So, I'm finally going to the SCBWI Annual Summer Conference! I can't beleive it's at the end of this week. Ack! I sooo don't feel ready.I really wanted to go the last two years but my kids were too little and dependent. I feel better about going this year, but I'm already panicking about leaving them. I know they'll be perfectly fine with their papa, I've just never been away from them for more than a day.
But enough about my breaking heart. I do plan to have a good time and enjoy the adult interaction.
Who else is going? How do you stand leaving your family? Any bits of advice for me? If you're going, I hope to see you there!
28 comments:
I'm not going to SCBWI but I'm leaving for RWA in Orlando in a few days and my, oh, my am I in the same boat regarding kids. I hate leaving them for 4-5 days but I just keep reminding myself that they'll be well taken care of and this time is for me. I only take this trip once a year so it's not that bad.
But boy are they angry to see me when I get home...yeah, you'd think they'd be happy I came back, right?. Nope. They're angry I went away at all. You may be able to look forward to that. :)
Casey,
I've always thought this particular conference would be fabulous. I have gone to numerous conferences WITHOUT my kids, so maybe I can relate to your position. Uhm, and I have five kids.
First, tell yourself you're on a personal/business endeavor. It's both a vacation and a working event.
And, you're kids will have some serious bonding time with their papa. They need it.
You will have a chance to fill your writing cup. Maybe even talk to some authors, editors and agents that will turn the future of your writing career forever.
Go. Be excited. Soak it in like a sponge. Anyone who loves you would tell you to stop feeling guilty and just get out there and do what you clearly have a gift for. It's not a year, it's a few days.
Good luck, and have a blast!!!
It's hard leaving kids for the first time. They will be fine tho and what I learned is it becomes a great opportunity to build on that closeness between children and their dads. :)
Have lots of fun!
Angela @ The Bookshelf Muse
I'm going to be there.
It's easier leaving my kids now that they're older (6-10 yo). It almost killed me when I went back to work after my third mat leave. My daughter was 1 year old (we have long mat leaves in Canada), and my employer sent me to Montreal for almost two weeks of retraining. I hated it. But I brought photos of the kids with me, and pictures they had drawn.
Just remember, you'll have tons of fun and gain so much from going, it's only for a few days, and your family (especially your husband) will appreciate you even more when you return. :D
Casey,
I'll be there too! You're going to love it so much, you won't even think about the kids.
I was just wondering how your novel and school are going when I clicked on your column.
I'll look out for you to say hello. If you're free at all, I'll take you to lunch to thank-you for your great work on Literary Rambles
Pat M.
(I did a guest post a while back)
Casey, I will be there too! I'm so happy to hear that you're going! What a great commitment to yourself and your writing. I know it's hard to leave the little ones. We are doing a lot to make sure they feel connected to me while I'm gone (I'm writing them notes for each day, I wrote them a little book with pictures of where I'll be and what they'll be doing.) Leading up to this week I have been SO excited, but now it is hitting me that I really have to say good-bye to them for five days. (Sniff!) I think once we get there we will get into the groove and have a blast. It's nice to know that their dads will take wonderful care of them. Good luck getting ready this week! See you in L.A.!
Kristin, have fun at RWA! I'm trying to convince myself I need the me time. I know I do, but it's still hard. I *think* my kids are still young enough that they'll be excited to have me back, not mad, but I won't be surprised now if they are!
Laura, I am glad they'll have five days to bond with their dad, that's for sure. And boy, do I need the break! It should be a lot of fun. Thanks for the encouragement!
Thanks Angela!! I plan to.
YAY Stina! I'm glad you'll be there. I'll have to find you. I bet that was really hard going back to work and going on that training trip when your daughter was so young. I know I'll survive. Just don't be surprised if you find me with worry lines. Ha!
Pat! You're going too? Awesome. Everything is going pretty good. I'm super busy. I feel bad this blog is all but deserted except for Tuesdays and Thursdays but I've had to make time wherever I can to keep up with everything.
Molly, I love all the stuff you're doing for your kids. I might have to steal your ideas. I keep thinking about them missing me. They're going to think I'm going out for an errand or something and then a day will go by and another and another and another. Waah! I'm not sure they'll understand (the young one won't, for sure). So hard.
I can do it though, I know. See you there!
