Parenting Communities and/or Playgroups
Since online communities are often associated with playgroups, I have listed them together here.
Calgary Attachment Parenting Community (www.apvillage.ca)
The Calgary Attachment Parenting Community runs playgroups and Mom's Nights Out, as well as a variety of grassroots fundraisers and activities, and provides an online forum for families on the more natural end of the parenting spectrum. The group is very supportive and non-judgemental, and consists of a broad range of families with a variety of lifestyles along the attachment parenting spectrum. This is a great place to meet other families with natural or gentle parenting philosophies, or to ask questions about parenting issues such as gentle discipline, child-led weaning, natural birth, babywearing, vaccination, circumcision, etc. Participation in this community is free.
Room to Grow (www.room-to-grow.ca)
Room to Grow is a welcoming and attractive environment that has playgroups, a little store, as well as both parented and unparented preschool. They also put on a variety of other events for moms and moms and tots, from movie nights to Shantala massage classes. Room to Grow hosts great birthday parties, and you can access Usborne books and Melissa and Doug toys through them as well.
Calgary Moms (www.calgarymoms.ca)
Calgary Moms is an online community for moms in Calgary which includes playgroups, Mom's Nights Out, and an online community where you can get to know other moms in your area. Calgary Moms has grown rapidly over the past few years and now puts on the Calgary Moms Trade Fair. There is a cost associated with joining Calgary Moms.
Babywearing Calgary (www.yahoo.com, click on groups)
The Calgary Babywearing Group meets periodically to help moms choose and figure out how to use babycarriers. There is such a huge variety of carriers on the market these days, and all fit different sizes, shapes, and lifestyles.
The BabyWearer (www.thebabywearer.com)
This is a very thorough online resource for access to babycarriers and tips for new users, special circumstances, and more.
Goddess Mommies (www.goddessmommies.ca)
The Goddess Mommies meet biweekly in Calgary with little ones for a playgroup and also bring in a number of speakers throughout the year. Join their newsletter for updates on exciting new events, and email info@goddessmommies.ca with any questions.
Mothering (www.mothering.com)
This is a great international forum for sharing information about natural, gentle, and/or alternative parenting practices. They have a fabulous magazine as well.
Elimination Communication Yahoo Group (www.yahoo.com, click on "groups")
EC means "Elimination Communication," which is the hilarious name for the art and science of helping your baby remain aware of his or her pee and poop from birth. EC usually results in earlier and easier potty-learning, and many fewer diapers being used, and is practiced in many other areas of the world. Since I was never that into poopy diapers, I got right on this as soon as I could, with very positive results.