Wish I'd done NCT!

[user1474439326]

So I didn't do NCT as I wasn't sure what it was all about and now everyone I know has NCT mates except me and I don't know anyone who lives nearby with a baby the same age - I keep seeing all these groups of woman out in coffee shops and I'm jealous!!! I live in Crawley, West Sussex

Besides antenatal classes, the NCT also run coffee mornings and meet ups for new parents. If you google, there should be a list of ones local to you. You could also try localy organised baby groups. I used to go to some in church halls which were great.

But you don't have to have done an NCT course or indeed be a member to attend NCT coffee mornings or other events. I hated my NCT group, and met much nicer people going along to the local coffee mornings. Some of those groups you are seeing in cafes may not be NCT course groups meeting, but just random people meeting under the NCT banner. Look up what's on in your area.

Have you got a local FB parents page? It can be a great way to meet others on maternity leave. I often see posts on the local ones asking if anyone wants to meet for a coffee.

Check out where your local family centre is (they used to be called sure start centres if that helps google searching). They usually run free groups and it's a good place to meet people. And look out for a magazine called family grape vine (often in libraries/leisure centres) as they list loads of things for parents! Good luck.

Ps. I didn't do NCT either, just met people through the groups I mentioned!

I never did nct either! Feel exactly the same..

I did nct and my group didn't gel. Least you didn't waste your money.

Thanks all! I do go to groups and stuff but haven't quite got to the meeting up another time stage. We do 2 groups and a week and water babies I feel about 7 years old asking if people want to be my friend

I had a great group of NCT friends and we 'adopted' another woman who hadn't done it - a few of us met her in a group and tool her in to our group. Even the women who hadn't met her at the group connected with her and nearly 2 years later we all still meet up.
You just need to collar a few women after a rhyme time or early days group or suggest a coffee. Good luck OP.

I did NCT and they were all so far up each other's arses, I gave up after about 3 meetings. I guess it depends where you live if it will work for you. it was my worst nightmare

Ha ha yeah I gather it's not for everyone!
Maybe I need to be brace and just ask!

Brave even!!!!

Definitely OP-it feels really weird asking a new potential friend "out". It's like dating! With kids though I genuinely don't think anyone thinks you're a weirdo for suggesting coffee. Go for it!!

Do it, see if anyone fancies a coffee don't be put off if they say no, they may be busy/tired etc

Next time try with someone else. Took me a while but now have some good friends

Swimming is tomorrow I'll try and pluck up courage!! Will report back!

She wasn't there this week. :-/

Yeah I've tried a few apps and get chatting to people but meeting hasn't happened yet!
Thanks all I'm just gonna go gung ho! X

I'm the same hun. I didn't know what nct was so I didn't bother and now I have a 16m DS and I have no friends to go coffee morning or anything..
I work mon-wed and my Thursday and Friday end up being a boring day.. feel a lil sad at times but hey..