Why I Choose to Raise My Family in San Francisco

Jim was running story time at the Main Library. We had a strategy for the San Francisco Unified School District lottery. We found our people.

Heike learned to walk on the Mission Creek promenade to a backdrop of houseboats. When that got too limited, we ventured farther to the Embarcadero. We used carshare when we wanted to explore the greater Bay Area.

In 2014 we welcomed our second daughter, Saskia, and moved to Potrero Hill. Our world now revolved around Recess, Jackson and the Arkansas Rec Center playgrounds, and the Potrero Hill library. All within a two-block radius of our home. Muni routes connected us to everything. A jaunt down the hill takes us to Crane Cove Park. A beach! Half a mile away!

Now, both kids attend Daniel Webster Elementary. We’re fully ensconced in the community. Growing up in the City, the children are exposed to the realities of humanity that push us as parents to model empathy and teach street safety.

Parenting is never easy but parenting in San Francisco is both a special kind of challenge and joy. As I think back on those newborn days to where we are now, I know we made the right decision to stay. Ten years after becoming parents, we wouldn’t trade any of it for a third bedroom in the suburbs.

BY JANICE TAM

We’ve all been there. A well-meaning friend/family member/colleague knows what’s best for you, for your future kids, for your life. They have advice, and you want to take them seriously because they have kids! What do you know?

That’s where I found myself in 2008. I’d just landed the job that made it possible for us — me and my thenboyfriend-now-husband Markus — to move from San Jose to the City.

“We are going to stay in the City forever,” I asserted over my microwaved lunch.

“But you’re going to want a room for each kid, and a backyard. You’ll need space for an au pair and storage space for all the kids’ stuff,” my coworker countered. “You’re going to want to move back to the suburbs as soon as you have children.”

I looked at my colleague; a mom of two elementary-age kids, former Noe Valley resident currently residing in San Mateo.

“You’ll change your mind once you have kids,” she said. “Just you see.”

“No, I don’t think so,” I replied, this time a little less sure.

Markus and I packed our things and moved into a one-bedroom in Mission Bay. We ditched the car and started taking Caltrain to jobs on the Peninsula. We’d finally made it to The City.

In 2012 we welcomed a baby girl, Heike, and were determined not to go back to the suburbs. In a city rumored to have more dogs than kids, we expected San Francisco to have little to offer our growing family.

We traded event calendars for the Golden Gate Mother’s Group. We became immersed in a world of play spaces, museums, and preschool spreadsheets. We knew when Teacher

3/1 Wednesday

History: GLBT History Museum Free

Admission Day

Located in the Castro District, the GLBT Historical Society Museum is the first full-scale, stand-alone institution of its kind in the United States. The museum celebrates 100 years of the City’s vast queer past through dynamic exhibitions and programming. Admission is free on thefirst Wednesday of every month thanks to a grant from the Bob Ross Foundation. GLBT Historical Society Museum, 4127 18th Street. For more information and to reserve your space: https://bit.ly/3jqOaS4

3/1 Wed through 4/17 Mon

Art: Two Artists at the Goodman 2 Live/Work Studios

Visit the Goodman2 arts building to view art created by Anahida Aslanyan and Sofia Carmi. Anahid’s Mystical Landscapes and Sofia’s Reinvented

Abstract Landscapes are inspired by nature. Free by appointment, between

March 1 and April 17. Artist websites: Anahida Aslanyan - http://anahidacreations.weebly.comandhttp:// facebook.com/modernmysticalart; Sofia Carmi -https://www.artspan. org/artist/Sofia%20Carmi. Goodman

2 Live/Work Studios, 1695 18th Street (above the Potrero Stage Theater). For available appointments, email Anahida at: anaheeda10@gmail.comor Sofia at: zc1art@gmail.com.

