Bumps & Babies
NCT Postnatal Practitioner, must stop - Early Days group closure
I have thoroughly enjoyed running the
Early Days Drop-In group. However, I
have made the difficult decision to stop
my NCT work as I start a full time PhD
in September. It has been wonderful to
work along side so many volunteers,
practitioners and new parents. Thank
you to all. As a farewell from me, he’s my
recollections of my NCT work:
I joined the NCT when I attended antenatal classes with my husband. The
antenatal class, run by Jane, proved a
great way to find out lots, to prepare
for the birth, and to meet other parents.
Then, following our baby’s arrival, we
realised just how little we knew about
how to be parents. Attending ‘Bumps
and Babies’ with parents from our antenatal group became my favourite day
of the week. We got to talk honestly
about life as a parent and drink a hot
drink before it went cold! We didn’t feel
judged, but were asked about whether
we, as parents, were OK. It was good to
have something local, when both sets
of grandparents lived far away. Deirdre,
the Postnatal Leader, and Katherine and
Cathy, the Breastfeeding Counsellors
were so welcoming and friendly. When
Deirdre had to find someone to take on
the group, a fellow Mum and I said yes.
That was 12 years ago!
I started as a volunteer running Bumps
and Babies as a coffee morning. I went
on to complete a Postnatal Group
5
Facilitation diploma (which was really
interesting, and great, as I got to study
at home). I completed that in 2009 and
have run the Early Days Drop-In group
with discussions ever since. This
September those first parents I supported now have children about to start
secondary school. I only ever wanted
to ensure the group kept running as
I believed so strongly in the benefits
of a drop-in group for new parents. I
have not kept an exact tally but I would
estimate I have supported over 1,000
parents to date.
Those who have been to the group may
remember some of the discussion topics. I honestly won’t be offended if you
don’t, as I can only remember the hot
drink and fellow parents from when I
attended. However, whilst reminiscing,
I would like to share one...