Benefits

Playgroups

The Mansfield Mothers’ Club has approximately 15 active playgroups. Playgroups are formed with children of similar ages to encourage social interaction and provide support to parents with like-aged children. We also have sibling groups, which allow mothers of two or more children to join other mothers of two or more children. Most of the children in the weekly playgroups are between the ages of one month and five years. We are open to expanding our scope to include older children.

Once a playgroup is formed, members determine when and where they will meet. Most often, groups rotate among members’ homes. Each playgroup has a “captain” who helps coordinate a meeting schedule for the group and acts as a liaison to other playgroups, Mansfield Mothers’ Club Staff, and the Mansfield Mothers’ Club Executive Board. (Please remember that established playgroups are only open to Mansfield Mothers’ Club Members.)

Monthly Newsletter

Club membership entitles you to an informative monthly newsletter designed to enrich the lives of Mansfield parents and their children. Each newsletter includes an activity calendar, which invites you to meet other members and their children at outings which are often free. However, some functions may have a nominal fee.

Activity Calendar

Exciting monthly events are planned on our activity calendar. When you sign-up to be part of a playgroup, you are also agreeing to help plan activities for the group on a rotating schedule. Typically there are one to three weekly activities that members and their children may choose to attend. The activity calendar is listed in our monthly newsletter and on Meetup. Many of the activities are at a member’s home or a local venue. Most activities are free, but some may have a small fee.

Past events have included:

• Capron Zoo
• Playground Meetups
• Storytimes at local libraries
• Maplewood fun events
• Wards Berry Farm
• Picnics at Borderland Park
• Swimming at a local pond
• Ice cream meetups
• Halloween party
• Kidz Wurld
• The Children’s Museum of Easton
• Play dates at member’s home (bubble theme, arts & crafts, water play, etc)

Parents’ Night Out and Parents’ Night In

Parents’ Nights are held at least once a month and are the only activities where parents are encouraged to attend without their children. However, if you are nursing, please feel free to bring your little one.

Past events have included:

• Wine Tastings
• Book Club
• Dinners out
• Paint Night
• Movie at Theater/Movie at a member’s house

Family Events

Family events are planned throughout the year and are designed for all members of the family. Please feel free to bring any members of your family who would be interested in attending.

Past events have included:

• Halloween and other seasonal parties
• Dads & Donuts
• S’Mores Night
• Make Your Own Sundaes

Speaker Events

The Mansfield Mothers’ Club sponsors various speaker events throughout the year. Recent topics included healthy habits and preschool information in which area preschool directors spoke exclusively to Mansfield Mothers’ Club members.

Other Newsletter Columns

Our newsletter features many columns of interest. A few of those columns include:

· The “Happy Birthday” column in which member’s children’s birthdays are announced.

· If an expecting mother wishes to share her due date, her name is added to the “Stork Watch” column, which alerts other parents to her potential need for extra support around her time of delivery. When the little bundle of joy arrives, we will help spread the news, sharing a picture and any other details you choose to share with us.

Service Projects

Numerous philanthropic service projects are done throughout the year to help individuals in our community. We focus primarily on charitable activities that benefit families and children. We often design child-to-child philanthropy projects that give parents the opportunity to educate their children on the importance of giving. Often these activities are open to participation by any member of the community.

Sunshine Services

The Mansfield Mothers’ Club provides support as requested to fellow members. The most common support includes providing a week of home cooked meals to new parents and their families and meals and other support to families dealing with serious medical struggles.