MOPS & MOPPETS

A friend invited me to join her mops group at a church in Allen and I am so glad I did. The cost is low and it is 2 Fridays a month from September thru April. It lasts for 2 hours in the morning and is very much needed to give me a regular break throughout the month. Each mom helps with the MOPPETS (the children), on a rotation, two times during the year. Today was the first time I have visited (I missed the first meeting) and I really enjoyed it.

Getting the kids and I ready and out the door before 9 a.m. was a challenge as we aren't super early risers in our house. Mommy managed and we even got there early which was a good thing because I had to find where to go and get all the essential paperwork filled out etc.

The kids were kind of clingy at first but by the time I took them to their class they did great and nobody cried when I left them. They had a good time too - playing with other kids and being in a different environment. The teachers do crafts with the kids, learn Bible verses and learn about Jesus.

After dropping the kids off, I went in with the ladies and found my table. Met several new moms in my group and immediately fit right in. Everyone was all very friendly and welcoming. There are about 10-12 ladies in our group and we sit together each time we meet, chat a little over a wonderful breakfast, I might add (the groups rotate bringing breakfast), watched a video (this week), we do crafts (today was decorating aprons for hospitalized children with cancer), we have a speaker (this week - Larissa Linton, the founder of a charity organization called Heroes for Children shared her personal story of losing her first born child to a rare form of leukemia at the age of 3.

This charity specifically focuses on supporting families of children with cancer. She spoke to us about how important it is that we teach our children philanthropy. Here are a few ideas, shared by Larissa, to involve your children in philanthropy: talk to your children about it; create a collection jar of loose change to donate; donate items; create goody bags; make art; hold a lemonade stand, book or cookie sale; donate to a charity in lieu of gifts; attend an event; be creative.)

After the speaker shared about her story and organization, we had a little more time to chat, plan events and discuss the questions from our reading. We have a book to read between meetings called "Momology - A Mom's Guide to Shaping Great Kids". I have quite a bit of catching up to do since I came in late but I look forward to reading it. :)

In addition to meeting 2 Fridays a month, the group gets together for playgroups and mom's night out and I am looking forward to attending these and getting to know these ladies as well as my kids "getting to know" the other kids.