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I know from personal experience how lonely and isolated being a stay-at-home mom can be because I was one! My husband is in the Army, and we had just moved from Virginia. I had recently gotten out of the Army myself, and all of a sudden I went from a busy career woman to a mom at home with two children under the age of four in a new place with no friends or family. I found out about the local Moms Offering Moms Support (MOMS) Club a month after we moved to Hawaii, and I signed up the next day! The club was a Godsend. I met new people who became friends and confidants, and my children had new playmates. Now, a year later, I am the president of the MOMS Club O'ahu – Leeward Chapter!
I know there are other stay-at-home moms out there who feel lonely, isolated and unsupported, and do not know where to turn for support. This is why I want to share with these moms all the opportunities the club has to offer. I truly believe in this organization and I think it can be an invaluable resource as well as great support system for all stay-at-home moms! It would be great if we could get the word out to the whole island about this great organization.
 The MOMS Club is an international, non-profit organization to support stay-at-home moms w hich began in 1983 when Mary James, an at-home mother in California, decided she was tired of being alone at home. She wanted to meet other at-home mothers, and she wanted to find other at-home children for her children with which to play. When she discovered there were no other organizations that met during the day or ones that allowed her to come with her baby and preschooler, she decided to start a brand new organization just for at-home mothers, and the MOMS Club was born. We now have over 2,000 chapters in the US, six of which are on O'ahu, and over 100,000 members! We also have International chapters!
The MOMS Club was designed specifically to help stay-at-home mothers overcome the challenges of being at home. Since at-home mothers need most of their support during the day, that is when almost all of our activities and meetings occur. This group supports mothers so women can participate and bring their children! Children are always welcome, and mothers do not need to worry about finding that elusive babysitter!
There are currently six chapters on O'ahu: Central, Honolulu East, Honolulu West, Leeward, Waipahu/Aiea, and Windward. The chapters are divided by zip code with Leeward chapter covering zip codes 96706, 96707, and 96792. Currently, our Leeward Chapter (voted “Outstanding Chapter Overall” from 2004 - 2005 by International MOMS Club), has approximately 70 members. Monthly activities offered by our chapter include monthly business meetings, New Member Social, field trips (some months we have more than one of these), Moms' Night Out (our only activity for mommies only!), beach and park days, and special interest groups. Some of our bigger field trips have included trips to Waikiki Aquarium, Honolulu Zoo, Waimea Valley Audbon Center, Bishop Museum, Kualoa Ranch and Dole Plantation. However, we also take smaller trips such as to Kapolei Police Station, Kapolei Fire Station and the Waipahu Post Office. We have a wide range of special interest groups, too. During these group meetings, moms with more specific common interests can get together. Some of the special interest groups at our chapter include strollercise, book club, crafting club, bible study, recipe club, kids in the kitchen cooking club, and age appropriate play groups. There is something offered practically every day of the week! You can attend all activities or just pick and choose what you wish to attend.
We also contribute to community service projects. In the past, we have conducted fundraising for Hurricane Katrina victims, March of Dimes, and International MOMS Club Mother-to-Mother fund. Our Helping Hands Committee is for those members in need of a little help following the birth of a new baby, a sickness or surgery. Volunteers can bring dinners, run errands, or whatever might be helpful in their time of need.
If you would like to learn more about our organization, you can go to our international website at www.momsclub.org . Some of our local chapters also have links from that website. If you would like to become a member, you can contact the President of our O'ahu -Leeward chapter at
mcleewardpresident@yahoo.com. Please include your full name, phone number, home address, and e-mail so we can send you a prospective member packet! |