Raise your hand if being a mama is harder than you ever though it could be. And that was BEFORE a global pandemic.
*Raises hand*
People have told me (and I agree) that parenting is the best and hardest job, oh yes, the most important one around. So where's the professional development? Where's the further education? I remember "lunch and learn" events and conferences at past jobs, but now I'm doing good to get in a few pages of a parenting book or online scrolling before the kids wake up. Can you relate?
MOPS International can, and that's why they're hosting the live and streaming MOMCON 2021 event Sept. 9-11 at Gaylord Opryland Hotel. Because moms need a minute (OK, a weekend!) to refresh, recharge, and get a grip on this monumental job we've been given. Created to be fun as well as educational, the conference features some of the BEST voices that got us through 2020 to encourage moms to lead their families well in the coming days.
Check out why mamas need MOMCon
1) You get to go away with friends.
You can spring for a suite a Gaylord Opryland, or you might just be hunkered over your phone in your car, but MOMCon gives tired mamas a chance to get away with loving and supportive voices in person or online. I find my "mama time" to be roughly one thousand percent better when I've got an encouraging friend with me, and this conference is offering more than 12 speakers who will truth and life into your days.
2) You'll be resourced to grow
Maybe the hardest thing about parenting is the funk we can get in between schedules, hormones, and random social media scrolling. We can be up or down for a while, but often we find ourselves in the same patterns again and again. What if someone gently showed us a better way? I LOVE the lineup at MOMCon because most of the presenters have incredible books and wonderful social media pages with consistent messages of faith, practical family engagement, and leadership. That means you'll have a grip on good resources to keep growing as a mama, spouse, and individual long after the weekend is over. Even if you can't make it, you'll have your new reading list.
Carlos Whitaker? Arlene Pellican? Annie F. Downs? Bob Goff? Mandy Arioto? YES.PLEASE.
3) You'll find rest
Depending on your personality the idea of meeting new people will either lift your heart or sink it down to your gut. Let's be honest, after exhausting days of instructing little hearts and minds, sometimes it's nice to not have to open your mouth! MOMCon gets it and provides space for social butterflies to connect and lots of quiet time for tired mamas to simply received and absorb. Special sessions by Kimberly Britt, Kelli Jordan, Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith will address mental health issues and lifestyle maps to help mamas mom from rest instead of reaction.
4) You'll have fun
If you're asking, "Fun? What's that?" then that's a good sign you're ready for MOMCon. MOMCon encourages mamas to dress up (put on makeup! wear something besides yoga pants!) for their final night prom, and mix it up at breakout coffees and marketplace sessions to meet other moms and get inspired by mama-owned businesses throughout the weekend.
Ready to go? Tickets start at $247 for the full weekend, and individual or party-pack online streaming tickets starting at $27 if you need to stick closer to home. See the full program and learn more at mops.org/momcon-2021.
Can't make MOMCon like, at all? Consider joining a local group of moms to cheer you on in your parenting journey. MOPS Murfreesboro and Mostly Moms support groups are available for moms of all ages, stages, and spiritual backgrounds through the ministry arm of World Outreach Church. Find a group and a time that works for you by contacting Christa Lanier at 615-609-5828 or Christajoy22@yahoo.com, or Maegan Snyder at 615-631-2063 or at Maegan.e.snyder@gmail.com.
Laura Beth Payne is a writer and homeschool mama who lives in the Blackman community with her husband and two bouncy children. Follow her at @murfreesboromama on Facebook and Instagram. Got a column idea? Email her at laurabethpayne@gmail.com.
