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Magnificat
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| Posted: March 22 2011 at 1:06pm | IP Logged
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Hi Ladies and Happy Spring! It's so nice to have the sun out and to see the flowers blooming! Almost like having a nice stretch after a long slumber!
My husband and I are trying to make plans concerning the IHM conference in June. Our children are 9, 11 and 14. My oldest attended last year and enjoyed the teen talks. We are hoping to go as a family this year and spend some time in No. VA and DC. After looking at the conference website, it says-
"Although we love children, attendence is restricted to adults, teens accompanied by an adult, and nursing babies.
This policy will be more heavily enforced than it has been in recent years."
Has anyone been turned away because their children were not "teens"? I guess I'm a bit disappointed after reading this...
I know there is lots to do in Chantilly and in that area. However, for me...I guess that's not the point. We really wanted to go this year as a family--you know?
Any thoughts? Has anyone ever encountered problems with this or been in this situation?
Thanks so much in advance!!
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~~~Proud To Be A Mom To 3!!!~~~
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JennGM
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| Posted: March 22 2011 at 1:22pm | IP Logged
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Charlotte, IHM isn't in the Dulles Expo Center, but a Hotel facility, which they have used in the past. If it is set up as before, the speakers will be upstairs, while vendors are downstairs. It really isn't a child friendly place at all. And probably with insurance and the hotel's policy they are going to have to enforce it.
I probably am in a minority, but I find a HS conference is time for mom (and dad) to recharge their batteries, to have the freedom to look over, listen, discuss, visit -- prepare for next year. It's not anti-child, as we're doing it for our children. Sometimes it is helpful to be focused to use the small amount of time to the fullest.
There are several very close options for the children to do while you are browsing and listening, one being the Air and Space Museum, Udvar Hazy Complex. This is a GREAT facility, because it's an airport hangar, and lots of room for the children to walk (and sometimes run) without disturbing other museum goers. There are also bathrooms for mothers -- nice to nurse in private if you need to. There is also the Sully Historic Plantation very close by.
St. Timothy Church and St. Veronica Church are nearby. For a free place to roam, a lovely park, especially the Walney Nature Center (this is what we use for our nature study weekly get together). I know there are few other playgrounds...but I'd have to get more specifics from my sister to share them.
I know it's not ideal for what you wanted to do, but perhaps do some on and off things -- you stay for a bit, meet everyone for lunch, maybe your husband stays for a talk or two, then everyone rejoin.
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to  & ds1  '03 & ds2  '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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mrsgranola
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| Posted: March 22 2011 at 5:11pm | IP Logged
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Having worked on a couple of large LLL conferences in the past, I understand the logistics and difficulties involved in these conferences and balancing the needs of the attendees with the limitations of the facilities, liability, etc.
However, as a family, I do find it disappointing (espcially when we need to be pro-family/pro-life) when the policies are so black and white (and sometimes a blind eye is turned towards those in the inner circle vs. the attendees who are not in the "know"). I've never been to IHM before but when people are traveling to a conference (and some from quite a distance) it seems like a little flexibility would go a long way. 
I think overall, it seems to disturb me somewhat that children would be deemed inappropriate. Part of that is just me, I know, but I'm like that about most social functions, weddings, church events, etc. I really, really dislike the societal norms in some places that wants to age segregate most parts of life...
That's a tangent... I'll stop now. 
Not disagreeing with Jenn, btw... I know that couple time is important, as well. Just wish it would be left up to the family as to how to use their time for that trip... couple time or whole family time....
Hope this makes sense-
JoAnna in NC (7 weeks til another baby girl!)
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Magnificat
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| Posted: March 22 2011 at 7:27pm | IP Logged
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Thanks so much for the thoughts and points of view. I guess it's something I will have to deal with. On one hand, I totally agree that it's great time for mom to focus on curriculum and so forth. However, I guess I see it more like a "spiritual pick-me-up" for the whole family. I understand they do not want children "running around" un-attended. But, if the children are with the parents and attending the talks and are not disruptive...
I guess perhaps there can be no gray area. JoAnna, you hit the nail on the head when you said you "wished it would be left up to the family as to how to use their time for the trip..." I guess that's how I feel-a bit stifled.
Ok-I'm finished whining! Sorry!  You ladies have given me things to ponder...
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: March 22 2011 at 7:51pm | IP Logged
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What bothers me most about the policies of no children.. what about the families who don't have any support systems.. they can't not take the children.. either they all go or no one can go. Couple time for those couples is after the kids are in bed. What about the families with jobs that don't allow for time off easily and have to work some or all of a weekend so that only the non-working parent can attend but only WITH the children.
Just seems like it's often the ones who have the most need of support that are the least served.
ETA - that doesn't mean that the other reasons and uses of the conferences aren't good ones or that people should feel guilty for using those in different ways. Just that having btdt it's frustrating that there are NO options unless you can do it that way.
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All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
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JennGM
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| Posted: March 23 2011 at 8:48am | IP Logged
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I see there are a few factors -- I don't know IHM's planning, but I do know this area, and I'd say "location, location, location" is the main reason for this policy. Northern Virginia is an expensive area. Large conference centers that can adapt to needs of a conference and families is just nigh on impossible. If there was room for child care, outdoor areas to play, it would be a different situation...but places like that are not really available reasonably.
Plus, the liability risk of children is high. Catholic places will be non-existent without huge amount of red tape.
IHM does keep the conference free...but if they were starting to charge per head due to restrictions, perhaps you would think twice about wanting to bring the children because of the cost.
Parenting styles are quite different, and there is just no way of tactfully approaching this. I think not allowing children is probably the least volatile approach to an already hot button issue.
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: IHM Conference
