Disney Social Media Moms 2011 – Rene Syler

I’m currently in a fight with my friend, Lisa from Crazy Adventures in Parenting, over my new girl crush Rene Syler who spoke at Disney Social Media Moms.  I’m losing my Twitter cred over this and I don’t care, because Rene, my new BFF, is worth it. Lisa wrote about Rene just a teeny bit in her Day 2 Recap.  I’m writing this entire post dedicated to Renee Syler. Yes, I’m going to keep writing her name. Be damned Google.

Lisa thinks she’s cool because she has a photo on her blog with her and Rene Syler. La de da. I have Rene’s business card and we really bonded at the conference. I even tweeted her about a week before hand. We connected back then, but we’re on a deeper level now. We get each other and what it means to be a GEM – a Good Enough Mother.

We both shop at TJ Maxx – that’s where Rene said she got her outfit that she wore for speaking. And I’ve taped my daughter’s hems, close enough to stapling, as she said is fine to do.  She writes her blog Good Enough Mother and other amazing things in her closet. I write in my Mom Cave. We’re both 48. Her birthday is in February and mine is in March – that’s close. I’m not stalking you Rene.

Renee Syler Strutting Her TJ Maxx Outfit

@GoodenufMother tweets about lots of funny stuff, but she also covers some serious topics on her blog and during her talk with us. She even became emotional which got to me. I could tell that she is genuine and kind, but will fight when she believes in something. She’s an advocate for breast cancer research as someone who has breast cancer on both sides of her family, as someone who’s gone through too many biopsies and cancer scares and as someone who’s had a preventative mastectomy.

Rene wasn’t afraid to show how she looked as she recovered from her surgery, from which she took a long time to heal. Her photos told the story.  But, she did go through a bout of deep depression. The depression came about mainly from losing her job at The Early Show and from another TV show that didn’t work out. She lost herself during this time. How I can relate, but this is Rene’s story.

From difficulties, came a new outlook – “Being washed up is just another word for reinventing yourself.” First came her book, Good-Enough Mother: The Perfectly Imperfect Book of Parenting and a new venture into social media. She has a team that works with her and she brought them on stage to share the spotlight. Now that’s a class act.

Her story is about not trying to be perfect, but reaching for the stars. Love yourself as you are, but seek to better yourself.  Have fun, laugh, smile and be grateful for everything you have! Rene Syler is a success and an inspiration to many, especially me. Thank you for being you!

I paid to attend the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. In exchange for my registration fee, I received deeply discounted rates on hotel, park tickets, events, meals, and swag. I am not required nor was I asked to write about the events by Disney or any other brands, celebrities, or speakers affiliated with the event. All opinions are my own. An affiliate link is included in this post.