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M.O.P.S. - Mothers of Pre-Schoolers

MOPS stands for Mothers of Preschoolers.
MOPS International exists to meet the needs of every mom - urban, suburban and rural moms, stay-at-home and working moms, teen, single and married moms - moms with different lifestyles who all share a similar desire to be the very best moms they can be! MOPS recognizes that the years from infancy through kindergarten are foundational in a mother-child relationship and are filled with unique needs.

MOPS helps moms through relationships established in the context of local groups that provide a caring atmosphere for today's mother of young children. Our North Way MOPS group requires a Pre-registration. Please contact Amanda Szenyeri at 724-473-1015 or szen9@yahoo.com to learn more about our MOPS group and to request a registration form.


Adventures in Mothering
Mothering is an adventure for everyone. Some of our mothering adventures are so fun and full of rewards when we see our kids smile, give kisses, and have cute little messy faces. Other mothering adventures can send us shaking our heads saying “what is happening to me here?” such as your toddler screaming through the grocery store, pushing other kids on the playground, and throwing food across the table at a restaurant.

This year we will learn more about ourselves being a mother, a wife, a friend, and a woman. We will celebrate and embrace the fun in the experiences, even in the midst of daily mom life that stretches us emotionally and spiritually. The theme is based on "...how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ..." - Ephesians 3:18 The dimension of this verse expresses how God is with us in our mothering adventure.


This year our adventures will focus on:
  • Being the great mom that we are on all the demands motherhood encompasses.
  • Focusing on our own personal growth.
  • Cultivating meaningful adult relationships.
  • Learning to ask for help when we need it.
  • Keeping hope alive through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

Become a better mom by discovering the mom that God created you to be. Enjoy motherhood - it’s the RIDE of your life!


When We Meet

All meetings are held primarily the 2nd and 4th week of the month from 9:00 AM to 11:15 AM at North Way Christian Community in the central area upstairs. We will begin our meetings promptly at 9AM. Please leave enough time to drop off your kids in their designated room so that you will be in the room by the start of the meeting.

  • September 10 -
  • September 24 -
  • October 8 -
  • October 22 -

Please be aware of the following: during the winter months MOPS meetings will be cancelled if the Pine Richland School District has delays or cancellations. Also, the Spring picnic is located at the Pine Township Community Park on Pearce Mill Road.



STEERING MEMBERSHIP
  • The positions of Coordinator and Finance must be filled by members of North Way. All other steering positions are open to any church affiliation.
  • Each steering position is filled upon completion of a MOPS International Steering questionnaire, which is reviewed and approved by present steering members, the overseeing Pastor at North Way.
  • Each position has a minimal two year commitment.
  • Steering membership is a volunteer position requiring many hours of investment.
  • All steering members are required to also fill the general membership criteria.
  • Steering members are required to attend a meeting at least once a month separate from the general meetings held at North Way.

MEET YOUR STEERING COMMITTEE
Julie McCabe Diana Wiesser Amanda Szenyeri Leslie Miller Lisa Filter Brandy Kiker Erin Kirby Rhonda Stapleford

FINANCIAL POLICY
MOPS INTERNATIONAL MEMBERSHIP FEE:

It enables MOPS to reach out to moms with many benefits whether they are able to attend the regular meetings or not. All moms receive a package of benefits which includes:

  • A subscription (6 issues) to MOMSense magazine
  • MOM-E-MAIL: weekly uplifting greetings from MOPS International
  • MOPS International Calendar: This year we created a calendar full of daily encouragement specifically for mothers of preschoolers -- just like you. The calendar includes special opportunities for MOPS International Members to participate in on-line Author Discussions, special contests, member-only discounts from the MOPShop and FREE downloadable MOM-E-Tunes from artists like Sara Groves, Go Fish, and Kim Hill.

For $24/mom for the year, you will receive the above listed gifts and blessings. There will be one complimentary registration given to one of our members via a raffle system during our first meeting. The connection fee is paid on September 10, 2008.


NORTH WAY MOPS Fees:

MEMBERSHIP DUES: will be a total of $60.00 for the entire year. This is broken down into 2 payments.

  1. Payment 1 is for $30 due September 2008 and will cover the costs that are incurred through December 2008 .
  2. Payment 2 is for $30 due no later than January 2009 and will cover the costs that are incurred through May 2009.

      3. CHILD CARE COSTS: will be $2.25/child/meeting from September - December 2008. This is prepaid and is due at the first meeting (September 10, 2008). Child Care cost for January 2009 - May 2009 will be announced in the November and due on January 14, 2009.


