!["I'm a professional baby cuddler!" "I'm a professional baby cuddler!"](https://cdn.magzter.com/1471496180/1737521936/articles/BsIo1Lj281737919092096/IM-A-PROFESSIONAL-BABY-CUDDLER.jpg)
When I was pregnant in the '70s I couldn't justify asking family members to look after my children while I went to work, so my husband and I made the decision we would live on one wage so I could be involved with my children and their activities. All through kindergarten, primary school, high school, Guides and Scouts, I was on committees. I was happy, and I was busy. But when my daughter finished high school, my commitments halved and I found myself at a loose end.
I did not enjoy Mondays - the thought of the week ahead with not enough to do. Then in 1992 I saw an advertisement in the local paper: The Mater Hospital in Brisbane was looking for “100 helping hands”. I thought, “Oh, that should be interesting.” So I phoned and had an interview with the manager of the volunteer program.
I had no idea what I was signing up for. There were a few options for volunteers, including flower arranging. I put my hand up to work in the Special Care Nursery, which is where they establish babies' feeding so they can go home. My work as a “cuddle carer” was to be another pair of hands in the nursery and to cuddle babies who needed a little extra care. Suddenly I was busy on Mondays.
I still remember my first day. We had a wonderful nun in charge, Sister Margaret. She had a heart of gold. Every family whose babies were in the special care nursery knew Sister Margaret. When I walked into the nursery that day she was holding a baby, and she handed it to me. It was a three-kilo baby. I thought: “Oh, my goodness, it’s a good size.” That little one was ready to go home.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der February 2025-Ausgabe von Australian Women’s Weekly NZ.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der February 2025-Ausgabe von Australian Women’s Weekly NZ.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
![How to boost the value of your home How to boost the value of your home](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13936/1969924/PUuWmn3YG1737922243491/HOW-TO-BOOST-THE-VALUE-OF-YOUR-HOME.jpg)
How to boost the value of your home
Whether you're looking to sell now or later down the track, it really pays to keep your house up to date.
![The magic of manifesting The magic of manifesting](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13936/1969924/iOHlelcjq1737921546185/THE-MAGIC-OF-MANIFESTING.jpg)
The magic of manifesting
While it sounds woo-woo, putting your mind to what you want might be the key to turning your dreams into reality.
![A quiet killer A quiet killer](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13936/1969924/7SZHFhKDL1737921289219/A-QUIET-KILLER.jpg)
A quiet killer
Difficult to detect, ovarian cancer is silently taking the lives of women. Here's what you need to know.
![Air fryer snacks Air fryer snacks](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13936/1969924/Q-N8Jznrc1737921715855/AIR-FRYER-SNACKS.jpg)
Air fryer snacks
The air fryer makes cooking so simple. From healthier versions of fried favourites to baked treats, these easy recipes are made to enjoy!
![The billiondollar world of astrology The billiondollar world of astrology](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13936/1969924/Eg_Dp62yY1737918891450/THE-BILLIONDOLLAR-WORLD-OF-ASTROLOGY.jpg)
The billiondollar world of astrology
Astrology is back. Celebrities won't make a move without consulting their charts and everyone knows someone who's retraining as an astrologer. The Weekly investigates the current fascination with the stars.
![The shape shifters The shape shifters](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13936/1969924/zQ5kDnqBD1737919361478/THE-SHAPE-SHIFTERS.jpg)
The shape shifters
Contouring with make-up is a clever hack for instant facial definition.
![Princess Catherine THE REALITY OF A NEW NORMAL Princess Catherine THE REALITY OF A NEW NORMAL](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13936/1969924/dtvpoA4xA1737915677288/PRINCESS-CATHERINE-THE-REALITY-OF-A-NEW-NORMAL.jpg)
Princess Catherine THE REALITY OF A NEW NORMAL
After the hardest year of her life and as she finds her footing in a post-treatment world, the dutiful princess could be preparing for her ultimate role- but this time it's on her terms.
![Put it in neutral Put it in neutral](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13936/1969924/xS2ITxECj1737922004477/PUT-IT-IN-NEUTRAL.jpg)
Put it in neutral
Far from middle of the road, neutral tones can really add interest and sophistication to your home. Here's how to nail it.
![QUEEN OF COMEDY The Marvellous Ms Margolyes QUEEN OF COMEDY The Marvellous Ms Margolyes](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13936/1969924/kVLVJURa31737916585567/QUEEN-OF-COMEDY-THE-MARVELLOUS-MS-MARGOLYES.jpg)
QUEEN OF COMEDY The Marvellous Ms Margolyes
Speaking her truth in a delightfully wicked and candid manner we've come to cherish, British actress Miriam is now telling the world how she has fallen in love with New Zealand.