Stay-at-home mothers bond for support

For all the mothers in Harrisburg new to the area or for those just deciding to stay home fulltime during the youngest years of their children's lives, fear not. A wealth of support is available.

The Harrisburg MOMS Club is a local support group that understands the special needs of a stay-at-home mother and her children.

The international organization was conceived in 1983 when a stay-at-home mother in California decided she was tired of being alone at home. She wanted to meet other stay-at-home mothers, and she wanted to find other stay-at-home children for her children to play with.

Discovering there were no other organizations meeting during the day for moms and preschool children, she started the MOMS Club.

Today, there are over 2,000 chapters including the Harrisburg chapter. The current president is 36-year-old Tracey Fiedorowicz, mother of five children.

"I was referred to the MOMS Club by my sister when I moved to Harrisburg three years ago, and this year was asked to be the president," said Fiedorowicz.

The club is wonderful for those that have no family support, want to meet new friends and get referrals for local services and businesses. The group requires $24 membership fee. All communication between meetings is handled through a Yahoo.com group.

Each Friday morning at 10 a.m., a meeting is held at the Rocky River Presbyterian Church located at 7940 Rocky River Road in Concord.

The first Friday of the month is a MOMS "news hour" meeting where all upcoming events are announced, followed by a time of socializing and free play for the children.

The second and fourth Fridays include craft and music time with instruments and songs for both the children and the moms.

"I moved here about three-and-a-half years ago with a 2-and-a-half-year-old boy, Anderson, and a 5-month-old little girl, Jordan," said Michelle Hitchcock of Harrisburg. I didn't know anyone or anything about North Carolina except that it was NASCAR country and my husband's job was here. It was a scary and lonely world."

As she ventured out and met a few people, she discovered most were members of the MOMS Club and eventually joined the group.

"It was the best thing I have done since I moved here," she said. "I have met the most wonderful and caring people. I have built a network of friends like I had never imagined. They all made me feel so welcome and really helped with my transition to life here."

The club also participates in at least two service projects each year as a requirement, but, according to Fiedorowicz, they go above and beyond the requirements doing as much as they can for the local community.

Last year, the group collected over 100 books to donate to the Harrisburg Library and provided gifts during the holidays for a local family in need.

Club offerings go far beyond the weekly Friday meetings with many different options for participation. A monthly calendar is posted with individual play groups scheduled at homes.

Each member who offers to host a play group can specify the size, the time and the focus of the group. Most weeks there are at least four-to-five groups to choose from.

There is a monthly mom-only night out as well as a book club for the moms and one for the children. Throughout the year the group holds special field trips.