The Darien Times

Darien MOPS offers repose for busy moms 

Last Updated on Tuesday, February 21, 2012 02:20 PM Written by The Darien Times
Monday, February 20, 2012 03:53 PM

When Amy Barber moved to Darien last year from Sandy, Utah, she knew she was going to need to find a great support group for moms. The busy mother of four had called Utah home for five years, and a job relocation for her husband meant starting over — making new friends not just for her kids, but for herself, too.

In Utah, Mrs. Barber belonged to MOPS, or Mothers of Preschoolers, a group started in 1973 by eight Colorado mothers who sought to create a support group run by moms, for moms. MOPS has since grown into an international organization with 3,800 groups in the US and 32 other countries. Barber was thrilled to discover that Darien has its own MOPS chapter of about 35 members. She joined right away.

Especially during this frenzied holiday time, Barber says, MOPS offers her a way to slow down and take time out for herself. "At our house, our days are usually complete chaos, starting early in the morning, getting everyone to school, and then following that up with after-school activities," Barber said. "I'm in a season of life where it's hard to find time for myself... But MOPS offers time for me — time for adult conversation while I know my kids are getting great child care. It's a place that inspires, encourages, teaches and lifts me up, and a place where I can laugh."

Barber's husband said he is happy that MOPS offers her the opportunity to meet other women who are in the same stage of life and mothering that she finds herself in.

The Darien MOPS chapter meets every other Wednesday morning during the school year at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Darien, where it began here 10 years ago. A typical MOPS meeting includes a hot breakfast, coffee and conversation with other moms. After breakfast, a speaker discusses various mom-focused topics, such as "minimizing mommy guilt," or "building respect in the home."

Moms also have time to make a craft. Childcare is provided for infants through age 6 via a program called MOPPETS. Once a month, members get together for a "moms' night out" event, such as a recipe swap, fashion night, or a Christmas party and Yankee Swap.

MOPS also aims to give back. At a recent meeting, MOPS members busily filled shoe boxes with all sorts of goodies — toys, chewing gum, socks, soaps, washcloths, pens, crayons, paper and the like — to be sent to needy children worldwide through a program called Operation Christmas Child.

"I've moved around before, and getting involved in a community of warm women to fellowship with is something I know I need," Barber said. "MOPS is like the family here that I left behind."

Registration has begun for the Darien MOPS' spring session, which starts in January. For more information about Darien's MOPS chapter, contact Meg Newton at 203-353-1848, or visit its blog at DarienMOPS.wordpress.com. More info: MOPS.org

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