I often write about motherhood, because that is the season of my life right now. As a stay-at-home mom (SAHM), my days are mostly consumed with taking care of my son and keeping him occupied. About four months into my motherhood journey, I found a wonderful organization called MOMS Club. As a new mother, I was feeling extra lonely and needed a group of mom friends with kids my son’s age.

One evening, I was looking at posts from a local mom’s group on Facebook, and I saw that someone had mentioned a group called MOMS Club. I immediately went to their website, but I didn’t live in that specific zip code. I then looked up the international organization and saw that there was, in fact, a MOMS Club in my city.

I was overjoyed. “This is for me,” I thought. As I looked at the website, I found myself crying. I could tell that I needed something to help fill the void inside of me. And, maybe MOMS Club would be it. Right then, I filled out the “contact us” form through their website. To my surprise, a mom got back with me that very evening. She sounded so welcoming and helpful, giving me more information about the club and encouraged me to come to one of their events if I was still interested.

My first event was a play date at one of the mom’s houses. There was a big turnout, and I got to know several other moms and their children. Everyone was so welcoming and friendly.  I signed up to join the club shortly after the event, and it was one of the best things I could do for myself and my son as a mother.

My once mostly blank calendar was now filled with fun events for moms and their children. I got to know the other moms and their kids and made some strong friendships through the club. I joined a playgroup, which met weekly at members’ homes or local parks. While at playgroup or a MOMS Club event, the moms were always willing to lend out a baby wipe or a snack if you didn’t bring enough or even to watch your child for a minute while you went to the restroom.

It was a village of moms and I had finally found them. When I had first joined the MOMS Club my son was a small baby who could not yet sit up by himself. Most of the time, I held him at the events. Now, he’s all toddler, running all around parks and other mom’s houses while I chase after him.

I’m not sure where I would be as a SAHM without MOMS Club. It has brought so many positive additions to my motherhood journey by giving me and my son friendships and something to do during the day. The club allows us both to get out of the house and socialize with our friends while enjoying kid-friendly activities and some mom-centered ones too such as book club.

I often attend a storytime at the library and a music class with my son weekly, but I prefer to attend MOMS club events because I’ll always know a familiar face and it just feels like home. Other types of MOMS club events we attend are playgroups, monthly meetings, park days, field trips, socials, lunches, community service projects, holiday parties and more.

I love the fact that I can bring my son to all of the daytime events, and we also have a mom’s night out (MNO) event each month. At MNO, I can leave him at home with my husband and enjoy some kid-free adult conversation. There are leadership opportunities through the club and we also have a yearly event the whole family can attend.

We have a Facebook group for our MOMS Club, and often a mom will post something like, “We’re going to the park this afternoon if anyone wants to join.” I have always felt welcome at any MOMS club event I’ve been to and I’ve never regretted attending one. (Even if my son was getting into everything he shouldn’t and I had to spend the whole event chasing after him!)

MOMS Club is a support system for SAHMs and it has helped me tremendously. I’m so thankful I joined this amazing group of moms. It truly has been a lifesaver for me.

MOMS Club is an international nonprofit organization providing daytime support for at-home mothers. For more information, or to find a MOMS club near you, visit https://momsclub.org/.