If you follow the blog at all or watch us on Facebook or Instagram, I’m sure you’ve noticed that Mama Harper and I have been pretty excited about this little event we had been preparing for in Chicago called MommyCon. And to call it “little,” well, that’s a bit of sarcasm. In fact, it was so much more than I was expecting! And it was awesome! So let me tell you a little bit about our MommyCon experience.
Mama Harper, myself, and a wonderful likeminded friend, Sarah, all hopped in my van with an 18 month old, 6 month old, and a 3 month old, and headed on a journey to MommyCon Chicago, completely unaware of exactly what we were getting into. And let me tell you, it was a blast! Here’s what we learned, experienced, and loved…
So first, what is MommyCon?
Well, it’s…
Forward Thinking in Parenting Concepts.
Birthing.
Breastfeeding.
Babywearing.
Cloth diapers.
Car seat safety.
Childproofing.
Essential Oils.
Natural Health Alternatives.
Sex… After Baby.
Giveaways.
Awesome, awesome, giveaways.
It’s really all of that, and then so much more!
Like 500ish people more! But I’ll break it down for you.
Here’s MommyCon’s self description:
“MommyCon is a boutique style convention dedicated to bringing modern parents and mothers-to-be together. Our focus is on natural and organic parenting methods and timeless tidbits as we journey through parenthood together. Our seminars and workshops include; babywearing, birth, breastfeeding, cloth diapering, car seat safety, natural health and medicine, baby gear, childproofing and so much more! We end our day with amazing giveaways and each attendee gets a gift bag from our sponsors.”
Mama Harper, Sarah, and I rented a room in the reserved MommyCon block of the hotel adjoining the conference center (yay for group rate!). After unpacking, Ezra and I headed over to one of the optional paid VIP sessions, the Babywearing VIP. Once there, I was immediately surrounded by babywearing mamas, quickly spotted some of the ladies that run MommyCon from The Mommy Dialogues, and met with the lovely reps from Beco and Ergobaby. We spent a one-hour session discussing babywearing, a bit about safety, received a carrier (I got the Ergo!), and learning how to properly wear Ezra in all of the different positions.
That evening, we had our first Ikea experience (you should definitely go there by the way), dinner eventually at the hotel, and then a baby swim session. And Willow and Ezra became snuggle buddies. It was awesome to watch 
.
The actual day of MommyCon, Sarah and I ran to the VIP Breastfeeding Playdate with Jessica Martin-Weber from The Leaky B@@b early in the morning. I was ridiculously excited as I have personally followed Jessica since the birth of my first baby, and TLB has helped me so many times on my breastfeeding journey. We all talked a bit about breastfeeding, and then went through our very cool goodie bags- which included a Motherlove Herbal Nurturing Life Giftbox and a Lillebaby carrier! But best of all, Sarah and I got to hog Jessica (sorry ladies in the VIP) and talk one-on-one about birthing, being a nurse and using natural parenting concepts, hyperemesis gravidarum (that both Jessica and I have experienced), and other mommy things. Right then and there, my weekend was made!!! Eeek!
After the playdate, MommyCon officially began. There were always 3 separate classes going on, and you were free to stay for the entire session, float around to each, or explore the vendor area. Plus, there was a changing station set up, a breastfeeding lounge (although breastfeeding was welcome EVERYWHERE at MommyCon- I found the lounge was used more for tired mamas that just needed to relax on a couch!), a babywearing lounge where you could try on dozens of different carriers with help, a Baby Wrapping 101 class, Sleep Consultations, and a small food court area.
We attended sessions on Essential Oils by doTERRA, Sex After Baby by Jessica and Jeremy Martin-Weber, The Honest Toddler by Bunmi Laditan (by the way, follow The Honest Toddler on Facebook if you have small kids- it makes the rough days so much better!), the Healing Properties of Amber, a Birth Panel Discussion, and Car Seats 101 with The Baby Guy. Plus, we got our photos done by Hector Cruz for the amazing Project: Breastfeeding, which is working on Destigmatizing Public Breastfeeding by Educating Men and Empowering Women. Mama Harper and I even got one done together (we’ll share it soon, I’m sure).
Mama Harper and fellow blogger Laura from Mom Mart even got a pic with The Baby Guy (how I didn’t get one, I’ll never understand, nor forgive myself for! Haha!). Please note Willow’s face. She seems really unsure of the baby gear guru and his plastic son.
And of course, the giveaways and swag bags. The shear numbers of free product being handed out was astounding! And I’m talking giveaways like Diono Radian RXTs, Joovy strollers, play yards, bottles, baby carriers, and the list goes on. Our swag bag included things like baby food containers, tea samples, a bottle, Motherlove samples, Blossom Organics adult products (yeah, you read that right, hehe).
We also made some great connections to bring you even more reviews and giveaways from some really awesome companies soon. (HINT below!!!)
But even more than the awesome giveaways, great swag bags, and fun speakers, I really enjoyed the atmosphere. We noticed that the parents were all incredibly kind and there was this amazing atmosphere of sharing, supporting, and helping one another. It was like no place I’ve ever been before, and I absolutely can’t wait to go again next year!
The great thing for you is that MommyCon has just started for the year, and is currently scheduled to come to Austin, Denver, San Francisco, Memphis, Philadelphia, and possibly a few other locations. Check them out to find out where they will be near you soon. Plus, use our coupon code “HappeningsoftheHH” for 10% off general admission tickets!