Being a mom can be hectic at times, and it can be hard for some stay-at-home moms to dedicate what little spare time they have in keeping up with friends.
So it’s nice to know there’s a support group in Oxford that will help those moms flourish in their relationships all while keeping their children entertained.
The non-profit MOMS Club of Oxford is 50 members and almost 100 children strong, and they’re always looking for new members.
MOMS stands for Moms Offering Moms Support and accepts any stay-at-home mothers or moms who work part-time that live in Oxford.
Their goal is to provide a forum of topics of interest to the mothers in the group, help children in the community and to participate in community service projects, like supporting Oxford/Orion FISH.
The club formed in 2001 as the Oxford/Lake Orion MOMS Club and split into two in 2004. Currently, there are over 2,000 MOMS Club chapters in the U.S.
Club president, Kris Haselton, said there are numerous activities mom’s and their children can participate in, like trips to the Detroit Zoo, fire station tours, park and beach days, apple picking and other fun parties, just to name a few.
Some other benefits mother’s will receive from the club are a fun Mom’s Night Out, Couples Night Out, activity groups and a helping hand whenever it’s needed, like baby-sitting or preparing meals when a family’s new baby arrives.
Club vice president Stacy Bertani moved to the Oxford area a year and a half ago and ‘didn’t know a soul? before joining the club.
‘When I joined last fall, I got a whole network of friends,? she said. ‘It’s an incredible support group for moms who are at home because sometimes it can be kind of isolating.?
And mom’s aren’t the only ones allowed in the club ? stay-at-home dad’s are welcome, too.
Oxford resident Rick Vineyard jumped at the chance to join the club so he could find more things for his 2?-year-old daughter to do.
It wasn’t awkward being the only one with a ‘Y? chromosome.
‘I think they went overboard in making me feel more welcome than they do with other members because I was a guy,? he joked.
To become a member of the club, one must pay $20 a year. Mothers who are interested in joining are free to attend a couple events beforehand.
For some mothers, the small fee to join is worth the numerous long-time friendships and fun they’ll have with the MOMS Club.
‘I don’t know what I would’ve done without it,? Bertani said.
To learn more about the club or to join, e-mail them at momscluboxford@yahoo.com.