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Health & Fitness

MOMS Club® forming for West County stay-at-home mothers

West County MOMS Club forming

Making the decision to become a stay-at-home mom is very often isolating – it can be tough for new mothers to find friends that are also at home during the day with their children. Sara Simpson, 32, of Fenton, is launching a new chapter of the International MOMS Club® for West County stay-at-home moms like her that want to socialize and be able to bring their children out of the house during the day. Moms in Chesterfield, Wildwood, Eureka, Ballwin, Manchester, Valley Park and Fenton are all welcome to join this new group for play dates.

How did you get started at this?

I became a stay-at-home mom when my son J.C. (now 13 months) was born and even though I grew up in St. Louis, none of my friends stay home with their kids. I wanted to join the International MOMS Club chapter in St. Louis City, but was told I would have to start my own group because I wasn’t within their boundaries. So now I’m doing just that!

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What is the MOMS Club?

It’s an organization that’s been around for years and already has chapters in St. Louis city, Kirkwood, St. Charles and Lake St. Louis. There is also a new chapter forming for Central St. Louis County. We will meet once a month to welcome new moms and put out a calendar of playdates each month that all of our chapter members can attend. Dues are only $20 a year and we will have a ton of activities each month.

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What are the age parameters?

A mom with any age children can join, but most of the members so far have children under 5 years old.

How do you communicate to each other?

Once someone joins the group, they will have access to a Facebook page where I post all of the events and members can communicate and ask questions about West County, their kids, anything they want. Only dues-paying moms will be allowed to access the page eventually, but right now while we’re starting out, any mom can join our Facebook group to check out our events.

Is everyone a stay-at-home mom?

No, some moms work part time, some are teachers who will be off in the summer. I want to include as many moms as possible, so I’m asking all of the moms to give suggestions for events they would like to host every month. The working moms can attend our monthly MOMS Night Out and anything else they would like to get on our calendar.

What are some of the planned activities?

For May, we plan to do a lot of outdoors activities at West County parks. We will also take trips this spring and summer to the Zoo, Grants Farm, the Butterfly House, Purina Farms. Some of the members have pools so we will likely have some swimming play dates. We want most of the activities to be free so all moms can come.

How can a stay-at-home mom find you?

Stlwestcomoms.webs.com is our chapter Web site. Also, moms should email me at stlwestcomoms@gmail.com.

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