MOPS gives moms a break

A mothers’ job seems to never end, especially when parenting children at the preschool age.

Sometimes mothers, regardless of whether they have one child or many, just need a break to unwind from the stresses of motherhood.

A local church hosts an international outreach program for mothers called MOPS http://www.mops.org/ — or Mothers of Preschoolers – which meets on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Calvary Chapel on Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway.

“MOPS stresses no mom alone,” said local coordinator Shilo Birnie.

Mothers who attend have the opportunity to share their life experiences and receive parent training.

At the meetings, mothers engage in fellowship with one another. Activities sometimes include crafting, guest speakers and eating together. Occasionally, the group gets together for an outside event.

Although MOPS is a Christian program, it is not required that participants attend church.

“You don’t have to attend church but it seems to be the common denominator,” Birnie said of the 13 local members.

The MOPS organization has recently extended its outreach overseas to India, Colombia and the Middle East.

For more information, call Birnie at 805-367-6581.