Mops?

[Nazsmum]

Pleae tell me about MOPS. Like/Don't. Is it worth the time?

What do they do? Bible Study? Children? Will I have to leave my 1yr?

What I would like to find is a bible study so is this for me?
Thanks.

[lyterae]

I only attended MOPS a few times when dd was little, you are expected/basically required to leave your child in thier "nursery" setting. At the time it was very upsetting for dd and I didn't like leaving her with people I didn't know. :/

[goldfinches]

If you're looking for a Bible study that you can keep your child with you, MOPS probably isn't for you. It's more of a "mommy's morning out", with a Bible study or more often, a special speaker, a craft, snacks, etc.

I've seen a couple of moms bring their children in with them, but all they did was sit on their blanket on the floor with toys. Or sleep, or sit on someone's lap. But, there's nothing on the mom time for children, they have special crafts and teaching time in their classrooms.

[hrsmom]

At my old church it was a mix of church members and "non church" moms from the community. They didn't do Bible study, and kids (other than tiny babes) go in with the "mopettes". As a newbie my guess is they wouldn't force you to leave your 1 y.o. with the kids, but they might, and they would expect it if you were a regular. If you're ok with that, you might like it for the fellowship anyway! The moms who go seem to like it!

[lilyka]

My one and only experiance with mops was awful

Each group is different so be sure you find out what your specific group does.

It was very mainstream and shallow. a bunch of upper middle class moms (it was clear I was way below their income level) eating snacks and doing crafts and talking about the general stuff you find in free parenting magazines. nothing of substance and nothing life changing. It was highly stuctured so not even a lot of time to socialize. it was expensive. $120 a year (which at the time was insane for me but I got a scholarship so everyone) to cover child care and craft supplies and it seemed like we still had to help in nursery every now and then. i do not believe children were welcome. at all. Now I don't mind dropping baby in the nursery for a couple of hours of child free bliss. but I like the freedom to choose, especially for infants. and if I am paying for it I want my two hours of childfree bliss. I do not want to be helping in the nursery.

however I know there are free ones and ones that are way more relaxed with kids and not as structured.

[Nazsmum]

Thanks for the advice. MOPS don't sound like it is for me.

I keep going back to an idea that I had to start a Bible study. Maybe one day.