Question of the Month: Turning off the Helicopter Parent

Summer is finally here and in about three weeks, school will be done, the days will be longer and playing outside in the fresh air will be a number one priority for most kids. When I was young(er), playing outside meant roaming the neighborhood with friends until all hours with little parental supervision. It's not the same today, of course.

As a mom, I get how scary it is to let you kid go off on their own (or with friends). Whether it's to ride their bike around the block or go to the park with friends, the very idea of letting your kids out of your site strikes terror in the hearts of most parents. I freely admit that I am a helicopter mom. I have trouble letting my kids go off on their own and it takes a real effort for me to do so.

The questions of the month, then, is at what age would you or did you let your child go off on their own around the neighborhood with friends -- whether it was to the park or just riding their bike to a friend's house?

Please share your thoughts. This helicopter mom really wants to know!

Planning for Westfest: Westboro's Giant Street Party

Westfest is one of Ottawa's most happening arts and music festivals, featuring a whole slew of great Canadian talent. It’s basically a giant, free, four-day party in Westboro and after a year of waiting for the excitement, Westfest is back and it starts tonight!

 If you’ve been to Westfest before, you understand what all the excitement is about and if you’ve never been, do yourself (and the kiddies) a favor and get out there and enjoy. Some rules of thumb to remember when attending Westfest with the kids:

Walk if you Can

If you live close enough to Westfest you really should consider walking since parking is extremely limited. If you live too far away to walk, prepare to park away from the action.

Wear your best walking shoes and don’t forget your stroller because Westfest covers nearly 15 blocks, about a one kilometre chunk of Richmond Road, which can feel very long if your feet hurt or if you have short little legs. Biking is also a great way to get around.

Check the Weather

Check the weather before you leave the house, and if you’re planning on spending some time there, prepare for any weather-related eventuality. If it’s hot, bring water, lots of sunscreen and hats. For chilly weather, bring sweaters and blankets for strollers. Westfest happens rain or shine so always have an umbrella is you’re willing to brave the rain.

Have a Food Plan

If it’s a nice day it’s pretty much guaranteed that all the restaurants will be jam-packed. Some restaurants will have a special Westfest menu and have seating out on the street. If you have little ones, figuring out how and when to feed them beforehand is a pretty important piece of the puzzle if you want your day to run smoothly.

Plan Your Day

There is so much for kids to see and do on the street. There are always some really cool street performers, a bunch of inflatable bouncy things, awesome face-painting artists. This year, for the kids, there is a Dovercourt Funzone, ScotiaBank Kidzone and some pretty awesome balloonists from The World’s Greatest Balloons. There will be so much to do that you’re kids won’t be bored. But it is easy for them to get overwhelmed so having a plan of what you want to do is critical.

Plan Some Adult Time

One of the best parts of Westfest, however, and a part that shouldn’t be missed is the music. This year, Jane Siberry, The Skydiggers and Fiftymen are some of the big name draws. You can check out the lineup here. The music during the day is fun for the kids but don’t forget to book a sitter if you want some adult time to walk, eat and enjoy as well.

Are you heading out to Westfest this weekend? What is your favorite part?

Step Afrika! at the Ottawa International Children's Festival

By Stephanie On Tuesday, May 28, my 4-year-old son and I attended the opening night event of the Ottawa International Children's Festival - thanks to Kids In The Capital. It was our first time at the festival and, I must admit, the first time I actually heard of the festival. I learned on Tuesday that its first edition was in 1985 and that this is the only festival dedicated to performing arts for children in Ontario.

The show we attended on Tuesday night was Step Afrika! from the USA. It is a dancing performance featuring stepping and African gumboot. There are no music instruments, but the entire human body is used as an instrument, which is very impressive. The performances were great, funny and VERY interactive. At one point during the show, a lesson of stepping was given, and the audience had to reproduce dance footsteps and hand claps. Everybody loved that part - although I must say I was a bit scared of the shaking seats in the stands. Both my son and myself really enjoyed the show and he danced the whole time. I would recommend it for any 4-year old kid and older, but no babies because the show is loud.

After the show, there was a reception to commemorate the opening of the festival. I was very impressed by the organizers' nice little touches to entertain the kids: snacks in a glass and bottles to make bubbles. You can tell their focus is really on the children.

The festival is on until Sunday on Breton flats and there are a lot of different shows, as well as many free activities on the site. Not all the exhibits were ready on Tuesday evening but I did have a peek at the Dynamic maze that was in the process of being built, and it seems pretty cool with dozens of big exercises balls. Even if you're not attending a show, it's definitely worth it to go to the festival to participate in some of the many activities and perhaps, if the weather is nice, to have a picnic on site.

Stéphanie moved to Ottawa about 10 years ago from the south shore of Montréal. She usually works as an analyst for the federal government but is currently on maternity leave to take care of a 4-year old boy (Paul) and 8 month baby girl (Emy).

Ottawa's Farmer's Markets

One of the best parts of Ottawa in the summer is the availability of fresh produce grown locally. Last weekend, my girls and I had the opportunity to visit the Westboro Farmer’s Market to get some veggies and breads for dinner. Since the arrival of summer, the Farmer’s Markets are popping up all over Ottawa, in every part of the city. Not only are they a great resource for those who want to support our local infrastructure, but they are a fun way to get your kids involved in making (and actually eating) dinner.

If I’m honest with myself, I have to admit I have the world's pickiest eaters. Both are self-proclaimed vegetable haters. So, in order to help the situation, I told them that they could each pick and prepare a dish with their (ahem) favorite veggies. My eldest grabbed some asparagus (all the while laughing because it would make our pee smell). My youngest latched onto the zucchini. At first, she wanted to make fried zucchini but later settled on “baked” fried zucchini. A good compromise I thought.

We had a blast inspecting, choosing and then buying our dinner. Not only did they have fresh vegetables, baked goods and fruits but they also had crafts, treats and pottery, flowers and more. It was a great way to spend an afternoon.

The Ottawa Farmer’s Market in Westboro is located along the walking path of the Byron Linear Park, between Golden, Richmond and Byron Avenues and there are more than 65 vendors. It runs on Saturdays from 9:30-3:00. you can also find more Farmer’s Markets around the city on their website.

Do you shop at an Ottawa Farmer's Market? Which one is your favorite?

The Start of Garage Sale Season

If you’re anything like me you’ve got a whole bunch of junk you don’t use anymore. I know I’ve got a whole store-room full of old toys, baby furniture, books and games. That’s why I love the start of summer. Or as I call it “Garage Sale Season!”

This weekend is the Great Glebe Garage Sale. While I’m not in the Glebe, my parents are so for as long as I remember, we’ve gotten up early on Garage Sale Day to unload all the gently used things we just don’t want anymore. My brother and I used to spend hours tagging and pricing all the stuff and when my own girls were old enough, I got them involved in doing the same. Since they were small, my girls have always loved to sell lemonade and cookies to everyone who walked by.

This year is no different. We’ve already got all our stuff organized and we’re crossing our fingers that the weather cooperates. We’re ready to head out to sell our used treasures and perhaps find a few new ones of our own.

If you can’t make it out to the Great Glebe Garage Sale tomorrow, here’s  a list of some other ones around Ottawa in the next few months.

Are you hitting the garage sale scene this summer? Here’s to happy treasure hunting!