Hartland Moms Group Relies on Spiritual Foundation

Gathered at a cafeteria table, cheerfully decorated in a St. Patrick’s Day theme, a small group of moms prayed.

“Reach out to the lonely mom at the playground,” said Carol Caswell, urging members to include others. “Take the time to know people.”

Such a devotion is routine for Mothers of Preschoolers, more commonly referred to as MOPS, a Christian-based mom’s group open to all women with children under the age of 5. The Hartland-based group — which has about 30 members from moms who attend Hartland schools — meets bimonthly at the . Organizers say the group is always open to new members who are looking for a little spiritual guidance along the way in their journey of motherhood.

“That’s the difference between the playgroups and the some of the other moms groups,” said Stephanie Darish, one of the groups' coordinators, who lives in the Fenton area. “We really feed your spirit.”

Reaching out

Citing an incident from years earlier, Caswell, a Hartland resident, explained how seeing one of her neighbors, who was all alone, watching her young children play in their backyard, prompted Caswell to invite the young mom to attend one of their meetings. Although Caswell was surprised when the young mother actually accepted, she was delighted in having trusted her instincts and in helping out another woman through a period in her life which can sometimes be challenging and isolating.

Caswell, who has five children who range in age from 32 to 15 years old is the groups mentor mom. Since one of the qualifications for joining MOPS is having children in the pre-Kindergarten age range, Caswell’s role in the group is slightly different.

“It’s taken from a Bible lesson,” Caswell said referring to the lesson of Elizabeth. “The older women teach the younger women to love their husbands and children and that is what the mentor mom is based on.”

Adds Darish: “Everybody needs to find their Elizabeth. Someone you can look up to and join her on her journey. But at the same time you may be someone else’s Elizabeth.”

Every faith is encouraged to join the group, but Darish warns that a potential member must be prepared for the religious feel of their group.

"We do a lot of prayer," Darish said. "We ask for experience and friendship."

A typical MOPS meeting begins with the devotion and prayer session and then includes a variety of different speakers, service projects or children’s crafts ideas. Child care is also offered during every meeting and moms are encouraged to drop their kids off and soak in the social interactions of the group.

“The mothers can have a chance to be with other mothers,” said Helen Oliver, a longtime caregiver at the Our Savior location. Oliver says that the two-hour child playtime, which takes place in one of the school’s cheerfully painted rooms done by Caswell, is a nice break for the young ones.

Big day for group

And like many moms group, members will be holding to support its activities. MOPS' sale is from 8:3o-11 a.m. Saturday at the school gym at the church, 13667 Highland Rd. Early bird admission (8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.) is $2 and regular admission is $1. Proceeds pay for the child care.

The sale will include tables filled with gently-used clothing, toys and baby equipment. Family activities have also been arranged which will include fun and kid-friendly science experiments performed by preschool and kindergarten teachers from the Our Savior Lutheran school.

All types of support

Not all area mom's groups, however, have the same religious foundation. Some are more play-group based and according to Darish, finding a group that fits with your expectations and desires is important. 

According to several members, however, the break from their usual "mommy" routine and the promise of adult conversation is the biggest draw for joining these groups. They focus on supporting each other in an emotional and practical way, as well. 

"We just started having casserole showers for our new moms," Darish said, explaining their new tradition of delivering pre-made dinners for the members who recently had new babies.

Group member Laura Campbell has received about 20 dishes from her MOPS group after having her son a month ago.

“Now we hit the point where we’re using them,” Campbell said. “It’s kind of nice ‘cause we’re hitting week four and I still haven’t had to cook.”

The next meeting for the Hartland MOPS will be from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesday. For more information, feel free to email the group at MopsOurSaviorHartland@gmail.com.