3/4 Saturday

Community: Free Tulips in Union Square

A colorful display of more than 80,000 tulips will cover Union Square. Visit and pick your own bunch. 1 to 4:30 p.m. Free. Union Square, 333 Post Street. For more information: http://bit. ly/3XuJd99

3/5 Sunday Meditation: Mystical Meditation

Journey

Experience a meditative journey with optional plant medicine. Tap into your inner magic by going beyond mindfulness. Mystical meditation will take you through a journey of emotions. We’ll work with breath, visualizations, light physical movement, and grounding. As you’re guided, you’ll experience beautiful sound healing directed to your chakras with crystal bowls, chimes, gong. Optional micro plant ceremony tea available for those who’re pre-approved and screened. Bring a yoga mat and eye covering. 12 to 1:30 p.m. $15 - $35. Mukunda Studio, 1250 Folsom Street, Second Floor. For more information and to purchase tickets: http://bit.ly/3jShT6Z

3/5 Sunday Art: Castro Art Mart Mini Block Party

Featuring LGBTQ artists, live music, and drag performances. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free to attend. Market and Noe streets. For more information: http:// bit.ly/3K5qqOp

3/7 Tuesday

Career: San Francisco Women in Tech Networking

Connect with other powerful women tech leaders and allies. Attendees will walk away with new skills, mindset hacks, and hands-on experience that’ll support them in creating even more fruitful connections. Featuring facilitator Zynara Ng, TEDx speaker, who’ll share the importance of selfgrowth and living with integrity and authenticity. 5:45 to 8 p.m. Tickets: $45 to $100. Industrious, 1700 Montgomery Street, Suite 108. For more information: http://bit.ly/3Xum4Du

3/7 Tuesday Art: “Fresh Beginnings” - Art-inNeighborhoods Reception Fresh Beginningsexplores the unknown, renewal and alternative futures through new perspectives. This show exemplifies reinvigoration just in time for spring, and Mission Bowling Club’s venue renovation. Featuring ArtSpan ArtistsShawn Cook, Eli Kind, Elaine Pratt and Clint Frederic Wiater. 6 to 9 p.m. Free. Mission Bowling Club, 3176 17th Street. For more information and to reserve your place: http://bit.ly/3YMBMuZ

3/10 Friday

Nature: Amateur Birding Hour

With binoculars and bird guides provided by EcoCenter staff, check out the more than 100 species of birds that visit the park. 2 to 3 p.m. Friday afternoons from February to May 2022. Free. Heron’s Head Park, 32 Jennings Street. For more information: 415.676.1394 or emailecocenterhhp@ sfgov.org

3/10 Friday

Food: Pay-What-You-Can Taco Day

Every Friday customers can order from the “Taco Love” menu andpay from $0 to $10. Open to all, but especially for fellow restaurant and bar industry workers who were hit hard during the pandemic. The menu may change from week to week, but often includes Beef Quesabirria, Mushroom Quesabirria, and Chicken Tacos. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. $0 to $10. When a patron pays $10, TATO will provide a free meal to someone in need. TATO, 4608 Third Street. For more information: https://bit. ly/3xmgsk8

3/18 Saturday

Children’s Theater: The Day You Begin

There are times when it’s not easy to take those first steps into a place where nobody knows you…but somehow, you do it. This West Coast premiere musical is based onJacqueline Woodson’spopular picture books, a New York Times bestseller illustrated

CALENDAR continues on next page by Rafael Lópezand featured in the Netflix original show“Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices.” Performance runs 60 minutes with no intermission. Recommended for all ages. 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Tickets: $30-$40. The Cowell Theater, 2 Marina Boulevard. For more information: http://bit.ly/3YRZ9Dz

3/19 Sunday

Family: PREFund Spring Festival

Join PREFund and local groups for stories, music, gardening, and fun! Daniel Webster Elementary School, 465 Missouri Street. 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Register at https://prefund-spring-fest. eventbrite.com

3/26 Sunday

Art: “The Spirit is Alive!”

Founded in 1871, the San Francisco Arts Institute (SFAI) was one of the oldest art schools in the United States; the oldest west of the Mississippi River. To honor this history, The Spirit is Alive Celebration showcases SFAI’s archives and rejoices in the recent National Endowment for the Humanities award to facilitate archive organization, preservation and promotion, making them accessible to future researchers and scholars. Anticipated events include music, films, performance, photography, paintings, sculpture, dance, a silent auction, SFAI historical displays and more. 2 to 6 p.m. Tickets $5 to $150. Minnesota Street Project,1275 Minnesota Street. For more information and to purchase tickets: http://bit.ly/3K4BhIH