A resource for mothers in Millstone
MOMS Club helps support quest to raise healthy, happy kids
BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writer
Motherhood is always a blessing but sometimes can seem like madness.

JEFF GRANIT staff Bubbles the clown twists balloons together to make a spider hat for a child at the MOMS Club's carnival at Millstone Township Firehouse on April 17.

Parenthood can be stressful, especially for stay-at-home moms and moms who work but spend most of their time with their kids. Recognizing that mothers need the company, compassion and creativity of other adults and that parental support should be ongoing, a group of women in Millstone organized a local chapter of the Moms Offering Moms Support (MOMS) Club.

The MOMS Club of Millstone Township was established in 2004 as part of the international MOMS Club, which serves 75,000 members worldwide. The club is for stay-at-home moms, moms who work part time and moms who have home-based businesses.

President Josie Venton-Gough, of Millstone, said the local MOMS Club is composed of a diverse and warm group of women from Millstone and Roosevelt that believes motherhood should not be isolating.

Venton-Gough said that she joined the club four years ago when her son James was born.

Above left, Moriah Wells, 3, of Millstone, blows up a balloon at the Moms Offering Moms Support (MOMS) Club's carnival at the Millstone Township Firehouse on April 17. Above right, Millstone's Mila McCain, 4, and Nicholas Trimarche, 5, jump around at the carnival.

"I stopped working and it was a shock to the system," she said. "I was not used to being home so much, which can be lonely and isolating. I was lucky to find the MOMS Club."

Members receive a monthly newsletter with a calendar that lists low- or no-cost activities for children of all age groups. The club offers play groups, park and beach days, parties and trips to the library, as well as information about museums, sports activities, theme parks, music classes, farms and other learning and play areas.

A member may attend as many or as few of the events as they wish.

Venton-Gough said the group's activities and trips are very much a team effort.

"We have a wonderful group of generous and gifted women who come together to create really fun events," she said.

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Beyond the activities moms can attend with their kids, the club also offers MOMS Night Out once a month. During this just-for-moms event, members enjoy movies, games, crafts, spa visits, comedy clubs and other events.

Millstone's Beth Cotler said, "You meet new people and chat with friends you already know. It's a nice time for ourselves."

The club also organizes another mom-only event every other month. The book club gives moms a break to gather for an open discussion of a selected book.

Since parenthood cannot be easily sustained without the help of other adults, the club also hosts speakers to discuss a wide variety of topics including fire safety, health, fitness, nutrition, child safety and CPR and also offers helping hands. The Helping Hands Committee provides support to moms who have a new baby, an illness in the family, an impending move or general need for help with meals and child care.

Millstone's Carol Ann Soumbeniotis, who has 3-year-old twins and joined the club six months ago, said members are always ready to lend support.

"When I have a bad day, I call up a member and she comes over and our kids play," she said. "The way this club has helped me is just great. You get to know more families in town."

Venton-Gough said the moms in the club form strong friendships.

"We are a group of women who have fun together and work well together," she said. "There is a nice harmonious feeling in our group."

Even though she just joined, Soumbeniotis said she knows some members who will remain friends for a lifetime.

"It's nice to know people locally who are in the same boat," she said. "We get together for our own sanity, and it's working."

Cotler said the club has also been beneficial for her children, ages 3 and 5.

"They get out and feel like they have a bigger group of friends," Cotler said. "They socialize and look forward to the fun parties every month."

Amy Jacobson, who has children ages 2, 4, 8 and 11, said the club gets her family out of the house two to three times per week.

"We have park dates at Abate Park and Rocky Brook and we go to people's houses every month and meet and make crafts," she said.

Soumbeniotis noted that Millstone is a large community.

"My kids will grow up in Millstone, so it's nice that they can get acquainted with other kids in town who they will be growing up with," she said.

The chapter, which currently has 35 members, is currently seeking new members. Club dues cost $25 per year or $12.50 for moms with limited involvement due to circumstances such as work or family commitments.

For more information about the MOMS club of Millstone Township, contact Niesa at (732) 761-8831 or Josie at jvg224@hotmail.com.