Parenting

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I am thrilled about what we have planned today. I mean, I think two meetings is plenty of time to get to know each other and it’s time to get deep. Are you in?

We have two guest speakers to talk to us about Parenting. Lauren Collins RN, BSN is from Moms On Call, and, mamas, when she told me what was on her heart, I got goose bumps. I cannot wait to hear what she has for us today. I’m pretty sure God was speaking to her and she was listening.

Next up is Susan Goodroe, M.Ed. with the Ferst Foundation, a childhood literacy program in Georgia, now known as Ferst Readers. And if you aren’t familiar with Ferst Readers, it’s a program that sends every child up to the age of 5 a free book each month. Wow! Where do I sign up? Well, Susan is going to tell us.

So, mamas, will I see you this morning? I sure hope you’ll be there with hearts open.

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Don’t think we’ve forgotten about our monthly shoutouts! If you’ve got a birthday or anniversary this month – Live It Up!

October Birthdays:

Katee Smith

Ashley Kraft

Roxie Magro

Vanessa Erikson

Jenn MacKinnon

Michelle Parsons

Lauren Conway

October Anniversaries:

Chloe Choi

Ashley Kraft

Elizabeth Girdon

Tanya Roberts

Margo Skaletski

Moms’ Night Out with Mentors

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Mamas, it has been since July that we hosted a Moms’ Night Out, so we are so happy to share that First Baptist Church of Newnan has planned one for us!

Join us on October 11th from 7-9 pm for Coffee and Cookies at The Warehouse | First Baptist Church Newnan. Our Moms’ Nights Out are best when First Baptist Church of Newnan hosts, so you don’t want to miss! Not only will it be a time for us to mingle with each other, but a chance to meet mentors – moms who have gone before us – who want to serve us in this season.

No matter if you are in the middle of a storm or stepping out into sunshine, we want you to join us. Your story matters to us and the mom next to you; we need you to open up and share your story and your heart, just as it feels today!

We’ve been asked to register for this event (by October 4th), so our gracious hosts can properly prepare. So click here to register now!!

*Please note, childcare is not provided for this event.

You Asked, We Listened

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Mamas show up to MOPS for a variety of reasons, but they stick around because friendships are formed, and fast. How do we manage to connect with other moms so fast?

When you come through our doors this week, look around and truly see how different we all are – some moms are put together and others barely made it out the door dressed with maybe spit-up all over them. But look deeper! Look into their eyes, and you’ll see that each of these moms, regardless of their outer appearance, have their own stories, some with current struggles and some with new victories.

Each year, we survey for feedback. We want to build an environment that you crave! …you asked for more time to mingle, and you’re gonna get it. But it doesn’t stop there! We’re committed to relationship building activities that will help us build friendships as a whole and within our small groups. That’s right, you don’t have to be a small fish in a big pond.

This week, you can expect to meet your small group for the year, and it’s going to be so much fun! The walls will come in around you, and the overwhelming feeling will instantly change as you have fun naming your group, and even laugh or cry over our topic for the week… Loving The Life You Didn’t Choose. As Melanie Dale, the hilarious and brilliant author (Women are Scary and It’s Not Fair) and *speaker, comes to us (sorry, but only in video format this week) to share Five Daily Practices that help her love her very unexpected life.

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We are also ready to kick-off our first fundraiser, and there are two aspects you need to consider.

First, will you consider volunteering for our Fundraising Committee? Before you say, no way!, let me be clear about something… all members will participate in MOPS Fundraisers, but we need a committee to manage the fundraisers. It might be encouraging to know that a lot of brainstorming has already taken place and several small and a few significant fundraisers are practically ready to go, so there won’t be a ton of work to do. Did I mention, we already have 2-3 members who have graciously volunteered to participate in this committee, and have hit the ground running? So thank you! And second, begin thinking about your first or second level connections who might be business owners in the area. We have a great opportunity for our local business owners to partner with us, and we want YOU to connect us.

Membership and MOPS Kids Update :: We are excited to share that our Caregiver roster has grown. We’re equipped to handle all your children, safely. And we have room for growth!! So, if you know a mom or two who were worried about being put on a wait list, tell them to just come… this week… because now is the time for them to get REGISTERED. Here’s the form!

Also, please remember to be considerate of the MOPS Kids program, caregivers and leaders! Childcare is NOT available until 9:15 am. If you arrive early, please take advantage of a few extra minutes in the car before beginning the journey to drop-off -OR- feel free to utilize the playground on the back-side of the parking lot – directly across the street from the Preschool Entrance on Madison Street.

