdoor pool, and the walking trails. It is also a quick walk into the resort to head to the bar if need to wet your whistle.

We have received several donations for the silent auction. Virtually every item is for parents to be able to relax or pamper themselves. We have movie theater tickets, comedy club tickets, a gift card for a gondola ride, tickets to a murder mystery dinner theater, an American Girl Doll (OK, that’s for the kids), tickets to children's museums, the symphony and the ballet, and even a gift card for shopping. I'm knitting a blanket for someone to bid on, and of course, several zebra themed things. I'm not going to give away the specifics on everything you have to show up for that.

I guess I should mention the sessions, since this is a conference. We have Dr. Foster Cline presenting a full day of Love & Logic training. Nancy Ashe, the editor of Adoption.com will be delivering a keynote address. Katharine Leslie, the author of “When a Stranger Calls You Mom” will be delivering a keynote as well. Deborah Hannah, author of “An Unlit Path” will be presenting. There are sessions on sibling relationships, neurofeedback, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, fetal alcohol issues, and several sessions on the bio-medical route that many parents are using. I suspect that you will have a difficult time choosing a session.

I hope to see you at the conference. Whether you are a first time adopter, have years of experience, or have not adopted yet, you will learn something during this conference, and you get to meet bloggers. Nancy, Julie and I will all be there. I’m hoping that we have other bloggers attend as well. Most foster agencies will accept these sessions as credit for your continuing education. Check out the website for more information.

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