Mothers of Preschoolers: A Motherly Way To Learn and Grow Together

Lisa Hwang was the first of her friends to have children. None of them could relate to her questions about parenthood.

And Hwang, like many other moms, sometimes just needed to get away from the baby talk and diapers.

Enter MOPS.

The Newark Community Church Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) is a moms group that allows mothers of young children in the Tri-Cities area to network with one another.

From play dates and moms night outs to doing crafts and discussing motherhood, MOPS’ objectives are vast.

“The intention of the organization is not only one thing. The purpose is to provide moms a community to be with other moms,” said Lisa Hwang, a Newark MOPS member who is one of three moms who started the group in Newark.

Hwang, along with Adina Lee and Michelle Cote, is part of the group’s leadership team. The three helped form MOPS’ Newark chapter in order to break away from a Fremont MOPS group that had been growing in popularity.

And although the trio are Fremont residents, they said Newark MOPS consists of approximately 25 moms and that the majority of them are from Newark.

Hwang said the group mostly serves women who are parenting younger children, from expectant mothers to women with Kindergarten-aged children.

“It’s a unique season of life. Kids in that age are very dependent on moms,” Hwang said.

And because of that dependency, mothers often feel a sense of isolation, Lee said.

“It can be hard to not have adult conversations,” Hwang added.

The overall goal of MOPS is “no mom alone.”

“Better moms make a better world,” Lee said.

Together, the moms can share every aspect of parenting – cooking recipes, recommendations for pediatricians, methods of discipline and more.

Cote added, “And you feel safe to discuss your fears… in parenting and in your marriages.”

Upcoming meetings include talks with a marriage family therapist, a bicycle parade, indoor play dates and craft activities.

There is a $122 annual fee to become a member. That cost goes toward babysitting and materials used during the meetings. The fee is prorated for members who join midyear.

The group’s next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 27.

MOPs meets every other Monday from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the , 37590 Sycamore St. Brunch is provided.

And there is no need to worry about finding a sitter.

The group also provides child care. Each staff member who provides child care goes through background checks and is fingerprinted.

Interested moms are invited to attend a meeting before registering.

MOPS is an international organization that was first formed by eight women in February 1973 in Colorado, according to MOPS.org.

To learn about Newark’s MOPS group, visit http://newarkccmops.blogspot.com or contact Hwang at 650-996-3542 or e-mail nccmopsgroup@gmail.com.