I just wanted to post a quick message to thank everyone for a great first meeting.
One of the questions in our ice breaker today was "Why did you join MOPS?"
Our table didn't get to it, so I wanted to address it here. I joined Mops last year because we had just moved to Houston from Austin. A lot of the people that we knew here didn't have kids and I was struggling with finding women I got along with. MOPS gave me a place to meet women who's kids were in the same age range as mine.
The thing I love most about our MOPS group is that I feel like everyone can find someone they have something in common with. I'm one of the younger moms in the group, but I still felt like I had something in common with some of the people in our group. I know it can be intimidating to walk into a group of women who all seem to know each other. I felt the same way my first meeting and I already knew some people in the group.
But these women could very well become your best friends. They're the ones who you call when your kids are driving you crazy and you need someone to complain with. They're the ones you call when you can't figure out why your kid refuses to poop on the potty. They're the ones you call when you want to see the newest Twilight movie, but don't want to be the only middle-aged mother sitting on the floor at midnight. Trust me, you won't be the only one.
In this group, you'll find women who like the same books as you, even if they're the Sookie Stackhouse series (hey, I've read 9 so far, no judgement here). You'll find women who like to watch The Bachelor, or who spend their free time watching the news. They're the ones you ask for book recommendations when you need something light and funny, or when you want to challenge yourself with War and Peace. You'll find someone who will listen to the same music, enjoy the same vegetarian restaurants, shop at the same stores.
Get to know everyone. It's hard; there's 47 of us. But don't be surprised if you get a phone call after a particularly hard week from someone you don't know that well, telling you that they've been through what you're going through and offering a cup of coffee and a shoulder to cry on.
Don't be afraid to ask for help from these women, because these women? They can change your life.
Welcome to MOPS.
Well done Cori!
ReplyDeleteThis is my 3rd year in MOPS and I also joined because I'd moved down from Dallas in January of 2008 and needed to connect with other women. I was SO lonely, I'd just gotten remarried to Bobby so Phoenix and I moved away from everyone we knew and loved in Dallas, I quit working AND got pregnant...it was a stressful time full of changes. It has been a wonderful outlet for me and a place where many friendships have begun. I love being a part of this group!
And on a side note...if anyone is up for Indian or Mediterranean food, let me know, I'd love to do lunch sometime b/c those are the only types my husband won't eat! :)
Constance
Just to clarify, Bobby and I were never married to eachother before...that kind of reads weird. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the Twilight shout out, Cori! Right there with you at midnight for the next one, too! But in all seriousness, Cori is right on with this post. I joined MOPS in 2005 as a first time mommy with a 9 month old girl. I needed some "been there, done that" support and I found it in the mommies of MOPS! This group has celebrated with me on the birth of my next two kiddos, and mourned with me on the loss of my closest aunt to cancer. I have listed to speakers and become a better wife and mother. And thanks to MOPS, twice a semester, I get to be crafty. God has blessed my life with this group!
ReplyDeleteI hope that each of you finds your place here at MOPS!!