Care.com recently announced a partnership with Mothers of Preschoolers. Better known as "MOPS," this is a worldwide organization for mothers from all backgrounds "who share a similar desire to be the very best moms they can be." Started in the early 1970s by a small group of friends, MOPS has since grown to include over 4,000 groups in the US and has a presence in 29 other countries. Each MOPS group is made of local moms who meet regularly to support each other, participate in community service programs, learn from each other, and develop life-long relationships.

We interviewed Shelly Radic, the Directory of Ministry Life for MOPS, so she could share more about this great organization with the Care.com community.

MOPS is about to celebrate its 36th anniversary after starting out as a single group of eight women—how has it grown so quickly?  
"MOPS provides community to moms at a time when they want to form new relationships and explore new ideas surrounding the amazing new life stage of mothering young children. The MOPS experience is so impactful to moms that they invite friends and start new groups so other moms can share this experience. Moms sharing MOPS with other moms is the primary way MOPS has grown."
 
What does an organization like MOPS provide that gives mothers of preschoolers something they can't find anywhere else?  
"MOPS provides an open, caring community to support a mom with what she needs to be a better mom in the early years of mothering as she lays the foundations for her family. Also, [it gives] the opportunity to learn and grow as a woman, mother, and leader. Moms often focus on the needs of their children, but MOPS provides a place where they can have their needs met."

Could you please share a couple thoughts on the positive effects of women joining together and forming the bonds as they do within a MOPS setting?  
"We receive so many great stories. Many moms find us through referrals from friends, but some find MOPS online at www.MOPS.org.

Here’s what one mom said, 'One day as I was pulling my hair out with a two-year-old and very pregnant with number two, someone on an online message board said to try MOPS.org. I put in my ZIP code, found a group two miles from my house, sent them an e-mail, went to the next meeting, and got connected with this great group of moms.'  

[We heard] another recent story from an alumni, sharing how even eight years after she graduated from MOPS, those women are still her closest friends and support system.

MOPS moms also find opportunities to serve together—making blankets for shelters or creating shoeboxes filled with gifts for disadvantaged children all over the world."

MOPS has gone international—where does it go next? What about parents of elementary-aged kids?  
"Due to high volume of requests from graduating MOPS moms, we are working on groups for moms with elementary-aged children and plan to launch that later this year. Moms want to continue participating in a MOPS-type of community even after they graduate.

Where else will we go? Where MOPS has always gone—to the next generation of young moms. We are constantly researching and thinking and planning about how to provide the MOPS experience to each new generation of moms."

How can someone get involved with a MOPS group? Do they have to attend a church with a group?  
"MOPS is for every mom, regardless of her religious affiliation or "mom status"—working, at home, working at home, single, married, teen, late life…honestly, there are so many types of moms the list could go on and on.

MOPS is for every mom that wants to be a better moms who make a better world.

How can dads help out with MOPS? Or a caregiver such as a babysitter or nanny?  
"Dads, caregivers, friends, grandparents can help out with MOPS by encouraging moms to get involved in a local group. As you well know, moms need excellent caregivers if they want to attend groups like MOPS, so they can also consider volunteering to care for children during group meetings."

If you're interested in joining MOPS, you can visit their website and use the ZIP code locator to find a local group. Shelly also mentioned that moms are welcome to join even if there isn't a nearby group or if they can't attend meetings because of their schedules.

Are you in a MOPS group? If you're a mother, what does the support of close friends and other moms mean to you? Leave us a comment and let us know!

Over the course of the past year at Care.com, and at the BlogHer conference I attended in July, I've had the fortune of meeting some of the most amazing "mom-trepreneurs." These women and their partners are making parenting issues and advice (and charities important to women and families) very Web2.0 through their blogs and web-based businesses. The media has sometimes trivialized this wave of "mommy blogs", but, to me especially, it makes perfect, logical sense that smart, web-savvy women would want to create online spaces where parents can share the advice normally given to family, friends, and coworkers with the rest of the world through the technological tools now available.

In the spirit of sharing, here are some of my favorite advice and product review mommy blogs:

Mamanista
Online since: 2007
Founders: Debbie and Candace

The Skinny:
Mamanista is a great product-review-driven blog for fashion-forward moms who don't have a lot of time to shop around for baby products, gear, and toys. Mamanista's writers review the latest products in their daily blog, and the founders work with retailers to provide regular, exclusive promotions like "deals of the day" and contests. Candace, one of the two founders, says, "[Our] tagline is 'fabulously chic, irresistibly practical' because we bring mothers the latest on the hippest products for baby and the best deals. Debbie and I both believe that you shouldn't have to spend a fortune to be fabulous." Guide-style posts Care.com parents might find useful include "Best Baby Board Books" (great for stocking up for bedtime and the sitter) and "Tips for Traveling with Babies and Kids" (just in time for the holidays!)

