5.17.2011

MOPS Summer Meeting dates

Here are the summer meeting dates:
June 2nd
June 16th
July 7th
July 21st
We meet at Riverside park at 11:30 a.m. Bring a lunch! Riverside park in on Kemp ave by the Elks club.

W.O.W. Panel

At the May 5th meeting we had a Wiser Older Women Panel. Four women with children who were grown came to share some wisdom with us. Here are some of their answers to the following questions:
1. Can you describe one thing that you think you did well related to the holidays when you had little children? What is one thing you might have done differently?
-Going to see family and decorating the tree together.
-Give less gifts and do more for others (like the giving tree).
2. Can you describe one or two traditions that you had in your household with little kids that you look back and are happy about?
-Dinner together every night.
-Sunday - family day - go to church together and then do something fun
-Early morning devotional before school
-Traditions should be passed down. Go our of your comfort zone to find traditions.
3. What are your best tips for keeping your cool when your children are losing theirs?
-With age comes wisdom and patience. Figure out why they are upset.
-Be silly to diffuse small issues.
-Stay calm and let them figure it out on their own, but discuss it afterwards.
-Count to 10, come back together after and get down to their level to talk about it
4. How did you settle disagreements between your children? How did you avoid destructive sibling rivalry, competition and comparison?
-When children are fighting, have them say something nice about the other child.
-Never compare them to each other, let them be their own little selves.
-Have them sit on their hands in the car when they were getting into it.
-Let them work it out and compliment good problem solving.
5. What are some effective ways to maintain stability for children when families are separated either due to job circumstance or divorce?
-Maintain amicability.
-Keep kids out of it!
-Stay in touch with each other with technology available.
-Remember that God is with you always. Kids will sense the tension, so it's important to stay vigilant about how they are doing.
6. If you had it to do all over again, what is the one thing that you are most proud of doing as a mom? What would you change?
-Accepting Christ and raising children in a Christ centered home is a source of pride.
-One wouldn't yell as much when the kids were younger.
-Proud of raising good, service-orientated adults.
-It's hard to turn them over to God when they need to leave the nest. Never stop praying for them.
7. Were you able to pursue passions and interest outside the home? And if so, how did you find the balance between giving your family the time and attention they needed while still fulfilling your outside commitments?
-All agreed they didn't do enough activities for themselves.
-Leaving children is good for them. It gives them social skills and also security when you come back.
-After leaving you come back better, refreshed.
8. What does a healthy relationship with God as a mom of preschoolers look like and what are some practical, daily tips for making it happen?
-Quality of time is important. Set up a time or two every day to get into the word and pray.
-Live daily as a reflection of Jesus' love.
-bible study groups
-Children are your gift from God. Pray always every day. Ask God to help you show love to the world every day.
9. What did you do on a day to day basis to nurture your marriage or relationship in the midst of the circus of small children?
-God calls us to him first, our husbands second and all other relationships third. After the children go to bed is a great time to talk and connect.
-Be creative and create an atmosphere for intimacy.
10. How important is it to have peer relationships as parents? What are some practical tips for maintaining these relationships?
-Find friends within your church where your families can bond.
-Camping and canoeing with friends over the summer.
-Have game nights with kids and adults
11. How do you find relationships with other people with small children and how do you nurture those connections?
-Don't wait around, go to them! Knock on a door or invite a family over.
-Many families feel the same way.
-A good book to read:
Authentic Relationships
Wayne Jacobsen and Clay Jacobsen

5.05.2011

Mom's Night Out

The last Mom's Night Out will be held on Tuesday, May 10th, 7:00, Perkins for dessert and coffee. Come, chat and have a treat!

5.02.2011

Steering Meeting Minutes for 4/28/11

Members Present: Jen Olson, Dorothy Bassingthwaite, Angela Syhre, Malissa Van Vleet, Emily Shepherd, Jennifer Olson, Christy Lickei, Sarah Dahl
I. We opened with a devotional based on scripture Esther 4:13-16.
II. Upcoming Meeting
-May 5th - Wow Panel - sit in d-groups
-May 19th - Last Meeting - end of year surveys, introduce next year's theme, game-maybe Jeopardy?, Christy will bring short craft that if not finished, can be put in a bag to take home
-Summer Meeting dates will be the same as other summers: every MOPS Thursday in June and July at Riverside park.
III. Worker appreciation brunch May 12th at 10:00 (note time change) - table leaders will contact moms about what to bring. We discussed playing some game for fun. No one has volunteered to share, so Angela might ask people she thinks would have something to contribute.
IV. Mom's Night Out in May - We decided to have a dessert/coffee night at a restaurant. Malissa was going to check with Past Times to see if we could have it there. If not we will decide on another location. May 10th at 7:00 was decided.
V. Position Reports
A. Hospitality - Jennifer Olson will be stepping down. The position is likely filled.
B. Finance - Malissa will be stepping down. This position is open. Prepay for next year's international dues is available at 21.95 - 2.00 off.
C. D-Group - Emily will continue next year.
D. Creative Activities - Christy will be stepping down. The position is open. Christy will be bringing the craft bins with supplies from previous crafts, for people to look through.
E. Publicity - Bridget is stepping down. This position is open.
F. MOPPETS - Angela will continue next year. We can start thinking ahead of workers for next year.
G. Mentors -
H. Coordinator - Jen will continue next year.
Next Steering meeting will be May 24th at 9:30.