Show notes
Parent Driven DevelopmentEpisode 009: Planning Childcare at Conferences00:25 We're joined by Abby Phoenix todaystarted in 2015 and have now been at 6 conferencesThe intention is to always have childcare at RailsConf and RubyConfTreat it as any other vendorGo to the conference venue and ask for recommendationsAsk for recommendations from the hotel, local user groups, etc.Smaller conferences are a little more difficult but also easier because if it's in the same location every year you can use the same provider year after yearThey know how to get aroundThey have alternative optionsThey are on time They have the equipment they needTypically 5-7 kids Usually younger children especially since RubyConf and RailsConf are during the school year so most older children are in school Always a question of whether or not a parent can make it work because bringing a child to a conference can be challengingVisibility is very importantIt is important that it is known in the community that childcare and lactation rooms are available at these conferencesWhat to call the lactation room?How it works at a conference to make sure you don't get walking in on and to make sure it is easyThe lactation room has outlets and a fridge.DiapersWiping bumsand moreThere were things we did not know to ask when we started and so now we have a list which is helpfulAbby goes in to which questions they have started to ask Evening childcare so parents can do things.They will try to work with childcare providers to offer after-hours care but can't provide it themselves Most of the participants are youngerIs it worth it to bring an older child to a conference?What conferences have a "kids track"?How to engage older kids at conferences?The childcare provider will often tailor childcare towards the age range of the children there Participants are not charged for using childcareDiscussion about costs in different citiesAllison - My daughter has had a rough few weeks and loves being bounced on a ball but it's tiring for me and hurts my back, so I put her on the ball, tummy down, bounced her, and it calmed her down and she got gas out #GeniusAndy - After a difficult day, my daughter wrote "I love you daddy, even when you're grumpy" #Genius? or #Fail?Mandy - My daughter got the principals award for having a positive attitude, was responsible, did homework, and more. I was very proud! #GeniusKWu - I'm on call for the week and so I set up a daybed in the office and negotiated with my husband that after the wake-ups, I would go to the office and turn off the monitor and be off duty for a few hours #GeniusAbby - My daughters are very picky eaters. My youngest will eat waffles that she'll eat for breakfast. Recently she brought one over to me and said, "mommy I really like these. I like that there is candy inside" #Fail With my oldest, I asked her to describe her perfect meal and I thought she'd talk about candy or ice cream but she said "My perfect meal is a cheese plate" and so from then on every night has been a cheese plate for dinner, which to her means little bits of a variety of food #GeniusFind more information at @rubyconf and rubyconf.org has some information right now.Registration will open in August or SeptemberEmail us to ask questions.Follow & SupportPlease follow us @parentdrivendev on Twitter or email us at [email protected]. Our website is at ParentDrivenDevelopment.comSupport us via Patreon and get access to our our Slack Community.Panel:Mandy MooreAllison McMillanKWuAndy CrollSpecial Guest: Abby Phoenix.