Sugar Land MOPS Helped Me Transition from Employee to Mommy

By: Courtney Albright

I don’t get to sleep in…but I don’t have to get up early to avoid or drive in rush-hour traffic. I don’t get much privacy…but I don’t have to worry about not liking the people I work with. I don’t get to talk with my friends uninterrupted on the phone…but I don’t have worry about appeasing the customer all the time. I don’t have to miss a moment of my child’s life if I don’t want too…but I don’t get a paycheck or climb the business ladder. Etc, etc, etc.

Like many first-time mothers, I couldn’t have predicted how big a transition it would be to move from working full-time in the corporate world to working full-time in the mommy world. After my first daughter was born, I was fortunate enough to be able to bring my baby to work with me. I had a pack-n-play office where nursery rhyme serenades would saturate my workplace and lull my child and coworkers through naptime, and I was blessed with a friend who watched my daughter some days so I could make phone calls & do intensive work. It was GREAT! I had the best of both worlds – mama & employee! But then, SURPRISE! When our daughter was only 7 months old we found out we were pregnant with daughter number two, and I knew that this “perfect” arrangement could not continue.

So there I was with two babies under 2 years old, fresh out of the working world (where I had absolutely loved my job), and I was CRAVING some time where I could just be a woman and receive support and encouragement from other women going through the same thing. And, I’d be lying if I didn’t say I wanted a safe, nurturing place for my kids so I could just have some adult time!

Then one day, I heard a radio spot for Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS). What pressed me to find out more about this organization was their plug about 1) a hot breakfast at every meeting (not made by me), and 2) great, age-appropriate, and engaging child-care! My great-idea light came on, and I rushed to find out more on the internet.

I found a local MOPS branch which met at Sugar Land United Methodist Church, and I sent in my check to hold my spot right away! I was so pleased when I received confirmation!  And, for the past two years, I have been so grateful for all the hilarious conversations, new friends, great food, educational speakers, and fun activities I’ve been able to participate in and contribute to. I have been uplifted emotionally, physically, spiritually, and mama-ly!

So now one of my goals is to make sure that every mother of little ones knows about MOPS so that they can enjoy many of the same benefits that have made me a better woman and a SATISFIED stay-at-home mother!

MOPS is an international organization that recognizes that the years from infancy through kindergarten are critical in a mother-child relationship and are filled with unique needs, both for mother and child. For over 35 years, MOPS has been creating local communities where mothers gather to experience encouragement, hope, support, and spiritual growth—all to help them impact their families, communities, and world. More than 4,000 MOPS groups gather in churches throughout the world to meet the needs of women each year, and I immensely enjoy attending the group at Sugar Land First United Methodist Church.

During the school year, the Sugar Land Methodist MOPS meets two Fridays a month from 9:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at 431 Eldridge Road, Sugar Land, Texas. Each meeting starts with a delicious, warm breakfast followed by a period of fellowship with other mothers. Then there is a prayer, devotion or testimonial, and a guest speaker, craft, or social event.  At the end of each meeting the mothers break into small groups for a chance to have more personal discussions. 

I can’t stress enough that one of the most comforting and wonderful things about my MOPS group is the MOPPETS program! Children ages 6 months through Kindergarten are divided into age-appropriate groups where they participate in a planned curriculum under the guidance of loving teachers. The MOPPETS program allows my children to interact socially with others while participating in games, stories, crafts, music, and physical play. The infants younger than 6 months get special privileges and can stay with their mothers at the meeting.

Sugar Land Methodist MOPS provides a perfect environment for me and other moms to learn from one another and grow together. We all are different (races, spiritual walks, marital statuses, number of children, hobbies, food allergies, etc.!) but we are all on the same journey: motherhood. If you are pregnant or are the mother of a preschooler(s), and you need a break or encouragement or “adult” conversation, then I would like to invite you to Sugar Land Methodist MOPS to grow your mommy network.

Sugar Land Methodist MOPS is accepting registration from May 1 to August 15, 2011 for their 2011-2012 academic year. Registration forms and instructions can be found at www.sugarlandmethodist.org/mops. Childcare space is on a first-come, first-served basis; so early registration is encouraged.  Don’t miss out on the friends you haven’t met yet!  We’d love for YOU to join us.