Moms Clubs • MetroKids Sept. 2008

Moms Clubs
Feeling isolated? Support groups can fill the void.

Today’s mothers often find themselves distanced from other family members. The resulting lack of support can leave a mom feeling lonely and isolated. Moms’ support groups can fill this void.

Through regularly scheduled meetings and outings, these groups connect mothers who share similar circumstances. Ideas are exchanged in group discussions and, at some clubs, guest speakers provide helpful tips on parenting issues and topics such as nutrition, entrepreneurship and finances. These clubs can be a great place to make new friends. Many support groups will allow prospective members to sit in on a couple of meetings before joining.

Factors to Consider

When choosing a mother’s support group, consider these questions.

• Are meetings held in a convenient location?

• Will the time of day interfere with your child’s nap time?

• What are the ages of the other mothers’ children? If you’re the only mom with a newborn, you might not get the same benefit as you would in a group with other new moms.

• Does the group offer activities for the children?

What Moms Value in Their Groups

The affirmation and the knowledge that your experience is not unique to you. There are a million other women in this world going through the same thing. — Marnie Anderson, president, Philadelphia Chapter, Mocha Moms

Being able to get out and meet other moms as well as the community service, which is a good way to get involved in something that’s not just family oriented.”– Kathleen Rhein, member of the Chester County Mothers of Multiples

National Clubs, Local Chapters

In addition to numerous local mom’s groups, several national organizations have local chapters in the Delaware Valley. Here’s what each type of group offers, along with contact informationfor local branches.

International Moms Club
www.momsclub.org

Description: A support group for stay-at-home moms with children of all ages. Children are welcome to attend meetings with their parents.

Dues: Between $15-$30 annually, plus $2 per member for a group registration fee.

Activities: Monthly daytime meetings, park days, play dates, activity groups (such as bowling, cooking and exercise), moms’ night out, local outings, family picnics and service projects involving children in the community.

Delaware Local Chapters
Bear East, www.geocities.com/momsclubbear/main.html, momsclubbear@yahoo.com
Hockessin North, www.freewebs.com/hockessinmomsnorth, hockessinmoms@yahoo.com
Middletown, www.geocities.com/momsmiddletown/, desunrise@verizon.net
Newark South, 302-454-7422, www.geocities.com/momsclubnewarkde
newark.so.moms@gmail.com
Pike Creek, www.geocities.com/pikecreekmomsclub/home.html, pikecreekmomsclub@yahoo.com
Smyrna, www.geocities.com/momsclubsmyrna, momsclubsmyrna@yahoo.com

South Jersey Local Chapters
Burlington, www.geocities.com/momsclubburl, jcaron78@comcast.net
Cherry Hill/Voorhees/Haddonfield, www.momsclubcherryhill.org, memberinfo@momsclubcherryhill.org
Monmouth, www.mccmnj.org, info@mccmnj.org
Lumberton, www.momscluboflumbertonarea.com, membership@momscluboflumbertonarea.com
Marlton-North, www.momsclubmarltonnorth.org, info@momsclubmarltonnorth.org
Marlton-South, http://momsclubofmarlton.tripod.com,
856-334-5491, bethanngarofola@comcast.net
Medford Area, http://momsclubmedford.org, info@momsclubmedford.org
Moorestown, www.geocities.com/momsclubmoorestown, momsclubmoorestown@gmail.com
Mount Laurel East, www.east.momsclubmountlaurel.org, membership_east@momsclubmountlaurel.org
Mount Laurel West, www.west.momsclubmountlaurel.org, membership_west@momsclubmountlaurel.org

Mothers and More
www.mothersandmore.org

Description: Support group for women who have either altered their work schedules in order to spend more time with their children or who have left the workforce altogether. Because the ultimate goal is “caring for the caregiver”, children older than 6 months are generally not in attendance at these meetings.

Dues: $45 annually.

Activities: Monthly afternoon and/or evening meetings, crafts, potluck dinners, moms’ night out, moms’ lunches out, book clubs, play dates, family get-togethers and community service projects benefiting women and children.

Delaware Local Chapter
Dover, www.delmoms.org

Pennsylvania Local Chapters
Chester County, http://156mothers.org/default.aspx, chapter156@hotmail.com
Delaware County, http://delcomothersandmore.com/default.aspx, delcomothersandmore@hotmail.com
Montgomery County, www.mothersandmore-montco.com, mothersmoremontco@yahoo.com

Mocha Moms
www.mochamoms.org

Description: Support group for moms of color who have either chosen to stay at home or have selected flexible work alternatives in order to spend more time with their children. Children are welcome to attend meetings, where they can engage in free play.

