FAQ

I am a childless stepmom. Will there be others?

70% of the stepmoms who attend my retreats are childless. They are the ones who typically seek an event. Therefore, childless stepmoms will be grouped together, and they frequently make friends that bond for life!  You will meet other childless stepmoms from around the US and Canada. 

I can’t afford to attend. Do you have scholarships? 

On occasion a stepmom will offer to pay a partial scholarship for another stepmom to attend. However, Laura never knows if or when this will occur. Please send an email with your request to Nicole at [email protected] and she will let you know if a partial scholarship becomes available.

Can I bring children to the retreat?

Children are very important to Laura. However, her experience has shown that the crowded conditions and active pace of the day are not conducive to children or babies. In order to limit distractions to other attendees, babies and children will not be allowed in the main session room or workshop rooms. This event is a time away for stepmoms. She appreciates your cooperation.

What does my ticket include?

Your ticket includes:

·FREE shuttle from Nashville (BNA) airport to hotel. 2 pickup times are available on Friday-Noon and 3:00. Thursday there is currently a pick up at 3:00. Additional times on Thursday might be available if requested. You MUST register for the shuttle pick up with Nicole [email protected] by Sept 1^st.

·Admittance to the retreat Friday night and all-day Saturday: (Pre conference is an additional fee)

·4 meals: Pizza Friday night, Light Breakfast, and Lunch and Dinner on Saturday.

·Free Parking

·Saturday Night Fashionista Event

For those staying at the Hampton it includes full breakfast

I am a vegetarian or have food allergies. Can you accommodate my needs?

We have intentionally picked meals that include fruits and vegetables. However, we cannot guarantee all meals will be free of your allergy. The hotel does have refrigeration if needed.

Can I get a refund? 

Tickets are transferable but not refundable. You are responsible to resell the ticket, and to collect funds. Laura will allow the ticket to be posted on her FB event page for you to resell. Nicole [email protected] MUST be notified with a name for the new transferred person to attend.

How do I book a room?

The Hampton Inn and Suites in Mt Juliet has provided a discounted room rate of $145.00 for the stepmom event. This is a $30-50 discount, (2 queens and a pull out) You MUST request the event rate, block of rooms, to get this price. The rooms will go very quickly PLEASE do not wait. Hotel # 615-553-5900

How do I find a roommate?

Attendees can post a roommate request on Laura’s The Smart Stepmom FB event page. https://www.facebook.com/The-Smart-Stepmom-1849483092049217/

Laura does not assign roommates or become involved in the hotel registration process. If you add a roommate to your reservation, PLEASE notify the Hampton so they have her name.

Posting on the page is also allowed for connecting with other stepmoms for a shuttle, uber, car pool in case you do not arrive when the shuttle is leaving.

Can my husband attend?

Stepmom events are for any women dating, engaged, or married to a man with children. Laura knows that stepmoms need time alone with other stepmoms. And that they will not share their true feelings if men attend. Therefore, no men are allowed at the retreats.

Laura does host events for couples. Please check her website.

Do you have a price for Saturday only?

The ticket price includes Friday night and all day Saturday. There is no price for Saturday only. The preconference on Friday afternoon can either be combined with the entire retreat, or purchased separately as a one day event.

I have a handicap, are there accommodations?

The Hampton will be able to accommodate your needs if you tell them at registration. The event is on the first floor and easily accessible.

What should I wear?

We suggest you dress comfortably, and highly recommend layers. We cannot control the thermostat in any of the rooms and temperatures can vary greatly in different parts of the building.

Do I have to be in photos?

Laura takes a group photo at every retreat. However, you do not need to participate if you feel uncomfortable. We can NOT control casual pictures, or candid shots taken throughout the weekend by fellow attendees. Those will likely be posted on social media. Therefore, it is your responsibility to step out of the setting if a fellow attendee decides to take a picture.  

Can I record the seminar speakers/sessions?

For the privacy and protection of the attendees no audio or video recordings are allowed at any of Laura’s stepmom events. This is a firm policy. No recording or online stream of the event is available.

How do I find a shuttle from the airport?

If you arrive before 2:00 Laura is providing a FREE round-trip shuttle from Nashville (BNA) airport to hotel. 2 pickup times are available on Friday-Noon and 3:00pm. Thursday currently has a 3:00pm shuttle, more times on Thursday may be added if requested to Nicole.

NOTE: You ABSOLUTELY MUST register for the shuttle pick up with Nicole by Sept 1st for the free shuttle. NO EXCEPTIONS. [email protected]

The shuttle back to the airport is ONLY available on Sunday morning. No Saturday night shuttle available. The airport is about 15 minutes from the hotel. An uber is around $15-25.00.