First Baptist Church is pleased to sponsor a Mothers of Preschoolers group. The Purpose Statement of MOPS International states: MOPS International exists to encourage, equip and develop every mother of preschoolers to realize her potential as a woman, mother and leader in the name of Jesus Christ. We at First Baptist are excited to make a difference in the lives of Moms and in so doing make a difference in the lives of families.

What is MOPS?

MOPS stands for Mothers Of Preschoolers, an international program that is a positive & caring network designed to nurture mothers with children from conception through kindergarten. MOPS recognizes that these years are foundational & are filled with unique experiences and needs.

MOPS provides a welcoming & supportive place where moms and their children can make new friends, share experiences, laugh together, & learn trusted principles about womanhood, faith, marriage, & parenting. MOPS also offers the opportunities for outside activities geared towards mothers & preschool aged children.

MOPS groups meet in churches throughout the U.S., Canada, & nineteen other countries. The women are of many ages, faiths, & backgrounds; & come together -

Is MOPS for you?

If you are a Mom who...

• is pregnant or has a child aged newborn through kindergarten...
• loves making new friends over food, fellowship, and fun activities...
• wants to share the joys & challenges of motherhood...
• has frazzled nerves screaming for some “mommy” time, but also want your children to have a great experience...

...then YES, MOPS is definitely for you!

What happens at a MOPS meeting?

Our meetings run 9am to 11am and after child drop off, start with coffee, announcements, and more importantly, FOOD! Next we usually have a speaker whose topics range from informational, inspirational, to the entertaining! A roundtable discussion usually follows, and then it’s on to a fun creative activity.

MomSense: Bold • Loving • Sensible – equips moms to embrace their mothering instincts and develop their own parenting style while navigating through the myriad of daily mom decisions. Most women wonder:
• How do I decide what to do when I really don’t know what to do?
• Should I trust my intuition?
• With so much available information, how do I discern what’s best?
• What are the most important family values?

Developing a mothering strategy is somewhat like playing a game — and this year’s theme is appropriately game related. Have fun being a mom! Playing games involves being bold and taking risks, loving those in the game with us and being sensible while figuring out what works and what doesn’t.

Just as in real-life, sometimes in games, unexpected, “chance” events occur, abruptly changing our paths. We must regroup and determine our next steps. Sometimes we follow the instructions of “experts.” Sometimes we follow the advice of trusted friends. Sometimes we decide our “house rules” work best for our family. Teaming together with other moms is a great strategy. Relying on a spouse or mentor can help us play more effectively. And, most of all, developing a strong God-Sense is essential for mothering. Growing as a mom through the analogy of game playing assures every mom gains confidence in her abilities as a mom.

Combining her mom intuition and her common sense helps a woman discover her own unique MomSense.
(Mom Intuition + Common Sense = MomSense)

Where do we meet?

First Baptist Church MOPS meets every 2nd Tuesday of the month, September thru May, 9 am to 11 am. We are located in the gym of the First Baptist Church of Richland on 1107 Wright St., Richland WA. See a map to our location.

What does it cost?

For only $23.95, a mom can register for membership with MOPS International and receive a one-year subscription to MOMSense magazine, Mom-E-Mail messages and other great benefits. View all of the 2011-12 Membership Benefits!

We also ask for $5 per meeting which goes directly to our group to help cover some meeting, craft, and childcare costs. We do have scholarships available and will not turn away any mother on the basis of financial need.

Where are my children?

While you are enjoying our great MOPS program, your children (MOPPETS), will be lovingly cared for by our team of childcare workers. Separate rooms are provided to accommodate different age groups. Children are given the time to interact with each other and express themselves through play, music, crafts, and through learning a classroom lesson focusing on biblical principles and values. You are welcome to keep your infant, up to 6 months old, with you during the meeting if you like and you will be notified promptly if your older child has any difficulties in the MOPPETS classes.