Didn't do NCT with DS as we were moving house soon after he was born so any friends I would have made would only have been for 7 weeks.
The first year after DS was born was pretty lonely - I found it so so hard to get past the baby group small talk and I really felt like I missed out on the support group and lifelong friends everyone seems to have from their NCT groups.
I've managed to make say 3 close friends I see regularly from baby groups, but my god it was a battle and I had to buck myself up before each baby group in order to pluck up the courage to speak to people! I think I'd be more confident inviting people from baby groups round for coffee etc this time, and won't be in a new area or anything, so maybe I can just go down that route. But part of me really wants an NCT group!
I'm thinking it might be a waste of money because: 1) I only had DS 2 years ago and remember everything 2) am having a C Section so don't need the labour bits and bobs 3) on a refresher course I think all the women are likely to be much older - older demographic here and subsequent kids so women will definitely be older? I'm younger than the average person having their first here. So maybe they won't be interested in me 4) I think people won't be interested in me so knowing me I'll pay all this money and not put myself out there/think people don't like me 5) I don't necessarily want everyone's opinions on issues etc, how to parent etc, I just want some people to have a 'playdate' with, chat with, relieve some of the boredom etc. 6) I'd be the weirdo in a regular NCT course who has already had a kid, don't even think I'm allowed to do a non-refresher actually.
BUT I think it would be brilliant to have a group of people you know before giving birth, all have babies around the same time, and go through that together - it seems to really work and like I say everyone I know has a lovely group of NCT friends and I just feel like I'm missing out on a great support system?
I emailed local branch with backstory and some questions as to whether it would suit me, if I should do regular NCT or a refresher, or if that's for those with bigger gaps, and for info on their postnatal classes - I didn't get a reply. Sent the same to NCT main office and didn't receive any answers, just a generic email saying they've reserved a place on a refresher course for me. So I'm asking here instead :)