by Jess Sanders
Some (rare) days, I feel like I have mastered motherhood. The day is flowing smoothly, the lists are being conquered, and when I lay my head down to sleep, I have a feeling of peace - joyfully exhausted. Most days, however, feel more like giving a cat a bath: full of hissing, flailing, at least one person walking away with scratches, and of course, a ton of regret. On those days, laying my head down at night gives me less peace and more questions: Am I cut out for this motherhood thing? Why is this so hard? Do I really have to do it all again tomorrow?
Two of the most comforting gifts the Lord has given to me in this season of mothering young children are: sisters in Christ (who point me back to the refreshing truth of the gospel when those hard days leave me feeling dry), and moms of adult children (who vividly remember this stage of life). These “mentor moms” show me God’s grace through their compassion and wisdom, and remind me that He will bless the days and multiply the efforts that I have committed to serving Him and these little disciples.
All Moms is a brand-new ministry that merges a community of moms in the trenches of raising young children, and mentorship from experienced women who desire to see younger moms grow in their Christian faith and skills as parents. All Moms is for, you guessed it, All Moms: stepmoms, adoptive moms, working moms, stay-at-home moms, single moms, foster moms, and moms of all backgrounds.
Twice a month we will gather in the evenings, hear a guest speaker share prepared insights on a topic related to mothering small children, and share in a small group setting our personal reflections and thoughts on the topic. Due to the nature of COVID-19 and needing to plan space, materials, etc., we are requiring registration ahead of time. There is no homework, no reading requirements and no judgement when you roll in with the same messy bun from two days ago and some kind of dried food permanently adhered to your yoga pants. Come, connect, and be refreshed!
Here are some questions you may be wondering:
1) Is this just for church people?
No! The only requirement to come is that you have a child from conception to (and including) kindergarten! That is the only required affiliation we all share.
2) When you say “moms of young children”, what age are you talking about?
If you are pregnant (congratulations!) or have a child from birth to kindergarten, you are in! While we’re not giving a specific age number, if you wonder if you fit the bill, reach out and ask!
3) Will there be on-site childcare? What should I do if I have a small baby who needs me to eat?
There is no formal, on-site childcare (currently). Our hope is that this will not be the circumstance for too long, but we are moving forward following the childcare precautions being taken by Hebron Church. We are meeting in the evenings in hopes that you can come alone. If you are a nursing mama, please come and bring your child! If you have specific needs in regards to childcare, we are prepared to help get you to All Moms! (Just shoot me a text!)
4) How much does it cost? Are there scholarships available?
The recommended cost is $10 for the semester. This will provide your materials and resources given by our speakers, help cover the cost of snacks, and also provide materials for our social crafting events. Do not let the cost keep you from registering; we have scholarships available and want you to come!
