Purpose Statement

MOPS Purpose Statement: MOPS International exists to encourage, equip and develop every mother of preschoolers to realize her potential as a woman, mother and leader in the name of Jesus Christ.

Friday, September 12, 2008

12 September - The Classroom


The Classroom



Guest Speaker: Panel consisting of Karen A-D,Sarah B and Kate B
Topic: Mums talk about the experience of choosing a school for your children
Morning Tea Theme: Lunchbox foods
Craft: Sock Puppets

Summary of session:
Kate B (Head of Womens Ministry at MBC) spoke first about her experience of schooling. A few of her main points were to see each of your children as individuals and the school that suits one may not necessarily suit another. Realise also that you become a part of a school community. Sarah B spoke about selecting a primary school for her son based on lots of questions and research (she said to not be afraid to ask questions and speak up if want to know something as its a big decision you are making). She said one main factor in helping her choose a school was to look at her sons interests and skills and try and find a school that also emphasised those areas.
Karen A-D also spoke about the school community and mentioned her school has multi-age classes.


School and Preschool Option in Queensland

PLEASE NOTE THIS SECTION IS STILL BEING WORKED ON - NOT COMPLETE AND OPEN TO INPUT FROM OTHERS THANKS

School starts in Queensland with a (non-compulsory) Prep year for children turning 5 by June 30th.

Preschool options - Prior to this time your options include:

  • Child staying at home with parent
  • Child at home with a paid or unpaid carer (eg home based nanny or family member). There are some nanny agencies such as (ADD SOME HERE). If a family member good idea to have some guidelines/rules in place to increase consistency across carers etc
  • Child Care/Creche/Day Care - this may be either centre based care or family day care in the home of a qualified carer. Centre Based Care - Available 5 days a week (you nominate days you want) and open generally from 6.30am to 6.30 pm. Fees vary. Some families eligible for Government subsidy. Waitlists can be long in some centres and for some age groups. Some centres ask for a booking fee. You will need to enquire at each centre you are interested in. Its a good idea to find a centre close to home or work if possible rather than one out of your way. Ask around for recommendations. Word of mouth is always a good way to find a quality centre but remember what one family wants/needs out of a centre may not be the same as yours. Best idea is to make a short list of centres and physically visit them to get a feel for the place - do the children look happy, do the staff look happy, what does the centre offer, what are the centres hours, policies, fees etc. Ask some current parents about things such as how any problem behaviours are managed or is there a high turnover of staff. Ultimately you are asking - would you be ok about your child being cared for by these workers and in this centre. Family Day Care has the advantages or being one carer with a smaller group of children in a home environment. To find out more about Family Day Care here on the coast see this site or contact xxxx TO BE ADDED.
  • Taking part in a Kindergarten/Pre-Prep program for the year immediately prior to prep - These pre-prep programs are offered via some day care centres and more specifically via centres such as C& K etc. Most C&K Kindergarten/Pre-Prep have either a 2 day or 3 day group OR a rotating 2 day/3 day fortnight. Note that the day is shorter than that available via child care centres. Most C&K programs run from 8.45-2.15 or 9 to 2pm. C & K Pre-Prep only runs during school term. If you are considering C&K, be prepared to put your name on a waitlist at least 12-18mths prior to when you want your child to attend as places are limited (often only 2 groups of around 20-25 children). So this would mean figuring out what year your child will be attending Prep (e.g., Prep in 2012) and then you'll want to enrol your child in C & K for Pre-Prep the year before this (Pre-Prep 2011) so ideally you would then count back 18 mths prior to this year to enrol to increase your chance of a place (enrol by mid-2009) - should you choose this option. Please note that I am by no means wanting to alarm anyone but rather some info/advice/planning ahead that I wish I had known/been given/taken notice of/acted upon.

Preparing your child for school/Readiness for school
See these sites for further info (to be added)

Choosing a School - link to Fact Sheet by Dr John Irvine (to be added)

School Zones - to be added. Does anyone know if you can access a map of school zones or is a matter of contacting the school you are interested in?

The School Enrolment procedure - each school varies. Most have a website or a prospectus (or both) with enrolment forms. In terms of Prep most school advertise their info nights around Oct/November for parents wishing to enrol children for the following year

Private/Independent vs Public/Government

See Education Queensland website for lots of information and practical advice


THIS PART BELOW WAS ADDED AS A FILLER WHILE I FOUND TIME TO ADD THE SPEAKER NOTES - V TEMPTED TO DELETE BUT NOT SURE OF THE ETIQUETTE OF DOING THAT ON A BLOG??

