Meet the Volunteer
Your Local NCT
Q: How was childbirth for you?
I had an elective caesarian due to my condition of tokophobia, extreme fear of pregnancy and childbirth.
Q: Best and worst things about being pregnant?
I have to be honest, I did not enjoy being pregnant at all!
Q: How has having children changed your philosophy of life?
i have gone from being a person who found parents and babies very irritating to completely adoring motherhood! Ishbel is the centre of our universe. I am more patient and less ambitious with my 'to do' list each day.
Q: What have you found the most rewarding about motherhood?
It has given me a new confidence and profound satisfaction with life. I am relishing the opportunity of watching Ishbel grow and doing activities with her that I enjoy too.
Q: What have you found to be the greatest challenge in being a parent?
Getting the hang of breastfeeding and training Ishbel into a good sleeping routine.
Q: What encouraged you to volunteer for your NCT role?
I did not find the transition into motherhood that easy so I was extremely grateful to the volunteers and practitioners who helped me in my Postnatal Course and at the Breastfeeding Cafe. To use the cliche, I wanted to give something back. I also missed my job after Ishbel was born so I enjoy working as a volunteer on something other than my 'Mummy' role.
Q: What would you say to someone thinking of volunteering?
It has been a wonderful opportunity to help parents starting out and a great way of making new local friends, and meeting all types of professional people who support the charity. I am constantly inspired and enriched by the amazing volunteers I work with-their talents, generosity and enthusiasm. I also feel a great sense of belonging to a community through working for the NCT which I would not have expected at a Central London Branch.
Q: What is your ideal way to spend a child-free afternoon, or evening?
A child-free afternoon would be spent at Independent Mind Body Soul Spa, SW12 (who give a great discount to NCT members) being pampered, folllowed by dinner out in Balham with my husband.
Name: Emma van Klaveren Finlay
Role: Branch Coordinator
Lives: Balham
Mama of: Ishbel aged 3yrs