Hey New guys! First off, if I haven't sent you a "welcome" in your respective threads, WELCOME!! Glad to have you out of the woodwork and actually posting. You may have noticed a mention or two hundred about this "convention" thing. What is the convention you ask? It's a great opportunity to take a weekend away from it all, more or less, to hang out with other at-home dads and learn and share ideas, tips, experiences, and support from others in your job field. This year's convention, the 13th annual, is being held in Sacramento, CA November 8th, 2008. If you head over to the convention website, www.athomedadconvention.com, you can find information about the event, hotel accomodations, travel information, and more. Under the schedule of events, for Saturday, it takes you to a detour, a survey that helps us schedule the sessions for this year's event. Please take a moment if you will to complete the survey. The convention is a valuable event, especially for those of you who have made the "you mean I'm not the only one out here?" comments. You aren't the only ones out here, and here's a great opportunity to meet others who are in the trenches with you. I'm sure you'll hear from others who have been to previous events what a valauble experience the convention can be. Welcome again, and we hope to see you in November in Sacramento!!! Dayv
Convention information for all the new guys
When you are first starting out, or at least when you are first "coming out" as an AHD, attending the convention may be the most important thing that you ever do. To quote a fellow AHD attendee, this may be the first time that you have "felt comfortable in your own skin" in a long time, if ever.
Start buttering up your old lady to let you come to the convention, now! Use the search function on this site to see what others have said and to get some ideas about why she should agree about your attendance.
You will leave a confident and changed man, ready to change some more diapers.
Hey Dayv, I was just at your website looking at the lodging. Any word on pricing, and if we book on-line is there a promotional code to get that rate like last year? It's going to be here before we know it.
BTW, thanks for all the hard work.
-Mike DT1 MPCG My Site, http://www.milehidad.com/ and my Blog, http://www.milehighdad.net/.
Make Babies, Not War!
[url=]I Wanna Know How Forever Feels...[/url]
I'll be there the 6th through the 10th Paddyrat, Ticktock and JPhillip I expect a foursome ( GOLF!!!!! ) and all my other Brothers, Beers and WINE COOLERS are in order.........
Chef Kev
That's just ickey, please don't put anything in the toilet bowl!!!!! is my newest thing I say to KGA.
JPhillip said it, therefor it is, Chef= C=Caring, H=Helpful, E=Excellent, F=Fubar
No doubt about it, if you have never been, it will be one of the best weekends of your (new) career. If you have been, you don't need to be convinced to come back.
Hey, can I get in on that golf thing? I suck, but love to play.
Jim
Boulder, CO
Dad to Cole, Luke & Trev
I was just at your website looking at the lodging. Any word on pricing, and if we book on-line is there a promotional code to get that rate like last year?
The rate was $99 a night for both singles and doubles. Suites are available for $275 a night. I would recommend those traveling with family to reserve adjoining rooms, you would get a single queen/king with an adjoining double, with each room being $99 a night.
Because of our discount we have to call in to reserve. To reserve your discounted accommodations, please call 916-446-0100 and make your reservation under the At-Home Dad's Convention.
Discounts are available for Thursday, November 6th, through Sunday November 9th
Dayv
bump for new guys
For anyone who is new here or just hasn't gone to the convention...you need to get yourself there. I went last year because I knew it would be good for me to get away for a little while and maybe even learn something. But honestly, I was sure I wouldn't fit in with the other guys and would hate most of the weekend. I was so wrong! Not only did I learn a bunch of stuff, I had a great time hanging out with the guys (and we were an incredibly diverse group of men with one BIG thing in common -- being S.A.H.D's). I had fun. It was relaxing. But the best part was making some really good friends (Mike, you are awesome!). My point in all of this, of course, is you need to get yourself there. It is well worth it!
Check out my ramblings on life at http://www.sahdguy.blogspot.com/
I have attended the last five conventions and I can say that it was the best decision to attend my first one. I had been an ahd for almost three years and had a pretty good handle on things, but still felt the isolation and problems that frequent the topics on this site. My wife, thankfully, was all for my attending. I arrived on Thursday, hit the ESPN Zone for dinner, and decided to turn in my free beer ticket at the hotel bar. It was then that I met Cdn Tim, Jim L, and Rols. Three of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. They introduced me the next day to guys like Hogan Hilling (who I consider the "Godfather" of AHD...he's been on Oprah for god sakes!), Barry Rezcel, Bob Noonan, guys of different background and interests who all had a great time and had one common thread....being an at home dad. I felt like I had found my group, although I lived in Lincoln, Ne. The next year I brought Mike Njus from Omaha (yes, DK, he is a great guy). We were then inspired by guys like Bill Beagle from Dayton to start our own local group. The range and depth and intelligence of the dads who I have come to know from the convention is immeasurable.
You'll even get to meet many of the dads on this site and may become very good friends. Where else can you meet a Zamboni driver, 50+ year old attorney, former military, trophy husband, and a guy whose been on Oprah who are all at home dads. You might even meet a guy from Canada!
Where else can you meet a Zamboni driver, 50+ year old attorney, former military, trophy husband, and a guy whose been on Oprah who are all at home dads. You might even meet a guy from Canada!
Oh, wait, I'm one of them...and PROUD OF IT!
:-)
I'm looking forward to the 13th edition of the convention - I hope to see friends from prior conventions in Kansas City and Chicago, and also hope to meet many of the newer AHD's (or new to this site Dads) who have made this site the most active and productive site for at-home Dads.
- Andy
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13th Annual At-Home Dads' Convention: www.athomedadconvention.com
I have to admit, I only attended last years convention, My first, because it was in KC, my home town. I had only been a SAHD for about 7 months and I didn't know what to expect or even if it would be worth it. Let me to those who have never been or were "scared" to attend, JUST DO IT. It was probably the most fun I have had in a long time and it was great meeting dads from all over, hearing and telling stories, and basically just hanging out with a bunch of guys from diverse backgrounds with one thing in common, SAHD. My only regret last year was thinking that since it was in KC, I didn't need a hotel room, boy I wish I had gotten one because I was no fun leaving and coming home at the end of the night, know guys were still hanging out and having a good time.
I came home and immediately told "the one who must be obeyed" that I was going to attend the next one in Sacramento, to which she replied OK. So I am budgeting for the room,flight, and "extra" spending so I can make the event again.
Long story cut somewhat short, if you are worried about feeling like the odd one out, or feeling like you will not enjoy it or get anything out of it, all I can say is your probably very wrong. Pull the trigger and go to Cali, you will not regret it.
Huskertko (Trey)
Joined: 2006-11-03
Dad Points: 657