Being a stay-at-home mother is not so easy these days.
Economic conditions force many mothers of preschoolers into the
work force and some feel societal pressure to follow careers in the
workplace.
Being a stay-at-home mother is not so easy these days.
Economic conditions force many mothers of preschoolers into the work force and some feel societal pressure to follow careers in the workplace. Those who do stay home with young children can find the result is days of loneliness isolated from other adults.
The idea of a “mom’s group” began in 1998. A few relatively new mothers at a Morgan Hill church found they shared many of the same struggles, joys, and challenges of motherhood, so they decided to reach out to other women in the community who were in the same situation. The result became Mothering by Heart, a ministry to support stay-at-home mothers of young children sponsored by West Hills Community Church but open to any mother of preschool age children in the South County area.
The group meets the second and fourth Mondays each month (from September through May) from 9 to 11:15 a.m. on the West Hills campus, 16695 DeWitt Ave. in Morgan Hill. Although membership has obviously changed over the years as families have moved and children reached school age, the average membership is about 40 mothers per year.
Mothering By Heart is not a “Bible study,” but it provides an opportunity to learn about “womanhood, child-rearing and family relationships based on biblical principles.” Members find “a welcoming place offering a sense of belonging and support based on mentoring, prayer, developing friendships, and a deeper relationship with Christ.”
Most meetings follow a standard format which includes an ice-breaker, refreshments, announcements, acknowledgment of birthdays, guest speakers, and creative activities like crafts. Meanwhile the children are cared for in adjoining classrooms where they participate in a curriculum of bible stories, music, and crafts provided by loving volunteers.
Speakers address the women on a variety of topics relevant to young families. Recent months have included “Quick Cooking,” “Taming Your Tongue,” “Love Languages,” “Child Safety,” and “Teaching Children Respect.”
Creative Activities are fun, simple crafts the women can put to immediate use, things like soft sculpture pumpkins, beaded jewelry, and place holders.
There are also social activities scheduled on a regular basis: twice a year brunches are held to replace regular meetings, evening gatherings are held which allow parents to attend as couples for adult fellowship. And although the group’s monthly meeting are suspended for the summer, activities like trips to the zoo or a museum may be scheduled on an informal basis.
Coordinator Kimberly Wells says Mothering by Heart is “an extension of the love of Christ.” The members seek to support each other in dealing with the problems of family life, offering encouragement and support with illness, unemployment, loss of a loved one,and other stressful situations.
Because Mothering by Heart is subsidized as a ministry of West Hills Community Church, the only cost of participation is a $30 annual fee covering child care and materials. For more information see the church’s Web site at www.westhills.org or call 779-0697.
Chuck Flagg teaches English at Mt. Madonna High School. Write him c/o The Dispatch, P.O. Box 22365, Gilroy, CA 95021.
