This group experience is designed to encourage, equip and develop mothers of school-age children. MOMSnext is a ministry arm of MOPS International (Mothers of Preschoolers) extending their mission statement to reach more mothers and their families for Christ. Our group provides relevant community and hot topics for mothers of school-age children while developing leaders and sharing our faith with moms who attend.
Meetings: In our monthly meetings, we will jump right into current, relevant topics and use discussions to share ideas and learn from each other. In small and large groups, we tackle core issues that encompass us as moms and we apply how our faith can help guide us through them. We also seek to do God's will by helping others and leading by example as we meet together for service work in our community.
There are countless topics to discuss when our children hit school. Our group will vote on the topics we'll be discussing so we reach our member's true needs. Some topics may include... New Year's Plan: Spiritual, Practical, Personal and Charitable
Bullies
Family faith building
Media trends for children
Building Character traits
Social networking and safety precautions
Body changes for adolescents
Raising accountable kids
Teaching children about money
Accepting differences: ADHD, Austim, Tourette Syndrome, etc.
How to work with your child's teacher
Safety on the internet
Reconnecting with your husband
Impact of religious education on kids and family
Manners
Activities for the summer
Volunteering with your family
Family dinners
Right ways to navigate kids in the school program
Family exercise
Women's health issues
My relationship with my mother
Prioritizing our lives/schedules
In touch with our values and beliefs
Energy gainers and drainers
Living with integrity...do we have it?
Favorite prayers, verses, blessings, saints
IDing your skills & qualities for workplace reentry
Lifestyle evangelism
Chores, allowance and savings
Service: One of our goals as a group is to do community service work both with our kids and without. We are always looking for projects are looking forward to completing more next year. In Spring of 2010, we completed the following service projects: 1. Collected bottles and cans for Fr. Kelly's pledge to build a laundry facility at an orphanage in Tecate, Mexico. 2. Attended National Trails Day in Carlsbad in June for a nature walk and trail clean up. 3. Served at the North County Food Bank in San Marcos through Volunteer San Diego. 4. Some of us are volunteering for St. Elizabeth Seton's Vacation Bible School (June 28-2)
Book Club:If our group is up for it, one aspect of our meetings will be to discuss a book of choice. Some books to consider for book club include: - Raising Great Kids by Cloud and Townsend
- The Five Love Languages of Children by Champan & Campbell
- Boundaries with Kids by Cloud and Townsend
- Breathe, Creating Space for God in a Hectic Life by Keri Wyatt Kent
- Slow Down to the Speed of Life by Carlson & Bailey
- The New Dare to Discipline by Dr. James Dobson
- Preparing for Adolescence by Dr. James Dobson
- Molder of Dreams DVD with Guy Doud by Focus on the Family
- new suggestions welcome!
| 