      MISCELLANEOUS:
      • There will be a 2 week grace period on all fees due. After that a $5.00 late fee will be charged.
      • There will be 1 trial meeting for moms to determine whether they are interested in joining North Way MOPS.
      • As new moms come on board, their dues will be prorated from their registration date and due at the time each one registers.
      • Due to our expenses, which are based on the total number of moms and children enrolled in the MOPS program, there will be no “pay by meeting” permitted.
      • Registrations are non refundable. Extraordinary circumstances will be reviewed by the steering team.
      • To help expand the MOPS ministry, any mom that is interested in MOPS International Membership may do so without joining North Way MOPS for the $20.00 registration fee.
      • Any mom that determines that MOPS is not the ministry for her, should notify either their Group Facilitator or any member of Steering so modifications can be made to the expected budget.

      FINANCIAL AID/SCHOLARSHIPS: Financial aid and scholarships will be made available to moms that have a financial need. Eligibility will be determined by an application criterion and confidentialy review by our Finance Leader and Mentor Mom. Please see either of these two women if you need assistance.



      DISCUSSION GROUPS

      Discussion groups play an important role in the MOPS scheme of things. For a part of our meeting we will break into discussion groups, which are smaller more intimate groups of 7-8 women. You will be guided by a Discussion Group Leader and you will have the opportunity to get to know the women in your group. Your Discussion Groups should be comfortable, challenging and encouraging for all within the group. We are here to encourage each other as mothers and as friends. If at any time you are not comfortable with your group, please see the Coordinator.

      GUIDELINES: In order to make our discussion groups a safe place, please adhere to the following:
      • Confidentiality: Nothing discussed or shared within your group should be discussed outside of the group
      • Respect: We are not here to “fix”. We are to listen and be supportive of others within our group. Offer advice only when asked. Each of us is free to find our own answers.
      • Limit Sharing: We all should have the opportunity to share during our discussion group time. We must all be considerate of the need for those who want to share and allow them the time to do so.
      • No Graphic Details: We, as a group, must be sensitive to the comfort level of others. Limit details about our lives so as not to infringe on that comfort level.
      • Encourage Sharing: Every woman is encouraged to share, but should not feel uncomfortable if she chooses not to do so.
      • Let God Work!!

      MOPS PRAYER REQUESTS
      “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20

      North Way MOPS recognizes the great power of prayer. As you get to know the women of MOPS and especially the women in your discussion group, it is our hope that you would take advantage of the opportunity for prayer presented at the end of each discussion group at every meeting. Your discussion group facilitator and/or assistant will present an opportunity for prayer over your concerns, and will then pray with you and the rest of your discussion group as the meeting is coming to a close that day.

      If you have an urgent prayer request for yourself or a member of your immediate family in between meeting dates, please call:

      • Amanda Szenyeri at 724-473-1015
      • Diana Wiesser at 724-385-0055
      • Julie McCabe at 724-822-9231
      They will activate the steering prayer chain to pray over your need.



      MOPPETS PROGRAM

      MOPPET ROOMS - Our MOPPETS program is open to all children ages birth through age seven.

      • Carousel Critters: 0-18 months - Nursery Area
      • Bumper Car Buddies: 19- 36 months - Nursery Area
      • Roller Coaster Rascals: 3-5 years - Nursery Area

      Paid child care workers and volunteers will take care of children while moms enjoy the MOPS meeting. All paid nursery workers are Christ-followers with Act 33/34 clearances and approved by North Way Christian Community.

      All rooms will be filled to their capacity based on state child-to-adult ratios and room size. These ratios are as follows:

      • 0 - 12 months: 4 to 1
      • 12 - 24 months: 5 to 1
      • 2 - 3 years: 6 to 1
      • 4 years and up: 10 to 1

      MOPPETS CHECK-IN/CHECK-OUT PROCEDURE
      Moms, please help us keep your child protected while in our care!!

      • MOPPETS check in will occur in your child’s classroom. You will receive a name tag for your child and a duplicate name tag for yourself to wear.
      • You will need to show your name tag in order to pickup up your child at the end of the meeting.
      • For security reasons, North Way asks that moms remain at the door of each nursery. Please refrain from entering the classrooms for any reason. A designated point person will assist you in getting your child situated.
      • Separation is made easiest by simply dropping off and leaving. The crying does not last long and most of the time it is harder on the mother than it is on the child.
      • There is a 10 minute policy on crying. The workers and volunteers will try any means necessary to consol the children within this time frame.
      • Children may be dropped off beginning at 8:45am
      • Pick up must occur immediately at the close of each session. All children must be picked-up by 11:30 AM, NO EXCEPTIONS. A name tag must be presented when picking up your child.

      If you have questions or concerns regarding anything to do with MOPPETS (including the child care providers) please speak to Beth Machine. She can be reached at 724-935-6800 (ext 1245) or bethm@northway.org. Please refrain from discussing any negative issues with the providers or steering.

