Mommy Support
by leighI just got back home after a weekend in San Francisco - grew up in the gorgeous Bay Area but had never really enjoyed SF like a tourist before! I was there for my MOMS Club’s Regional Luncheon. MOMS Club stands for Moms Offering Moms Support, and let me tell you, finding my chapter and joining changed my life.
I live away from family, I was the first of my friends in the area to have a baby, and I have a traveling husband. I knew I wanted to stay home with my babies - nothing against daycare, it was just something I felt in my gut and heart that was right for OUR family. But let me tell you, those can be lonely days! That first MOMS Club playgroup I went to was like opening a window to another world.
Before I knew it, I had met the girls that would become my best friends, my mentors, my community. And my kids now had a community, too - of little friends and other Mommies. I quickly became active on the board (a good way to keep your brain and skills in tact!), and enjoyed the community service as well as just getting out of the house.
At this luncheon, the founder of MOMS Club Mary James spoke and reflected on MOMS Club, now celebrating its 25th year (it now has 2,000+ chapters and over 100,000 members). She brought us all to tears when she spoke about driving her daughter to college - the same daughter who was just 3 when MOMS Club began. She talked about how it goes by in a flash, and to really be in the moment with your kids (the good and the bad). Just like seeing that school bus come for Alyssa, and turning around and wondering what happened to nursing and baby proofing and naptime.
Whether you choose to continue working, work part-time, work at home, or be a stay at home mom - find that support - that group of Moms you can turn to for advice, for venting, and for most of all - fun and friendship! It is such a gift to be surrounded by people who know what you’re going through, and who are here to enjoy the ride…
p.s. I won a super cool gift basket at the luncheon. I’m just still so excited about it!
I agree, MOMS Club (or whatever Mom-centered support group one can find) is a priceless resource for Moms! I don’t know how I would have kept my sanity if not for my MOMS Club girls! I couldn’t imagine going through Motherhood with out them! It’s fantastic to be surrounded by friends going through the same life phase as I am, and to have the resources of more experienced moms who have already walked this road.