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Mom Mentors

Parenting Organizations Nurture Mom and Family

By Jackie Perrin

ses that there are a variety of ways to work, and advocates for strategies that promote work/family balance. "One thing I have realized is that I hope never to work in an office 9 to 5 again. There are opportunities to work in a different way," says Raca.

Mothers & More chapter meetings are typically held in the evening, and are generally for adults only. "Seasoned Moms" is a subgroup for moms who are ready to begin exploring life beyond babies. Activities and discussion topics focus on the common interests of parents of school-aged children.

While MOMS Club and Mothers & More welcome moms with children of all ages, MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) is specifically for mothers of children ages birth to 6. "Those first few years are much more intensive, and come with very specific needs that differ from parenting the school-aged child," says national spokeswoman Bev Jusino. "When a child graduates from kindergarten, the mother graduates from MOPS."

Aside from the child age requirement, the group is all-inclusive, says Jusino. "MOPS is for every mother of preschoolers. Stay-at-home mom, working mom, single mom, all are welcome," she says.

Each MOPS group is chartered through a sponsoring church. MOPS is a Christian group based upon biblical values, but the focus varies widely, says Jusino. "MOPS's purpose is to provide practical parenting support. We encourage groups to structure their meetings to include people of different faiths, or no faith at all," she explains.

Whatever a mom is looking for in the form of parenting support, there is sure to be an organization and group that meets her needs. There's a good chance too that she might acquire something she wasn't looking for along the way, like newfound confidence and lifelong friendship.

Want to see more?

• If You Build It, They Will Come: Start Your Own Moms Group
• Here's to Your Health: Why Friendship Helps, Heals and Makes Us Happy
• Designing Your Nursery: Decorator Secrets Revealed
• Talk about it!