by Amy Allen Clark
Becoming a mom was both an exciting and scary time for me. I returned back to work full-time and, despite these great changes in my life, found that my work & friendships resumed back to what they were before I had my child. I still had people to talk to and was not really seeking anyone or anything else in my life. My life was busy and my days were full with working, caring for my child, and maintaining our home.
Upon relocating to a different state, I was thrown into the world of being a stay-at-home mother. I would never complain about being a stay-at-home mom because it has been a dream come true for me, but I lost that contact with the outside world and also with the friends that I had made.
The day we moved, I began to search frantically on the internet to find a mom’s support group. I knew that I needed friends desperately and I also wanted my son to have other children to interact with. I ran across a Mother’s & More group, and knew that I had finally found peace & the human interaction that I was looking for. The group offered everything I was looking for and more. My very first meeting, I handed over my membership dues and eagerly anticipated each and every activity. It was my life support and I know now that having this group brought me more satisfaction then I dreamed possible.
While I am crazy about Mothers & More, I believe any mother’s support system that you can find can be beneficial to any mother. As a mother, we are all looking for different things in a support system. Some people join to educate themselves on topics about parenting, others are looking for playgroups where their children can play, some are looking for volunteer opportunities, and others are just looking for other mothers to talk to. Whatever your reason may be for finding a support group, know that having a good support system can really be beneficial to you especially if you are a stay-at-home mother.
I have put together a list of support groups that are nationally (and sometimes internationally) known for providing support to mothers.
MOMS (Mothers Offering Mothers Support) Club (www.MomsClub.org)
What It Is
This group is geared towards stay-at-home moms. The group meets during the day and they allow children at all of their meetings. The childcare is provided by volunteer members who supervise the children while the mothers meet.
History
This group was started in 1983 by a stay-at-home mother because she was looking for a group that met during the day and where her children could accompany her at her meetings.
What Do They Offer
This group offers volunteer opportunities, a newsletter, and meetings.
Membership
There are 1500 chapters with over 75,000 members. This group offers chapters in both the United States and internationally.
Cost
Member dues are low and between $15-30 per year. They keep member dues at a minimum because they know that these moms make a financial sacrifice to be home with their children.
National Organization of Mothers of Twins Club (www.nomotc.org)
What It Is
Are you the parent of twins? Triplets? Quads? Quints? More? If you are the parent of multiple children, then this group is for you. This group offers local groups for Mothers of Twins (MOTC), Mothers of Multiples (MOMC) or a Parents of Multiples Clubs (POMC).
History
This group was founded in 1960 to promote the special aspects of child development which relate specifically to multiple birth children.
What Do They Offer
This group offers monthly meetings discussing the care and development of multiple birth children, as well as other topics of interest. Clothing & equipment exchanges and club libraries are some of the other invaluable services.
Membership
There is a network of more than 475 local clubs representing over 23,000 individual parents of multiples, twins, triplets, & quads.
Cost
Member dues are $9 per member.
Holistic Moms Network (www.HolisticMoms.org)
What It Is
This group is for mothers who have an interest in holistic health in parenting. This group is not limited to just moms though because they open their membership up to dads, grandparents, and the partners of the mothers as well. They welcome nursing infants and toddlers at all of their meetings and you are encouraged to breastfeed at all of their events.
History
This group was started in 2002 by a support group in New Jersey. These people came together because they were looking for support and friendship from others who shared the same ideals.
What Do They Offer
The group meets at least once per month. Some of the groups offer playgroups as well.
Membership
There are no statistics on the amount of groups there are at this time, however, new groups are added all of the time. Check the Chapters page for information about groups in your community.
Cost
Member dues are $35 per year and $50 for a family membership (self & spouse/partner).
Mocha (Mothers of Color At Home) Moms (www.MochaMoms.org)
What It Is
This is a support group for mothers of color who are choosing to be stay-at-home moms.
History
This group was started in 1997 by two mothers through a newsletter called, “Mocha Moms” in hopes of connecting with other mothers of color. The newsletter grew into a support network and they were incorporated in 1999.
What Do They Offer
This group offers support meetings on topics pertinent to you as a stay-at-home mom, community service projects, mom’s only night outs, and kid’s socials. They also offer volunteer leadership positions and the first online magazine publication for stay-at-home moms of color, “Mommy Too.”
