When I had my children I was quite young and most of my friends of the same age didn’t have children for many years after. I became friendly with people who had children the same age because our lives were similar, we would meet up at toddler groups and mum events, see each other in the playground every morning. Now, many years later my children are much older and I don’t have that much contact with people who have new babies because my friends and I are well over that stage. But in the last few weeks I have found loads of friends of all ages suddenly are pregnant, it’s not that surprising as they are couples of a certain age.

Obviously their lives are going to change as you would expect with a new baby. But I think that the other people around them will also feel like their lives have changed a bit. Last night I went to a family birthday tea party and there were two little ones there, one a toddler and one a new baby. It was a totally different experience as my two children are much older and so they became the adults and looked after and played with little ones. It also meant that the babies were the focus of everyone as they were all talking them and giving the toys to play with.

It’s amazing how a new baby can have such an effect on the world around them. On the negative front it means that their parents may be unable to join in with some of the activities you used to do together, but on the other side of the coin it might mean that you do more together because you have a similar way of life. You might now be able to invite them to kid’s activities that they may not have been interested in before. It may also be that they are around more in the day and can see other people who are around during the day. You will have new birthday and other celebrations to take part in and you may be able to pass toys, clothes or other equipment on to be reused. You may even be in line to baby sit or help out in other ways.

Of course it is also a great opportunity to go shopping or make something for the new baby, it will like being an aunt for lots of nieces and nephews and I am really looking forward to helping out and buying and making things for the little one. I think that my children will also greatly benefit because when we have a family and friend get together, they will have lots of little ones to look after and play with, giving their parents a break. All in all we are really looking forward to the local baby boom and all the life changes that it will bring with it.