NCT - is it worth it?

[SeasideSunshineSussex]

Hi everyone,

I'm pregnant with my first baby, all very exciting and new!

Have been suggested NCT by some friends who say it's expensive but really useful for building a network of friends at the same stage of life.

We only see ourselves living in our city for max 1 year after baby is here, so do you think it is worth doing with this in mind?

We have a good network of friends at the moment with babies and family at a similar stage (either pregnant or with young kids)

Is it worth it for the content alone? Any advice welcome!

I think it depends on the course leader you get and the others in the class. Honestly, for me…. Biggest waste of money ever. All the content (and more up to date, less judgmental content at that), can be done virtually with online courses with other companies.
The network of other (usually) FTMs has been very helpful though. As my friend told me, NCT is about buying friends, but is otherwise pointless.
So really, it’s up to you, but there are other ways to network with other mums with babies similar ages to yours, like your local family hub, baby sensory etc. but FTMs are very helpful as you’re in it all together at the same time, and all as clueless as each other.
Congratulations on your pregnancy :)

for course content no. I can’t remember anything insightful they said that isn’t available in a book or online for free. It was nice to have a WhatsApp group who I could chat with as it was my first and had no idea if things were normal. If you have that network already I wouldn’t bother.

The course was pretty good. The group of fellow parents invaluable - as they change so fast in the first few years that even friends with kids a year older couldn't remember what was normal for that age/stage. We're still in contact with most of the parents in my group & they're 17. We don't check in as often these days but still two of them exchanged A-level changes in courses and the adults are discussing uni options