Writers are a Stubborn Folk, You Know

A few weeks ago, we were almost published on a writing site for parents.  The article was intended to speak to others who write with little to no reward, and perhaps make them feel less alone in this world.  At the last minute the article was rejected for being "too negative".  The site wanted writers to believe they were going to make money, and this article didn't exactly sell the profession.  It wasn't intended to.  So we're posting it here to prove a point.

If this speaks to at least one person out there, it will be worth it.

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Why even bother?

I ask myself this on a daily basis.  Unlike "real" writers, I haven't made a penny off my writing.  In fact, if I calculate the money and time I've invested in learning how to be a better writer, I'm pretty far down in the hole.  Plus, there's other costs to consider.  Like time, for one.

I'm guessing most of you know that parenthood takes multitasking to a whole new level.  Finding time to grocery shop is much easier said than done for someone who probably doesn't even get to shower without interruptions anymore.  Even if you're lazy like me and do your grocery shopping when your friend plans it, so you can avoid figuring out when to grocery shop and mooch a ride.  (Good mothers are resourceful, am I right?)

Also, there's this pesky little thing called money we need to buy all these kids the things they need: silly things like food, clothing, checkups, and that thing called education you're supposed to provide for them.  Cue the day job, which sucks many hours a week away.

Now that you're getting the picture, you must be thinking to yourself: That's it? All that time left after working and raising a child! Who needs sleep, you need to write! In fact, after reading this lovely piece, we insist!  Talent like this cannot go to waste!  You simply MUST write!  (You did pick up on that sarcasm, I hope.)
It started out pretty innocuously.  I started a blog to update friends and family on my international adventures (sometimes the day job has its perks).  It was kind of fun and I kept at it, mostly because it was a good way to communicate with close family who lived far away.  Like deebo, for example.  That's an inside joke.  Well it was, anyway.

As a mother, it was a good outlet.  I wasn't exactly about to go out after work and start tossing them back to relax, but I could write about the challenges I faced as a mother and that helped me in a different way.  I read other people's blogs and got a whole new level of respect for what it takes to be a mother.  I also learned there's a lot of funny moms out there.  Shockingly, some of them think I'm funny.  So I kept at it and found that I liked the support I got when I needed to vent or the sheer pleasure of having someone appreciate my twisted sense of humor.

You're supposed to laugh now.  Or chuckle, or something.  Anyway.

Then one day someone said "you're really good at this, you should write a screenplay!"  I dismissed it, of course.  I'm a businesswoman.  I work with creative people - they do impractical things like that.  I could never afford to put that kind of effort into something that would pay off any dividends. (See! I said dividends!  Thus proving I am indeed a bona fide businesswoman.)  Then someone else said I should write a screenplay.  Why peeps kept saying that and not a novel is beyond me.  But by the time a third person mentioned this I thought "why not"?  Who cares that I've never even read a screenplay, it'll be a life accomplishment!  Some run marathons, I was going to write a screenplay!  I gingerly mentioned this idea to a couple of people and they laughed so hard, naturally it just made me want to do it that much more. 

So in addition to my hectic life I decided to take an intensive 10-week screenwriting seminar with homework.  And when that was over I added a bi-monthly writing group.  Thus began a 2 year journey of constant writing, editing, checking in with my newfound writing friends.  And now, I am proud to announce I have a legitimate, original, and fully completed screenplay in my possession.  Soon it will be two.  And it's good enough that it wasn't tossed aside by the first competition I submitted it to.  More importantly, it still makes me laugh when I read it.

Wanna buy it? Please?

Ahem.  I had to try, you know.

So where am I after all this?  5 years of blog entries.  One screenplay.  And after years of building readership talking to myself, I'm still at it.

Why is that?

So that's what I ask myself every day.  Some ask whether the tree really made a sound if no one was there to hear it fall.  I am a different sort of philosopher who questions whether or not I can call myself a writer if no one's paid me so much as a teency weency penny to do it.

And since I am very much a betting woman, I'd give huge odds in favor of the fact that at least one person reading this feels the very same way.

Does anyone else see the resemblance?

We can't be the only one to have noticed this, can we?
Seriously, if you don't see it, you need to have your vision checked.  So says Poker Chick.

How to Succeed in Sending Your Food Allergic Kid to Camp [without really trying]

We've posted so much on here about bad experiences with people not "getting" food allergies we thought it's high time we posted a good one.  Fortunately, we have a success story to share today. 