Connecting Moms
Online since: May 2006
Founders: Shell Luba, Anthony Samadani, Tanya Alvarez

The Skinny:
Connecting Moms is a blog-slash-social network aimed at helping moms share learned experience for every stage of motherhood, from expectant moms to those "who've been there, done that!" Connecting Moms recently launched the Million Moms Picture Page, a charity event hoping to connect a million moms worldwide around efforts to raise five million dollars for women- and family-related causes. According to founder and former AOL techie Shell Luba, supporters include May May Ali (daughter of boxer Muhammed Ali), TV personality Leeza Gibbons, and model-slash-tsunami survivor Petra Nemcova. If you still haven't found that perfect gift, consider submitting a photo of your friend or loved one with your donation (minimum of $5) to this wonderful fundraiser. Charities include The March of Dimes, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, The Smile Train, Autism Speaks, and many more. When the Million Moms Picture Page $5M goal is reached, their globe logo will be covered by donor-submitted photos!

Working Moms Against Guilt (WMAG)
Online since: November 2006
Founders: Susan, Cara, Sara, and Tela

The Skinny:
The name says it all. This "coalition" of working mothers includes former co-workers and collaborators Susan, Cara, Sara, and Tela who formed WMAG to help other moms "stay strong and fight back against all that guilt" that society puts on us women (and we put on ourselves).

"The four of us were all fairly young/new moms with children ranging from newborn to age 4," said Susan Jackson, one of the four founders. "We all worked together in a high-stress, long-hours agency business, and we were all writers. After constantly trading tips, stories, and emails about all things relating to working motherhood (including plenty of guilt), we decided to open our conversation up to other working moms like us."

Although Cara and Sara have since left the agency where the group of writers first met, the WMAG's still keep in touch through the blog and regular get-togethers. In just one year, the group has attracted thousands of readers, commenters, and new friends through Working Moms Against Guilt.

Classy Mommy
Online since: 2003
Founder: Colleen Padilla

The Skinny:
Classy Mommy is a great product-review blog founded by Colleen Padilla. Colleen regularly creates Video Reviews, traditional blog posts, and maintains a fabulous Product Finder--making it quick and simple to find what you need online, and make a difference while doing it. Colleen's mission with Classy Mommy is to help parents redirect some of their consumer spending towards important charities with Classy Mommy Causes.

"When readers shop through our partners, Classy Mommy donates 100% of the affiliate marketing revenue we earn to charity," Colleen said. "Our shopping can make a difference—even when we feel we don't have the money to make a donation."

Colleen and her husband just welcomed their second child, a son, two weeks ago! Follow their story (and trials and tribulations with new products for baby) at www.classymommy.com.

Crazy Hip Blog Mamas
Online since: 2003
Founders: "The Turtle Mama" and CJ Field

The Skinny:
Crazy Hip Blog Mamas is not only a blog but an online destination for hundreds of mom bloggers to aggregate their thoughts on various topics. CHBM hosts weekly "events": themes for each of the seven days of the week dictate the topics of posts submitted by blogger members. CHBM topics include Recipe Rally, Member of the Week, Kids Corner or Teenage Tips, Photos, member-written articles, and more. The site is pretty straightforward to navigate, and with over 1,000 members submitting content, there's lots of advice and helpful tips to choose from!

Cheers,

Sheila

Rest, relaxation, and reading (other than for work) are important parts of any balanced life. If you have a hard time carving out "you time," try joining or creating a book club with other moms to put the pressure on (and to create a kid-friendly outlet for socializing.)

Or if you just need someone to point you in the right direction, check out these recently published bestsellers and popular reading lists for inspiration:

Oprah's Book Club

New York Times Best Sellers List

Literary Mama Blog & e-Zine

Being an interesting person for yourself, your family, your coworkers, and your friends means staying informed and inspired by reading regularly and watching quality programming. Plus, it's a fun and stress-relieving way to unwind!

Have a favorite book or film to recommend for the Care.com Book Cafe? Share it with the community by posting a comment!

