Ottawa-nian Introductions

[LeeDeeDee]

Hello!

Here is 'a little about me', as I think this could be a good place to meet other Ottawa people.  ;)

I'm a mom to a 17 month old, and now 4 months pregnant.  Thinking to tandem nurse.  (Just ordered 'Adventures in Tandem Nursing' book - looks like a great resource!).  Nursing has been the greatest surprise of parenthood, as I had no idea what an enormous commitment it was.  Friends and family of mine nurse for varying lengths of time, and I definitely recognize & appreciate the trade-off's and limitations involved. 

I own a natural baby and children's toy + home store with my husband.  My interests include research into ecologically-friendly best practices; renewable energy, as well as other energy sources; sustainable homes & buildings; math, physics, future of human civilization in space (the long view ;> ), chemistry, and biology; education; and building better societies, local, national, global.  I'm an agnostic secular humanist, but my husband grew up with excitement over 'baby Jesus' in the nativity set on Christmas day, ;)  and we aspire to raise our children with understanding of the power of symbolism and rituals, and rhythms and connections to one's values through spiritual practice that includes honouring those values through one's own traditions.

Politically, I'm not aligned strongly with one political party, and see virtues in each of our political parties in Canada.  However, to my mind, environmental capitalism, that is a free market economy that takes into account financially the hidden costs such as future environmental impacts, seems to be the best solution.  I am saddened by many of the decisions and practices of the current Harper government in terms of their disdain for democratic traditions and communication and disclosure with the public.  I know they do it in the name of what they believe is right, but it is often not representing what I see as logical, realistic, and noble for the greater and individual good.

My univ studies were in physics, with grad studies in Germany in renewable energy engineering.  I did a B.Ed. here in Ottawa, which sorry to be a downer, but it was the saddest example in itself of education that I'd ever seen or experienced, except for a couple of shining star organized, intelligent, and inspiring teachers!  I strongly encourage parents to be very involved in their child's education, and get to know the teachers at their school and what goes on in the classroom well!  If you can, volunteer at the school as an opportunity to know what's happening and who the staff members are.  Be involved in their course selection.  Know the teachers they'll have the year ahead and be aware of potential issues.  Voice concerns to the teachers, department heads and VP.  Fight the good fight for your children, and offer loads of support for the education, socially and academically, as well as support for the noble efforts of good teachers and educators.  (Ok, I'm done now ;>).

After my children are a bit older, I'd like to return to the sciences, either in research or policy, or in education at the high school level.

We've lived in Ottawa for 5 years now.  Our close friends and family are Toronto-ward and we visit regularly.  We really like living in Ottawa though!  I am always happy to meet other like-minded folks in town. :) 

Cheers

Lisa

[Lidamama84]

Hi Lisa!

Another Ottawan here :)

I have two DDs, ages 3.5 and 1.5. What store do you own?? I love natural children's products :)  We live in the East End.

I would love to see an Ottawa Tribe here on MDC, cause I think there are a good number of us, but somehow I've seen Ottawa thread start and die within a couple of weeks over the years...

Cheers!

[DiaperJunkie10]

Close to Ottawa lol, I'm from Brockville. I have one son, who will be 3 in february. 

[kgpplus3]

I'm in Kingston - not too far from Ottawa

[DownintheSea]

Just moved to Cambridge from New Brunswick

[debe]

Not of Ottawa-

Thinking of coming over from Vancouver-

Ottawa is an idea for a few specific reasons, I will not go into here, but it may be needed.

I am very specific about needs for my child's schooling. We have a democratic free school here that is publicly funded. I love the school and its community.

I looked up democratic schools and there appear to be only two in existence in all of Canada, ours, and Alpha School in Toronto. Toronto is four or five hours driving, which is not that bad except I gave up the car upon coming to Canada and do not really want another-

So,to get to the point. If unschooling/homeschooling is not a viable option, what alternatives that are democratic like are there- or are there? What do others do for alternative learning? My child is 6.

Any info about Ottawa is greatly appreciated if you all feel the urge to pass any onwards.

Thank you

Debe

[LeeDeeDee]

We really like the Great River Waldorf School here in Ottawa, but I also hear great things about the Stittsville Waldorf school.  Trille des Bois is a rare find: a publicly-funded Waldorf-inspired elementary school.  It's french-speaking, and there have been some issues among divisions in the school between English/French (I understand a lot coming from a current administrator that's not particularly invested herself in Waldorf-inspired values, but I don't know what's changed in the last year), and varying among teachers and parents between level of interest in Waldorf curriculum. 

However, I do know from doing my B.Ed. that there are some groups of alternative schools with more democratic schooling philosophies.  Not sure for what age levels, but I know some of them are even grassroots parent-organized.
 

