Her childless friends got impatient with her, she said, when a dirty diaper or sick baby made her late for get-togethers. Both groups offer a range of activities, such as educational speakers, playgroups, service projects, holiday parties and newsletters. They also provide the practical advice and moral support to help each other through the tough times. Despite their firm conviction that staying home is the right thing, women in both groups say they're careful not to tear down working mothers. They just can't have it all at the same time,'' said James, the MOMS Club founder.
Fathers also stay home with their children, of course, though in much smaller numbers than moms.
By the way, stay-home fathers can join MOMS Clubs by membership vote, but local clubs say they haven't had any applications. MOMS Club, a national support group for stay-home mothers that has 652 chapters and more than 30,000 members. University Area Moms is a local support group, not affiliated with any national organization, for stay-home mothers of preschoolers in the UNC Charlotte area. Call 593-0110 anytime.