Mothers & More Reaches Out to Local Moms

“Being a mom is like belonging to a club you didn’t know about until you became a mom yourself,” said Jen Houck of Paramus. The mother of two young sons, Houck is also a member of Mothers & More/Bergen, an organization dedicated to providing moms with friendship, support and networking and to recognizing that they are more than their roles as mothers. 

“When I moved to Paramus from out-of-state, Mothers & More was a lifesaver for me,” said Houck, who joined the group in 2007. “It’s is a great way to connect with other women, other families, and the world, and it's helped my husband and my children connect, too.”

Recognizing that only another mother can fully understand the ups and downs of mothering, members share parenting tips, find playgroups for their children and get involved in community activities. They also realize that being a mother can sometimes overshadow other parts of a woman’s identity and help women connect to their entire selves.

Houck, who holds a degree in political science and history, once worked as a training consultant for the Vanguard Group and later earned a teaching degree. She now works from home as a part-time ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher and hopes to one day return to work as a full-time teacher. “It’s something I really wanted to do,” she said. For now though, her focus is on her family, which includes her husband Bill and their boys, William, 6, and 4-year-old Denny.

A non-profit organization with 100 chapters across the country, Mothers & More was founded in 1987 by an Illinois woman who struggled with the transition from full-time employment to stay-at-home mothering and sought other mothers for friendship and to relieve isolation. Still a support and social network, Mothers & More has evolved into a group that also includes outreach, advocacy and activism on behalf of mothers.

“A mother is more than any single role she plays at any given point in her lifetime,” says the organization's website. “She is entitled to fully explore and develop her identity as she chooses: as a woman, a citizen, a parent or an employee.” 

The Bergen chapter is one of 17 in New Jersey and has nearly 70 members. It is also one of the oldest chapters in the national organization. “We’re celebrating our 20^th anniversary next year,” said Estelle Sobel Erasmus, a professional writer and chairperson of the chapter’s advocacy committee.

Mothers & More/Bergen meets the third Wednesday of every month, 7:30 p.m. at the , 100  W. Ridgwood Ave. Membership is open to mothers of any age with children of any age. The group welcomes women who are full-time mothers and those who hold jobs, full or part-time, outside the home.

At the April 20 meeting, the discussion topic will be: "Simple Secrets to Get Your Kids Eating Good Food,” inspired by Jessica Seinfeld's book, Deceptively Delicious.

The chapter is also participating in a national Mother’s Day clothing and accessory drive for Dress for Success, a worldwide organization that promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a mission compatible with that of Mothers & More.  

The drive is collecting business casual items, particularly suits (sizes 14-24 only), as well as any size pants, shoes, blouses and sweaters and business appropriate accessories including jewelry, handbags, hosiery, cosmetics and perfumes. Store gift cards are welcome and will be used to purchase blouses, shoes, hosiery or other interview supplies.

Prospective members are welcome to attend the April 20 meeting where they may also drop off donations to the clothing drive.

For more information: www.mothersandmore.org/chapters/BergenCounty