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MOPS: Supporting moms every step of the way

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Bekah Phy
  • 305th Air Mobility Wing public affairs
McGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. --  Calling all moms! 

The local Mothers of Preschoolers group is currently seeking members for its meetings, which are held the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, 9:15 to 11:15, at the Fort Dix Main Chapel. Volunteers are also needed to continue to keep MOPS meetings available. 

"MOPS is a group of mothers who lend support, hope, and friendship to one another during a vital time in mothering, from pregnancy through preschool," said Molly Hughes, Military MOPS coordinator. "Our goal is to uplift, inspire and encourage moms. We also strive to offer them a chance to be recharged and renewed through a rare morning off from their mothering duties to focus on relevant teaching, creative activities and social interaction with other military mothers. Our group is passionate about helping moms reach their full potential as women, mothers, and leaders in their home and communities." 

Being a mom is a tough-enough job as it is, but being a military mother adds even more obstacles to the journey. The military MOPS group understands that and is here to support every mom, every step of the way. 

"Moms who are also military spouses face great challenges," Ms. Hughes explained. "Military moms move to new communities where they must build a new network of friends as well as a support system. Military moms must muscle the strength to face the long or frequent deployments of their husbands. And, most military moms live far away from their extended families and miss out on all of the benefits that come along with that closeness. We are here to support those moms." 

"MOPs is an exciting program that is simply natural in a military chapel environment," said Army Chaplain (Col.) Larry W. Biederman, Fort Dix garrison chaplain, who has worked behind the scenes of MOPS to help make it a top priority, and provide a facility and needed resources for its meetings. "Mothers of preschoolers have a tendency to find themselves isolated from other adults as they provide loving care to children who can sometimes be frustrating. Being a part of MOPs allows mothers an opportunity for adult conversation, fun, spiritual growth, and an opportunity to compare notes and learn from one another."

Children who accompany their mothers to the MOPS meetings are able to enjoy time in the MOPPETS program. With the help of volunteers, children enjoy social time with their peers, and engage in age-appropriate learning activities, including crafts, story time and more. 

"In order to allow our moms to enjoy a time of refreshment and renewal at our meetings, we have volunteers who spend time with the children in MOPPETS," Ms. Hughes said. "Moms are able to focus, connect, and learn when they are able to leave their children in the caring hands of volunteers. MOPPETS volunteers are vital to the success of our MOPS program, and we need more people who can give just a few hours each month to rock a baby, sing with a toddler or do crafts with a preschooler." 

During the bi-monthly MOPS meetings, the Steering Team is committed to providing programs for the members that are relevant to their stage of mothering. This year's theme, through MOPS International, is "Adventures in Mothering." 

"Some of our meeting topics this year are 'Traveling Adventures with Children,' 'Surviving Deployments along the Adventure,' and 'Keeping Love through the Adventure," Ms. Hughes said. 

Aside from meetings, MOPS members also enjoy "Mom's Night Out" a few times throughout the year. This year, they also plan to get involved with a few outreach projects, including a coat drive, Toys for Tots and a clothing swap. 

Military MOPS is also looking for "Mentor Moms" - moms who have weathered the storms of temper tantrums and potty training, who have survived sleepless nights and long deployments, and can offer hope and help to moms still in the thick of preschool days, Ms. Hughes said. Mothers of school-age children, grandmothers and great grandmothers, who have a few hours each month to spend in roles as a mentor to other moms, can call Ms. Hughes at (609) 353-1900. Interested volunteers for MOPPETS can also call Ms. Hughes. 

Moms who plan to bring their child (ren) to the MOPS meetings are asked to call Ms. Hughes before attending their first meeting, due to space constraints in the MOPPETS program.