What is MOPs?
MOPS stands for Mothers of Preschoolers.
We know that we mother better together, so ALL moms are welcome at MOPS.
From the time you begin your motherhood journey (whatever that looks like for you - pregnancy/adoption/surrogacy/fostering)...to when your kiddo is in Kindergarten, our doors are open. We welcome women from all faith or non-faith backgrounds and beliefs. The vision of MOPS is to see no mom alone - because better moms make a better world!
What is MOMSNEXT?
MOMSNEXT is all about...what happens after the baby/toddler years are over! You are now sending your kids to school, helping them navigate complex social situations, running them to extracurriculars, helping with homework and you're figuring out how to raise and support these "big kids" as they take off in their world! Moms need support and community through these years as well. MOMSNEXT brings you relevant content to your life stage and allows you to connect with other moms of elementary-age kids (grade 1 - grade 6).
So How Does It Work?
Our program combines MOPS and MOMSNEXT into one group that meets weekly. We believe that we support each other best as a group of different ages-and-stages moms bringing different experiences and perspectives to the table.
At MOPS & MOMSNEXT River West, our vision is to provide an enjoyable, faith-based community where moms feel encouraged and supported in their mothering journey.
We build each other up. Talk together. Laugh together. Learn together. Cry together. Face challenges together. We are together on this motherhood journey.
What Should I Expect?
A MOPS & MOMSNEXT meeting includes information and converstion facilitated by guest speakers, demonstrations and videos. On the last Tuesday of every month, we get together for an activity night. This past year, we met virtually via Zoom, but we will meet in-person this season.
Some of our (virtual) activities last year included: Zoom popcorn chat nights, Paint night, Escape room, Murder-mystery evening, Jeopardy, Yoga class, Guided craft night (supplies provided), Personalized gift packages delivered to members.
Some of our guest-speaker topics included: Womens Health Series, Developing Healthy Eating Habits, Mom Hacks, Organizational Class, Getting to Know Our Moms Series (we heard from some truly incredible moms in our group), MOPS DVDs.
Need a little mom connection? A little adult conversation? A moment to sit still? We do too. We're here for you. Oh! And guess what? We're ALL moms, too. So we totally get that you'll be running in the door at the last minute after getting the kids to bed. Chances are, we will be too! All you have to do is arrive, find a spot and have a seat. Conversation and laughter happens organically and with zero-pressure at MOPS (it usually starts along the lines of, "Hi! I'm _____ and I made it out of the house tonight!!")
Our hope is that you will find encouragement, support, relevant teaching, and opportunities to develop relationships with other women who are in your same season of life.
When Do We Meet?
Tuesday evenings from 7:30pm-9:30pm
(September 13, 2022 - May 30, 2023)
Where Do We Meet?
Our meetings are at River West Christian Church. 19815 45th Ave NW Edmonton.
Phone: 780-487-2275
Email: office@riverwestchurch.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1003244356399162
Please feel free to reach out to say "hi" or to connect with us via any of the links above
Why Is There A Fee?
Why do we charge a fee when many other groups in the community are free?
Glad you asked! We are affiliated with MOPs International (MOPS.org) and suscribe to their awesome program content for the whole year. Your fees go towards bringing you relevant content, funding activities, purchasing program supplies throughout the year and overhead costs.
Our fee is $180/year (or $20/month for 9 months).
Fees are payable as a lump sum at the beginning of the season on September 13, 2022 or in a divided sum (Sept and Jan).
If you pay your annual fee on or before September 1, you're automtically entered to win a Starbucks gift card!
If you are new to MOPS/MOMSNEXT, you are welcome to trial one evening for free!
If our fee is prohibitive for you, please still reach out to us. No mom left behind!!
What Covid-19 Precautions Are In Place?
We want to assure you that we take the health of our moms, babies and families incredibly seriously and have implemented multiple precautions for the safety and well-being of all attendees:
1) We will have hand sanitizer at the entrance of our meeting room. Please use it prior to entering, and as needed throughout the meeting.
2) Masks are not required for attendance, but you are welcome to wear a mask and/or distance if you wish. (If you are unvaccinated, you may wish to consider wearing a mask to help us protect the vulnerable newborns/young babies present).
3) You are welcome to bring your own snack/beverage to MOPS & MOMSNEXT. We often provide snacks, which will be served in a Covid-cautious way.
4) We are not able to provide childcare at our evening meeting and we ask that you leave your older babies/children at home. Newborns and babies who are not yet mobile are more than welcome to attend if needed.
Above all else, please do not attend if you are feeling unwell in any way. You may not attend if (within the past 14 days): you have/had cold/flu-like symptoms, have been unwell in any way, someone in your home is isolating, or you have had unprotected* exposure to someone with Covid-19 (see Alberta Isolation & Quaratine Requirements webpage for more inormation, depending on your vaccination status).
*unprotected exposure is defined as exposure without medical-grade PPE
River West Church MOPS & MOMSNEXT Program:
It’s a place to journey through motherhood together.
It’s the community we didn’t know would be so important until we became mothers.
It's here for you.
Join us for our 2022-2023 season!