Cheers,
Sheila

Fall is the perfect time for family gatherings and getaways...and for capturing that perfect holiday card photo! So, with that in mind, here are the Care.com editors picks for best memory-making activities the whole family can enjoy together:

Apple Picking & Hayrides

Nothing feels more like fall than a trip to a local farm for apple picking and hayrides, and the promise of apple pies and other culinary comforts back at home upon your return. Find an orchard or pick-your-own farm near you and make a day out of it! If you're lucky and do your homework, you may even be able to pick your own pumpkin to carve, hop on a hayride, or watch cider presses in action. Just remember to wear comfortable shoes and clothing—it's always more rugged and active than you remember!

Fall Crafts & Baking

Kids love to help out in the kitchen, and the return home after an apple picking adventure is the best time for baking pies, carving pumpkins and toasting seeds, and dipping apples in caramel. When you're done, there's nothing better than reaping the rewards of your labor together with a family games or movie night in front of the fire, noshing on your freshly-baked goodies!

For more creative inspiration, check out these favorite resources:

Family Fun Magazine: Festive Fall Crafts

Kaboose.com: Fall for the family

Harvest Festivals, Fairs, and Oktoberfests

Autumn is the harvest season, the time to reap Mother Nature's last bounty before winter (and the time for hibernation from the cold) begins. Celebrate the history and culture this season has spawned by taking your kids to a local outdoor harvest festival, agricultural fair, or Oktoberfest event. Your whole family will love learning about and engaging in the traditions—everything from livestock and Biggest Pumpkin contests to German foods and dress. Hurry, though—these outdoor events generally wind down about a week before Halloween!

Halloween Parties & Costumes

When it comes to planning the perfect party while putting the E in easy, there are really only two places to turn: Martha Stewart and Family Fun. Here are some shortcut links to the popular magazines' special issues online:

Martha Stewart Holiday: Halloween Special Issue

Family Fun: Halloween Fright Site

Have a favorite fall tradition, recipe, or craft you enjoy with your family? Share it with the Care.com community by posting a comment!

Cheers,
Sheila

In the past few years, the internet has exploded with new web sites and blogs targeting moms (and dads, too.) Working moms and dads, stay-at-home moms and dads (SAHMs and SAHDs), single, divorced, writer and executive parents—for any label you might identify with, there's a corresponding deluge of URLs now vying for your attention. So, I decided to help try and cut through the clutter by reviewing some of the best, and will soon will be launching a Mommy Blog + Parenting Web Sites Directory on Care.com.

Here's a handful to get you started:

Maya's Mom

Online since: October 2006
Founder: Ann Crady, CEO
The skinny:
One of the original niche social network-family advice hybrid sites, Maya's Mom allows parents to connect, journal, and share based on a selected group (public, private, or hand-picked "friends.") Ann leveraged her past experience as an executive at Yahoo! to launch Maya's Mom as an original Silicon Valley startup, and it is still considered one of the very first established "mommy blogs." Big brands took notice: Maya's Mom was recently acquired by Johnson & Johnson-owned Babycenter.com.

Work It, Mom!

Online since: Spring 2007
Founded by: Nataly Kogan, CEO and Victoria Grace, President
The skinny:
Launched by former venture capital junkies turned working moms, Work It, Mom! is a hybrid parenting advice and social networking site for moms looking to find that ideal work/life balance. A fair amount of the content is member-written, making it both relevant and community-oriented (plus a great way to get published!)

Mommy Track'd

Online since: Mother's Day, 2006
Founded by: Amy Keroes, CEO and Dawn Dobras, COO
The skinny:
Calling itself the "working mother's guide to managed chaos," Mommy Track'd is a fun and stylish site offering parenting articles, product picks, and more reviews for the professional mommy-nista set. Tongue-in-cheek features like the "Three Martini Complaint Department" sum it up best: funny, chic, and playful.

Mom Corps

Online since: 2005
Founded by: Allison O'Kelly, CEO
The skinny:
Serving as " an innovative, highly-selective, professional staffing solution," Mom Corps helps thousands of moms stay in and return to the workforce while managing their family and personal life. Online and offline events, like the Mom Corps Coffee Club, help moms find the professional and parenting resources they need to be successful.

Role Mommy

Online since: 2005
Founder: Beth Feldman and Yvette Corporo
The skinny:
Capitalizing on sarcastic humor and real-life experiences (versus expert advice, Role Mommy serves as just that: role models for the modern mom. Founders Beth and Yvette come from the fast-paced and entertaining world of broadcasting, and their professional experience lends a unique voice to this content-driven site. Check out their recently published book, Peeing in Peace: Tales and Tips for Type A
Moms.

Check back next month for more recommended sites and blogs to help you navigate the internet parenting world. Stay tuned in to my newsletter and blog for more info!

Cheers,
Sheila