Last week I received a last minute request for me to assist in covering a tech panel event here in Santa Monica. As a recent single mother, I had debated several times about going to events with my newborn in tow… but always ended up talking myself out of it.

With my son now being a little over three months old, I allowed the possibility of that to change depending on the reaction of the person making the request and the person hosting the event.

“ I could probably do it but it would be determined on if I could bring my newborn to the event, which I know is really strange but I’m doing the single mom thing right now and not sure if I could get a sitter this last minute. “

You can then imagine my shock when I was given the welcoming green light.

“[The event host] says it’s baby-friendly and she can’t wait to meet your kid.”

Was this really happening? I guess it was. Time to put the trepidation aside and make my way to the event.

When I arrived, the space was buzzing with life. There were some of the usual suspects in attendance and several new ones that I hadn't met yet. Perhaps this was from my dip off the radar while pregnant.

The crowd reactions were fairly mixed. Just as I wasn't sure how people were going to feel about it, I think the attendees didn't either.

At the same time, what was I supposed to do? Just stop going to events and things in my industry just because I happened to now have a baby?

I was a bit more timid than usual walking into the crowded event and teaching space. Some smiled at us. Some just looked dumbfounded.

I searched for a space we could comfortably be without being in everyone’s way or in any form of spotlight. After a few minutes I found a seat at a table in the back of the room. I plopped my backpack of baby things on a chair and started unpacking my net book.

I looked around a bit at the crowd. I saw someone I’d known for several years who’d just had a birthday. Another gent I hadn't seen in at least a year. Another that I’d not spoken to in probably three.

Before my son had arrived I probably would have talked to all of them. It might have been about business. It might have been more casual. But it would have been more than the nod and half smile I received from people I’d known who were probably taken back just as much as the people I didn't know at the event.

It felt very awkward. I was brought back to the playground loner days. It.. was terrible but I had to suck it up. We weren't here for them. We were here for the panel. We came to learn first and meeting anyone new would be a bonus.

I found the event host and tapped her on her shoulder. She was warm and welcoming like few were at the event- even holding my son and extending the invitation to return to later events. She looked at me as the person as I was who just so happened to have a baby rather than “that strange lady who brought a baby to a networking event.” She may not realize it, but she was the best person there and for that, I am forever thankful.

The panel was about to start and everyone went to their seats. The one guy with the cough sat next to us. It was… a little aggravating. I’m not sure if it was just coincidence or a subtle hint that we shouldn't have been there.

My son was calm for a majority of the hour long discussion. At one point he started to squirm and root around that it was time to eat. I felt a little embarrassed and nervous as I proceeded to breastfeed him discreetly.

After the panel was complete there was more time for potential networking possibilities. I talked to a few people about the panel but left fairly quickly after it was over. I looked around the room of strangers and felt very odd. Several people made eye contact but few approached or didn't automatically shun me when I started to approach.

I’m a single mompreneur. This industry is very much as much a part of my life as my newborn son is. I don’t want this event to be my last. I hope more single mothers will start attending events. This night was out of the norm for everyone. It was out of the comfort zone but maybe it shouldn’t be.

It’s time for a change. If it was any industry that could do it, it’s this one. This is technology. This is business 2.0. Now we need to get to that 2.0 level where other moms like me can not have to feel the extra chill as they navigate through the networking world with their babies in tow. The future could be at risk if we don’t.