Does anyone go to MOPS or a playgroup? DS needs interaction with other kids, and I was wondering if the MOPS groups are worth going to.

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~~Amanda~~
Mommy to one Little Man (3 1/2 yrs old), FINALLY expecting #2!!! (due around Memorial Day 2009) *adoption has been put on hold*

This is my third full year going to MOPS (I am a discussion group leader) and I really enjoy the meetings. Our group meets in the evenings however so there is no MOPPETS group at our church - just childcare for Moms who don't have other arrangements for their children. So I really can't say what the kids activities are like. But from a Mom perspective it's totally worth it! I know there are a few other MOPS Moms on this board so maybe someone else can give you a little bit more information about MOPPETS.

I was also a member of a playgroup that got started through MOPS. There were 4 moms total and 4 children (in the beginning) within about a 4 month age range. We met for about 3 years (beginning when our children were just infants) and it was wonderful! We have pretty much disbanded now because of our size (we were up to 9 children with one more on the way) and moved to more one on one playdates, but having that playgroup filled a distinct need in my life at the time.

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Stephanie
Mom to: Caleb (8/03), Ian (9/05), & Baby Boy #3 (EDD 11-9-2008)

I wasn't in MOPS but I was in MOMS Club for 6 years. I was in 2 different playgroups with my kids. One playgroup met for about 2 years and we all became very close before the other moms moved away. My other playgroup at that point we all had more than one kid and we didn't meet as regularly but ironically I'm still really good friends with all of them and my kids think of those kids as their 'best friends', now that the older ones are in elementary school.

Playgroups and organized social activities are benenficial not just for the kids. It gives the moms a chance to socialize, vent and kind of see where other kids are developmentally.

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Ordinary riches can be stolen; real riches cannot. In your soul are infinitely precious things that cannot be taken from you. ~Oscar Wilde

I was in a MOMS club which wasn't the right fit for me or my family. However, now I am in Mothers and More. Not only do my kiddos get a playgroup but they have lots of meetings/stuff at night for me. I love it.

I was a member of both MOMs Club and MOPS. MOMs Club is not religiously oriented. MOPS is. Both are good and both are support systems for YOU - the mom. Having a playgroup for the kids (or even a babysitting exchange) is just a side bonus.

We also belong to an informal playgroup through our church.

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"I've been rich and I've been poor but independently wealthy is where it is at."

I've been in MOPS for six years. It was really great for me because I moved to a new area just a couple of weeks before my son was born and I didn't know anyone. It gave me a chance to get to know some other moms and I've made some great friends. It was also wonderful for my son. It is typically two meeting per month in the morning from about 9-11:30am, but groups meet all different times. You can always look online at MOPS International - Mothers of Preschoolers and put in your zip code and it lists all the MOPS groups in your area.