[LeeDeeDee]

Originally Posted by Lidamama84 

Hi Lisa!

Another Ottawan here :)

I have two DDs, ages 3.5 and 1.5. What store do you own?? I love natural children's products :)  We live in the East End.

I would love to see an Ottawa Tribe here on MDC, cause I think there are a good number of us, but somehow I've seen Ottawa thread start and die within a couple of weeks over the years...

Cheers!

Hi Lida! 

I didn't see your post til just now =D  Holiday rush at store consumed us a bit there.  We own www.nest.ca  

Arthur is 21 months now, around same age as your younger one.  Let me know if you'd ever like to meet at Aviation Museum or Children's Museum with the kiddos!  Arthy's napping in the afternoons these days, so AM's are good.  Our new one is due in ~6 weeks, and then maybe there'll still be some opportunities for a few outings while she's in her sleeping and nursing all the time in a sling phase.

Cheers ;>

Lisa

[lilitchka]

Originally Posted by LeeDeeDee 

Hello!

Here is 'a little about me', as I think this could be a good place to meet other Ottawa people. 

I'm a mom to a 17 month old, and now 4 months pregnant.  Thinking to tandem nurse.  (Just ordered 'Adventures in Tandem Nursing' book - looks like a great resource!).  Nursing has been the greatest surprise of parenthood, as I had no idea what an enormous commitment it was.  Friends and family of mine nurse for varying lengths of time, and I definitely recognize & appreciate the trade-off's and limitations involved. 

I own a natural baby and children's toy + home store with my husband.  My interests include research into ecologically-friendly best practices; renewable energy, as well as other energy sources; sustainable homes & buildings; math, physics, future of human civilization in space (the long view ;> ), chemistry, and biology; education; and building better societies, local, national, global.  I'm an agnostic secular humanist, but my husband grew up with excitement over 'baby Jesus' in the nativity set on Christmas day,   and we aspire to raise our children with understanding of the power of symbolism and rituals, and rhythms and connections to one's values through spiritual practice that includes honouring those values through one's own traditions.

Politically, I'm not aligned strongly with one political party, and see virtues in each of our political parties in Canada.  However, to my mind, environmental capitalism, that is a free market economy that takes into account financially the hidden costs such as future environmental impacts, seems to be the best solution.  I am saddened by many of the decisions and practices of the current Harper government in terms of their disdain for democratic traditions and communication and disclosure with the public.  I know they do it in the name of what they believe is right, but it is often not representing what I see as logical, realistic, and noble for the greater and individual good.

My univ studies were in physics, with grad studies in Germany in renewable energy engineering.  I did a B.Ed. here in Ottawa, which sorry to be a downer, but it was the saddest example in itself of education that I'd ever seen or experienced, except for a couple of shining star organized, intelligent, and inspiring teachers!  I strongly encourage parents to be very involved in their child's education, and get to know the teachers at their school and what goes on in the classroom well!  If you can, volunteer at the school as an opportunity to know what's happening and who the staff members are.  Be involved in their course selection.  Know the teachers they'll have the year ahead and be aware of potential issues.  Voice concerns to the teachers, department heads and VP.  Fight the good fight for your children, and offer loads of support for the education, socially and academically, as well as support for the noble efforts of good teachers and educators.  (Ok, I'm done now ;>).

After my children are a bit older, I'd like to return to the sciences, either in research or policy, or in education at the high school level.

We've lived in Ottawa for 5 years now.  Our close friends and family are Toronto-ward and we visit regularly.  We really like living in Ottawa though!  I am always happy to meet other like-minded folks in town.  

Cheers
Lisa

I am fromOttawa too.
I like your store. ordered few times there!

We have a 3 and a half yo and a 1 yo.
working part time.

[LeeDeeDee]

DiaperJunkie10 and kgpplus3, feel free to give a shout-out for a museum romp and beverage or picnic in the park if you're ever day-tripping in Ottawa.

Originally Posted by DiaperJunkie10 

Close to Ottawa lol, I'm from Brockville. I have one son, who will be 3 in february. 

Originally Posted by kgpplus3 

I'm in Kingston - not too far from Ottawa

Hi lilitchka,  Oh, that's nice to hear.  We're in New Edinburgh area.  Let me know if you'd ever like to meet at a Bridgehead's or playdate outing.  Arthur's almost 23 months now, and he is pretty happy to interact with other kids.  Come Spring, we'll be picnic-ing at Rideau Hall almost every day in good weather, which is awesome for the kids to run around (no dogs allowed and the grass is so green and it's just a great big safe area for them to run carefree).

Originally Posted by lilitchka 

I am fromOttawa too.
I like your store. ordered few times there!

We have a 3 and a half yo and a 1 yo.
working part time.