Dues: $40 annually.

Activities: Bi-weekly meetings (afternoons or evenings), playgroups, moms’ night out, moms’ night in, couples night out, respite care for new moms, couple/family events; local field trips for children, fundraising program, community service projects, annual regional convention and business meetings.

Delaware Local Chapters
Kent, mochamomskc@yahoo.com
New Castle County, MochaMomsNewCastleCounty@yahoo.com

Pennsylvania Local Chapters
Philadelphia, www.phillymochas.com, mochamomsphilly@yahoo.com
Lehigh Valley, lehighvalleymochamoms@gmail.com

South Jersey Local Chapter
Burlington County, www.njmochamoms.org, mrwhayes@yahoo.com

Mothers of Twins and Multiples
www.nomotc.org

Description: Support group for expectant and current mothers with twins or multiples.

Dues: $25 annually

Activities: Monthly meeting, new and expectant moms group, play dates, community service projects, moms’ coffee, moms only events, fund-raising events, holiday parties and family outings.

Delaware Local Chapters
Dover, Felton, Frederica, Georgetown, Lewes, , Magnolia, Milford, Milton, Smyrna,
302-398-1255 http://fsmom.org, kendamarie@email.com
Wilmington, 302-765-6882, francine_ansley@msn.com

Pennsylvania Local Chapters
Chester County, 610-738-4160, www.ccmomc.org, kathy.rhein@verizon.net
Main Line, 610-259-6032, www.mainlinemoms.com, thegrays6@verizon.net

South Jersey Local Chapter
Burlington County, 609-267-7542, sendithome@comcast.net
South Jersey Chapter, 609-268-7099, www.sjmoms.com, kimserafine@comcast.net

MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International
www.mops.org

Description: A Christian-based, non-profit organization that works through local churches to provide support for mothers with preschool-aged children. Babysitting is available.

Dues: $23.95 per month. Additional fees determined by each chapter to cover refreshments, craft supplies and other costs.

Activities: Meetings times and frequency vary by chapter. Brief lessons; simultaneous program for children known as MOPPETS; crafts; small group discussions; some chapters feature breakfast;.

Delaware Local Chapters
Hockessin, 302-239-7631
Middletown, 302-378-7692
Newark, 302-738-4418
Wilmington (503 Duncan Rd.), 302-764-9007
Wilmington (7 Mount Lebanon Rd.),
302-478-4255

Pennsylvania Local Chapters
Aldan, 610-259-8010
Bensalem, 215-322-5433
Downingtown (46 West Lancaster Ave.), 610-269-1566
Downingtown (95 West Devon Dr.), 610-363-7171, www.calvary-fellowship.org/women/mops.htm
Dresher, 215-646-4129
Goshen, 610-696-3188, www.goshenbaptist.org, mops@goshenbaptist.org
Harleysville (100 S. Main St.), 215-256-0100
Harleysville (310 Covenant Lane),
215-256-1007
Huntingdon Valley, 215-947-8200
Kemblesville, 610-255-5512
Kennett Square, 610-444-2670
Langhorne (1249 W. Maple Ave.),
215-752-9945, www.buckschurch.org/mops.htm
Langhorne (125 E. Gillam Ave.), 215-752-3200
Lansdale, 215-855-7499
Philadelphia, 215-255-8414, www.liberti.org
Royersford, 610-948-5560, www.geocities.com/trinitylighthousemops, trinitymops@aol.com
Skippack, 610-584-8086, www.cornerstonechurchofskippack.com
Souderton (276 W Cherry Lane), 215-723-8707
Souderton (820 Rte. 113), 215-723-0963, www.calvary-church.com/content/view/98, datkinson@calvary-church.com
Southampton, 215-355-6462, www.davisville.org/index.php
Trappe, 610-489-4933, www.geocities.com/mopsintrappe,
Wayne, 610-688-6338
Yardley, 215-321-3326

South Jersey Local Chapters
Barrington, 856-546-4885
Cherry Hill, 856-429-1330
Gibbsboro, 856-784-3878, www.mopsofstandrews.com/, richandmelmarsh@comcast.net,
Haddon Heights, 856-547-3240
Laurel Springs, 856-783-1839
Mount Holly, 609-267-0330, www.firstpresmtholly.org
Mount Laurel, 856-235-1697
Voorhees, 856-753-7355, www.momshope.org, alellis11@verizon.net
Willingboro, 609-877-6500