handed out – it does get easier!! The sleepless nights get better, the moments of confusion and bewilderment decrease, and the joy of a new member of your family growing and developing into their own little person is wonderful to watch every day.
What has been the biggest learning curve about becoming a parent?
The sudden transformation to no longer being the number one person in your life can be a real shock; I’ll always remember that first time I was referred to as ‘Aaron’s mum’ in the doctor’s reception rather than by my own name!
Name three products you couldn't do without
We'd love to have
you on
the team - check out www.nct.org.uk/branches/beckenham-borders/meet-team
for more details about
volunteering
Anything you wish you'd never bought?
Bottles of bubble mixture – my son is very keen on blowing bubbles not just in the garden, but throughout the house (and, it would seem, into my newborn’s face!)
Where are your favourite local haunts?
We live near Hayes Common, so spend many hours wandering around the woods there. My husband and I love Parkrun (a free 5km timed run every Saturday morning at parks across the UK), so we – and the pram and buggy – are regulars at our local one in Norman Park every weekend. My son loves swimming at West Wickham pool, and we frequently take advantage of our National Trust memberships to visit new places – and sample the coffee shops of course!
Any advice to someone interested in volunteering for NCT?
Give it a go!
Aldi nappies - cheap, cheerful, and best fitting. We tried many different brands out, but we have found Aldi nappies to cause the fewest leakages.
Muslins - my son loves muslins! They have become his comforter, and, conveniently for us as parents, any muslin will do! We bulk buy to ensure we never go spare, and he never seems to notice the different colours/size/design, which saves us a lot of time hunting around for a specific toy or teddy.
Little Tikes Cozy Coupe - we bought this as a present for my son’s first birthday and he has hardly been out of it since! I was incredibly unrealistic prior to having children and imagined the plastic car to cost only around £20, but I can definitely say for the entertainment value it has brought out household for the last ten months, it has been the best £60 I have ever spent!