      • Please label everything that comes with your child!!! If your child has food allergies, please provide a separate snack for him/her and notify the care providers. Snack will be provided except for the infant room. If you would like your child to have a snack, please provide your own and alert the childcare worker. Please let the child care workers/volunteers know if your child does not eat solid foods. Snacks for all, except the carousel critters, usually consist of pretzels, graham crackers and animal crackers. Please let Brandy know if your child as any food allergies we should be aware of.
      • Children are permitted to bring labeled bottles and non-spill sippy cups. Due to health care concerns, children will not be permitted to "carry around" a bottle or sippy cup. Drinks will be given to children when needed and placed back on a shelf until needed again. Please LABEL everything you bring.
      • Diapers will be changed by childcare providers only if necessary! Please leave specific instructions if you prefer otherwise.

      MOPPETS CURRICULUM
      • If your child is in the Carousel Critters (0-18 months), they will interact with other children, listen to music and hear stories. Most importantly, they will be loved, cuddled, rocked, played with and cared for. Please let the workers and volunteers know any specific instructions that you have for your child.
      • If your child is in the Bumper Car Buddies Room (18-36 months), they will have a little more structured schedule. They will have a short circle time where they will sing songs and hear a bible story. They will have a movement time, where they can dance and play instruments to familiar songs. There will be an age appropriate craft each week, coloring pages, and age appropriate games to reinforce the bible stories. They will also enjoy supervised free play time with the other children in the room.
      • If your child is in the Roller Coaster Rascal Room (3-5 years), they will have a structured morning involving a specific theme, lesson, Bible story and applicable Bible verse. They will also have a coloring sheet, craft project, games, and activities that fit the theme every session. The Bible lesson is taught in a large group using stories and songs. The children will break off into smaller groups to work on crafts or other activities designated for the day. They will have snack and movie time, where a short video will be shown for all to watch.

      VOLUNTEERS

      In order to care for our children the best that we can and have as many moms in the group as possible, we need more help in our MOPPETS rooms. All MOPS moms who have a child in the MOPPETS program may be required to serve a one hour shift, 1-2 times in a MOPPET room throughout the year. There will be a sign-up sheet at the first meeting, so that moms can decide which meetings they would prefer to serve at. Our goal is to allow all Moms to stay in the meetings. In order for this to happen we are in need of volunteers. If you know someone that would like to volunteer during the year, please contact Brandy Kiker at 724-591-5552 or kikers@kikerkids.com.


      MOPPETS HEALTH POLICIES

      The following policies have been established to insure the health and well being of all children entrusted to our care. Thank you in advance for your consideration! Children who show these signs of illness, cannot be accepted in the nursery or classroom:

      • RUNNY NOSE - even the clearest!! (please let us know if your child has seasonal allergies)
      • FEVER— Temperature of 100 degrees or greater
      • VOMITING— Within last 24 hours
      • DIARRHEA— Within last 24 hours
      • BAD COUGH— Coughing increases the chance of infection to others

      If a child becomes ill during the MOPS session, the MOPPETS Leader will notify the child's mom immediately.


      MOPPETS DISCIPLINE POLICY

      The following discipline policy will be implemented in alignment with the discipline policy of North Way Christian Community:

      1. A time out will be implemented if a child has had 2 previous warnings.
      2. A time out removes the child from the current activity and requires him to sit quietly for 2 minutes per 1 year of age of the child.
      3. No time out will last more than 10 minutes.
      4. The child will be prayed with prior to his/her return to play group.


      MOPPETS SEPARATION ANXIETY

      Is your little one having a hard time separating during the meeting, or are you? We understand what that is all about. While we are sensitive to separation issues, we also know that this break at MOPS is the only one many moms receive. In order to allow all of our moms the opportunity to make the most of this time of rejuvenation, we ask you to follow these guidelines if your child is having difficulty.

      • We encourage all children to attend MOPPETS. The child care providers have been carefully chosen to lovingly care for your children while you get a bit of a break. Each worker has his/her child clearances by the state and is a faith-filled Christian. Children attending MOPPETS also get a sense of having a consistent care provider other than mommy. The rooms are broken down into different age groups to provide the maximum amount of safety and age appropriate activities for the children. The providers will not allow your child to just cry…they will come and get you if your child needs you!
      • We discourage mobile children in the room with moms. The reason is that our room is not childproofed! There are many coffee cups, pots and many other safety concerns for mobile children.
      • If your child is in the room with you and becomes fussy or upset, please take him/her into the hall until he/she calms down. Once your child has settled down, please join us again.
      • If your child has a difficult time transitioning into MOPPETS, please talk to one of the steering members. We have lots of ideas to help ease this transition for both you and your child, so that you both enjoy your time at MOPS.
      • Most of all, remember; you will have more energy to be a great mom when you feel refreshed. Take advantage of this special time at MOPS for yourself, you deserve it!!