Susan Heide-Wexell's reason for being involved in a local Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS for short) group is pure and simple -- survival.
"As a mom you need a few moments to yourself, every once in a while," said the Shiloh resident who is a member of the MOPS group at Shiloh United Methodist Church. "It was a bonus that I get to spend it with a group of Christian moms."
Heide-Wexell is the mother of two children, ages 3 and 5, and serves as discussion group leader and crafts co-chairman for her MOPS group.
During the group's first meeting of the year Sept. 2, the 30 mothers in attendance watched an instructional video about finding a balance between being a mother and an individual, participated in small discussion groups, and did a craft project creating "name mugs" as opposed to name tags.
MOPS member Carol Erickson, of O'Fallon, said MOPS has helped her make friends since she has moved around a lot as a result of the military lifestyle. Erickson, mother of six, has been involved in MOPS for the last nine years -- four years in Shiloh.
She's a big fan of the religious curriculum offered to the 3- through 5-year-olds while MOPS members attend the bimonthly meetings. Erickson said the children learn about Jesus, the Bible and how to socialize with others their age.
She also enjoys the outings designed for mothers and children and particularly those just for mothers.
"You're able to focus on the me, and focus on the mom," said Erickson, who serves as the MOPS group's registration coordinator.
Vikki Harms, MOPS coordinator at Shiloh United Methodist, said mothers of children, birth to 5 years old, are welcome to join the group any time.
Shiloh UMC isn't the only church in the local area with a MOPS group. Cornerstone Christian Church on North Green Mount Road has a group more than 40 registered mothers.
Cornerstone MOPS member Charlotte Green, 33, of Fairview Heights said she enjoys being able to connect with other moms in the area. "You realize how much you have in common," said the mother of two. "Whatever problem you're having, you know they are going through the same thing or have in the past."
Green is a huge fan of the group's "mentor moms," experienced mothers in the community who lend a helping hand or a listening ear when called upon.
"For a lot of moms, mentor moms become like a mother figure for them if they live far away from home," Green said.
Shiloh resident Carrie Pinson, 40, serves as a mentor mom for the MOPS group at Shiloh UMC. "I have survived the toddler/preschool years," said the mother of two children, 12 and 9 years old. "I can sit and listen and give them (other mothers) encouragement.
"I let them know they can make it," said Pinson, who has been involved in MOPS eight years.
Mothers of young children need a support system, said Belleville resident Lynsi Hoyt, coordinator of the MOPS group at Cornerstone and mother of two.
The mothers aren't the only ones making connections -- the children do as well. "They make a lot of good friends that they might not necessarily make at such a young age," Cutler said.
Cornerstone MOPS member Angie Barry of Belleville said her boys always enjoy the playgroups organized by MOPS. "It helps them learn how to play with other kids and not just mommy," she said.
MOPS is a non-denominational Christian group. "You don't have to be a church member to be involved in MOPS," Green said, noting the sponsor church of a MOPS group provides meeting space and a portion of the funding.
Like the MOPS meetings at Shiloh UMC, Cornerstone MOPS meetings often include craft projects and guest speakers. The group also hosts at least two outings every month for mothers and children.
"We try to expose moms to different things they might not know about," Green said, such as family-friendly attractions in the local area. "A lot of moms in the group are not from around here originally; we want to teach them about different things in their community."
The Cornerstone MOPS group has suggested dues of $5 per event. However, Green said, "no mom is turned away."
Both Shiloh MOPS groups are part of the larger organization MOPS International. For more information, visit the Web site www.mops.org.
BREAKOUT BOX:
Area Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) groups
Cornerstone Christian ChurchAddress: 775 North Green Mount Road, Shiloh
Meetings: 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. second and fourth Mondays
Contact: (618) 239-9710
First Baptist Church O'Fallon Address: 1111 E Hwy. 50, O'Fallon
Meetings: 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. second and fourth Mondays
Contact: (618) 632-6223
Shiloh United Methodist Church Address: 210 South Main St., Shiloh
Meetings: 9 a.m. -11:30 a.m. first and third Wednesdays
Contact: (618) 632-6913
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