Kelly Goldsworthy shares how her NCT group have supported each other through the highs and lows of parenthood.
I met my NCT group in May 2006 when we started out as wide-eyed expectant parents, eagerly awaiting the births of our children. Talking about birth plans, breastfeeding and placentas with strangers is a weird experience and that probably did bond us.
When we finished our antenatal class we made plans to meet up straight away. Our seven children – six girls and a boy – were all born healthy and within four weeks of each other, two born just a day apart.
We began meeting regularly at our local NCT Bumps and Babies group and at each other’s houses. We quickly realised how lucky we were to have six other friends with babies of the same age who were experiencing the same problems with latching, stitches, routines and the trauma of sleep deprivation.
Over the next year, as some of us returned to work, we continued to meet up every Friday. As our children grew, so did the depth of our friendship, as we shared the babies’ milestones and experiences, such as illness and family bereavement.
By 2009, our brood had grown to 13 children so we started hiring a small village hall and still meet every week on a Friday.
Growing up together has meant the children are like cousins, despite going to different schools. We go on an annual camping trip, celebrate New Year’s Eve together and regularly meet up with our families.
We really look forward to our mum’s nights out so we can talk in peace! Our husbands also get on well and meet up for curry nights.
If you have a story to tell about your NCT group and your amazing friendships, email nctmatterseditor@nct.org.uk