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Don’t think we’ve forgotten about our monthly shoutouts! If you’ve got a birthday or anniversary this month – Live It Up!

September Birthdays:

Heather Walker

Caitlin Chambers

Jacqueline Warren

Kaitlin Wren

September Anniversaries:

Kelly Presnal

Andrea Reese

Priscilla Coffey

Vanessa Erikson

 

*Listen into Melanie’s podcast for some great tips on how to Lighten Up.

Don’t Miss Our First Meeting

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Tomorrow morning, we will wake up excited to get ready and haul all of our kids out of bed because WE. GET. TO. BE. TOGETHER. TOMORROW! …and coffee! Because tomorrow is our first meeting.

That’s right, you’ll pull up to 53 Madison Street where you’ll be greeted by other mamas who know exactly why you’ve got spit-up on your shirt and your kids are still in their pjs. You won’t be judged or feel judged.

You’ll check those kids into their classrooms faster than you’ve ever dropped them off with grandma because you know our MOPS Caregivers have been background checked and prepped on our safety guidelines.

The personal escort who helped you get those kids checked in doesn’t walk away yet, but they take you all the way to your “classroom” where the party begins!

Two entire hours for yourself, but not by yourself. You’ll have food and coffee that you don’t have to share, but if we catch you sharing your favorite bites with the mom next to you, it’s okay. Old habits die hard! Just say, “isn’t this the best bite ever?” She’ll get it. We’ll get it.

Conversation. Adult conversation that comes with laughs and relief. Relief that it wasn’t nearly as hard as you thought it would be to come meet new friends who are walking through the same season of life as you. New friends who understand. Who just get it.

And then… you’ll wish you could come everyday, so you’ll count down until the next meeting because you. have. been. hooked!

That’s MOPS of Newnan, and we can’t wait for you to come see us and feel all these feels!

A few reminders…

We meet at First Baptist Church Newnan, but come to the preschool entrance at 53 Madison Street, Newnan, GA 30263.

We start at 9:30, but MOPS Kids drop-off opens at 9:15, so be on-time and get your extra 15 minutes, since we end at 11:30 and must promptly pick up our youngin’s so our Caregivers can also get home to their families.

Street Parking is available all over downtown Newnan and surrounding First Baptist Church, but their is also a parking lot across the street from the preschool entrance and  a gravel lot past the building on the left.

Oh, and if you haven’t pre-registered. You might want to STOP! and take care of that right now. Otherwise, it might feel like that early morning in the doctor’s office when they hand you a clipboard full of paperwork, but you have the kids tugging at your clothes and calling you by name 1000x. Avoid that feeling and use this link.

Oh No! Back To School!

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If you’re in my shoes, this isn’t the year for back to school, it’s the year of starting school, but more mamas are in back to school mode than are in my situation, so let’s just talk about this season in general. It’s a mix of emotions for parents and kids alike!

First of all, don’t cry. At least not in front of your little one who’s just starting school. Surely the first few weeks will be different and a roller coaster of emotions for both of you. Excited. Nervous. Maybe even terrified. But if you hold it together, they are more likely to hold it together. You will survive!

As a veteran MOPS, of course, I want to say join our tribe, and we’ll help you get through it because we will. But you’re probably reading this hoping for some back to school tips, so I’m going to highlight seven (7 tips, that is) from the Macroni Kid, but let you jump on over there for the full scoop.

  1. Have your little one practice making friends. Hello! Another great reason to join our MOPS tribe. Especially, if your kids are younger than pre-k. You spend a couple days a month with us while you both practice making friends, trusting a teacher and so on and so on!

  2. Make sure your child can manage alone in the bathroom. Oh my! I need to listen to this advice because I am a control free.k when it comes to how my kid dresses for public appearances. At home, pshhhhh!, we’re in recycled play clothes because #farmlife, but in public, I want him GQ every day. (Am I allowed to say GQ and kid in the same sentance?)

  3. Get them excited about the bus. Ok. Ok. I, of all moms, know this doesn’t apply to everyone. Did you hear me reference “farm life” earlier? We’re driving to Newnan from Luthersville – so there is no bus stop for us. But if you’re considering your bus options, this is probably a good tip.

  4. Practice the morning routine. Oh yes! I’m all about the practice. Let’s be honest, it’s more about me than him, anyway. I’m the one who needs the practice because I’ve definitely used these SAHM years as an excuse to sleep. “Sleep when the baby sleeps!” has morphed into the “baby” (pre-k toddler) being my alarm.

  5. Print out a list of what to pack for lunch and post it inside your pantry. Sounds smart to me. Noted! But wait. Does that mean there are lunchbox restrictions? How do I know what to put on the list and if it needs to be different than what he’s been eating at home?

