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Editorial -- Issue #70

Back in February, I had an opportunity to work with my niece, Marie Menard, as volunteers at my local elementary school. Marie, who grew up in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, now lives in Ottawa and attends Carleton University. Marie wanted to do some volunteer work, so I introduced her to a teacher at my son Rhys’s school. Together, we agreed to help coach the girls’ volleyball team. After several weeks of practices, the girls won the silver medal in their division. It was a very satisfying experience for all of us. On the drive home from the competition, Marie asked, “Why aren’t you a teacher? You’re really good at it.”

I admitted that, while I really enjoyed doing the work, I had not done well at University and had never completed my degree. Marie responded with, “Well, that’s easy to fix. You just go back to school!” Her answer hit me like a brick. For the first time in more than 20 years, I considered the possibility of returning to school. In the past, I had always put off thoughts about school by saying that the children needed me or that my time was filled volunteer work! These thoughts always relieved me of any need to go any further. Not this time.

Over the next few days, I went online to the Carleton University Web-site to investigate my options. With my Diploma in Early Childhood Education and my previous university credits in hand, I applied to the Child Studies department. I havesince received offers in third year studies to complete my degree in Sociology and also in second year to the Child Studies department. The past few months have been exhilarating, scary, energizing, and sometimes depressing. In order to write my letter of application, I had to reflect upon my first try at university more than 25 years ago. It was a very difficult period in my life and I don’t always like the way I chose to deal with my issues. What I realized at the end of this process was that I have grown and matured and learned over the past 25 years. I know that I can safely leave that experience behind and take with me the lessons I have learned. The Lisa I am today can be very successful!

Why am I sharing this with all of you? There’s that initial joy-thing happening, but my face is getting sore from the grinning. I won’t be able to do so many MAW/Homebase tasks as before, so I’m giving you all lots of time to think about how you can contribute some of your time and energy into keeping this organization vibrant.

I will continue to be the editor of Homebase and lay out the magazine, but we really need more women to write and illustrate for the magazine. We also need new ideas for the magazine that are of interest to new mothers. We have a group of women who are willing to work together to edit and oversee the process. We also have MAW members who have been very active in the past, but have moved on to paid work. Many of these women would be happy to guide and mentor but they cannot take on the responsibility of any more work. I know that once you see how many people do their bit for MAW, you’ll find a place you’d like to participate.

Cheers and thanks for all your support,

Lisa Menard
Editor
Homebase