Ok - I can't hold back any longer. I've been writing this blog for nearly a month now and haven't once mentioned the one event/activity that is consuming nearly as much of my time as raising LuLu...the Attachment Disorder Network's first annual conference.

As the conference chair, I can honestly say this has been an undertaking of mammoth proportions. And I'm learning that mammoths are not extinct! But as I keep reporting back to the conference committee...every day I get more and more JAZZED about how things are shaping up.

The conference is aptly named, "Parenting Traumatized Children" -- it focuses on the tools, support and resources that families need to parent children have been traumatized. We expect the vast majority of attendees to be adoptive or foster families and therapists and social workers who work with these children.

We have 24 workshops jam-packed into three days -- June 22, 23 & 24, 2006 (Thurs - Sat). The site is beautiful -- Simpsonwood Conference & Retreat Center -- a wooded retreat center near the Chattahoochee River just north of Atlanta, GA. The facilities are hotel quality, and the cafeteria providing all the meals is first rate (lodging packages include room and meals).

Topics are varied and include: the role of shame in attachment disorder; infant & toddler bonding techniques; using EMDR to treat trauma; school issues for traumatized children; living with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome; healing brains through neurofeedback; embracing our children's culture to build attachment; craniosacral therapy; and how parents can take care of themselves while parenting challenging children. Pretty heady stuff...so much to learn!

This conference is definitely a labor of love. The parent volunteers of ADN (and we're an all-volunteer staff) have rallied with fabulous ideas not only to educate parents, but to support and nurture them as well. There are several social activities planned and lots of opportunities to connect with others sharing many of the same challenges. Hugs and chocolate will be free flowing!

I told you this was a shameless plug for the conference...but it is a sincere one. If you, or other adoptive parents you know, need to learn more about parenting a traumatized child and need to know that you are NOT ALONE in your challenges...this conference is the place for you.

If you want more information, or to register online -- check out ADN's website: www.radzebra.org/conference.