Category Archive

People

“Homeowner”, “renter” or “squatter” – whatever the label, these occupants take the Offbeat wherever they go.

How and when do you tell your employer you’re pregnant?

I just found out I’m pregnant! Incidentally, I was between rounds of interviews for my next job, which I start next week. The thought of telling them I need to go on maternity leave seven months after starting my job terrifies me. I’ve been let go due to lack of work twice in the past year, so I’m scared. And now there’s an additional life counting on me. When and how do you tell your employer you’re pregnant?

Living in the home your partner owns: “Welcome to the secret society of imposter syndrome ‘housewives'”

I’m definitely beyond excited and happy to be living with with my partner. But, I find that I’m struggling with living with someone who owns their own house for a lot of reasons…

5 things to consider before you ask, “when are you having kids?”

Some people don’t have children because of fertility issues, because they don’t want to pass along specific genetically-inherited traits, because they can’t afford it, or simply because they don’t want them, period! Reproduction is such a personal thing, it’s about time we stop allowing impertinent inquiries into other people’s reproductive statuses to remain common occurrences.

Gifts for a friend going through a divorce, separation, or break-up

The first few weeks of a separation can be fucking intense. The grief, the loss, even a sense of physical pain… it’s weird that something so common is so awful! Offering your ear is the most important thing you can give to any friend experiencing a profound loss or recovering from a trauma, but we get it: sometimes you want to give something more to offer your comfort. Of course you know your friend and their interests best, but here are our suggestions for great gifts for grieving friends.

Unexpected self-actualization from parenting: How my baby forces me to do things that are good for me

I’m new at this whole parent thing. Though I read about it and listened to other parents for years, I’ve been surprised by parenthood’s unusual joys. Your baby lighting up at the sight of your face is heart-expanding, but I expected it would be. What has surprised me is not the love that I feel, but the way such a tiny creature forces me to do the things that are good for me — the unexpected self-actualization from parenting…

Seeking gender-neutral kids books

Despite knowing the importance of diversity in our kids’ lives, we live in a mostly white, hetero-normative neighbourhood. So we have to use books to introduce them to a wide variety of people of all shapes, sizes, colours, and lifestyles. Are there any kids’ books with a diverse set of characters that do fun things while just happening to be gender-neutral or gender-bending?

12 cute but not eye-roll-cutesy baby shower thank you notes

Here’s the question: “My little guy is due in July, but I’m already starting to get shower gifts. I want to be prompt with the Thank You notes, but pretty much all “baby” notes are cutesy — which is fine, but not me. Do you have any recommendations for notes that are still baby-based but not so saccharine?”

Here’s the solution…

How to identify and remove toxic people from your life in 3 steps

Pruning negative, toxic people from your garden of friends and family is essential, basic self-care, and never something you should feel bad about doing. But how do you know if someone is truly toxic, and not just having a bad moment? When do you know when it’s time to finally cut ties, and how do you go about it? Here’s how I do it…