Mummy Friends

Mummy-hood is a completely different life, it’s a brilliant, amazing and wonderful experience. However, I would be lost without my mummy friends. It’s very strange, I met these girls a year ago this weekend, but now, they are the people who know most about our lives. We know each others birth stories, the post-partum craziness, and, all that comes with it, which I would never tell anyone else. I’m very lucky, we meet up all the time as we all live within 20 minutes of each other, so it’s been such a relief having friendly faces a stones throw away.

 Where did I find these lovely ladies I hear you ask? Hubby and I did the National Childbearing Trust (NCT) antenatal course, where we learnt about birth, what happens, post natal depression, our birth options, gained understanding to how we might feel and how to help each other through the birth and first weeks. All of this was great, however, the most valuable outcome was a fantastic group of friends. We’re all new to mummy-hood and meet up at least once a week -our babies play while we have cake and coffee. It’s lovely knowing Baby H is growing up with some lovely friends. We’ve seen each others babies grow and change which is such an amazing journey. Sometimes we also go out for dinner, leaving our other halves in charge, while have yummy food and we laugh so hard it hurts. We really should do it more!

Don’t get me wrong, our other friends are also invaluable, and the most amazing support and just great friends. It’s just nice having a group of friends going through the same experiences at the same time. When Baby H (who slept through from 5 weeks) started waking numerous times a night, we discovered we were all experiencing the four month regression. It was so reassuring to know we weren’t alone. Yes, I read the internet forums and the books, but knowing friends were having the same sleepless nights was much more reassuring. It was also an added bonus that I could message the girls at 3am to arrange coffee the next morning! They are there through every bump, burp, sick, tooth and coffee.

Now, I have to add our family are there through all of this too, and are awesome. They all love their little granddaughter so so much and would be here in a flash when needed. My mum is at end of the phone and Skype, but having friends to share this with, friends who H will grow up with and hopefully like me, still be friends with in 30 odd years, is something  we have to nourish. My mum did NCT and one of the other babies was my best friend throughout high school, and bridesmaid at my wedding. I hope to remain friends with our NCT group for  many years to come, and hope little H makes friends for life as well.

If you’re wondering what I’m on about or just interested there is lots of info on courses on the NCT website.

There are other courses and I think the NHS do some too, but I would recommend the NCT course 100%.

Did you do a course too? Did you find your mummy friends in a different way?

Lynne x