The first baby change table has been installed at Invest Ottawa
Not just a too-close for comfort selfie, this is a bit of city-making in progress. I’ve always hated the saying, “the squeaky wheel gets the grease” and would much prefer to think it’s “the reasonable request gets met with respect”. Either way, Invest Ottawa and Bayview Yards now has a baby change table in their ground floor accessible washroom (complete with a sign showing a woman AND a man changing a baby)! 🚼👧👨
As far as baby change tables go, it’s brand new, clean and the strap works. It’s also securely mounted to the wall so you won’t have to play chicken with it as it suspends your baby midair while you attempt to use the loo or wash your hands.
Come one, come all current and future entrepreneurs and those curious about business! Lots of great programming here at reasonable times, free two hour street parking and a cafe on site. You’ve no excuse not to check it out and now you and your child(ren) can also use the facilities while you’re there. 🙌
If I don’t accomplish anything other than getting this mounted to the wall as part of Impact Academy: City Maker Edition, I’ll be content. For those wishing to participate in child-friendly professional development, you can join my mailing list at bit.ly/BabiesBizBreakfast. 👶📝☕
Other signs of change on the horizon
Baby and I spent a morning last week at BDC’s #WETalkBusiness workshop for women entrepreneurs, complete with inspirational stories, speed networking and work ‘on’ your business – instead of ‘in’ your business sessions – surrounded by beautiful art at Wabano Meeting and Event Centre.
We had to leave partway through to do daycare pick up for my toddler but they were also offering free pop-up childcare, there were comfy places to nurse the baby and change tables on site. On second thought, I could have tried to bring my two-year-old but he’s in a routine and you know what it’s like to try messing with that.
I wore my baby for the morning workshop session as it was naptime (and he’s only four months old) but I kindly had offers to hold my baby and was able to drink a coffee and grab a bite to eat thanks to the warmth and openness of a friendly stranger!
I’m a firm believer parental leave is not a reason to shy away from professional events or your own personal development. Besides, when you’re experiencing sleep regressions, short nap windows, etc. it’s all the more reason to get out of the house! You can learn something, meet other people and comfort your baby at the same time. No need to go it alone. This is all part of how we recreate the village feel where we are and at times you may find people are more approachable (or approach you).
I’ve had another invitation to a ‘Equal Voice From Votes to Victory Reception‘ event during an evening in November – again offering free childcare – and was pleasantly surprised to see them acknowledging the time slot and participation may require those services. So stay tuned folks, inclusive and diverse events are happening and all are welcome to attend – you just need to play your part and show up!
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Notes From Another Land 