In the meantime here's something to make you laugh.

All this talk about school made me dig out the old albums. This is me (Michele) when I was in Grade 5. I was "9 years 11 mths" according to Mum's writing on the back of the photo. Don't you love the skivvy. Very practical for those cold school days in Victoria I am sure, and I still remember those "Hoppers" overalls. I loved them and thought they were very cool !

And what I wouldn't do to get my natural hair color back again ....



Posting this photo makes me think of a magazine article I read recently where someone wrote a letter to their current adult self from their 10 year old self....that would be an interesting exercise ....another time perhaps ....Amongst other things it would definitely include something along the lines of "Don't dye your hair ...ever ... as you will NEVER be able to return to your natural colour no matter how hard you try or how much you are willing to spend"
Posted by Michele @ The Hills are Alive at 3:20 PM Labels: , ,

2 comments:

  1. KylaSeptember 20, 2008 at 9:45 AM

    Yes, the natural hair colour thing! I wish I had mine back as well!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Michele @ The Hills are AliveOctober 15, 2008 at 10:08 PM

    Did I really post that photo? Too late to take it off now hey...

    ReplyDelete

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Theme Scripture

Psalm 139

1 You have searched me, LORD, and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,”
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.

13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand — when I awake, I am still with you.

19 If only you, God, would slay the wicked! Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!
20 They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name.
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, LORD, and abhor those who are in rebellion against you?
22 I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies.
23 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Annual MOPS Participation Fee

The annual MOPS Participation Fee of $10 assists MOPS Australia in covering the cost of training for Regional Coordinators to help other MOPS groups to develop around Australia. It also allows more MOPS group leaders around Australia to access regional training.

This will go a long way to helping MOPS Australia bring MOPS to more Mums around Australia.

When you register for MOPS each year, you will be handed an Annual Participation Fee form, and we ask that if you are able to pay this $10 participation fee, please do so before the end of April 2011.

The payment options are...
1. Direct Debit to MOPS Australia bank account
2. Credit card
3. Cheque payable to MOPS Australia
4. Cash to MOPS@MBC front desk

Thank you, from the MOPS@MBC team.

How did MOPS begin?

It was a Tuesday morning, at about 9.30. They each had faced spilled cereal, tangled hair, and a few had even been forced to change their outfits due to a last-minute baby throw-up on a shoulder or lap. They had driven, or pushed strollers, to the church and had dropped their little ones off in the creche. They had made it!

And now they sat, knees almost touching, in the circle of children's chairs from the Sunday school room. Hands held hot cups of tea and biscuits in utter freedom because this treat did not have to be shared with a child's sticky fingers. Mouths moved in eager, uninterrupted conversation. Eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. Hearts stirred with understanding. Needs were met.

That morning in 1973, was the first morning of MOPS, or Mothers of Preschoolers. Little was it known that from this small beginning in a church in Colorado, USA, the seeds of the MOPS concept and format had been planted. The needs of the women were met even then, through the opportunity for friendship, creative outlet and spiritual emphasis. MOPS International now charters approximately 2,500 MOPS groups in churches in the United States and 13 other countries throughout the world.

How did MOPS begin in Australia?

How did MOPS begin in Australia?

Nineteen years later and thousands of kilometres away, the same mutual need for sharing was realised by a group of mums with children under school age in Melbourne. After reading about the MOPS concept in the US, leaders introduced the program to the Clayton Church of Christ Fellowship in early 1990 and MOPS was born in Australia. From this small beginning, the seeds for future growth were planted, resulting in the formation of an affiliated body to support the ever-increasing number of Australian groups and the mums they served.

Since its formation in June 2000, MOPS Australia, Inc has grown rapidly and there are currently over 100 groups throughout Australia. In the last year alone, 35 new groups have commenced, with groups starting up regularly throughout different Christian denominations. Groups now meet in every state and territory in Australia, with an estimated ministry to approximately 2500 mums and 3000 children.

How did MOPS begin at MBC?

A Brief History of MOPS at MBC by Karen Askey-Doran (COordinator of MOPS til 2008 and currently Regional Coordinator).

