Happy (belated) International Women’s Day! #IWD2020
How did you spend the day or week leading up to it?
For the actual day, I was at my kid’s swimming lessons in the morning, hanging with family and soaking up those rays before it turned rainy.
But I had also spent the weeks leading up to it attending events with both of my kids (almost four and two-years-old, as well as some solo), with topics ranging from being a female founder and elevating women in leadership, to becoming an angel investor and getting involved in politics (and potentially putting your name on the ballot).
My toddler and I even went to an event on Parliament Hill for the first time together, through the heavy-duty security clearance with our stroller, diaper bag and winter gear on a very snowy day. 🤹🏻
If you can travel with kids and do airport and customs security, you’ll be fine on Parliament Hill!
I also took my oldest boy to a #WomenOnTheBallot #addwomenchangepolitics mini campaign school trainings at Carleton University, which started around 9 a.m.
Told him mummy was going to school and we needed to listen to the women at the front of the room. I brought some toys, a book, lots of snacks and sat near the exit.
But I made the mistake of sitting near the table of TimBits, cookies and muffins which he became fixated on. 👀
We lasted until around 10 a.m. before the snacks were obliterated, Hooray For Fish wasn’t cutting it and sitting (somewhat) still was no longer an option.
Thank goodness for the helicopter suspended from the ceiling in the engineering building, the adventure of walking through the underground tunnels to get to the lecture theatre and Daddy + little bro swinging by to pick him so I could stay longer to listen to the rest of the session.
I’m not gonna lie: going to these types of events with kids ain’t easy.
But it is do-able. Just not in the same way it would be if you went solo. Doesn’t mean you should disqualify yourself from registering and/or attempting to show up!
I’ve been bringing our kids into business settings since they were weeks old and as we prepare for school soon, some big differences I’ve noticed over the years as they have grown from baby to toddler to preschooler:
• I am less sweaty because I don’t babywear, breastfeed, lug a stroller, a bag jam packed with extra diapers, clothes, snacks, toys…except for when they decide to plank on the floor in a protest and I need to carry 30-40 lbs out of the building. That’s when my stamina is tested. 💪
• The screaming/crying happens less often but the questions get louder and more complex. I’m convinced there is no such thing as a “quiet” whisper for kids and I apologize in advance if you get asked an awkward or embarrassing question…kids are curious. 🤔
• You can never have enough snacks and you should always have a back-up plan for when they run out. They WILL run out or you will go hungry. 🙄
A couple of the recent events were held at Bayview Yards (the 2020 home of my Babies, Business + Breakfast™ meetups) and I just can’t say enough kind words about the team working to make it a more inclusive environment, also focused on diversity and belonging.
I haven’t always felt like I belonged there since I started visiting three years ago in 2017, especially when wheeling my stroller or lugging a car seat and sleeping babe into a packed workshop room.
BUT the times are a changing and sometimes you need to create a place for yourself.
From the first baby change table installed in 2018 and the second one installed the day before our first meetup of 2020 in February, to seeing community members and their babies sitting in the front row at an evening event, I know we are riding a wave of positive change.
Can’t wait to see what the future brings! 👶📈
Now tell me, have you visited any corporate spaces with your kids lately or would you like to? 👇
Babies, Business + Breakfast™
The next Babies, Business + Breakfast™ Pop-Up Event will be held on Tuesday, March 31st, 2020 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
We will be meeting again at our new community space in Bayview Yards’ Training Room to discuss Business Funding + Financing Options.
Guest speakers have been confirmed and we will be hearing from:
• Nolan Beanlands, Executive Director, Capital Angel Network
• Camelia Barrit, Senior Loan Officer, Ottawa Community Loan Fund
Who is this event for?
Founders, freelancers, remote workers and potential career changers who are also parents (moms AND dads, parents-to-be welcome too!) who want to learn how to mix business and babies.
Whether you are setting out to build a startup, launch a small business, start freelancing or are simply looking to invest in yourself alongside your little ones, we are here to help you fuel up on fresh business inspiration, strong coffee and get connected to other like-minded parents.
NOTE: If the Government and/or venue applies quarantine restrictions leading up to the event due to COVID-19, I will look at hosting a virtual event or postpone to a future date.
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(If you’re not in Ottawa (or Canada) stay tuned as I’m working on some related parent-friendly professional development resources and offerings for you.)
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About Babies, Business + Breakfast
We believe parenthood and professional development don’t have to be mutually exclusive.
People have families and they want to invest in themselves. It shouldn’t be an either/or situation and we are creating a community that welcomes primary caregivers AND their children to talk about business in a safe and welcoming space (coffee and croissants included!)
Notes From Another Land 