Attention Ottawa Parents: We want to hear your stories!

For nearly two and a half years, contributors to Kids in the Capital have been sharing their stories about what's going on in their families and around Canada's capital. We're proud of the community we've built here. We have our Facebook Page where we share information about local businesses, events and occasional parenting commiserations. ;) Twitter is our playdate planning and discussion spot, along with the Kids in the Capital Facebook Group where we can ask things in a more private, safe environment.

As great as each of those places are, the core of the Kids in the Capital community is the flow of blog posts that never fail to give ideas to so many families in Ottawa. This is a place where you can read new ideas and family-oriented information about about photography, arts and crafts, safety, cooking, technology and most importantly - everything there is to do around Ottawa.

We want to continue growing this community  and keep it thriving. Now that we're back into the swing of things with school, we want to provide the opportunity for each of you to join in our KIC community in a more active role.

The KIC blog runs content Monday through Friday and we need regular contributors. We show our appreciation for contributors every chance we get and each month, all contributors who submit two posts or more will be entered into a draw to receive a gift. Our October giveaway will be a set of tickets to see Beauty and the Beast!

If you're interested in contributing, please email us at kidsinthecapital@gmail.com. We look forward to reading your stories!

Social Media Monday : Tumblr.

by Lara

We've talked quite extensively about starting a blog on Kids in the Capital, but for some, a blog is just not the right fit for them.

If you are looking for a way to share small snippets of your life with people - maybe a photo, a quote, or a funny video, tumblr. may be a better fit.

I see tumblr. as sort of a cross between a blog and Twitter.  You can post really small amounts of information in a blog-like format. Because it's not actually a blog, the expectations for content aren't as high.

You can even integrate it with other tools you use making it even easier.  I can automatically get an instagram photo to appear on my tumblr. page from my phone without ever having to go to tumblr. for example.

You can also have tumblr. post to Facebook and Twitter by toggling those options on or off on a post by post basis. You can also download apps for your smartphones to manage your site right from there (something that is definitely harder to do with a regular blog).

Here's my Tumblr site - I'm only just starting to really use it (since I DO have four blogs my need for tumblr is probably slightly lower than for some others ;)) but I'm finding it to be a good spot to stick the things that aren't worth a whole blog post but that are more than just a tweet.

I've seen quite a few people use it as a place to document their 365 photo projects which I think is a great idea. I can also see it as a perfect place for sharing photos and videos with friends and family when you have a baby.

Check it out and try it out, and if you do, leave us the link - we'd love to go and check it out!

Lara is mom to 4 year old Kiernan and two year old twins Quinn and Juliette. You can read her blog at Gliding Through Motherhood.

Social Media Monday : A Twitter Workshop

by Lara Brie and I REALLY believe in Social Media (hence the Social Media Monday posts :))  We really believe that it can make a difference in the parenting experience; that finding support in our online community can make things better when they are really hard.

We've outlined the whys, hows and whos of Twitter in a series of Social Media posts but sometimes what really makes a difference is some hands on help.  So we developed a workshop!

What: Intro to Twitter

I will explain the whys and hows of Twitter and walk you through getting you started!  If you don't have an account yet, we will sign you up together.

Before the evening is done you will:

- be following interesting people - have interesting people following you - have interacted with people on Twitter - have deciphered the foreign language that is "Twitter speak" -  know how to say something of value in under 140 characters - have learnt how to build relationships and have meaningful conversations with like-minded people

You must bring a laptop or tablet with wireless capability.  The library has free wifi for anyone with an Ottawa Public Library card.  If you do not have a library card, let me know and we will make sure we can get you access.  If you do not have a laptop but would like to attend, please contact me at lara.wellman@gmail.com and we can make arrangements to get you one for the evening. If you would rather not pay by paypal, email me and we can make alternate arrangements.

When: March 22 at 7pm Where: Ottawa Public Library - Gloucester North branch Cost: $25

Here is the link to the Eventbrite listing to sign up.  I hope to see some of you there!

Soon you'll be tweeting like a pro and it'll make perfect sense. I promise.