It is not unusual for mothers to feel uncomfortable and
overwhelmed in their role. They can feel isolated because there is
no extended family near them, or trapped because of their
children’s schedules, or lonely because they miss the camaraderie
of their former workplaces.
It is not unusual for mothers to feel uncomfortable and overwhelmed in their role. They can feel isolated because there is no extended family near them, or trapped because of their children’s schedules, or lonely because they miss the camaraderie of their former workplaces.
Perhaps these mothers feel insignificant because society seems to minimize their role or intimidated because of all the “expert advice” on parenting in books, magazines, and on television shows.
Recognizing this problem, the Morgan Hill Bible Church (15055 Monterey Highway) recently began offering a mentoring program tailored to meet the needs of mothers. Mom to Mom is especially designed for women in all stages of parenting who want support in raising their children of any age to have character, integrity, and joy. According to Michelle Montoya, who leads the team for Morgan Hill Bible Church’s Mom to Mom program, “It is designed to foster friendships with mothers in every stage and situation and encourage mutual support.”
Formal sessions began on Sept. 17. They will continue on each first and third Wednesday from 9:15 to 11:30 a.m. There is no charge to participate, but a helpful book and CD are available for $10 (which can be provided free on request). A concurrent free children’s program for infants through five years old is provided, and room is available for home school children to do their school work.
n Each session starts with viewing a short video focused on the day’s topic. Examples include these common issues: “Wonder Woman versus Woman of Worth,” “How to be a mother and person too,” “Fences and flexibility: How to set limits with love.”
– A 30-minute social time follows, allowing the women to make connections and establish friendships with each other.
– Small groups then gather around “mentor moms,” older women who have experienced the joys and challenges of raising children, to share what they have experienced during the week, discuss the day’s topic and what they have learned, and encourage each other.
– Finally, the participants return to the larger group to reflect on what they have learned at the class and have experienced during the past week.
There are no homework assignments to complete, and each session is self-sufficient, meaning that participants won’t find themselves falling behind if they miss a session.
Alternate weeks (second and fourth Wednesdays) are set aside for mothers of children not yet attending school. During this time, called Kids Connection, planned events and filed trips are scheduled to strengthen the relationships developing among participants. Among the activities planned are a fire station tour, story time, and park days.
Montoya invites mothers with children of any age to take advantage of this opportunity to make new friends and receive support in parenting. Since the topics are relevant to any family, she feels women with no religious affiliation would find participation helpful.
Mom to Mom was founded by Linda Schultz Anderson in 1991. She was a teacher and reading specialist by profession (bachelor’s degree in literature, Wheaton College; master’s degree in education, University of Texas at San Antonio). Anderson responded to the request of three young mothers who felt “lonely and isolated in ‘mom-jobs’ and yearned for interaction with other mothers struggling with the same issues.
After establishing Mom to Mom at Grace Chapel in Lexington, Massachusetts, Anderson served as its teaching leader for 12 years. Since then it has spread to churches across the country.
More information about the national program is available on the internet at www.momtomom.org; for questions about the Morgan Hill Bible Church program call 778-5083 or visit www.mhbible.org/momtomom.asp, or e-mail Michelle at mh**@*****le.org with “mom to mom” in the subject line.
