Help me understand why...

[ClothConvert]

(I have put this post in this section as it's the most appropriate section that is "Public" I can think of...)

I often hear similar comments to this:

I haven't been brave enough to go to any of the nappuccinos yet!

so I'm intrigued about the varied explanations there may be for such sentiments about nappucinos. Please help us make nappucinos more inviting/risk free for newbies by telling us what your concerns are?

[West_Mum]

I just remember being sooooooo nervous about going to my first nappicino (western springs). I nearly changed my mind so many times on my way there, but was so glad i did it. Met some awesome ladies!

[k8ylou]

I wonder if it's because lots of brand new Mum's are still unused to the whole 'speaking to strangers about your kids' that just becomes part of life as a Mum.

pre babies, I wouldn't go out of my way to make conversation with random people (that's just me! ) but NOW, I can talk to just about anyone, and kids are such great icebreakers. And it breaks up my sometimes monotonous days.

[gabes]

also possibly that they are generally at someones house which was more scary for me the first time than if it had been at a 'public' venue

[bizzy]

and if youre new and you read the posts about upcoming nappiccinos the people already sound like they know each other really well and you feel like an intruder. even now i feel like that sometimes, that its more a meeting of mums who know each other to have a catch up IRL

[Judy]

What isn't scary about meeting a group of people you only know online?

[posh]

also possibly that they are generally at someones house which was more scary for me the first time than if it had been at a 'public' venue

This was the major factor for me... my first nappicino was in a public place and I knew everyone there would be from TNN... so it made it a bit easier... whereas, if it is at someone's house - you would be asking yourself if you had the right house, right time, right day, etc...

[Paws]

and if youre new and you read the posts about upcoming nappiccinos the people already sound like they know each other really well and you feel like an intruder. even now i feel like that sometimes, that its more a meeting of mums who know each other to have a catch up IRL

I agree....I must admit I'm keen to go to the next Auckland one but I'm pretty nervous about meeting people who I'm only just getting to know online or who possibly I haven't really talked much with.

It can just be pretty daunting rocking up to someone's house when it's people you don't know IRL.

[rosebug]

I remember my first one... a similar feeling to Liz, nearly turned around a few times en route. It was at Cornwall Park and we went across to the cafe across the road after. I remember Liz veerrryyy pregnant, I think you were due in the next couple of weeks Liz. I also remember Kate commenting how clucky she was and really wanted to start trying for #2... Jake was only 5 months old I think!

I was relatively new to TNN, only been here a month I think. I'd just bought my first Zappy Nappy from Janine on TM, and after a few emails realised she was the same one from TNN. So I kind of 'knew' her. Little Matty was about 8 weeks I think.
M2M, was sitting quietly sewing up bibs! It was a typical Auckland day, the weather very indecisive!

But it was nice, I'm glad I went. It was terrifying, but now... 18 months later, I am happy to say that everyone I met there is still a friend!

I agree though, that had it been at someones house I may not have gone. I know how scared I was to go to the next one at CCs place! That was after we realised that most of us were westies!

Whoa... what a novel, sorry bout that, got caught up in the nostalgia!

[rosebug]

And Gen... don't be scared!! They are truly lovely ladies... tell them I sent you!

[Razz]

wow was that your first nappicino marie? i feel like i've known you online for ages. i didn't stay long at that one.

i had one of the first ones at my house (before TNN) so was more stressed than nervous

To be honest now the size of them puts me off going, and usually i won't if i have both the boys. I'm not a big group person.

the western springs one was nice, i remember not quite clicking who you were Liz, remembering thinking that was a huge co-incidence that the only people i knew who used little lambs were both called Liz and both had a daughter named isla (not my fault you'd only ever posted baby photos of her )

[nikkiwhyte]

and if youre new and you read the posts about upcoming nappiccinos the people already sound like they know each other really well and you feel like an intruder.

Yep... I felt that way when I first considered going to a nappicino. I never made it!

Might not mind going to one now that I can be sure I wouldn't get hissed at for being a sometimes sposie user. (Which I was when I first joined)

[rosebug]

LOL Razz... yes I agree, it does feel like I've known you for ages. I do vaguely remember you that day. I understand how you feel about the big groups! I did prefer them when they were little! You were able to hold a conversation with everyone in the same room! It was fun and not cramped. We also only had 1 baby each then! Except Heather and Rachael of course! I remember Heather coming along to CCs with all her younger ones. Cajun was so tiny, it was hard to believe he was 2 days older than B. Now he's so much bigger than her!

[GrowingBump]

I went to my first (only so far) nappucino at Janine's place which felt very safe because I know her really well

Nappucino's are a bit scarey for me because:
* meeting new people and being in a large group of people is scarey for me anyway
* I am a complete novice at environmentally friendly living and am not much of a homemaker
* Definitely as Bizzy said - it seems like everyone already knows each other

Gotta say though I really enjoyed the one I went to - and was by a long shot the last to leave!

[Minty]

My first one was in a public place (library) so I wasn't nervous about that because I knew I could just turn up, have a look (at all the nappies on display) and then leave pretty much straight away if I didn't feel comfortable.

Conversely if you go to someones house, you don't feel like you can walk in, say 3 words and then leave if you feel a bit awkward. You are sort of compelled to say for a 'reasonable' length of time.

Of course, now that I do know lots of TNN Mums IRL, I don't hesitate to recommend nappiccinos to people (either public, or at someones house), because I've experienced first-hand what a great, interesting, non-threatening bunch of people TNNers are. I've even been game enough to go to a nappiccino in Auckland (and I didn't know anyone IRL from Auckland), and that was a BIG nappiccino.

Now I've just got to get organised and go to another one down here, because I haven't been for ages