What does it mean to Belong?<\/p>\n
We are those chosen to raise the next generation of the world. Moms from every corner of the world, moms with every imaginable back-story, moms making every mothering choices. Together, we are the ones raising the world.<\/p>\n
Together. That\u2019s the key word.<\/p>\n
Because we know that when we mother together, we mother better.<\/p>\n
Those little bundles of joy were placed in our arms with the unspoken charge to do whatever it takes to guide and lead and love them into the best version of life possible. They have lots of needs (especially at first). They could have any myriad of medical, mental, emotional, physical plights. Their personalities and interests could run the gamut. And yet, the expectation is the same \u2013 to help and love them into the best version of life possible.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s why we need each other. Sometimes we need to an ear to hear about how hard it is. Sometimes it\u2019s the insight of someone who\u2019s gone the path before us. Maybe it\u2019s an extroverted friend to discuss our extrovert being raised by introverts. Or it\u2019s the encouragement for a mom who grew up as an only child that siblings just fight sometimes, and that\u2019s normal. It\u2019s the mom who has been through IEPs before, and can give experienced advice when there\u2019s a big decision to make. Or maybe we just need someone to look us in the eye and say, you\u2019re a good mom.<\/p>\n
Whatever the reason, that\u2019s why we mother together here at MOPS.<\/p>\n
Moms from every country, background or mothering choice are welcome here. Let me say that again: Moms, you are welcome here.<\/p>\n
And not only that, you belong.<\/p>\n
This is a community of women who understand when you feed your kids chicken nuggets for 7 meals in a row, and when you want to gush and gush and gush (and gush) over how cute your kids are, and when you have one of those stretches where you aren\u2019t sure you like your offspring, and understand your love-hate relationship with the theme songs from the shows your kids like to watch.<\/p>\n
You belong here.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s why MOPS membership exists. Because we want a way to say we\u2019re in it together. We like to say that MOPS membership is a way to participate in a movement that is helping women around the world become leaders in their community, to feel more equipped as moms and to bring us all together to support one another.<\/p>\n
We get that being a mom is beautiful and hard, and we get that sometimes you just need a safe place to breathe, a place to get some encouragement that what you do matters. We\u2019ll provide that space, along with some resources and fun goodies that remind you that you are important, and that we are all in this together.<\/p>\n
(PSSSSSST! I\u2019ll get to the specifics of the goodies we\u2019ll send you below!) This year, we\u2019re talk about the courage to Be you, Bravely. We believe deeply that every person has something unique and powerful to offer the world. And we want to encourage each other in this pursuit. This video explains it best. (And PS, those shirts are available for purchase at mopshop.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n