In 1999, the leader of MBC’s women’s ministry caught the vision of MOPS. At that time I was a new Mum with little inclination to help; I was interested but not convicted!

Roughly a year later another meeting was held to generate interest. At this time I had another little baby girl, a 16-month-old toddler and, although I was unaware of it, Post Natal Depression. And once again people were interested but not compelled to lead.

In 2005 Holly, caught the vision of MOPS and began to sow the seeds of interest throughout the young Mums in our church. Robyn Robertson came to our first meeting and inspired us into action…the seeds Holly planted took hold!

People came slowly at first to fill the positions, it seemed there were a lot of blanks for a long time! Holly was going to be our Coordinator and when she filled out the charter she realised that a Mother of Preschoolers should really fill that role…. So she called me! Very graciously, Holly took a side step into a Mentoring role (very appropriate really).

God was moving in our midst, we had been blessed with an inspired team of 15 Mops Leaders and 9 Moppets Leaders, each one having a testimony about how God had lead them to this ministry!

I suspect that God has big plans for our group. I still feel very inadequate sometimes but I do trust God and I want to serve him and to reach out to Mums who are hurting, to support them. I want to encourage, you know, to build up… to make a difference in people’s lives, especially my children’s!

I know I’m not alone… In Romans 8:28 it says “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” He planned for my girls, my twins, my battle with PND. He planned for MOPS - at this time - in our church! The door has literally been flung open!

What happens at a MOPS meeting?

When a mum enters a MOPS meeting, she is greeted by a friendly face and escorted to MOPPETS, where her children enjoy their special part of the MOPS program. In MOPPETS, children from infancy through to school age experience a caring environment while they learn, sing, play and make crafts.

Once her children are settled, the MOPS mum joins a program tailor-made to meet her needs. She can grab something to eat and not have to share it! She can finish a sentence and not have to speak in words of two syllables!

The program typically begins with a brief lesson taught by an older mum who's been through the challenging years of mothering and who can share from her experience and from the truths taught in the Bible. Then the women move into small discussion groups where there are no "wrong answers" and each mum is free to share her joys and struggles with other mums who truly understand her feelings. In these moments, long-lasting friendships are often made on the common ground of finally being understood.

From here, the women participate in a craft or other creative activity. For mums who are often frustrated by the impossibility of completing anything in their unpredictable days, this activity is deeply satisfying. It provides a sense of accomplishment and growth for many mums.

Because mums of preschoolers themselves lead MOPS, the program also offers women a chance to develop their leadership skills and other talents. It takes organisation, creativity, and management skills to run a MOPS program successfully.

By the time they finish the MOPS meeting and pick up their children, the mums feel refreshed and better able to mother. MOPS helps them recognise that mums have needs too! And when they take the time to meet those needs, they find they are more effective in meeting the needs of their families.

Meeting the needs of Mothers of Preschoolers

The MOPS program is dedicated to meeting the needs of mothers of preschoolers. These needs have been identified by Elisa Morgan and Carol Kuykendall in their book, What Every Mum Needs:


The need for Identity: Sometimes I'm not sure who I am

The need for Growth: Sometimes I long to develop who I am

The need for Relationship: Sometimes I long to be understood

The need for Help: Sometimes I need to share the load

The need for Perspective: Sometimes I lose my focus

The need for Hope: Sometimes I wonder if there's more to life


Here's How Some Mums Describe MOPS

"MOPS means that I am able to share the joys and frustrations and insecurities of being a mum. Our meetings provide the opportunity to hear someone else say, "I was up all night," or "They're driving me crazy!"

MOPS mum, Perth

"As a single mum, this is the first group I've felt accepted in for who I am."

MOPS mum, Canberra

'On my first day at MOPS, I knew my life had changed forever! The women made me feel so relaxed. I had a peace I hadn't felt for a long time. They were so caring, pleasant, helpful…the list goes on! I just want to say, "Thank you MOPS!" If it weren't for MOPS, I wouldn't be where I am today.'

MOPS mum, Melbourne

'When I first started MOPS, I was very, very lonely. MOPS gave me a chance to get out of the house which I was grateful for. The talks were very informative. I found out a lot through these talks. My problems seemed to become smaller. When I first started at MOPS, I thought I was a Christian. I wasn't. Through MOPS I can now say, 'I am a Christian.' MOPS to me is not only Mothers of Pre Schoolers, but My Own Private Salvation!'

MOPS mum, Canberra