New MOMS Club meets in Hamlin

The Brockport chapter of the MOMS Club has spun off a sister chapter - MOMS Club of Clarkson, Hamlin and Kendall. The new Chapter President, Tami Mungenast, said they already have 22 members and 14 newcomers attended the first meeting. They welcome moms from Hamlin, Kendall, Clarkson, Holley, and other towns west of Brockport.

The MOMS Club was started in 1983 in California. Today there are 1,500 chapters and more than 75,000 members in seven countries. In the Monroe County area, there are 17 chapters.

Its basic purpose is to support and encourage at-home mothers by providing planned activities, opportunities to talk with other mothers, and a chance to create memorable experiences with their children.

Members are encouraged to attend the once a month chapter meeting and to participate in only as many activities as they feel comfortable. "There's times when mothers are really involved and times when they might only attend the monthly meetings," Mungenast said. When she had a newborn, she said, she wasn't as involved as she is now that her children are 5 and 2.

The type of activities and field trips that generally are part of the club include visits to Strong Museum, the Seneca Park Zoo, and local farm markets. "We try to balance field trips in which there is a charge for admission with free activities such as arts and crafts days, sledding or trips to the local playground," Mungenast said. The group is conscious that a lot of at-home Moms are watching their pennies closely.

Meetings are held the second Thursday of every month from 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in Hamlin (for exact meeting location, call 234-MOMS). Meetings consist of two parts, a discussion or guest speaker followed by snack and social hour. In February, the guest will be a local attorney who will speak on the subject of estate planning, wills, and guardianship for children. In March, there will be a round table parenting discussion where members can share experiences, ideas, and offer one another advice. April is slated for an Easter Egg hunt.

While it is a support group designed specifically for at-home mothers, the group also accepts fathers and even grandparents who are caregivers. Children are always welcome at the chapter meetings. There is a children's room with a paid babysitter but children can also stay with their mothers if they prefer.

The club also offers adult activities. These include couples night out, Dad's night out, and Mom's night out. Mom's night out is generally a night to unwind and relax for Mom and might include an evening at the hair dresser, or a visit to a massage center. Couples night might be a Euchre tournament. There are family picnics, sledding days and an annual weekend camping trip for the whole family to enjoy as well.

One feature that is particularly appealing to some is the babysitting co-op. Members can sign up to be part of this trade agreement based on a point system.

The group also gets involved in at least one community service project every year. Last year, during the Brockport Sidewalk Festival, the Brockport chapter collected over 1,000 non-perishable food items and donated them to the local food shelf. The Clark/Hamlin group hasn't decided on their project for 2004 yet.

For information and the next meeting location call 234-MOMS. Annual membership dues are $20 but interested Moms can attend the first meeting free of charge. For information about the organization log on to www.momsclub.org.