What follows are simple steps you'll probably find on many food allergy advocacy sites.  And you should definitely check out that info at Food Allergy Initiative,  Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis or Best Allergy Sites. 

But if you want to hear from someone who went through it, read on.  The hard part is finding people that cooperate.  Hopefully, this will show how easy it should be and how we're not asking that much of the camp.  Kid is enrolled, mom happy, and camp comfortable they are prepared.  A win for everyone.

So here are the steps we took for mini. 

Mini specifically requested a camp with as little swimming as possible

1.  Found a camp close by where the kids bring their own lunch (we are probably at least a couple of years away from being comfortable sending her to a place where we can't control the food she eats)
2. Narrowed the options down to ones that are nut-free (fortunately, most of them are these days!)
3. Visited the camp in December to speak to a person face-to-face regarding their food allergy policies.  After they reassured this neurotic mother they take it very seriously, have all counselors trained on epipens just in case of emergency, and will work with me to make me comfortable, we were sold!
4. Spoke with the camp director in early May to talk about her allergies in detail.  Sent them emergency instructions, signs and symptoms, as well as a list of snacks that are safe for her to eat.  Made an appointment to meet in person before camp.
5. Came in to talk to camp director.  Gave the counselors a pouch to carry with them wherever she is.  Pouch has epipen, 2 benadryl packets, and an index card with emergency contact info and list of allergens with quick reminder to call 911 in case of emergency.  Gave another epi to the camp director to keep as backup.
6. Went to their closet to look at all the snacks they give the campers.  Approved 50% of them as "safe". This was possible because the camp director checked before she went shopping and went out of her way to buy the brands that are safe (for example, we typically stay away from generics).   Gave them giant boxes from costco with safe, comparable alternatives that they could give her or any other kid.  Bonus: mini got to meet her counselors, which made her a lot more comfortable on her first day of camp.  Double bonus: she gets used to seeing the preparation involved, setting her up to know how to handle this on her own as she gets older.  
7. Reviewed and agreed on "accomodations": 

• Epi will always travel with her 
• Note will be sent to parents of kids in her group requesting they voluntarily choose to not send in sesame due to severe allergies in the group
• The kids will eat over disposable paper tablecloths so no table washing required
• Everyone will wash hands after they eat
• If the kids are having a snack she can't, they will give her a safe, comparable alternative
• When her group goes to cooking (twice a week), a counselor will take her to another group where she will do an extra dance class instead.

Now you tell us, on a "pain in the ass" scale, where does this go?

1. So easy it's like butter
2. A little effort but not that big a deal and worth it
3. A royal pain in the ass: counselors and parents will protest the inconveniences
4. I wouldn't touch that with a ten foot pole!

Yeah.  We thought so.


 
So there you have it.  A good camp experience in six months or less.  Frankly, we see no reason for any camp or school experience to be any less smooth.  All it takes is a few open-minded peeps.
 
So thanks, awesome camp, for being quite awesome and putting up with a few minor inconveniences in exchange for our jaw-dropping tuition and an appeased neurotic mother.  Today, like any other kid, mini came home as one very happy camper.

The Disability Rep Said WHAT?

Yet one more hoop for a parent of a food-allergic child to jump through: flying.

But what do you do when the airline flat out refuses to help your child stay safe and you've already paid $2,200 for tickets?

This story about the ignorance and lack of compassion exhibited by American Airlines representatives is appalling. 

How Do Food Allergies Affect Daily Life?

There's been a lot of news this week about a new study showing the incidence of food allergies in children as quite high and The Today Show actually had a segment on it this morning as well. Now, a fellow blogger just wrote an article about food allergies for the Today Show section on MSNBC.com as well.  You go girl!

Living in a world of constant danger: One mom's story of food allergies

Jenny's piece is a good personal story to read to start to understand how it affects the families of these kids.  We know those of you reading this don't need the education, but perhaps the information will be new to someone else, and will make them more empathetic the next time they are asked to put up with minor inconveniences for the sake of these kids' safety. 

Oh, and if you don't think this information needs to be passed along, just read the other Today Show article, titled:

Allergy backlash: Skeptic moms flout no-peanut rules

For the life of us, we'll never understand why some people feel so strongly about their "right" to bring a peanut butter sandwich to school.

Bottom line: More education is needed. Not everyone is as thoughtful as you peeps.

Please read and pass along.