Hi there, I am a student at Birkbeck College (Uni of London) studying an MSc Human Development, and part of my course requires me to take part in Infant Observations. While this sounds daunting (and maybe uninteresting for some...) it is not as clinical as you may think! It simply means that one hour a week, for about 18 months (probably no more), a warm and open mother will allow me into her home to 'observe' her (or her husbands/other family members) interaction with the new born. I will literally be a fly on the wall, I will not judge, speak or talk to the baby or the mother. I shall not be making notes (this is the clinical part I am afriad people will think), in fact you are not even suppose to notice me. The hour that you will allow me to visit will depend wholly upon the mother's wishes, though hopefully an hour when the baby isnt sleeping... As a mother with a new infant, I expect that some people will be thinking that this is the last thing they will want- an intruder/ and outsider. This is the last thing I would want to feel like too. I would like the mothers to know that this is completely confidential. Names will be changed etc. And if teh mother is interested- at the end of my course (June 2008) I have to submit a paper based on my observations, the motehrs are entirely entitled to read them too. As this is a requirement for my course, I have taken the necessary police/Crimincal Records Bureau Checks, and come from a background in child (and adult) related volunteer work as my CV will testify. If there are any expecting mothers who may be interested to hear more about this, but not necessarily make a commitment to allowing me their time, please contact me on [email protected]. My name is Neda, and I would also like to note that I think it would be in both of our interests if I could meet the mother during the end of her pregnancy to see if we are both comfortable with each other and ask any other questions beforehand. This will take the pressure off both of us!
I am looking for mothers who are expecting to give birth in November or December, or even January, preferably in Central London. I am based in Kensington.
Thank you so much and I really apppreciate your taking the time to read this!