Today I had the great pleasure of finally seeing Mia Freedman in person!!!!
As everyone knows, I love *cough* admire Mia greatly and was very excited when I realised her Family Life Forum was coming to a Lend Lease shopping centre near me!
So off I went this morning – skipping uni on the way – and got there half an hour early, where already heaps of mothers were lined up.
I was pretty sure I was the only non-mum there but it was okay!
We went in after getting show bags (show bags!) and muffins (muffins!!) and sat down in one of the cinemas.
There was Mia! Sitting up the front on a stool! In the flesh!
As you can imagine, I was very excited.
They fiddled around with the audio stuff for a few minutes and then we got started.
It was all very exciting.
To be honest, I wasn’t really expecting to learn *that* much.
I was really just there to see Mia and hopefully get my books signed at the end 
However, I do enjoy the parenting articles on Mamamia so I figured it would be okay.
Can I tell you: I did not expect to love it as much as I did!
Seriously, they covered heaps of topics to do with kids and I picked up tonnes of tips I can use with the kids at the foster agency I work out. (And, you know, whenever I have kids :p)
Today’s panel featured Mia Freedman, Dr Joanne McMillan and Jo Lamble - all brilliant. They bounced off each other really well and all had really interesting information to share.
They covered diet and nutrition, social media and the internet, empathy, how to listen and talk to your kids – even sneaky tips on how to get around admitting you’d been snooping in your kid’s browser history!
There was a fancy slide-show with pictures and stats; they gave examples and covered so much.
The best thing is, they recorded it (and the other Forums I’m told) and they’ll be up on the shopping centre Facebook page in a few weeks.
There were so many people scribbling down notes, and one of the best non-panel bits for me was when they finished, the camera men started to pack down and stuff and started talking to one another.
“Wow,” one said to the other. “That was really interesting.”
“I know. I have two nieces, it was really relevant.”
I couldn’t believe it! Two young men, obviously just hired tech guys, found it interesting! It was awesome!
The only bad thing was that Mia had to dash off before questions and any opportunity I may have had to ask her to sign my books 
Oh well, you know what that means – more author stalking needed!!
It was an absolutely fantastic session and I’m so glad I went.
Parents and non-parents, I really encourage you to go!
For more information on the Forums, you can check:
Mamamia
Family Life Forum’s website
I also just have to show you this shocking video of the changes it takes from model to final outcome on billboards that they showed us today. Just. Shocking.
Hi
Just read your blog post. I too was at the Forum at Greensborough Plaza and thoroughly enjoyed the whole event too.
What a shame Mia left early as I was prepared to stalk for a book sign as well.
The topics they covered were so relevant to today’s kids. I have three of my own, 11, 9 and 2 so it was very interesting and definetely an eye opener.
Thanks for sharing your post.
Yvette
So glad I wasn’t the only one planning on stalking Mia for an autograph!! I was majorly disapointed when she dashed out!
Oh well, not much to be done I guess!
I’m so glad you found it helpful – I did too!
Oh wow… that video was pretty interesting.
Just look at what an effect hair and makeup will make!
The photoshopping aspect was very drastic, she was still so pretty even before they edited her features. It’s as if the photo-editors have a template they go by to produce the ‘perfect’ or ‘most beautiful face’ like the model’s features need to be a certain size and shape and proportion, it’s pretty terrible.
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