  6. Lay out clothes the night before. Ah! Smart one. I really like this one because I’ve had those mornings when the sleep isn’t even out of my eye, and I’m staring through it at the closet like I’ve never had to do this before. Que coffee… on a timer!

  7. Establish a “landing place” for backpacks, lunchboxes and school papers. I’m sure I’ll appreciate this, if I can clear enough space to designate for it. I mean, mama, if you’re house is still worthy of a magazine shoot, will you come over and help another mama out? I’m living in chaos, but at least we’ve got love!!

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All right, now that we’re all armed with some quality tips from a qualified writer, thanks Holly Christy, what are we gonna do to get ourselves through the school year? If I had to send my boy off to pre-k without the support of my tribe, I’d be a disaster. Instead, I’ll be scheduling a lot of coffee dates or walks in the park – ya know, to help me get rid of my mom figure, now that I’ll have a few hours a day to focus on me, and I’m actually looking forward to it.

I’m talking to you, if you don’t have friends with kids in this same season of life (preschool – newborn through kindergarten). You may be armed with friends, but you won’t build your mom tribe, until you arm yourself with mother’s who are living this same season with you. Leaky boob milk on your shirt, a kid with backwards shorts or an inside out shirt, or that might even be you, if we’re being honest. So, stop trying to do it by yourself. Come meet us!

Today, we’ll be at First Avenue Park giving out popsicles and answering all your questions. Come see us and grab some free swag from Monkey Joe’s Newnan, if you can swing on-time-ish. We’d love to meet you and make room for you at our table this year!

Popsicles In The Park

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You Are Invited

What? Popsicles in the Park because August is SO HOT! And we want to meet you and your littles. This is our kick-off event for the 2018-2019 MOPS season. If you want to know more about who we are and why we want you to join our tribe, stop by the park tomorrow morning. We’ll have popsicles and water for you and the kids to keep cool. Got questions for us? Your MOPS Leaders will be wearing red and easy to find.

Who? M.O.P.S. (Mothers of Preschoolers. In other words, you qualify, if you have a kiddo age zero to kindergarten.)

When? Friday, August 31st at 10:30 am

Where? First Avenue Park (24 1st Avenue, Newnan, GA 30263)

Will you join us? R.S.V.P. here.

Don’t miss our friends from Monkey Joe’s who will be there early to shower you with gifts.

Invest in Yourself

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Are you looking for authentic, true relationships, based on who you are to connect to you and your family? What are you doing to seek out those relationships? You will or you won’t find them. Both statements are true, but you get to decide which truth you want.

As women, we have many people we are connected. Think about it. What relationships do you have? Who are you connected with?

  • Parents
  • Siblings
  • Spouse
  • Children
  • Extended Family
  • In-Laws
  • Friends
  • MOPS [Moms, Leadership Team, Church Leaders]
  • God
  • Self [woman, mother, leader]

What is connecting you to these relationships?

  • Parents – Life long bond? Memories?
  • Siblings – Holidays? Phone Conversations? Sharing photos?
  • Spouse – Date nights? Children? Family dinner?
  • Children – Their need for you? Their friends?
  • Extended Family – Christmas cards? Pop-In Visits?
  • In-Laws – A babysitter? Advice giver?
  • Friends – Emotional support? Coffee? Girls’ night or weekend away?
  • MOPS
    • Moms – Pray for moms. Those at your table, in your group and the moms in your community.
    • Leadership Team – How do you communicate on a regular basis? Email? Phone calls? Facebook? Face to Face meetings?
    • Church leaders – How do you connect with them?
  • God – We often get too busy connecting with everyone above that we forget to plug into God. Spend time in His word, fellowship with like-minded people, worship, church and volunteering your time.
  • Self – Do you know who you are?

When we get too caught up in the busyness of the world, we lose connection with one another and ourselves. ~Jack Kornfield

Today, stop. Invest in yourself by answering these questions, choosing your truth, and making a decision about an avenue towards the relationships you desire! Consider MOPS of Newnan as one of your avenues because we are committed to cultivating relationships that will carry you through parenting and beyond.

Here at MOPS of Newnan, pre-registration has it’s perks! As we count down the days to our first meeting (17 days away), we are preparing gifts and food, scheduling qualified and background checked caregivers for your kid(s) and so much more. Help us prepare for you and your littles by pre-registering today. Your experience will be much greater because you did.

Pre-Registration is OPEN here, click now, but don’t worry, you get two FREE visits before your membership fee is due. Have more questions before you pre-register? Email us today, and as you go through your day, remember… better moms make a better world!