Have you ever considered joining Mothers of Preschoolers (aka MOPS)? (Sorry guys, even though I know at least 2 stay at home Dads, this group is aimed at the women.)
I’ve been a member of the MOPS group in Vestal New York for almost 2 years now. We have meetings the second and fourth Wednesday of the month from September to June. (Find a MOPS near you)
MOPS is really unique to me in that it is an international organization aimed at the mother, not the child. The meetings are for the mothers to learn, bond, craft and relax, while onsite daycare is provided by volunteers. So unlike taking little Johnny to a playgroup, where you might not actually get to TALK to anyone by the time you get done running around making sure Johnny isn’t terrorizing anyone, this really is a chance to bond and network with other moms in your area. The actual text from their site states:
MOPS stands for Mothers of Preschoolers. MOPS International exists to meet the needs of every mom – urban, suburban, and rural moms, stay-at-home and working moms, teen, single, and married moms – moms with different lifestyles who all share a similar desire to be the very best moms they can be! MOPS recognizes that the years from infancy through kindergarten are foundational in a mother-child relationship and are filled with unique needs.
Our meetings are from 9-1130, and each meeting includes a buffet brunch (moms take turns bringing in stuff) a devotional, a presentation, a small group discussion (your discussion group stays the same all year) and a craft. There are also a few evening events planned a year (dinners at local restaraunts, game nights), and many groups (mine included) do arrange play groups at the local parks during the summer.
The cost is reasonable. In my area we pay the $20 annual dues required by national, and then $1 a meeting for the mom and $1 a meeting for each child you have being watched. (I’ve heard that in some metro areas the price is a bit higher) You are always allowed to attend one meeting for free without paying an annual dues to check it out.
Can I tell you, $2 for 3 hours worth of child free stress and talking to someone who uses complete sentences is really worth it!
MOPS is a christian based group, and they do do a devotional and prayer, as well as talk about God in relationship to the issues being discussed. Most of the time the meetings are held at a host church.
I highly recommend MOPS (or any other similar group you can find) to all moms. It is so nice to spend a little time every couple of weeks with other ladies who understand the types of things you are going through with your kids.
If there isn’t a MOPS group in your area, you could even look into starting one!
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I looked into MOPS about a year and a half ago when I most needed a break from my sweet, but attention-demanding, toddler. But the group near my house met in the evenings, after work hours! [During dinner time!] It didn’t seem geared towards SAHMs whatsoever and I took a pass.
Terri-that’s too bad. You should check again, there are sometimes new groups formed, and you might try in a slightly wider radius-there may be a group just a few miles farther away that meets at a time more convenient for you.
I remember when I was still a working mom I felt like all the mothering groups were geared only to the SAHM-so even though that group was not at a good time for you I’m glad that they have something that the working moms in your area can attend.