Membership
There are 1500 chapters with over 75,000 members. This group offers chapters in both the United States and internationally.
Cost
They offer two types of membership, local chapter affiliations and at-large membership. The local chapter affiliations are $20 per year and this gains you access to anything in your local chapter. The at-large membership is $10 and offers participation in national, regional, state, and online activities.
Mothers & More (www.MothersandMore.org)
What It Is
This group offers support to moms and champions the value of work that all mothers do whether it be paid or unpaid.
History
This group was founded in 1987 by a mother who had left the workforce after the birth of her first child. The group was originally called F.E.M.A.L.E. (Formerly Employed Mothers at Loose Ends) and is now called Mothers & More to reflect the additional roles mothers play during their active parenting years.
What Do They Offer
They offer meetings with topical discussions, guest speakers, mom’s night out activities, playgroups, family outings, and more. Each chapter has its own unique personality and adapts to the needs of their particular members. They also offer volunteer positions both locally and nationally.
Membership
The group serves over 7,500 mothers in the United States and beyond.
Cost
Member dues are $45 per year and this gains you access to both the local & national activities and publications.
MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International (www.mops.org)
What It Is
This is a group that celebrates motherhood, aids in meeting a mother’s needs, and a group that helps mothers experience God’s love through relationships and resources. They nurture and provide acceptance to all types of mothers- teens, urban, suburban, etc.
History
The group was started in 1973 with a group that met in Colorado. They met together for two hours, did a craft together, and then ended their meeting with a short devotion.
What Do They Offer
MOPS meets in local churches and offers meetings on a variety of topics related to your role as a mother and in parenting. They offer childcare for your children while you meet. Their meeting consists of a teaching segment or presentation by one or more of the members which focuses on parenting, marriage, and other issues, a small discussion lead by members, a craft for the moms, and social time. In addition, they offer leadership retreats and a monthly newsletter.
Membership
There are more than 3200 MOPS groups meeting across the United States and in 33 countries around the world. Groups vary in size and there can be anywhere between 10-200 members in each group.
Cost
Meeting fees vary due to the fact that churches can support these fees through their ministry or through fundraising efforts of the group.
La Leche League, International (www.Laleche.org)
What It Is
This group provides support and encouragement to breastfeeding mothers.
History
The group has been around since 1956 when they had their very first meeting in a member’s home. At the time, breastfeeding had dropped down close to twenty percent.
What Do They Offer
The group offers monthly meetings, a bimonthly magazine, and telephone assistance for mothers with breastfeeding questions. They also offer discounts on breastfeeding items and La Leche League Publications, and regional & international conferences.
Membership
La Leche League groups are all over the world and new groups are forming all of the time. Visit their website to learn how you can start your own La Leche League group.
Cost
Membership dues are $36.
National Association of Mothers Centers (NAMC) (www.MothersCenter.org)
What It Is
This is a non-profit umbrella organization which includes more than 50 mother’s centers across the country.
History
These centers have been around since 1975.
What Do They Offer
Mothers' Centers are self sustaining, non-profit groups where mothers meet, engage in discussion groups, enjoy a respite from their child caretaking role (childcare is available while the Mothers' participate in groups), and help keep their center going through cooperative responsibility. Center members can use their expertise and talents while trying out new skills.
Membership
This group has more than 50 mother’s centers across the country.
Conclusion:
If you are unable to find a mother’s group in your area, think about starting a group in your own town. You are not alone in looking for relief from isolation and the need to feel validated for what you do. On each website they have provided information on starting your own group.
If you are still looking for other moms to talk with, look on www.MeetUp.com and see if there are any groups of women meeting and looking for the same things as you.
Whatever you do, know that you are not alone. Also know that there are other people, just like you, who are looking for friendship and encouragement in this crazy adventure we call “motherhood.”
About Author:
Amy Allen Clark is a stay-at-home mother of a one year old son. She is founder and creator of www.momadvice.com. Her web site is geared towards mothers who are seeking advice on staying organized, living on a budget, and for those seeking work-at-home employment. The author resides in Granger, Indiana and her hobbies include reading, writing, cooking and cake decorating. Please visit her web site for more information on these various topics for mothers and be sure to join the forum where your opinions and ideas count. Please visit her web site for more information on these various topics for mothers.