I am not going. I live in NY, so I might end up going to the winter conference.
Have fun!
Casey, I'm thrilled you're going! It's sure to be such a great experience. Martina flew into LA today. As for me, I'm sitting this one out. I will be thinking of you and trying not to be majorly jealous :)
Marissa
Have fun at the NY conference if you go, Emily!
Marissa, sorry you're sitting this one out. I plan to meet Martina, if I can find her. We'll be missing you!
Have fun Casey! It's so awesome that you're going. I bet you'll make some great connections.
I know it's hard the first time or two leaving your kids, but remember our job as parents is to make them independent. Sooner than you think, they'll be going on events, sleepovers by themselves. By doing a few things on your ownn now, you'll make it easier for them and maybe even more importantly yourself to let go. My daughter's 13 and I can't imagine how it's going to be in 5 fast years to have her living away from home at college. I'm hoping my writing interests will help me let go.
Casey, see you there!! I totally know how you feel though. I went last year and my youngest was 2. It was a tough weekend, but I was so happy to go and am looking forward to going this year!
I'm in the same boat. I'm going to RWA starting Wednesday and am leaving my 2.5 year old for the first time for this long with his daddy.
It's stressful, but hopefully we'll all have a good time and the kiddos will enjoy daddy time. :)
Oooh, I wish I could go to SCBWI LA. I've been dying to go but alas, this year it was not meant to be. I can't wait to hear about it when you get back, though. Have fun!
Thanks Natalie! You're right. It will be good for them to gain some independence from me. Time certainly moves too fast!! Enjoy the time you have with your daughter still at home.
See you there, Nikki! I'm glad to hear you survived leaving your son. Mine are three (nearly four) and one and a half.
Have a good time Roni! I'm sure our kiddos will have a great time with their daddys.
Thanks Gabi! I'll definitely post about my experience.
I am looking forward to seeing you there!
My husband and the kids always had a great relationship with us as a family...but he really learned more about them when he had them to himself. It changed the family dynamic in a very good way, while also giving me time to remember that I am a person outside of my life as a Mom.
See you soon:)
I'll be in the Hospitality Suite from 12:15 to 1:15 on Saturday. It's the L.A. members meet and greet time. Pop in if you can.
You will have a fantastic time, Casey. And you deserve it! Your children will be absolutely fine. Enjoy every minute.
I wish I was going!
Have a fabulous time, Casey!
I hope you have a great time. I was thinking about going, but ultimately it didn't happen. Now I'm wishing I'd made more of an effort to put it together.
I know how you feel about your kidlets. I feel that way about leaving my cats, and they're pretty maintenance free compared to kids. It's a normal feeling. Try not to let it bug you too much.
I'm proud of you for going, C! Share everything with me, including what Carol and Sara are like.
Have such a great time, I think from the looks of this blog you need a nice break! I totally hear your pain on leaving the little ones, last year I had to cancel going to the Rutger's One-On-One Conference to, oh, you know, give birth? I was due THAT DAY. I can't wait 'til my kids are old enough for me to leave them for a few days and go to a conference! But I'm sure I'll be FLIPPING out. Have such a great time and don't worry about a thing!
Have a super great time!
See you there!!!
I can't afford to go but have a great time! I hope you'll share some information on your blog regarding helpful industry tips along the YA/MG tracks! I saw there were a lot of sessions on this topic as well as what agents/publishers are looking for given the current state of the market.
Hi Deni! Looking forward to seeing you as well. I hope something great comes of this brief separation from the kids and husband. I'll try to be optimistic.
I'll put it down on my schedule in case I can stop by, Sarah! Thanks!
Thanks K.M.!!
Thanks Kelly!!
I wish you were going as well, Lisa. It would have been great to meet you in person.
I will, Jon! All the sordid details, I promise. : )
Ammmie, sorry you had to cancel Rutger's! Congrats on your little one, though! I'm glad they're old enough that I feel like I can leave them but it IS turning out to be really hard. Leaving is going to break my heart, but I think I'll be okay once I'm actually there.
See you there, Tracy!
Hi Sarah! I plan to take some notes and will share what I can. There are some great sessions happening!
Thanks everyone!!
Have fun! Can't wait to hear stories!
Sweet! I'll see you there :)
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