Moms helping moms

“It’s a program to help in parenting, every day parenting. They kind of say, ‘No mom alone.’ It’s a mom support group,” said Jaci Schwerdt, coordinator of the Saratoga Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) charter.

Schwerdt said the Saratoga group ranges from expectant mothers to mothers of children going into kindergarten. According to Schwerdt, MOPS is an international organization based out of Colorado Springs, Colo.

According to Schwerdt, the bi-monthly meetings are supported with materials from the MOPS headquarters, including videos, discussion time and projects. “We’re just here to support each other and help each other,” Schwerdt said. For example, the moms will get together and prepare meals for those mothers that just had a baby or are in need of assistance, babysitting or get together for nights out.

Schwerdt said the friendships between mothers make up most of her significant memories of the group. Though MOPS does not meet in the summer, they have a standing playdate at the park on Tuesdays. “That’s when you meet a lot of people. We all get out, and then you start to build those friendships,” Schwerdt said, adding that a lot of the mothers here do not have local families and find the support group invaluable.

MOPS in Saratoga began at the Presbyterian Church with Revel Matheke, who passed away several years ago. “She brought the program in and got it started for us,” Schwerdt said. The membership fluctuates, but Schwerdt says about a dozen people are active in the group.

According to their website, MOPS is a “grassroots movement that believes moms are world influencers.” With that belief in mind, they work to support mothers and children of all ages, including Teen MOPS, a faith-based group that provides a non-judgmental environment for teen mothers, the website says. MOMSnext supports mothers of school age children and Military MOPS meet with increased flexibility.

The website outlines the basics to a MOPS group, including that all women are welcome, mentorship from “wise women” are encouraged and an emphasis on leadership development, honest conversation, relevant teaching, creative activities and childcare. Meetings involve mentorship, adult time, care programs for your children, crafting and leadership skills.

MOPS meets at the Presbyterian Church on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month from 9-10:45 a.m.

 

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